TROPHY DESIGN

By Rachel Gallaher

Seattle glass artist John Hogan has been designing and crafting the GRAY Awards trophies since the launch of the magazine’s annual design competition in 2017. Known for his experimentation with form and fascination with light, Hogan creates geometric and amoebic forms that are elegant in their simplicity, but that require advanced skills and precise craftsmanship.

“The [trophy] designs have changed over the years we’ve been making them,” Hogan says. “Some have been softer forms focused on texture, while others, including these newest iterations, have been more [focused on] hard lines and color. The process for the most recent awards involves applying a slice of colored glass to a piece of optical crystal, then cutting and polishing the glass to the finished shape. When making a design for an award, I’m hoping that some of my aesthetic sensibilities are present while prioritizing legibility and celebrating the recipients’ recognition and achievement. I love working with a local company that is helping to promote and celebrate creatives and their careers. I know how much these nominees put into their work and I’m happy to make something special to celebrate their commitment and creativity.” h