AWARDS & ACCOLADES
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL AWARDS FROM 2013 TO PRESENT DAY
2 0 2 5 A W A R D
BEST
MOTORCYCLE
“The Springbok”
Won at:
Wasteland Weekend 2025 Car Show
Presented by:
Jared Butler, owner of Wasteland World Events
Over the summer of 2025, I worked closely with my good friend and fellow fabricator Seth Howard (@sethzilla_ftw on IG) to create a dirt bike built for the harsh wasteland. We took a bone stock used Hawk 250 DLX dirt bike for less than half of its original cost, and went to work on stripping the plastic panels and unnecessary electronics.
The bike is named “The Springbok” after the South African animal, known for its speed and agility. Seth created a springbok skull complete with horns and “ears” as a centerpiece for the front of the bike, and did all the metal fabrication based on my concepts and input. I handled all of the paint, created custom fork guards out of aircraft heat exchange plates, bedroll, cargo area, gas tank netting, and other textural and storytelling details.
2 0 2 1 A W A R D
2nd place
costume
“vanderhorn”
Won at:
Wasteland Weekend 2021 Costume Contest
Presented by:
Wasteland Weekend Judges’ Panel
Vance Vanderhorn is a post-apocalyptic desert safari leader traveling with a nomadic crew across the Wasteland. I created this concept in 2021 as a lighthearted exploration of my love for fantasy themes, the Fallout series, Indiana Jones, and Jungle Cruise.
All leatherwork on this costume was patterned and fabricated by me, in addition to the hand-dyed red Vanderhorn tabard, custom safari backpack, pith helmet, uniform shirt and pants. The Vierling-style rifle was co-designed by myself and Robert “Junksmith” Harbin.
2 0 1 9 A W A R D
1st Place
Costume
“Wasteland Nomad”
Won at:
Wasteland Weekend 2019 Costume Contest
Presented by:
Wasteland Weekend Judges’ Panel
I designed and created this post-apocalyptic fantasy nomad in 2019 as part of an effort to combine North African Bedouin elements and leathercraft with Mad Max’s “scratch-built scavenger” aesthetic.
All fabric is hand dyed and aged, as well as all leather used on the costume. All leather goods are created from my own patterns, using antique brass hardware and vintage tools.
This costume was created to be lightweight and breathable, while still retaining a large amount of storage space for the nomad’s trinkets and wares via pouches and a custom leather satchel.
2 0 1 7 A W A R D
Judges’ Choice
costume
“Mojave SHAMAN”
Won at:
Wasteland Weekend 2017 Costume Contest
Presented by:
Bruce Mitchell, Wasteland Weekend Judges’ Panel
The Mojave Shaman costume was built using scavenged bones, horns, leather, bike parts, and surplus military gear. This costume was modular, featuring a removable fleece liner for cold desert nights, and a vented parka for the heat.
The hood was altered to house armature wire that kept the horns and bone crown sturdy when worn, and a hydration carrier was built into the back of the parka—disguised in a gas mask tube that ran over the shoulders for easy access.
COMMUNICATION ARTS
• Student Showcase, March/April Issue (2015) | Orion Energy Drinks, Whiteglass Album, Dvst Plvnet Album, Rise Poster
"The editors of Communication Arts magazine chose these portfolios as examples of the finest work being produced by visual communication students today." - creativehotlist.com
**GRAPHIS**
• Merit Award, International New Talent (2015) | BORE Gun Cleaning Kit Packaging
AIGA
• 2014 Emerge Exhibition | Jury-curated Pieces | BORE Gun Cleaning Kit Packaging, Orion Energy Drinks, Half-Life 3 Poster, Zero Dark Thirty Poster
WOODBURY UNIVERSITY
• 2014 Graphicacy Exhibition | Best Packaging Design | BORE Gun Cleaning Kit Packaging
• 2013 Typecast Exhibition | Best Poster Design | Self-stereotype Poster Series