Fernie Ruano, Jr.

The road to success for young graphic designers can be filled with break point and double faults, especially if you believe following a single set of rules will lead to recognition and gratification.

But a select group of students from Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH) is off to a flying start in their own pursuit of a career Grand Slam after thinking outside of the box – and inside the court — during a competition to design the 2014 Sony Open Tennis “official” poster and lapel pin.

DASH, which is ranked among the best schools in the country in academic achievement as well as art and design, held the poster and lapel pin competition among its talented students earlier in the year and Yifan Wang’s design won the poster competition while Iva Dimitrova’s design was chosen for the lapel pin. Valentina Vergara and Johmaris Ramos received honorable mention for their designs.

The focus of the competition was on the Miami lifestyle and tennis, as students were asked to make submissions that would outline the colorful nature of one of the top tournaments in the sport while injecting the vibrancy of the Magic City.

The students visited this year’s tournament to see their handiwork, as well as take in some great tennis. Soon, everyone else will be able to enjoy it as well as the designs will be available for purchase at the Sony Open Tennis website starting next week.