Announcing the 2024 SEGD Achievement Award Winners
Presented by Designtex
On September 28, 2024, during the SEGD Experience Conference Dallas, SEGD proudly announced the winners of the 2024 SEGD Achievement Awards. This highly anticipated event serves as the pinnacle of annual gatherings for the global experience design community. Since 1987, SEGD has recognized outstanding individuals, pioneering companies, and influential institutions that have made significant contributions to experiential and environmental graphic design. We invite you to explore the accomplishments of our 2024 awardees and delve deeper into their profiles through the links provided below. You can also view these winners in our SEGD24 Awards Annual.
The 2024 Class of Fellows:
This year, SEGD honors Shirin Frangoul-Brückner, Marquise Stillwell, and Stefan Sagmeister as the 2024 SEGD Fellows, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to the field of experiential design. They join an elite group of 49 previous honorees, including luminaries such as Paula Scher, Bruce Mau, Deborah Sussman, Massimo Vignelli, Lance Wyman, Sylvia Harris, and Wendy Evans Joseph.
Alan Jacobson, FSEGD, Chair of the 2024 SEGD Fellow Committee, celebrated the new Fellows, stating, “These visionary leaders have shaped the trajectory of experience design in unique and impactful ways. Their work reflects the innovation, depth, and global influence that defines our community.”
Shirin Frangoul-Brückner is a visionary designer and founding partner of ATELIER BRÜCKNER, a global leader in museum and exhibition design. Since launching the firm in 1997 with Uwe R. Brückner, she has transformed it into an internationally acclaimed design powerhouse, guided by the principle of “making the impossible possible.” Shirin’s multi-sensory approach seamlessly integrates storytelling with spatial design, creating immersive experiences that captivate global audiences.
With 130 employees and offices in Stuttgart and Seoul, ATELIER BRÜCKNER continues to push the boundaries of exhibition design, as seen in their award-winning work on the Museum of the Future in Dubai. Shirin’s leadership, dedication to excellence, and collaborative approach have earned widespread respect across the industry. Her involvement in professional associations, such as the German Design Club, and her role on the University Council at Augsburg University reflect her commitment to advancing design and mentoring emerging talent. Shirin’s contributions have left an indelible mark on experiential design, making her a true trailblazer in the field.
Marquise Stillwell is a designer and community builder whose career spans over two decades, driven by a deep curiosity for how people interact with spaces and systems. His passion for enhancing environments and fostering inclusivity led him to found Openbox, a New York City-based design research studio exploring the intersection of people and systems. Marquise holds an MBA and MA in Economics, which shaped his understanding of social behavior and spatial dynamics, influencing his approach to design solutions that benefit communities.
In addition to Openbox, he co-founded Opendox, a film company that highlights underrepresented stories, and has produced films like The New Bauhaus and This World Is Not My Own, which premiered at SXSW and Hot Docs. His work extends to the founding of Deem Journal, Artmatr, and Urban Ocean Lab, each reflecting his dedication to inclusivity, sustainability, and social equity.
Through his multifaceted projects, Marquise continues to create people-centered designs that embrace diversity, challenge convention, and drive positive social change, all while addressing the needs of future generations.
Austrian graphic designer and typographer Stefan Sagmeister is known for his unorthodox and provocative designs, shaping iconic work for major artists and brands through his studio, Sagmeister Inc. Acclaimed for his exploration of profound themes like happiness and beauty, Stefan’s work delves into how design influences emotional well-being and aesthetic appreciation. His globally touring exhibition, The Happy Show, combined data visualization and graphic design to provide insights into what makes people happy. His exploration of beauty, seen in exhibitions like Beauty, investigates how aesthetic experiences shape our emotions and behaviors, cementing Stefan as a pivotal figure in the intersection of design, emotion, and human experience.
In addition to his innovative design work, Stefan has won two Grammy Awards—one for the Talking Heads and another for David Byrne and Brian Eno’s Everything That Happens Will Happen Today in 2010. His commitment to creativity is further reflected in his practice of taking a year-long sabbatical every seven years, dedicating time to creative experimentation.
The 2024 SEGD Achievement Awardees:
2024 SEGD Distinguished Member Award
Gary Stemler
Vice President
Archetype
The SEGD Distinguished Member Award is given to members who demonstrate outstanding volunteer efforts that contribute to the direction, growth, and excellence of our programs and communities. Recent recipients include Annelle Stotz, Christina Lyons, Amy Lukas, Kelly Kolar, Lucy Holmes, Don Kiel, and Wayne Hunt.
Recognized for his outstanding dedication to SEGD over the years, Gary Stemler has served as an SEGD Board Member for 13 years and Treasurer for seven of those years. His leadership and guidance were instrumental to SEGD’s financial stability and mentorship of younger board members. Even after the completion of his board terms, he remains a vital resource for SEGD, offering invaluable support to the community
2024 SEGD Innovation Award
Modulex Group
The SEGD Innovation Award recognizes members who have advanced technologies in our field, developing innovative expertise and creative processes that expand the impact of experience design. Past recipients include Prime Access Consulting, Andrusko Group, and SignAgent.
For over a decade, Modulex has led the signage and wayfinding industry in sustainability and innovation. Their commitment to advancing low-carbon, low-impact materials has set new standards for environmental responsibility, making them a deserving recipient of the SEGD Innovation Award.
2024 SEGD Insight Award
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
Our next award is the SEGD Insight Award which recognizes visionary clients behind impactful projects and initiatives that significantly enhance or promote opportunities in the field and partnerships for its practitioners. Past recipients include The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Bryan Stevenson, NYCEDC, and The American Museum of Natural History.
SEPTA is recognized for their visionary Branding and Wayfinding Master Plan, developed during the pandemic. In collaboration with Entro, they re-envisioned the transit experience, enhancing accessibility and community engagement, setting a new benchmark for public transit systems.
2024 SEGD Educator Award
Neeta Verma
The SEGD Educator Award recognizes educators driving the academic development of the next generation of designers of experiences, practitioners, and faculty. Past recipients include Dr. Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall, Yeohyun Ahn, and Angela Iarocci.
An educator and practitioner, Neeta Verma is honored for her transdisciplinary approach to design, which explores its power to promote social equity and justice. Her work has shaped the next generation of designers and advanced the role of experience design in solving global challenges.
2024 SEGD Chapter Chair Award
SEGD Vancouver Chapter
The SEGD Chapter Chair Award recognizes members who have demonstrated a commitment to SEGD through volunteer efforts that contribute to the excellence of the organization. Past recipients include Kayte Muse, the SEGD Raleigh Chapter, and the SEGD Riga Chapter.
Chaired by Jessica Acevedo, Cristina Kelly, and Genevieve Tyack, the SEGD Vancouver Chapter is recognized for its exceptional volunteer efforts and contributions to the growth and excellence of SEGD. Their commitment to fostering a vibrant experiential design community in Vancouver has made them a deserving recipient of this award.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Designtex, the presenting sponsor of the 2024 SEGD Fellow & Achievement Awards.
About SEGD
We are designers of experiences connecting people to place. SEGD is a multidisciplinary community collectively shaping the future of experience design. We are a thought leader and an amplifier in the practice of experience design. Learn more at segd.org.