Pencils & Planes

AUCKLAND, Tuesday: AUT Ad School is celebrating a big couple of weeks for the graduating class of 2020. First, after securing three of the 10 shortlisted spots, Hayley Tubb & Phaedra Starling took took out the Best Digital Campaign at the Paper Planes for NIB and Rainger & Rolfe.

Then, just a week later, their classmates and good friends Alex Tawharu & Caitlyn Thomassen received news they’ve won a D&AD Pencil.

All are currently interning at Ponsonby indie Pitchblack Partners, and say the impact of their achievement only set in after hearing the reactions of their co-workers.

 “All the hard work and late nights paid off,” said Thomassen, a sentiment echoed by her creative partner Tawharu: “I’m just glad to have a creative partner with the same motivation to push themselves to do better.”

“They all put the work in during a tough year and they’ve had some phenomenal support from our friends in the industry.”

AUT lecturer Matt Halliday said: “We’re incredibly proud of the four of them. They all put the work in during a tough year and they’ve had some phenomenal support from our friends in the industry.”

Programme coordinator Dan Fastnedge said: “Alex and Caitlyn’s Pencil is especially significant.

“As the award show period sits outside of AUT semesters, these two had to work on it in their own time. It shows that they have the ability and attitude that it takes to win international awards. We believe these will be the first of many.”

The colour of the Pencil will be announced as part of the New Blood award ceremony next month.

• View the work here