The design of the unfinished creative work called for a 30-foot (9.1 m) yellow-painted deer with a child's face and was intended to represent "the interaction between the nearby riparian forest and the people living in Oak Grove".

[2] In its concept proposal, the art installation is described as: A large, stylized deer with childlike face speaks to the community's vision of renewal and the proximity of the station to the new Trolley Trail.

Drawn from many traditions from NW Coast Native American carvings to colossal roadside sculpture, Rebirth is a monumental icon that creates a link between the natural environment and the commercial strip of McLoughlin Boulevard.

[1] TriMet confirmed at least two changes to the sculpture's original design: a 15-foot (4.6 m) move to the southeast to avoid crossing into the Trolley Trail or Milwaukie's boundaries, and removal of its mosaic tile facade to reduce costs.

[2] In June 2011, Milwaukie neighborhood association leaders sent a letter to the Public Art Advisory Committee expressing their disappointment with the proposed deer concept, hoping to see changes to its final design.

[2] In October 2011, at a public meeting to address TriMet's projected budget gap, one Milwaukie resident asked the agency to abandon its plans to fund Rebirth, saying that "a lot of people think that thing's just ugly.

Seyed Alavi[7]The debate over the sculpture's proposed design by TriMet, the art committee, and members of the public reached "near-yelling match" status, resulting in "animosity and general nastiness".

[1] In articles providing updates about the sculpture's status, The Oregonian called the work "larger-than-life style highway art" and "Twilight Zone Bambi".