Veterans In Business Networking Awards
The VIB Network was kind enough to hire me to create some awards for an event in NOV 2024. They trusted the vision I had for honoring the Veteran entrepreneurs and the corporate sponsors.
The Corporate Award
The corporate tower stands with a deliberate imperfection—a sliver absent from its form, symbolizing the sacrifice of its essence. In response, the tower subtly tilts, as though compensating for the missing piece, a poignant representation of the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability. It is anchored atop a foundation of bloodwood, the very material revered in the crafting of veteran awards. Composed of countless individual sticks, it serves as a tribute to the countless veterans whose sacrifices form the bedrock of both civilian and corporate America.
The Veteran Award
The award itself takes the form of a shield, embodying the role of protector that all veterans have embraced. Its six points honor the branches of the military, each a testament to the diverse paths through which service and sacrifice are rendered. The front of the shield gleams with a smooth, polished surface—reflecting the veterans’ enduring commitment to present their finest selves to the world. Yet some shields bear the scars of battle, each marking a unique story, a reminder that no veteran leaves unscathed from their service. These imperfections speak to the personal cost of their sacrifice, with some shields bearing deeper wounds than others, but all embodying the weight of experience.
The reverse side of the shield is marked by chaos, a visual representation of the inner struggles many veterans silently endure. This tumultuous surface contrasts sharply with the outward perfection, symbolizing the emotional and psychological battles often hidden from view.
Supporting the shield is a miniature version of the tower, a nod to the veteran-owned businesses it represents—proving that, while these entrepreneurs receive support from the external world, they remain resolute in their independence and strength. Beneath it all lies a base of purpleheart wood, a quiet but powerful acknowledgment of the immeasurable sacrifice each veteran is willing to make in service to their country.