Are you facing the challenge of designing a medal and don’t know where to start?
Don’t worry – anyone who has ever tried to create something unique knows that feeling. An idea doesn’t always come straight away, but inspiration is often closer than you think.
At Winmed, we’ve prepared thousands of designs over the years and we’ve learnt one thing – the best ideas are born when you take a broader look. That’s why we’ve gathered a few places where you can find fresh inspiration and quickly get your project moving.
1. Brand Book
If your company or event has a brand book, that’s a great starting point. That’s where you’ll find colours, logos, fonts and other elements that create a consistent brand identity. And since the medal is meant to be part of the event, it’s worth making sure it fits in with the rest.
How can you use it?
- the colour palette will suggest which shades work best on the medal,
- the logo can inspire the shape,
- and the values set out in the brand book can be translated into the theme of the design.
Example: if your event focuses on ecology, consider a wooden medal or one made from recycled metal. This way everything will feel consistent and authentic.
2. Look at medals from similar events
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Check out what medals from events similar to yours look like – for example, races, competitions or tournaments. Notice what makes them unique and memorable.
Ask yourself: “What’s the first thing I noticed about this medal?” Then think about how you can adapt that element to suit your event.
Where to look:
- event profiles on social media,
- photos shared by participants,
- websites and photo galleries.
3. Explore medal manufacturers’ portfolios
The best source of inspiration? Those who design and produce custom medals every day. Their galleries contain hundreds of ideas – from classic to highly original.
Why is it worth doing?
- manufacturers know the latest design trends,
- they know what works and what participants enjoy,
- they have a huge base of projects that can inspire you.
Where to look:
- manufacturers’ Instagram and Facebook profiles,
- their websites with portfolios,
- and if you don’t find anything – just write to them, as they often happily share examples.
4. Look for inspiration on social media
Pinterest and Instagram are real treasure troves of ideas. You’ll find medals from all over the world, in a wide variety of styles.
How to search on Pinterest?
- type in keywords: medal, custom medal, marathon medal, modern medal, winmed, winmedal
- browse boards and save projects you like.
How to search on Instagram?
- use hashtags: #Medal, #CustomMedal, #BespokeMedal, #Winmed, #Winmedal,
- follow profiles related to sporting events and medal manufacturers.
5. Find ideas in everyday life
Sometimes inspiration comes when you’re not even looking for it. Just take a closer look around you:
- a city skyline could inspire the shape of the medal,
- the texture of a tree in the park could inspire its surface,
- and a characteristic regional symbol could become the perfect theme.
Such details make the medal unique and meaningful for participants.
From idea to finished medal
Inspiration is everywhere – you just need to know where to look. Now you know how to find an idea and turn it into a design that makes an impact.
Do you want your bespoke medal to take real shape? Get in touch with us – at Winmed we offer a free design consultation. Together we’ll create a medal that participants will want to keep forever.
