Pratt Legends Award

2023

Pratt Legends Award

2023

Pratt Legends Award

2023

Year

2023

Duration

4 Months

Client

Pratt Institute

Field

Trophy Design, Design for Manufacture

Software Used

Overview

Overview

In 2023, I was honored to be selected as the designer responsible for designing the Pratt Legends Award trophy. This annual award honors icons of art, design, and architecture while supporting scholarships that promote diversity and access to education at Pratt Institute. From concept sketches to fabrication, I led the full design journey, transforming abstract ideas into a meaningful artifact that embodies the spirit of the Legends.

Throughout the project, documented the entire design journey, capturing each stage from initial sketches to the final fabrication. The documentary not only highlights the making of the trophy, but also preserves the collaborative spirit, craftsmanship, and creative process behind the award.

The Legends Award

The Legends Award

The Pratt Legends Award is an annual scholarship benefit that honors creative icons in art, design, and architecture while raising funds to support diversity and equal access to education. In 2023, I was selected as the industrial design student to create the award trophy, presented to honorees Kenneth Cobonpue, Edward Mazria, and Kay WalkingStick.

The Legends Award Design

The Legends Award Design

The design of the Pratt Legends Award trophy highlights the power of negative space, created by three ascending volumes that symbolize dialogue, growth, and illumination. The interplay between solid form and the void at its center represents the communication of light through space—a metaphor for how creative visionaries shape culture and inspire future generations.


Crafted in wood with a refined surface finish with gold leaf foil to reveal an inner brilliance—echoing the essence of the Legends themselves, whose humility on the outside is illuminated by the extraordinary talent and vision that radiate from within.

The design of the Pratt Legends Award trophy highlights the power of negative space, created by three ascending volumes that symbolize dialogue, growth, and illumination. The interplay between solid form and the void at its center represents the communication of light through space—a metaphor for how creative visionaries shape culture and inspire future generations.

Crafted in wood with a refined surface finish with gold leaf foil to reveal an inner brilliance—echoing the essence of the Legends themselves, whose humility on the outside is illuminated by the extraordinary talent and vision that radiate from within.

The design of the Pratt Legends Award trophy highlights the power of negative space, created by three ascending volumes that symbolize dialogue, growth, and illumination. The interplay between solid form and the void at its center represents the communication of light through space—a metaphor for how creative visionaries shape culture and inspire future generations.


Crafted in wood with a refined surface finish with gold leaf foil to reveal an inner brilliance—echoing the essence of the Legends themselves, whose humility on the outside is illuminated by the extraordinary talent and vision that radiate from within.

Design Process

Design Process

Ideation

Ideation

The ideation began with exploring joinery as a symbol of craftsmanship and the interplay between forms as a metaphor for communication. Inspired by sculptural and architectural references, I sought to create a trophy that embodies both structural integrity and the dialogue between creative voices.

The ideation began with exploring joinery as a symbol of craftsmanship and the interplay between forms as a metaphor for communication. Inspired by sculptural and architectural references, I sought to create a trophy that embodies both structural integrity and the dialogue between creative voices.

Form Exploration

Form Exploration

Through iterative sketching and prototyping, I explored dynamic silhouettes and spatial relationships, refining how volumes, proportions, and negative space could embody both craftsmanship and the idea of communication.

Through iterative sketching and prototyping, I explored dynamic silhouettes and spatial relationships, refining how volumes, proportions, and negative space could embody both craftsmanship and the idea of communication.

Prototype Refinement

Prototype Refinement

In the prototyping phase, I iterated through multiple models to further develop the form, refining the balance between volumes and the role of negative space in guiding the movement of the design.

Fabrication

Fabrication

The final design was brought to life through CNC milling, followed by meticulous hand-finishing and assembly. Each step, from carving the wooden volumes to applying the golden foil detailing, ensured the award carried both precision and craft.

The final design was brought to life through CNC milling, followed by meticulous hand-finishing and assembly. Each step, from carving the wooden volumes to applying the golden foil detailing, ensured the award carried both precision and craft.

CAD Modeling

CAD Modeling

The form was further developed in SolidWorks, creating precise CAD models that defined proportions and prepared the design for CNC milling.

CNC Milling

CNC Milling

The wooden volumes were precisely carved using CNC milling, ensuring accuracy and consistency across each component.

Finishing

Finishing

Hand-sanding, assembly, and the application of golden foil brought warmth, texture, and inner radiance to the final trophy.

Final Look

Final Look

The Legends Award Event

The Legends Award Event

11/09/2023

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