Every year, the AZ Awards commissions a designer, often a member of our illustrious jury, to create a one-of-a-kind trophy that winners take home at the AZ Awards Gala. It’s our way of reflecting the ingenuity of the winners and finalists of the competition itself – which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary and is open for submissions until February 21.

In the first years, the trophies interpreted the letters A and Z in fun and novel ways. For the first 10 years, we invited everyone from Canadian talents like Omer Arbel and Matt Carr to international stars like Matteo Ragni and Michael Anastassiades to have their turn at the challenge. Even with the constraints, they came up with imaginative takes on the letters, in materials including stone, metal, pewter and wood.

Then, in 2020, we asked Luca Nichetto to envision a piece our 10th anniversary. He presented something entirely new: a blown Murano-glass cylinder that allowed for the trophy to become more freeform going forward.

With subsequent versions including an NFT by Garth Roberts, a pebble-like ceramic creation by Ini Archibong and a recycled-wood globe by Marie-Christine Dorner, the trophy is now reimagined from scratch every year. No constraints, just pure imagination.

Take a look at some of our favourite designs over the past 15 years. And stay tuned for the reveal of our trophy designer for 2025!