DETROIT — Sunday night at the Max M. Fisher Music Center saw the annual honoring of young talent and industry luminaries continue during MAIN Event 20, the latter winners consisting of designers Daniel Simon and Hyundai’s Peter Schreyer.
The first honors segment of the evening was co-sponsored by Ford and Lawrence Tech. The output of Boston Architectural College President Glen LeRoy was awarded with the, as well as student finalists Dalia Elmokadem, Hanna Ali, Zak Loman, and Zoro Bi Jean Sempre in the categories of “Product” and “Transportation.”
The first MAIN Event trophy, for the “Next Generation of Design Innovation” category, went to Tyler Rusnak out of a field of four also featuring Stephen Leu, Peter Corey and Drew Dawson.
The recipients of Slingshot Design Achievement Awards were Conor Hantzschel, Caleb Drake, and (though not in attendance) Beth Steenwyk, while Honda’s “Paper” advertisement received the Digital Concept and Excellence Award.
Winning the Global Industry Executive of the Year award, Schreyer was quick to acknowledge where his heart was. “Executive sounds so serious, but I want to be a designer. I want to give back to the students.”
“What is important is to never forget to be a designer. Only a designer can do what a designer does.”
Simon, notable for design work on films such as Oblivion, was presented the Industry Innovator of the Year award by 2015 winner Klaus Busse. Simon also aimed to give back with words of advice for those in attendance.
“Keep asking questions. Don’t feel intimidated by society, you’re with friends, with colleagues. Please stay young, please stay childish, all that you see here is based on being naïve.”
