When tasked with organizing an awards gala or event, the trophies you select represent your organization. They also reflect the value that your company places on its employees as well as its supplier and client relationships.
A customized glass award carries something special in terms of recognition and appreciation. Of the biggest benefits of customized glass awards, the option for personalization perhaps tops all.
Standard trophies may show appreciation but will still not relate to the emotional aspect a custom glass award portrays.
A custom glass award lets you tailor the recognition to match specific accomplishments or unique attributes of the recipient. The design process should also reflect the essence of the occasion-be it a sporting event or a company award ceremony.
This guide will take you through major considerations and steps involved in designing a perfect custom-made glass award.
Contents
1. Partner with an Experienced Manufacturer
To bring your vision for a custom design to life, you will want to find a manufacturer or designer with experience, preferably one specializing in custom glass awards. They should offer:
- Design Consultation: A team of professionals can collaborate with you to help streamline and/or develop your concept.
- Quality Assurance: Ensure that all products are manufactured to the highest standards and with great attention to detail.
- Prototyping: They should provide you with a prototype or 3D rendering so you have peace of mind.
- Timely Delivery: Ensure they can deliver on time without compromising on quality.
Reading through the feedback, looking at their previous work, and discussing what you have in mind will help you make a better decision.
2. Understand the Purpose of the Award
The same way winning an award may matter to your brand is quite similar to how your employees feel when awarded. Before you begin the design process, you have to determine what the award is for.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the occasion or event?
- Who is the recipient? (e.g., an individual, a team)
- What particular achievement or quality are you celebrating?
For instance, an innovation award at a technology conference could have a modern and futuristic design. In contrast, a classic appreciation award for a retiring CEO may differ in design.
3. Consider the Shape and Style
Glass awards come in all sorts of shapes and styles. Before deciding, it’s important to consider the feel and perceived significance. Some popular styles and shapes you can opt for include:
- Classic Rectangles: Clean, timeless and versatile — you can use them for professional achievements such as sales or employee of the year.
- Abstract Shapes: Great for creative or modern awards symbolizing innovation or forward thinking.
- Trophies or Sculptures: These designs look prestigious and work well for sports events and competitions with high stakes.
- Themed Shapes: You could bring in shapes like stars (excellence), flames (passion), globes (international achievements), etc., based on the occasion.
4. Choose the Appropriate Type of Glass
Not all glass is created equal, and the type of glass you use will determine the look, feel, and overall durability of the award.
The common types of glass used for awards include:
- Crystal Glass: This type of glass is known for brilliance clarity, and reflects luxury.
- Optical glass: This is glass without any imperfections. Normally, you use it for small designs or 3D engravings.
- Colored Glass: This is a less expensive glass option that you can use to make unique awards and brand them with the colors of your event.
Glass selection is all about finding the right balance between aesthetics, budget, and the tone of the event.
5. Consider Personalizing the Custom Award
Adding that personal touch is one of the great things about custom awards. It’s all in the details! Some common elements you can add to personalize your custom glass award include:
- Recipient’s Name: This makes the award more personal and unique.
- Award Title: Make it clear what the award is for (“Employee of the Year” or “Excellence in Design”).
- Event Name and Date: The event name and date are special memories that will live on in the hearts of every award recipient.
Engraving or sandblasting are popular ways to etch these into the glass. Use fonts and layouts that are easy to read but still retain an elegant look.
6. Choose the Right Size and Weight
The size and weight of an award can dramatically affect how one feels when given to them. Lighter/smaller awards are best suited for casual recognitions, whereas larger/heavier awards suit higher-profile achievements.
Also, consider the recipient—a very heavy large glass trophy may look great but quite impractical for the recipient to put on display either in their office or at home.
7. Add Branding and Event Themes
Custom glass awards are a great way to incorporate branding or event-specific themes. Here’s how you can do it:
- Company Logos: Etching your organization’s logo will help drive home your brand.
- Color Schemes: Use the color of the glass or accents based on the theme of the event or your company’s branding palette.
- Unique motifs: For themed events, you can use designs that integrate specific themes (for example, a flame design for the “Passion Award”
- Branding: Ensure your award branding is consistent with your event branding. This means the branding used in the award design should work alongside the rest of your event collateral or website.
Final Thoughts
Designing a custom glass award is an art that epitomizes a perfect blend of creativity, precision, and purpose. All you need is to find a manufacturer you can partner with and then focus on creating a design that makes the award memorable, impactful, and truly special for the recipient.
The effort you put into designing these awards reflects the value you place on the achievements being recognized. A well-designed custom glass award is a keepsake that will be appreciated and remembered for a lifetime.
