Framed Certificates
These awards are presented to retirees from the Department of Homeland Security. I took over running this program after learning to edit these awards in Illustrator before moving to InDesign for large jobs. The largest batch job that I completed for these certificates was over 180 units using a template system design for variable data production.
Production template
Proof version
Proof version
USSS Presidential Protection Division Award for the Special Agent in Charge
This frame is a continuation of a perpetual award plaque. We were supplied with a new recipient name and tasked to create a new frame. I created this mock-up of the frame. I produced the plates in-house and sent both the plates and the medallion to our framer to complete the frame to our mockup specifications.
Production schematic
Proof sample
Sail250 Virginia Plates for Ship Plaques
These plates were designed to be fixed onto wooden plaques and mounted in their respective ships and stations to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. This was created in InDesign for a batch of over 40 units using a similar format to the template system design for variable data production.
Production template
Proof version
Proof version
National Taxpayer’s Association Award
& Full-Plate Award Plaque
This award was designed for the National Taxpayers Union as a part of a plaque series for their company. I designed this award and built the logo from the organization’s template, sublimated the art onto the plate, and fixed the plate to the wooden plaque. I also captured and edited this photograph to showcase the award.
I had recently designed a low-cost product with existing materials: a full plate fixed onto a wooden plaque, which I thought would be perfect to present as a budget option. It fit the vision they were trying to achieve and ended up as a beautiful product that surpassed the quality of their previous supplier.
After rebuilding the NTU logo, I created this plate. This plate was sublimated in-house by me. I found that our classic satin plate was highly reflective and needed a matte finish, so we sourced the material shortly after. Once I changed the black coloring to a CMYK rich black, I was satisfied with the appearance. I fixed these plates to a wood plaque and shipped seventeen of these awards to the company.
This picture is a photo that I captured and edited to showcase the award.
The second plaque pictured was designed as an award that can showcase any brand. Our original design only included commemorative coins in routs alongside a smaller, portrait-style plate. I designed this full plate to offer a customizability that we did not offer before — a template that provides a beautiful and accessible award for any company or occasion with any art style.
Ducks Unlimited Award
This award was commissioned by a local company. The customer wanted the award to feature three photographs, their coin, and a plate. I designed this frame with the recipient in mind, keeping his most-prized photo in the center. The photos and plate are centered around the company’s coin. I printed retouched versions of the photos, produced the plate, and sent all materials and design schematics to our framer for assembly.
The Hilldale Crystal Award
This award was designed using premium optical crystal as an option for distinguished recipients. One of seven versions, this feature is for the Department of Homeland Security. I designed this product mock-up and integrated the production file for our ease of ordering, ensuring consistent directions to our vendor for consistent production.
The Soaring Eagle Award
We wanted to bring back an old favorite. This initially limited speciality item was featured on the company’s landing page, garnering many requests for its purchase. While the product is from a third-party, we were not satisfied by the design of the plate. I produced this design, using in-house methods of production to cut the edges of the plate for a distinguished and classic look. The brass color of the plate is not original; I color-matched the plate to the eagle to ensure consistency of the design.
