In the Arena Award: A Beacon of Public Service

Award Design by wkrm design Honors Public Servants

Designed by wkrm design, the 'In the Arena Award' is inspired by a burning torch, symbolizing enlightenment, hope, and truth. The recipient of the award represents both the flame and the carrier of the torch, guiding others with fortitude, determination, and strength. The ascending staircase reveals the growing and climbing aspects of fulfilling one’s purpose, while the trio of metallic rods reinforces the flame with integrity, sustainability, and fortitude.

The award's unique properties lie in its conceptualization and fabrication. A team of ten design students, under the creative direction of their professor, worked together to conceptualize the award. The physical award and its case, overall branding, promotional collateral, and letterpressed program and citation were designed and fabricated in-house by the student team.

The final production of the physical award was done using in-house facilities. The clear acrylic structure was designed using Rhino and Grasshopper, then exported as flat vector files for laser cutting. The gradual color coordination was created using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge, then printed over the individual acrylic pieces using a UV printer. The 48 individual layers in different sizes and colors were then assembled using three brass rods in the core over a Texas limestone base.

The project started in August 2018 and finished in November 2018. It was presented to Secretary Clinton on November 13, 2018, during a private evening ceremony in the Lady Bird Johnson Auditorium in Austin, Texas. The design process involved brainstorming, research, idea development, prototyping, and production. The biggest challenge was the tight schedule and the need to fabricate everything using in-house facilities while maintaining overall quality.

The 'In the Arena Award' is a testament to the dedication and hard work of public servants. It is a symbol of enlightenment, hope, and truth, designed to honor those who have dedicated their lives to public service. The award was recognized with a Silver A' Award in the Trophy, Prize and Competition Design category in 2019, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation.