Macquarie University Research Excellence Awards 2015

Bespoke award design is a challenge and a privilege to be commissioned with.

In 2015, Macquarie University launched a new brand, and required a vastly different approach to the Research Awards presentation (see our previous years award designs here).

We designed an award pillar that was visually sympathetic with the brand elements and tone, introducing a timber as a new texture exclusively for the awards.

As the first three-dimensional execution of the brand, the awards pillar pushed the boundaries of the brand guidelines, while in consultation with the university marketing unit, ensured what was delivered was not contrary to the intent of the new guidelines.

The awards are constructed from timber reclaimed from the historic Tharwa Bridge that crosses the Murrumbidgee River in the Australian Capital Territory. The bridge was originally built in 1895 and was upgraded in 2005–2011.