Concept
Award design for the University of Edinburgh’s College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
This award was developed as a symbolic and personal form of recognition for staff members within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. The design aimed to move beyond the formality of a conventional trophy, offering instead an emotionally resonant object that reflects the values of gratitude, unity, and individuality.
At the heart of the concept is the belief that a university is defined by its people. Each individual brings a unique perspective, yet together they form a cohesive, supportive community. This idea is reflected through four individual components; abstract forms that rest on a single base. When viewed together, they evoke the image of a recipient cradling the community in their hands, highlighting their integral role within it.
To mark the occasion with personal meaning, NFC technology was embedded into the trophy. When scanned, it links the recipient to their own staff nominations; offering access to messages of appreciation from colleagues and students. This transforms the award into a digital time capsule of recognition and impact.
Materials were chosen to reflect both local identity and sustainability. The base was cast in plaster and pigmented to resemble Edinburgh’s historic sandstone. The translucent components were made from pine resin, a biodegradable alternative to glass, inspired by amber as a material of preservation. Together, these choices underscore the award’s symbolic connection to memory, place, and people.
Process
The project was developed collaboratively in a team of four, with regular critique sessions guiding the conceptual direction and execution. Each member contributed distinct strengths; ranging from ideation and material testing to form development and interaction design. Frequent integration and evaluation of ideas helped maintain alignment with the award’s core themes.
Prototyping began with familiar materials like pine wood, before evolving into resin casting and silicone molding, introducing new technical challenges. Pine resin was selected for its affordability and amber-like qualities, though early tests with other resins helped inform the final decision. Several iterations were required to refine form, surface quality, and fit between components.
Designing for emotional resonance and interactivity presented unique challenges. Earlier concepts skewed too institutional, underrepresenting the individuality of recipients. The introduction of NFC-enabled interactions addressed this gap, making the award not only symbolic, but personal.
Outcome & Reflection
The completed trophy achieves a balance between formality and warmth. Soft curves, natural translucency, and the embedded digital layer give the award both physical presence and emotional weight. Its modular components celebrate individual uniqueness while reinforcing collective belonging; a lasting token of appreciation from institution to individual.
This project served as a comprehensive exploration of how to design for symbolism, interaction, and recognition. The collaborative process highlighted the importance of open dialogue, shared critique, and active iteration. It also revealed the potential and limitations of unfamiliar materials, reinforcing the importance of material testing and lifecycle awareness.
Communication played a critical role throughout; from managing internal team dynamics to presenting the project externally. These experiences helped sharpen the ability to articulate meaning clearly and adapt messaging to different audiences.
More than a trophy, the project became a learning framework: an opportunity to explore purpose-driven design, integrate technology meaningfully, and reflect on the responsibilities of recognition. It marked a shift toward seeing objects as carriers of memory, identity, and shared value.
Skills Used
- Team-based ideation and collaborative development
- Public speaking and external communication
- Material exploration and testing (plaster, silicone, resin)
- Rapid prototyping and form iteration
- NFC integration and digital interaction design
- Conceptual storytelling through object form
- Process documentation and presentation design