2021 People's Choice

MSI Communications

Matson Challenge Coin

Juried Award Level:

Honorable Mention

Client:

Locally Grown Restaurants

Submission Category:

Matson

Creative Team:

Bryan Cadavos

To assist in the recognition of individual employees, contractors, and community partners, Matson asked MSI Communications (MSI) to produce a challenge coin featuring Matson’s Alaska operations. Challenge coins are a century-old U.S. military tradition. Designed to instill pride and reward good work, they have since been embraced by the maritime industry as well. Recipients of coins should keep th

Before design, the MSI team researched coin manufacturers to determine what production features and constraints would need to be considered. Ultimately a vendor was selected who could produce a 1.75” diameter, 0.16” thick coin with an antique 1 Gold finish and all four colors needed to complete the textured vision of our artist. 

The front design features Matson’s half-century-old logo above a detailed likeness of their D7 Class container ships which serve Alaska. A rising sun is symbolized by a minimalist starburst overtop a blue sky as the background, with all elements encompassed by the client’s tagline and historic “anchor” logo (excerpted from the full logo). The back design features a king salmon, which is iconic of