Publications and Visual Arts

This award is presented to the best publication or visual art, such as newsletter, media kit, logo, photograph, display, digital graphic, etc. 

This is awarded one per each region and among those, an international winner is selected.

Each agency may submit only ONE entry.

Criteria for selection:

  • Quality and innovation of content
  • Layout and visual impact
  • Clarity of communication
  • Effectiveness
  • How it portrays the agency


2024 Winners

International and Region 1

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

The Road Ahead Newsletter

In the fall of 2022, the MVA Communications and Human Resources teams brainstormed a new way to engage and communicate with MVA's 1700 employees across Maryland ensure that everyone feels connected in a post-pandemic world. The Road Ahead (TRA) newsletter came to fruition. The MVA previously had The Vehicle newsletter that started over 60 years ago, a printed publication that was delivered throughout the state for MVA’s employees to hear about happenings at headquarters, retirement celebrations, or the latest from the legislature in Annapolis. It ran through the early 2000s, with employees looking forward to stories about each other for each other – news that they cared about as they worked hard for Marylanders day in and day out. Bringing back that sentimentality, as well as having a publication worth reading, was paramount for bringing back a newsletter. TRA has now marked a full year in publication. Although not a printed piece, it is a monthly production that brings writers across offices – including Customer Engagement, Media Relations, and HR – to write about MVA news, resources for organizational development, kudos from customers, employee of the month recognition, and fun photos of employees throughout the agency. The MVA leverages a SharePoint site to host all the previous newsletters, PDF files that can be viewed anytime, and there have been over 858 page views in the last 90 days alone.

Region 2

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Safe Summer Travel Advertising

Safe Summer Travel is a two-month campaign that spans the typical time period when children and college students are off from school and travel on the roads increase as families take vacations. Since this campaign occurs every year Florida focused on the data to align the campaign with the current statistics and target audience. FLHSMV utilized roadway billboards, gas station TVs, social media, and internet radio - all things that travelers commonly use and would come into contact with while on the road. The focused topics included: speeding, with the catch phrase “Slow Down-Stay Cool;” tire safety, road ready vehicle; seatbelt safety; vehicular heatstroke prevention; look before you lock; and impaired driving prevention. The visual appeal of the campaign illustrated that followers were more likely to open and review ads or posts that caught their eye and while on the road the roadside billboards stood out and reminded drivers of safe driving practices for summer.

Region 3

Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division

Mobile ID Info Sheet

As part of their mobile ID launch, Iowa implemented a two-phased launch approach, initiating a soft launch in May 2023, with the public launch scheduled for the fall of the same year. Anticipating that news about the app's availability might reach customers during the soft launch, they proactively equipped DMV staff with information for customers through the creation of a Mobile ID Info Sheet. This tear-away sheet is designed for swift information transfer enabling customers to explore the information at a time that is convenient for them outside their scheduled appointment. The front side of the sheet is tailored to individuals, emphasizing the convenient, secure, and private benefits of mobile ID. It includes brief instructions on obtaining and using mobile ID, along with guidance on where it can be utilized. The sheet serves as a quick reference guide, using a QR code to direct customers to our external website for more detailed information. The reverse side of the info sheet is tailored for Iowa businesses, organizations, and agencies. Similar to the front side, it outlines the advantages of mobile ID, placing particular emphasis on businesses considering the acceptance of mobile ID as a valid form of identification. The tear-away sheet format has proven effective for prior DMV services, such as REAL ID, and has become a favored tool among staff. Its simplicity enhances usability, and customers value having the information readily available once their service appointment is complete.

Region 4

California Department of Motor Vehicles

DMV DRIVEN: Civil Service Recognition Poster Campaign

As part of Public Service Recognition Week (May 7-13, 2023), the California DMV profiled team members in a series of seven photographs that were used in posters to promote the department’s commitment to serving the public. The project was titled “DRIVEN” and each photo/poster displayed a business-related message that tied to the department’s mission - to proudly serve the public by licensing drivers, registering vehicles, securing identities, and regulating the motor vehicle industry in pursuit of public safety. It also supported the California DMV’s vision to deliver an outstanding experience to all customers. DRIVEN’s objective was to publicly recognize the hard work of nearly 10,000 California DMV team members and to reinforce that each person brings value to the department in a simple yet memorable manner. The posters were displayed in California DMV offices and on social media platforms. They were also digitized to be displayed on television monitors inside more than 170 field offices. All aspects of the project, from the photographs to poster development and production, were done internally by California DMV team members.