The search to find the world’s best commercial holograms is now underway with nominations open for the 2014 Excellence in Holography Awards.
Organised by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), the annual awards recognise outstanding achievement and reward those who have been at the forefront of the industry, pioneering innovative or new hologram products or techniques, as well as the best use of holograms in a commercial context.
This year’s awards, announced and presented at the annual industry dinner on December 4 during The Holography Conference™ in Istanbul, Turkey will feature a new category, ‘Best Applied Decorative/Packaging Product’.
Delegates from hologram suppliers, manufacturers and users around the world will be attending the event which will include a display of products and applications including the awards shortlist and winners, showcasing the diverse security, anti-counterfeiting and packaging benefits provided by cutting-edge holographic technologies.
Other award categories include ‘Innovation in Holographic Technology’, which focuses on new techniques in hologram origination, production or finishing; and ‘Best Origination’ for outstanding work in the design, artwork and techniques used in hologram origination.
The ‘Best HOE Application’ will be given for the best application of holographic optical elements while the best hologram used on a security product will also be marked with an award.
The annual ‘Brian Monaghan Award for Business Innovation’, given at the discretion of the IHMA Board, will also go to an individual in recognition of his or her outstanding industry achievement and contribution.
Organisations and individuals can submit nominations on their own behalf or they can nominate a third-party project. Projects submitted for an award can also be from any source, they do not have to be from IHMA members.
The closing date for applications and nominations is August 15 and submitted projects must relate to holograms introduced after August 1 2013. Entries will be judged by the IHMA Board, representatives of the worldwide industry elected by IHMA members.
IHMA chairman Mike Messmer said: “The annual awards mark the very best in holographic achievement and the many remarkable innovations that keep this exciting and versatile technology to the fore in a diverse range of applications.
“Creativity, design excellence and quality will lead the way among the entries reflecting holography’s ability to find new applications and push forward the boundaries technically and commercially.”
Anyone involved in a hologram project can enter while others can nominate holographic projects for an award as long as they provide details of the user or producer of the hologram. Further information and downloadable application forms at www.ihma.org
