Art Directors Club of Tulsa

Graphex 55 Awards

As Design Director for ADCT Season 55, I designed and produced the trophies for the annual Graphex Awards, translating the season’s “Get Outside” theme into a physical object.

The concept encourages the creative community to step beyond the boundaries of their daily routines and explore new ideas. That spirit is embedded directly into the form of the award itself.

In collaboration with Fab Lab Tulsa, we developed a sculptural trophy built from the iconic GX silhouette, reimagined as a structural base. Each piece is uniquely crafted, featuring a carved and hand-painted map of the Arkansas River basin that extends beyond the edges of the form. This intentional break from the boundary reflects the season’s core idea of pushing beyond limits, both creatively and physically.

The design also connects back to the broader Season 55 system, echoing visual elements introduced in the season mailer and highlighting the geography of Tulsa. The river motif specifically nods to The Gathering Place, the location of the awards ceremony, grounding the object in a real and meaningful sense of place.

The result is a one-of-a-kind award that functions as both recognition and artifact. Each trophy is distinct, handcrafted, and deeply tied to the creative journey of the season and the community it celebrates.