Best of CASE District V Award
 

Institution: University of Wisconsin Madison

Title of entry: Psychedelic Wonder Drugs

About this entry: “Psychedelic Wonder Drugs” explores the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s stunning results in experimenting with psychedelic drugs for therapeutic purposes. Because the cover featured a sensitive topic, On Wisconsin needed to approach it carefully. After much research into freelance illustrators, art director Danielle Lawry chose Mathias Ball based on his compelling style and color palette. Ball worked with Lawry to effectively depict a psychedelic scene without coming off as harsh and clichéd. Since the article is about the use of psychedelics in mental health therapy, the illustration features a person metaphorically looking at an abstract view of their mind. The image was successful in engaging readers, helping to make “Psychedelic Wonder Drugs” one of On Wisconsin’s most-viewed articles online for 2021, along with generating extraordinary engagement on social media. UW–Madison’s School of Pharmacy requested scores of extra copies and a blowup of the cover to hang in its building.