Hugo Base Design Competition

Many recent Worldcons have held an open competition for the design of their Hugo Award bases. Renovation is continuing that policy and is therefore soliciting artists and designers to come up with a base that is worthy of the Hugo Award and which reflects the convention's theme of the New Frontiers and/or the region of Reno, Nevada and the North-Western United States.

The winning designer will have the opportunity to introduce their base design as part of the Hugo Ceremony itself and the base will also enter the long archive of Hugo base designs, including the Hugo History exhibit which travels to each Worldcon. In addition the winner will receive a full 5-day attending membership of Renovation along with $250 towards the cost of attending the Convention.

• The Hugo Award Rocket and Base
• Base Design Guidelines and Specifications
• Deadlines & Other Requirements

The Hugo Award Rocket and Base

The World Science Fiction Convention has given out the Hugo Awards for achievement in Science Fiction and Fantasy since the early 1950s. Considered SF's most prestigious award, the Hugo trophy comprises a metal rocket on a base.

The Hugo Award rocket was inspired by the finned rockets of Willy Ley and was designed by Jack McKnight and Ben Jason. (In one famous case in 1956, Dave Kyle got away with using hood-mascots from an Oldsmobile model.) The rocket design has become standardised in recent years and the rockets are currently produced by British fan Peter Weston. (For more about the way the rockets are made, read this article on the official Hugo Awards website.)

The design for the base on which the rocket is mounted is, however, the responsibility of each Worldcon committee, and changes each year. This is an honor that Worldcon committees take very seriously and typically the design is created either by direct commission of an artist or designer or by open competition. The committee of Renovation have decided to run a competition to come up with a design for the 2011 Hugo Base.

A photographic archive of many of the previous bases can be found here.

Base Design Guidelines and Specifications

• The base design should reflect the convention's theme of the New Frontiers and/or the region of Reno, Nevada and the North-Western United States.

• Bases must be designed in such a way that the Hugo rocket is an integral part of the design. We will supply the rockets, which are to be bolted to the base from below the tailfins. Ease of attachment should be a design consideration. The rockets are heavy so the base should be sufficiently sturdy.

• The Rocket specifications are available here. Key elements (metric sizes on the detailed sheet downloadable via this link) are:
  • 13" tall
  • 2" across from fin-tip to fin-tip
  • weight 3 lb. 2 oz.
  • bolt 5/16-18 machine screw thread.

• The design must stand on a flat surface in some way (please do not craft a "hanging" design or one only appropriate for Zero-G).

• Bases may be made of wood, metal, lucite, or any other material which has a fixed form. Materials which will change form when aged, heated, etc. should not be used.

• Designs should avoid small attached elements which may break or become separated. Excessively large or heavy designs should also be avoided.

• You must allow space for a plaque containing the convention name, "Hugo Award", the category name, and, of course, the winner's name in an easy to read font. If the design incorporates the plaque as an integral element we would prefer that you can also arrange engraving.

• The design must be sturdy and capable of being transported or shipped (assuming reasonable care in packing). Shipping containers designed specifically for the trophies are welcome, but not a condition of the competition.

• Designs that can be easily disassembled (i.e. rocket removed from base) are preferred.

• Renovation will want the designer to oversee the manufacture and construction of the up to 30 bases that will be needed.

Deadlines & Other Requirements

1. Initial drawings/renderings of your designs should be submitted by January 1, 2011.

2. We may request physical samples from short-listed designs. We regret that design entries cannot be returned.

3. The winning design will be selected no later than February 28, 2011.

4. The decision of the Renovation Committee is final, including the option not to select any submitted entry.

5. Renovation will supply a Hugo rocket to the winner to assist with manufacturing.

6. The agreed number of finished bases should be received by Renovation by July 1, 2011 (We will work with the winner to finalise the exact number needed after voting is complete.)

7. Your submission should include:
   • Estimate of cost to fabricate up to 30 bases. As a guideline, bases should cost less than US$ 150 each (preferably less) to fabricate, including all design/construction costs.
   • The lead time needed for fabrication.
   • Confirmation of your ability to craft the bases.

8. The winner should also make available:
   • High-resolution images of the completed trophy for use at the Hugo Award Ceremony, in Renovation's website and publications and in subsequent press releases.
   • A short 'storyline' about the design of the base.

9. The winning design is traditionally only unveiled at the Hugo Ceremony and strict confidentiality will therefore apply to the winning design until the Convention.

10. Note that "World Science Fiction Society", "WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon", "NASFiC", "Hugo Award", and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.

Submission Arrangements

Please send designs, samples or questions, along with your name, contact information, (and age if under 18), to us at hugobase@renovationsf.org or by postal mail to: Renovation, PO Box 13278, Portland, OR 97213-0278, USA.

As noted above, entries must reach us by January 1, 2011 to be considered.

Good Luck!