PHILSA LEGACY TROPHY
DESIGNER / SHERYN BALDAS / 2025
CLIENT / FILIPINO STUDENT ASSOCIATION
A trophy design that champions the evolution and progression of young Filipino-Canadians in Edmonton, created using sheet metal and cherry wood.
OBJECTIVE
Commissioned by the University of Alberta Filipino Students Association (PhilSa), the task is to create a trophy design encompassing the values of the PhilSa, that can be passed down to the future years. The project is aimed to be design around the 'PhilSa Games 2025: Basketball Tournament' but should be design to be adaptive to any game or sport.
CONFERENCE TOPIC
When discussing the mission and values of PhilSa with the executive team, I began drawing abstract ideas of what their message, alongside taking notes to bridge the terminology and values of 'community and sportsmanship' and what it is to be 'Filipino-Canadian'. From abstract concepts to a tangible form, it became apparent that their vision was broad and relatively undefined (in terms of trophy design). I came to bridge that gap, and interpreted their values into four main concept ideations.
SKILLS
Project Management
Cost Analysis
Wood Working + Carving
Sheet Metal
Powder Coating
OUTCOME
The design bridges the 'Filipino-Canadian' identity using the topographic view of the northern Luzon landscape while the values of persistence and drive founded in Filipinos coming and immigrating to Canadian culture. The form lends itself to this concept in the verticality, reaching and making space for Filipino design in the Edmonton community. The base is another usage of the topographic form, using the Saskatchewan River Valley (specifically the bend outlooking the University of Alberta) as my guide. I look this form by sketching atop a view, while also walking along the river bend. The colours take from the Filipino flag and are cut on the Fiber Laser Cutter using cold-roll steel sheet metal and powder coated.
LEARNED SKILLS
Ideation was the most straightforward phase, coming relatively easy. However, feedback and coordination of the chosen design, alongside the proposed changes became the biggest bottleneck. It has definitely been a challenge to coordinate and execute a project in terms of the timeline, cost and expectation. Alongside the added network of approval and client work (such as iterations or feedback given), however this project allowed me to foresee and anticipate realistic expectations for future projects. Alongside the skills of management, group coordination and feedback.