MVE Discover Awards Encourages Employees to Broaden Horizons

The MVE Discover program is a design competition that promotes learning and exploring art, culture, and architecture from new and interesting places around the world! At MVE we believe that exposure to new places and works, both historical and modern, enhance our craft. Visiting and exploring places outside of our comfort zones allows each of us to grow, and in turn so do those around us.

The Discover Awards competition was held in August 2007 and was open to all MVE employees. Entrants were asked to select any destination around the world, and given options to use any and all types of media to convey his or her passion to explore their selected destination. Each submittal was judged on their individual clarity, creativity, personal and firm value. The top two submittals were presented with a $2,500 travel stipend to explore their dream destination.

The distinguished panel of judges included MVE clients and friends Michael Dula, President of Dula Image Group; Mark Janda, Vice President of Development of Irvine Apartment Communities; Sandra Kulli, President of Kulli Marketing; and Hal Struck, Executive Vice President of Pardee Homes.

Seventeen entries were received and judged by the panel during the judges dinner held on August 8th. Selected international destinations included India, China, Africa, Italy, Scotland and Germany. The judges were delighted by the creativity of each submittal which included all types of media. Three entrants created movies to convey their message while others made puzzles, sculptural structures, interactive pieces and creative writing.

With a tough decision to make, the judges selected the winning submittals by Chris Bystedt and Erik Chrestensen for their exceptional creativity and distinct perspective. Chris created a wonderful compilation of post cards which documented the journey he plans on taking to Asia. During his mission he will assist in building much needed homes for local families with Habitat for Humanity.

Erik crafted an interactive "peep show," a hollow box with overlapping slides depicting different aspects of New Orleans, Louisiana. Erik will visit New Orleans to discover what the city has to offer in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Upon return, each will share their experiences with the office through the use of an interactive journal which they have compiled to document their journey.