Are you designing medals for your event and looking for inspiration?
You’ve come to the right place! A well-designed medal can be the difference between a simple metal object and a powerful symbol of achievement and lasting memory.
At MedalStudio, we have years of experience crafting custom medals for all kinds of events. That’s why, in this article, we’ll walk you through the 5 key elements that turn an ordinary medal into something truly exceptional:
- Clear purpose
- Eye-catching visual elements
- Quality materials
- Creative shape
- Thoughtful personalisation
Ready? Let’s get started
#1 Clear Purpose
The first step in designing a unique and memorable medal is understanding its purpose. Once that’s clearly defined, it becomes much easier to establish the visual elements and create an emotional impact for the recipients.
Ask yourself what is being celebrated and what story you want the medal to tell. A medal often represents years of hard work and dedication, so every design element should align with that purpose.
It’s also worth considering the emotion you want the medal to evoke, whether it’s pride, inspiration, or nostalgia. Think about how you want the winner to feel when they look at the medal years from now.
Once you’ve clarified the purpose, be sure to consult with the event organisers. For example, if it’s a corporate event, speak with your team leads or managers to understand what elements they’d like to include. This way, you can align the medal’s purpose with the values and message of the event.
#2 Eye-Catching Visual Elements
Now it’s time to think about the visual elements of your medal. These are what give it meaning and can make all the difference!
When designing your medal, consider which icon or illustration you’d like to include. Ask yourself: What should this medal communicate visually without using words? For example, if it’s a running marathon, you might feature the silhouette of a runner or an image that represents the race location.
Always keep the purpose of your event in mind when selecting the right imagery. For an eco-friendly event, something like a leaf or tree works beautifully. The key is to choose symbols that are instantly recognisable.
Avoid overcrowding the design. Trying to include too many elements can reduce its visual impact. A clean, focused design will be far more memorable and meaningful. If you want to include text, keep it short. A phrase or the date of the event is more than enough.
If you'd like to add your event or company logo, consider its complexity. If it’s detailed, you might opt for a simplified version or place it on the back of the medal.
Don’t forget that colours matter too, they can have a psychological effect on how the medal is perceived. Each colour conveys something different. For example:
- Red: Symbolises passion, strength, danger, and determination
- Orange: Associated with creativity and enthusiasm
- Blue: Represents calm, reflection, and professionalism. It's perfect for corporate events
- Green: Suggests nature and harmony. It's ideal for sustainable initiatives
- Pink: Often linked to compassion, gentleness, and care. We often use it for community or service-related awards
If you'd like more guidance on choosing the right colour palette, be sure to check out our full colour guide.
At MedalStudio, all of our medals are fully customisable. Every visual detail can be tailored to your event’s specific needs. Simply send us your preferences, logos, or any relevant information you’d like to include. Our free design service will create a visual proposal based on your input.
Don’t have a logo? We can help you create one too for a small additional fee.
#3 Quality Material
There is a wide variety of materials you can use for your medals, with the most common being metal, acrylic, and wood. But how can you determine the best option?
Each material has its pros and cons. Metal is one of the most widely used materials, as it is highly durable, easy to engrave, and looks good. However, you should consider that metal can be more expensive compared to other materials and is one of the heaviest, which may be a disadvantage if you plan on producing large quantities of medals.
At MedalStudio, we love working with acrylic as it is light, easy to clean, and has a sleek, modern aesthetic. This material is ideal for tech-related events or any event where a minimalist and sophisticated look is desired. However, it’s important to keep in mind that acrylic can scratch easily if not properly cared for.
Wood, on the other hand, is the preferred choice for sustainable events. Our wood comes from ethically managed forests, where more trees are planted each year than are harvested. Additionally, the excess material from the UK manufacturing process is used to power a biomass burner on a local farm, meaning we have zero waste from the process.
However, if you’re considering using wood, keep in mind that it requires special care, as it can be damaged if it gets wet.
#4 Creative Shape
While traditional round medals can be lovely and memorable, there are many unique shapes that can create an even greater visual impact.
At MedalStudio, we love playing with medal shapes because it allows us to reinforce the theme of your event in a creative and meaningful way. For example, for a cycling race, we designed a medal in the shape of a bicycle. Not only was it visually striking, it also became an unforgettable keepsake for every participant.
There are countless shapes you can explore. For a trail run, you might opt for a mountain silhouette. For innovation awards, a lightbulb shape can be a clever and symbolic choice. The possibilities are endless!
Just share your idea with us, and we’ll design it to be any shape you envision, featuring layered construction for a stunning 3D effect that will truly stand out.
#5 Thoughtful Personalisation
If you want to create truly unique medals, it’s important to remember that the key lies in the details. Medals that hold emotional value and serve a clear purpose are the ones that will be cherished for years to come.
Every element of your medal can be customised. You can add the name of the event, the date, the category, and even the participant’s name. Don’t forget that the ribbon can also be personalised, choose bold colours, include meaningful phrases, or print a logo directly onto the ribbon.
While there are many customisation options available, it’s worth keeping in mind that sometimes less is more. As mentioned earlier, a cluttered design can lose impact. The best approach is to choose the elements that are most meaningful for your type of event.
For instance, if the medal is for a race, it may be enough to include just the event name and the distance run, allowing you to focus more on visual features such as colour, imagery, or shape.
Ready to Design Your Medal?
Recuerda, antes de pensar en el diseño es importante tener claro el proposito de tu evento. Una vez que lo hayas definido, recuerda usar elementos visualmente atractivos, así como el logo del evento y colores llamativos. También, no olvides que una gran variedad de materiales y formas que le darán a tus medallas otro toque.
If you're looking to take your awards to the next level, check out our site. If you have any questions regarding our custom medals and awards, please do not hesitate to email us at [email protected] or call us at 01377250449.
Updated: 15/07/2025