The Story Behind The 2024 NEXPO Award
SEGD was excited to partner with RSM Design and CREO Industrial Arts for this year’s NEXPO award.
When RSM was invited to design the NEXPO award for the 2024 SEGD Experience Dallas Conference, they gladly accepted as it was a great tie into the firm’s “Year in Design” initiative – a strategic, firmwide effort placed on pushing the traditional bounds of design, encouraging innovation, exploring new technologies, inspiring creativity and shared experiences through activities, programs, education, and intentional mentorship.
With the challenge accepted, RSM Design opted to host an internal design competition. It was a great lead into the announcement that the firm was also sending everyone to the conference with Dallas as their host studio, serving dual purpose with the firm’s annual workshop.
RSM Design’s Senior Associate designer, Max Mcilwee, was the selected RSM Design winner. Max drew inspiration from the striking Dallas skyline. His design beautifully captures the city’s iconic silhouette — a fitting tribute to the creativity and innovation celebrated by the awards.
Max’s original design was concepted in both 2D and 3D and went through several iterations as material availability and sequencing of fabrication became a pressing factor.
RSM Design engaged CREO Industrial Arts to bring Max’s vision to life. As time was of the essence, the team met virtually where CREO utilized Rhino 3D to make real-time adjustments then quickly put the piece into fabrication – once shop drawings were reviewed of course!
Once the design was approved, CNC technology was used to precisely cut 1” x 1” x 11” acrylic blocks and embed the SEGD logo on one side of the award.
After meticulous prepping and painting, CREO used their UV flatbed digital printer to directly print the award category and title onto the units.
The custom-designed SEGD letters, designed to reflect the Dallas iconic skyline, were 3D printed and carefully placed onto each award base.
Max Mcilwee of RSM Design and Kyle Otteson of CREO along with SEGD Director of Operations, Jennette Foreman and Liz Griswold, Director of Education and Experience, had the honor of presenting the awards during the conference.
It was an honor to be selected by SEGD to design this award and we also appreciate the collaboration with CREO and their willingness to partner on solutions that brought this concept into reality. It was amazing to see how quickly it all came together and we hope each winner enjoys their small piece of our beloved Dallas skyline!
The 2024 NEXPO Award winners are:
Best Booth: Takeform
Best Material Supplier Booth: MOSS
Best New Product: Destination Preservation by iZone Imaging
Best Fabricator Booth: Bitro Group
Best New Resource: Modulex Group
Best Artisan Booth: DE Powder Coated Graphics