A year after graduating from Columbus College of Art & Design, Jay Hubbard (Advertising & Graphic Design, 2025) already has a national award to his name.
Hubbard earned a Silver Telly Award in the General—Music Video category for directing “₩ON FOR A LIFE” by Columbus hardcore band SOUR.
How big a deal is that? The Telly Awards receive more than 13,000 entries globally, with work judged by 250-plus industry experts from television networks, production companies, global agencies, and streaming platforms. Past winners include HBO, NASA, National Geographic, Paramount, and more.
And in Hubbard’s category? The gold-winning work came from Slick Rick Music Corp, tied to legendary hip-hop artist Slick Rick.
Not bad company for a new grad. But the story behind the award started well before graduation.
The road to a Telly started at CCAD
While studying Advertising & Graphic Design, Hubbard discovered a love for filmmaking and music videos, pulling from resources and expertise across CCAD’s Graphic Design and Film & Video programs.
He also gained professional experience through the CCAD Student Agency, the college’s student-staffed creative agency, where students produce real work for real clients.
Those experiences came together for his senior capstone. Hubbard set out to celebrate Columbus’ music scene, collaborating with a handful of local artists and groups to create music videos and document the process. One of those groups was SOUR.
The relationship didn’t stop when Hubbard finished his capstone. What began as student work became a larger creative partnership—and eventually “₩ON FOR A LIFE,” an ambitious production spanning 11 shoot days, more than 10 locations, and 20-plus performers.
“Working with SOUR pushed me harder than anything before,” Hubbard says. “Their trust and belief in me pushed me to make the best thing I possibly could."
Built with a little help from CCAD
Hubbard didn’t make it alone. The project brought together members of Columbus’ music community alongside fellow CCAD creatives.
Hubbard enlisted students and alumni he’d met during his time at CCAD to support the project. Kory Johnson (Fine Arts) built a custom, more-than-five-foot-tall “Welcome to Heaven, USA” sign used in the video and album art. Ayuka Shichinohe (Industrial Design) documented the production through behind-the-scenes photography. Bradley Lowe (Film & Video) served as assistant editor.
It’s a snapshot of something CCAD students experience every day: Your classmates aren’t just classmates. They’re future collaborators, connections, and creative partners.
“This project and the album rollout videos alongside it represent everything I’ve built over the past few years—including my time at CCAD,” Hubbard says. He also credits CCAD alumni and staff who gave him opportunities, encouraged his work, and helped him grow.
Hubbard’s Telly win is a big milestone. But the path there matters, too.
Before graduating, he was already making ambitious work, gaining professional experience, building a creative network, and finding his voice.
Want to see what Hubbard is creating next? Explore his work at Love, Jay Productions or follow Love, Jay Productions on Instagram.
At CCAD, the creative career doesn’t have to come later. You start building it here.
Ready to start building your creative career?
Explore CCAD undergraduate programs, including Graphic Design and Film & Video, and see how you can turn your creative interests into real-world experience.
Want to know how CCAD helps students prepare for life after college? Explore the career resources, professional connections, and opportunities available to CCAD students.
