The Walter Award – VLM Dinosaur Trophy: A 2-of-a-kind fabrication that celebrated creativity through character and craft

Overview

BluEdge partnered with VML to produce a truly unique physical award, designed to celebrate a standout marketing campaign developed for one of VML’s clients. Inspired by a character from the original campaign, the custom trophy—nicknamed “The Walter”—was designed, printed, hand-finished, and assembled in-house. While we cannot name the end client, VML led the creative and entrusted BluEdge to bring their vision to life. Only two of these awards exist in the world—one presented to VML’s creative team and one gifted to their client.

Project Background

The Walter Award was created as an internal acknowledgment of creative excellence. It was conceived as a personal, physical memento to recognize the impact and success of a marketing initiative. VML shared that they wanted the award to strike the perfect balance between fun and refined—professional enough to honor the work, but playful enough to reflect the spirit behind the campaign.

Creative Development & Iteration Process

The concept evolved through multiple design iterations. VML initially shared three digital mockups:

1. A highly detailed, full-color version
2. A simplified color version
3. A monochrome chrome version

Ultimately, the third option was selected for its sleek visual impact and strong on-shelf presence.

VML also provided us with a 3D model of the dinosaur character featured in their animated campaign. Our team cleaned up and reworked the file to optimize it for 3D printing, adding structural support and adjusting elements for scale and durability.

BluEdge's Fabrication Scope

Our team managed the end-to-end production of the trophy, including:

• 3D Printing & Reinforcement: The dinosaur was printed as a mostly hollow form to keep the structure lightweight and cost-effective. Delicate areas were reinforced with resin for added durability.
• Base Design & Terrain Build: BluEdge designed the custom platform that the dinosaur would stand on. We sourced high-quality wooden bases, enhanced them with black paint and clear coat, and added a hand-sculpted, 3D-printed “terrain” layer to serve as the dinosaur’s footing. The figure was attached using a hole-and-peg system to ensure security and easy transport.
• Hand Finishing & Accessories: Each dinosaur was carefully sanded, primed, and painted in a uniform monochrome chrome finish. A custom chain was delicately placed around the dinosaur’s neck—one of the final and most charming touches. The base featured a small engraved plaque with the name of the award: “The Walter.”

Scale & Production

Each finished piece measured approximately six inches wide from nose to tail. Two trophies were created in total. From start to finish, the project took approximately four weeks. This was not a rush job—every step was thoughtfully planned and executed with craftsmanship and precision.

Team Reflection

Tony Cardinale, BluEdge’s Project Manager, shared:

“These are my favorite kinds of projects to work on. They’re creative, they involve a lot of thoughtful decision-making, and at the end of the day, when the client is happy with the final piece—that’s the biggest reward.”

Why It Mattered

The Walter Award is a great example of how custom fabrication can go beyond display or decor to become a lasting symbol of collaboration, recognition, and creative success. For VML, it wasn’t just about making a trophy—it was about celebrating a moment in their agency’s work that deserved to be honored with something tangible, personal, and unforgettable. BluEdge was proud to bring that vision to life.