Award Design Considerations

The Microsoft Technical Recognition Award (TCN Award) is a peer recognition program to honor legendary technical achievement. MIcrosoft’s objective is to recognize legendary work by an elite membership of 500 top Microsoft scientists and technical staff; affectionately known as the “brain trust.” Award candidates are nominated by their peers and are recognized at a large event where awards are given and members can connect and collaborate.

Designed to celebrate innovation, collaboration and forward thinking leadership, intersecting steel rings represent achievement, leadership and impact. A crystal centerpiece features the “Blibbet” design, the middle letter ‘o’ of Microsoft’s original logo. The award is designed so it can be displayed in multiple positions, bringing together sophisticated simplicity, intriguing proportion and engineering design.

Advanced materials or design approach is encouraged to enhance the award’s scientific theme. More guidelines provided by the client:

• Feature the legacy “Blibbet” symbol.

• 3-D or sculptural, not a plaque.

• Elegant, sophisticated and uniquely appealing to a scientific audience.

• Aspirational and prestigious.

To answer Microsoft’s design challenge, Fireborne presented several concepts, all with these key elements:

• Nucleus (jewel) element incorporates “Blibbet.”

• Award stands alone without a marble base. It rests comfortably in different positions and is tactile, bright, and strong.

• Text and graphics are unobtrusive and meld smoothly into the entire futuristic design.

• Three ring shape incorporates Microsoft’s event themes of: Connect/Collaborate/Integrate.