Suro Senen
The anticipation surrounding the 84th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), set to descend upon Anaheim, California, in 2026, has reached a new crescendo. LAcon V organizers have officially announced the commissioned artists tasked with designing the prestigious trophies for the 2026 Hugo Awards and the Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book.
In a tradition that bridges the gap between literary achievement and tangible art, the convention has tapped multidisciplinary artist and consulting engineer Scott Lefton to design the Hugo Award base, while California-based artist and educator H. Emiko Ogasawara has been selected to create the Lodestar Award. These bespoke designs, which will be unveiled to the public during the convention’s Opening Ceremony on August 27, 2026, represent the culmination of a long-standing Worldcon custom: the fusion of regional identity with the spirit of science fiction and fantasy.
The Intersection of Art and Engineering: Meet the Designers
The choice of Scott Lefton for the Hugo base is a homecoming of sorts. A veteran of the community, Lefton is renowned for a creative process that defies easy categorization. His work frequently utilizes an eclectic palette of materials—ranging from cold-rolled steel and glass to organic wood and intricate electronics.
Perhaps most notably, Lefton’s credentials include the design of the 2004 Hugo Award bases, providing him with a unique historical perspective on what the trophy represents to the SFF community. Beyond his contributions to the literary world, Lefton’s craftsmanship has reached literal heights; he is the creator of the miniature Hugo rocket that currently resides aboard the International Space Station, serving as a permanent ambassador for the genre in orbit.
Joining him is H. Emiko Ogasawara, a cornerstone of the California art scene. Ogasawara’s work is characterized by its tactile nature and its insistence on engagement. As a sculptor, printmaker, and master of paper engineering, she brings a kinetic sensibility to her projects. Her philosophy centers on transforming the viewer into a participant, a trait that makes her an ideal choice for the Lodestar Award—an honor designed to celebrate the "guiding light" of young adult literature.
The Significance of the Trophy: A Chronology of Tradition
The Hugo Award, named after Amazing Stories founder Hugo Gernsback, has undergone numerous stylistic evolutions since its inception in 1953. While the iconic rocket design—the work of Ben Jason, based on a 1950s automobile hood ornament—remains the immutable constant, the base serves as a canvas for the host city.
A Brief History of the Hugo Base
- 1953: The first Hugo Awards are presented in Philadelphia; the bases are simple, modest structures.
- 1958: The practice of custom-designing bases begins to gain traction as a way to reflect the personality of the host committee.
- 2004: Scott Lefton designs the base for the Hugo Awards, establishing a reputation for technical precision.
- 2018: The Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book is introduced, requiring a new design language that balances youthful energy with the solemnity of a major literary prize.
- 2026: LAcon V prepares to debut the latest iteration of these symbols, reflecting Southern California’s unique cultural and technological heritage.
The evolution of these awards is more than aesthetic; it is an annual record of where the community has gathered. From the steel-and-glass skyscrapers of urban host cities to the natural motifs of more scenic locations, the bases serve as a geographic anchor for the award’s global reach.
Official Responses and Artistic Intent
For the LAcon V committee, the selection process was driven by a desire to capture the "sense of wonder" that defines the genre. Joyce Lloyd, chair of LAcon V, emphasized that the choice of artists was deliberate, aiming to find individuals who could marry technical mastery with deep storytelling.
"One of my favorite traditions of the Hugo Awards ceremony is that each year’s trophies tell a story about the place and people hosting Worldcon," Lloyd stated. "Scott and Emiko are artists whose work combines technical excellence with a sense of wonder. I am incredibly excited about their designs and cannot wait to share what they’re creating with you at LAcon V in August."
For the artists themselves, the project is both a technical challenge and an emotional responsibility. Scott Lefton noted the weight of the commission, stating: "The Hugo trophy is the SFF community’s equivalent of the Oscar, given annually at the World Science Fiction Convention. The winners are chosen by the fans themselves. I’m honored to have been chosen to craft this year’s Hugo base design, and hope that it will remind people about LAcon V and about what our community values in creativity."
Emiko Ogasawara’s approach reflects her background in interactive art. By focusing on kinetic elements, she intends to ensure that the Lodestar Award feels alive. Her work as an art instructor and long-time community member informs her perspective, suggesting that the trophy should not just be a static object on a shelf, but a tangible representation of the discovery inherent in YA literature.
Supporting Data: The Magnitude of LAcon V
LAcon V is not merely a convention; it is a massive logistical operation representing the global SFF community. Scheduled for August 27–September 1, 2026, in Anaheim, the event is expected to draw thousands of fans, authors, and industry professionals.
- Venue: Anaheim, California.
- Duration: 6 days of programming, workshops, and ceremonies.
- Governance: The event operates under the charter of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), an unincorporated literary society that oversees the Hugo Awards.
- Scope: Beyond the awards, the convention includes panels on speculative science, the future of publishing, and inclusivity in literature.
The Hugo Awards remain the only major literary prize where the winners are selected entirely by the fan community. This democratization of the award is what makes the base design so critical; the base is the physical representation of the fans’ collective voice.
Implications for the SFF Community
The decision to pair a seasoned engineer like Lefton with a kinetic, interactive artist like Ogasawara suggests that LAcon V is prioritizing a tactile, experiential approach for its 2026 ceremony. In an era where digital media is increasingly dominant, the physical reality of the trophy becomes even more significant.
The implication is a shift toward "living art." By choosing artists who work with materials like wood, electronics, and paper, the convention is signaling a move away from purely mass-produced-looking awards and toward something that feels handcrafted, personal, and innovative. This reflects a broader trend within the Worldcon community to honor the "maker" culture that sits at the heart of science fiction.
As the community looks forward to the reveal on August 27, 2026, the focus remains on the synthesis of geography and genre. Southern California, with its history of aerospace engineering, film production, and environmental diversity, provides a rich tapestry for these artists to weave into their work. Whether it is through the integration of digital light displays or the use of sustainable, locally sourced materials, the 2026 trophies are poised to be as much a topic of conversation as the award winners themselves.
For those interested in witnessing the reveal, registration for LAcon V is currently open. As the countdown to August 2026 continues, the collaboration between Lefton and Ogasawara serves as a reminder that science fiction is not just about the stories we tell, but about the beautiful, tangible objects we create to celebrate them.
Ali Ikhwan
Nana
