top tier trophies
And the award goes to...the modern designs of Trophyology
One of those ideas you didn’t realize was desperately needed until you heard it, modern trophy and award design company Trophyology is helmed by local architect Eva Schone, who is partnering with talented craftspeople to breathe fresh new life into an industry that’s long overdue for a makeover. But while Trophyology certainly aims to update the look of awards and trophies, it also plans to bring meaning and quality to the industry.
The idea for Trophyology was originally sparked while Eva was in architecture school in Florida where she participated in an award design competition (she experimented with a modern, poured concrete design). Later, Eva was reminded again of the idea while competing in triathlons:
“I did triathlons at the time, too, and I would win my age group and receive these plaques that meant a lot to me—I mean I had trained for these things—but I just couldn’t hang them in my house. I just couldn’t live with the look of it,” says Eva. “I felt like there was room in the industry and started researching the business and writing a business plan and just realized there really wasn’t anything like [Trophyology].”
The official debut of Trophyology’s first line was earlier this year at the AIA Austin Honor and Design Awards. Up next came a few awards for Austin Design Within Reach’s M+D+F competition. The reception was phenomenal.
For the first line of pieces she worked with local craftsman Michael Yates, whose own clean, modern designs incorporate plenty of wood and complement Eva’s designs well, and talented metal-worker Colin McIntyre. Knowing (and showcasing) the people who will be crafting the awards is very important to Eva as is supporting U.S. craftspeople. She aims for high design and high quality which she feels comes from something being hand-crafted.
“I really believe we have to fabricate here in order to create jobs and keep our economy healthy. I think people will appreciate that and pay the extra costs that it takes. I think that every time we touch these awards—I or Michael or anyone of these people—that goes into the memory of something that ultimately ends up on someone’s shelf. And they can feel it. I think there’s an energy in these pieces. I read the term ‘heirloom quality’ piece the other day and I really liked that. I thought, why wouldn’t we hand these pieces down to our children?” says Eva.
Though still relatively new (she crafted her business plan two years ago and the website just debuted last month), she plans to reach out to her target audience—design-oriented businesses—which she feels isn’t just entities like the American Institute of Architecture but could be any businesses that really value craft and quality. She stresses that even though the recipient of these awards isn’t often the person actually doing the purchasing, there are still plenty of benefits for those who shell out the dough, like showing that it’s a company that values honor, high-quality and design.
The plan for the company is to debut a new line each summer and fall and also offer custom work. Having already designed in wood, metal and glass, when asked to give up some other materials she’s eyeballing, she mentioned leather, Corian and even felt, but admits the possibilities for future designs are plentiful.
She’ll also be designing a line of desk accessories that will match the aesthetics of the awards—name plates, business card holders, vases and more—so that even those not lucky enough to be bestowed an award yet can enjoy her great designs. And if you can’t tell by the photos of these awards, it should be noted that these are awards that just feel good in your hands; they have a weight to them that’s noticeable.
“The weight of these awards has an immediate association with value. They’re well made. That weight communicates that and adds to the experience that people have really achieved something great. Because that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do: honor great achievements with equally great pieces.”
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More on Trophyology on the website and Facebook page.