deadCenter Film Festival

Award Design (2022)

I was the chosen designer for the official award for the 2022 deadCenter Film Festival, Oklahoma’s largest and only Oscar-qualifying film festival.

The goal was to create an award that felt modern, celebratory, and deeply connected to the festival’s visual identity, while also addressing a key logistical challenge: the ability to ship efficiently to filmmakers across the country and internationally.

The solution was a flat, layered acrylic construction that balances clarity, color, and dimensionality. A series of engraved acrylic panels feature Oklahoma City iconography, creating a sense of place while adding depth through subtle layering. These elements are framed within a bold, brightly colored acrylic border that mirrors the look and feel of a theater screen, reinforcing the cinematic context of the festival.

The use of transparency allows light to pass through the piece, activating the engraved details and giving the award a quiet sense of motion and atmosphere. Paired with gold hardware and typography, the final object feels both refined and approachable.

Designed to ship flat and assemble with minimal components, the award system reduces risk in transit while maintaining a premium presentation upon arrival.

The result is a contemporary, brand-driven object that celebrates filmmakers while reflecting the spirit of deadCenter. A festival that is community-focused, design-forward, and rooted in place.