Design on the move: UNTHSC wins transit award for public ad
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Office of Marketing and Communications received the Adsposure award for Best Impact in this year’s Transit Awards. This recognition underscores the power of creativity and strategic messaging in public spaces.
For the past four years, Adsposure has celebrated the most creative and impactful transit advertisements across the United States. Currently, the Transit Awards are held in Cincinnati, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Fort Worth, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Northern Kentucky; and Youngstown, Ohio. Winning this award places UNTHSC’s ad among the nation’s most influential and widely seen transit advertising efforts.
The Office of Marketing and Communications’ creative team, led by Alexandria Ortiz, associate director of marketing, submitted an ad that resonated with many Fort Worth residents, and commuters have likely seen it on buses and benches across the city. The award-winning ad features a graduating UNTHSC student in his regalia and highlights the university’s six colleges, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to being one university working toward a common mission, vision and purpose.
The concept and design were brought to life by Rachel Van Deusen, graphic designer, with the help of Guillermo Gomez, senior graphic designer. The design emphasizes the accomplishments of UNTHSC’s dedicated students – a theme that resonates with many.
“We are so excited to win the Transit award,” Ortiz said. “I’m so proud of my team’s dedication to producing high-quality graphic design work that’s making an impact in our industry.”
This award not only recognizes exceptional design but also validates the strategic messaging that the department strives for. In fiscal year 2025, the entire marketing team committed to growing the university’s brand recognition, including transit advertising. Through the team’s hard work, the UNTHSC brand is becoming more recognizable.
“To know that our work is being seen and celebrated outside the university means a lot,” Van Deusen said. “It reminds us of the real-world impact design can have.”
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