When Adobe announced the winners of its 2012 Design Achievement Awards in the fall, the list included CCA alumnus Michael Rigley (BFA Graphic Design 2012). Rigley's conceptual thesis project, a video called "Network," won in the student Motion Graphics category.

The Atlantic Monthly covered Rigley's "Network" project, which prompted senior associate Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg to comment: " . . . the goal seems to be to give form to an abstraction -- mountains of data."

Winning students were recognized in 13 categories encompassing interactive media, video and motion, and traditional media. All work by ADAA finalists was showcased in a special gallery at the DesignThinkers 2012 conference.

Rigley recently was listed fourth on Creative Bloq's "20 brilliant young designers to watch in 2013" list and summarized as: "Michael Rigley's motion design work is truly visionary."

About Michael Rigley

"I am a motion designer hybridizing life, work, and play into a volatile amalgamation of compelling concept and highly crafted design. My skill sets include everything from design, concept, and direction to animation, compositing, and development.

"Technically I specialize in Cinema 4d with a focus in fabricating highly complex motion systems while conceptually my focus remains in design and the construction of compelling images."

Other projects credited to this talented graphic designer:

• Adobe Creative Suite 6 Stinger (a launch event video)
• Typographic Fluidity: Beginnings of an Alphabet
• Graphic Design Program at CCA (a promotional video)
• CCA Architecture Lecture Series poster (promotional marketing material)

See more of Michael Francis Rigley's work »

Faculty Response

Graphic Design faculty member Jennifer Morla (herself an AIGA Medal recipient) praised Rigley's work: "Michael is an extremely talented designer, one who takes risks and succeeds. He has a profound knowledge of digital technology that informs his work in extremely unique and surprising ways."

The Future

Perhaps Rigley will be recruited by Adobe. Judging from what four CCA alums who are all working in senior design positions at Adobe have to say, he'd be in [a] good company.