This year, Adobe and The Webby Awards partnered to launch a new honor: the Webby Special Achievement in Creative AI, to recognize those using AI in transformative, artistic ways. To mark the special occasion, we commissioned a redesign of the iconic Webby trophy—assisted by Adobe Firefly—for the first time in the show’s history.

The reimagined award was a fitting tribute to its recipient, designer and educator Norman Teague, whose work centers radical reimaginings of modern design.

Teague was recognized for his celebrated Jam Sessions exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, where he and his studio leveraged Adobe Firefly to reinterpret design icons through the lens of non-Western aesthetics, improvisation, and cultural identity—asking what would modern design look like if its biggest movements were inclusive from inception. His work demonstrates how generative AI can be used not to replicate the past, but to reshape it altogether by inviting underrepresented voices and perspectives into the design canon.

Spencer Nugent, a visionary industrial designer and educator, was tapped to bring to life this one-of-a-kind Webby trophy that embodied the spirit of the award and Teague himself.

“Passion is the process,” Nugent shared. “I create with love and intention, and this project was no different.” He began by hand-sketching ideas, then using Adobe Firefly Boards to experiment with form, texture, and symbolism. “Firefly became a creative assistant. It helped me see ideas I might not have arrived at on my own.”

Drawing inspiration from African and Caribbean textiles, Nugent designed a trophy that serves as an answer to Teague’s question. “Designing this for someone like Norman, whose work I deeply respect, made it even more meaningful,” he said.

The final trophy, handcrafted by Pooria Sohi, remains distinctively Webby, but rich with new cultural resonance. It is a physical embodiment of what happens when creativity and technology come together to tell deeper, more inclusive stories. For Adobe, The Webby Awards, and the creative community, it marks a milestone and a new symbol for a new era of artistic possibility.

About the Award

As part of a unique partnership with Adobe, The Webby Awards created the Special Achievement in Creative AI Award to recognize those using AI in transformative, artistic ways. Honorees are selected for their innovative application of AI, their commitment to ethical and inclusive creativity, and their contributions to expanding the boundaries of expression.