“One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do,” wrote the great philosopher Harry Nilsson back in 1967. “Two can be as bad as one; it’s the loneliest number since the number one.”

All of which may or may not have something to do with the fact that there are not one, not two, but three recipients of this year’s coveted Helveticahaus scholarship: Cody Thomas, Elizabeth Pierce, and Roman Dorr. The Spokane Falls Community College design students were chosen by a selection committee comprising design professionals, educators, and community leaders.

Two of this year’s recipients have returned to school after discovering that graphic design is a better fit for their respective strengths and passions: Thomas graduated from Portland State University in 2009 with a degree in drawing and painting, while Pierce earned a BFA from Clemson University. Dorr, on the other hand, entered SFCC’s design program right out of high school, and hopes to get a stronger grasp not only on design, but also on marketing and PR.

CK and Linda Anderson founded Helveticahaus in 2015 as a creative way to help young designers pursue and achieve their career aspirations. All profits from the online retailer go toward providing financial support to students earning graphic design degrees at SFCC, their alma mater. 2019 marks the fourth year in a row that at least one scholarship has been awarded.

“It’s one thing to make a selection based on applications – essentially just words and images on paper,” explained Linda Anderson. “It’s something else entirely to meet the recipients in person. This year’s recipients have very different backgrounds, yet all three share the same passion for design. We’re going to enjoy watching their talent grow and deepen.”

P.S. Want to fund the next Hh scholarship winner? Buy something cool.


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