Fostering fun competitions at work enlivens the spirit of the workplace. It creates an environment where employees have fun and where production is boosted.

To add to the merriment, employers can easily create a DIY trophy at home that’s uniquely outfitted for their business and the contest.

And, no, it won’t look shoddy in the least. At least, not with our tips.

Here, we’ll show you six methods to create the most unique and fun trophies for the workplace from the comfort of your home.

Why Bother?

Friendly contests can increase productivity and feelings of worth in businesses. Supervisors should aim for team contests to avoid any negative feelings that may ensue from competition among individuals. Doing so promotes cooperation and a team spirit, two factors that are integral to a business’s success.

However, silly contests created to instill humor not only make employers more approachable, but they also diffuse any built-up stress from the real stuff. It puts workers at ease and lets them know that laughter needn’t be reserved for their time at home.

Finally, the very act of creating a trophy says more than you can imagine. You took the time to make something for an employee. This demonstrates how much you value them.

Even if you choose to have a trophy custom made through another business, such as Trophies Plus Medals or other popular manufacturers, employees will still feel appreciated.

A Quick Word About Logos

Having your logo taken out into the world on a trophy is an excellent form of marketing. It’s a definite topic for conversation as soon as someone from beyond the company sees it sitting on a mantel or desk.

For DIY projects, consider having a company print your logo on bumper-sticker paper or other material. Not only will you have a quality look and easy application, but the price per sheet is extremely reasonable.

You can also have your logo engraved if you choose to go all-out; after all, it’s an excellent way to ensure it will remain on the trophy forever.

Otherwise, consider using your personal printer to print the logo on sticky matte paper. You’ll be needing it to create every trophy.

Six Ways to Create a DIY Trophy

These methods are convenient for a number of reasons, but mostly because your time is valuable as a manager. Therefore, we’ve selected some of the easiest and quickest ways to create a trophy–without sacrificing its appearance.

1. Disposable Cups and Plates

Chances are you have some plastic cups and plates in the kitchen cupboard somewhere. Rustle them up to create an easy and inexpensive company trophy.

What you’ll need:

• Disposable cups and plates
• Hot glue gun
• Metallic spray paint
• Various toys or items

Create a pedestal or the body of your trophy by placing the cups and plates together however you like. Use your hot glue gun to keep them firmly in place.

Next, place the item you want to be on top and glue it down. Visit your local dollar store for this or take a stroll down the dollar aisle. You’ll be surprised at how many toys you can use as toppers.

Once your soon-to-be trophy dries, take it outside for some spray painting. Metallic colors and paint/primer combinations are the best and easiest way to give the product a finished, authentic look.

Slap on your logo and consider it a job well done.

2. Kitchenware

If you’d like to be super authentic, you can always purchase real glassware to use as a trophy, but be sure to notify your winners!

Use the same method as above, but be sure to substitute the glue and spray paint for glass-appropriate adhesive and paint.

3. Cans and Candlesticks

Hit up your local Goodwill or thrift store for some likely-looking candlesticks, and save those tin cans.

What you’ll need:

• Candlestick
• Tin can
• Glue gun
• E-6000 glue
• Primer
• Metallic spray paint

Glue the tin can to the candlestick. If you have any other trinkets you would like to add to the trophy, glue them on.

Apply primer to the trophy, then the spray paint. Add on your label and your trophy is finished. Simple and easy.

4. Wooden Objects

Find any wooden objects that could be used for a trophy’s base. Watch them transform.

What you’ll need:

• Wooden object, preferably rectangular
• Stick-on felt
• Wood glue
• Spray lacquer
• Epoxy
• Masking tape
• Any items for the top
• Stickers or adhesive nameplates

Apply spray lacquer to the wood if you would like to give it a glossy finish. Let it dry.

Using the base of the wooden stand, cut a piece of felt to apply to the bottom of the stand.

Saw the top of the wooden stand to bare wood, then mask off the rest of the wood. Spray the lacquer onto the top.

After it dries, add whatever item you desire to the top and set it with epoxy glue. Add your logo and any other nameplates you would like, and you’ll have a beautiful trophy.

5. Plastic Bottles

Do you like recycling? If so, you may be surprised to learn you can turn those old plastic bottles into a killer trophy.

What you’ll need:

• A plastic bottle
• A nail
• Pipe cleaners
• Low-temperature glue gun
• Spray paint
• Scissors
• Matboard

Cut the bottom of the plastic bottle off. Using a nail, insert two holes near the cut portion of the larger piece. Twist your pipe cleaners to look like the handles of the trophy. Have one portion twisted to insert into the hole, which will keep the handles in place.

Add both handles.

Cut out a circular piece of matboard to fit the original bottom of the plastic bottle. Adhere it to the opening of the piece. After it dries, glue the curved end of the original bottom to the mouth to create a base. Apply spray paint and any labels.

Recycling and rewarding; that’s what business is all about.

6. Plaques

When we think of “trophies,” we forget about the fancy plaques that are handed out for many awards. However, these are a type of trophy, too, and they’re a classy way to get your logo out there.

What you’ll need:

• Flat or beveled finished wood
• Sponge brush
• A photo and your logo
• Mod Podge

Print off the image you would like to be on the plaque. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the print-off and center it on the wood.

After it dries, apply the Mod Podge to the top of the entire thing, including your image. It will secure the photo in place.

Create Your Logo and Images

Not only is a DIY trophy fun to make, but these six methods are easy ways to show your employees you care.

If you’re ready to transform your logo or take things up a notch for your trophies, we’re here to help. Use our online logo maker to add some pizazz to your logo or dream up new ideas.

After all, what’s work without a little fun?

Designing a logo isn’t exactly rocket science, but it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Even the most experienced graphic designers have trouble coming up with the right symbol to represent an entire company.

A logo has to be original, bold, and easy to memorize.

Luckily, there are many tricks and tools available to make logo design easier. Whether you’re a professional visual artist or an entrepreneur trying to build a business from scratch, you should start your creative process with standard graphic design rules. This builds a strong foundation for the final logo design to be something incredible.

Here are the key principles you need to know to guide your logo-making process.

1. Start with the Basics

Every creative project begins with brainstorming. When building a logo, the first stage has nothing to do with an online logo maker or software program. The final digital design begins on paper.

Get a plain sheet of paper out and sketch ideas. Write down the words you want to be associated with your brand and let these offer some guidance for whatever you draw.

You can use symbols that represent your services and products, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box, too. Maybe the final logo has nothing to do with what you offer, but what you want to stand for or where your company is based.

The more personal you can get, the better. But, it all begins with what you put on paper then develop further with the help of other graphic design rules.

2. Find the Perfect Font

Once you have a foundation established for your logo, play with the font.

This goes for logos that are just one or two words, as well as logos that are mostly symbols. Logos made to spell out company names or values need to be legible and standout among competitors. Logos that are just symbols – like a classic swoosh or a set of golden arches – will sometimes be accompanied by the company names (i.e. – Nike and McDonald’s).

Whatever your final design looks like, make sure you have the perfect font to match.

3. Play with Colors and Shapes

As you’re deciding on the font you want for your logo, try out different shapes and colors, too. These two graphic design rules are interchangeable in the design process.

Sometimes the shapes come first in order to set a foundation, and then the typeface is chosen to pair certain lines and curves. Sometimes, the font comes first and helps determine the other shapes in the logo. Still, the main objective is to create a design that combines every detail in a seamless, stunning fashion.

This isn’t just about turning heads, either. It’s about making consumers and competitors alike feel something. The colors and shapes you include in the final design will have a major effect on the values and emotions associated with the logo.

4. Keep Everything Clean

Deciding on fonts, colors, and shapes is often the longest part of the logo-making process. You can be an expert on all the graphic design rules in the world, but you still have to get everything just right. One way to ensure the logo is coming together well is to keep everything clean.

What does “clean” mean, though?

It means your gradients should blend well and each line should be sharp and significant. It means the spacing between each letter should be thought out and there should be one guiding principle that is clear to recognize. A clean logo is one that is bold and timeless but doesn’t try too hard.

5. Make Sure the Logo Can Scale

Another variation of a “clean logo design” is a design that can scale.

To be able to scale means the logo will fit well anywhere you put it. The final edit should be able to go on your website as well as your social media posts. It will sometimes need to be blown up for billboards and promotional posters, then used as a smaller version for business cards and company apparel.

Every time, though, the logo should be consistent. Of all the graphic design rules you use, this is arguably the most important. The last thing you want to do is create a logo that looks stunning online, then blurred or difficult to understand when printed.

Keep this from happening by saving the final edit in high-resolution. If you can save it as a vector, even better. Vectors are pretty much impossible to make blurry or confusing; they scale perfectly for car wraps and business signs as well as for pens and stamps.

6. Always Think About the Brand

Last but not least, always keep your brand at the front of your mind.

Many new business owners mistake a logo as the brand itself. This is a costly error; a brand is so much more! Branding refers to everything from your marketing tools to the quality of service provided in addition to your logo.

In short, the brand of a business is everything users associate with the company. The logo is often what makes these feelings and experiences come to mind as users notice it on various mediums. When a person sees your logo on their screen, on a street sign, or walking past someone using your product, what do you want them to think?

That should be what guides your design process from start to finish. Consumers interact with a wide range of companies day in and day out. The right logo can be what makes them stop and feel something, which begins to create a dialogue with current and potential users alike.

Using Graphic Design Rules for Beautiful Logo Design

Ready to see what the power of great design can do? Wonderful – stick to the graphic design rules mentioned above and you’re sure to create a logo that’s worth showing off.

This may take a few hours or a few days. You may know in your gut the final design looks perfect, or you may need to ask for insights and further ideas from business partners. Either way, the process will result in a beautiful logo.

For more advice to help you every step of the way, check out some more of our blog posts today.

Unhappy with your practice’s current logo design?

Feel like your logo looks like every other hospital, pharmacy, or medical professional’s office in your neighborhood?

Do you know that you need to make a change to your medical center logos, but aren’t quite sure what that change should look like?

Don’t panic – we’re here to help you.

In this post, we’ll tell you a few of the most important elements you need to consider in your medical center logos. Then, we’ll let you know where you can go to create several potential logo designs.

Read on to learn how to create logos that reinforce your brand message, differentiate you from your competition, and make an emotional connection with your target market.

1. Consider the Central Image

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to creating strong medical center logos?

The central image of your design.

This image will help you build your brand recognition, connect with your target market almost instantly, and, above all, make it clear the specific type of medical services you offer.

This last point is especially crucial.

While, yes, things like a stethoscope, a red cross, or even a drawing of a medication bottle communicate some kind of medical service, these images don’t do a lot to make it clear exactly the kinds of services and specializations you provide.

For example, if you’re a cardiologist, then you might want to make a logo that incorporates a heart rate monitor into your design. If you specialize in pediatric medicine, include children in your logo, and use lots of bright colors in your design.

Above all, your central image should illustrate the kinds of patients you see and should make the specifics of your practice clear.

Not only do stereotypical images fail to set your practice apart from the competition, they also do nothing to give your market any kind of information. Think bigger, and be better.

2. Choose Colors Carefully

Once you’ve decided on your central image, you’ll then need to start thinking about the colors you want to include in your design.

For best results, we recommend sticking to a minimum of two colors and a maximum of about four.

Yes, being bright and bold will help you to stand out – but if your medical center logos look like the page of a child’s coloring book, you’ll stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Plus, keep in mind that color psychology will also play an important role in your design. If you provide natural and holistic services, you may want to go with greens and blues. If you offer emergency services, red and white will make that clear and create an emotional response in your target market.

Above all, the colors you choose to include in your logo design should be consistent with the rest of your branding.

For example, take a look at look at the website for this alcohol rehab center.

They’ve focused their entire website design on the colors blue and white, to help to keep website visitors calm and focused. The text of their website is also white, which is further emphasized by the blue background of the page.

The writing in their logo is consistent, in the same white color, as is their design – a soothing, wound shape like an elongated spiral. This design and the color scheme is consistent with the services they set out to provide.

3. Don’t Neglect the Size

Once you’ve chosen the colors and the central image you’d like to use, it can sometimes feel like your medical center logos are complete.

However, there are still a few more things you need to consider.

One of the most important?

The size not only of the logo as a whole but all of the elements within it.

Think about how many different places that logo is going to be displayed. It may be on physical signage outside of your practice. It might be on your business cards, your social media accounts, printed in a newspaper, or even on the back of the jersey of that local sports team you sponsor.

When you’re creating your design, it’s up to you to ensure that, in any size, your logo images and text are clear, easy-to-read, and don’t end up looking like a Monet painting.

Don’t overcrowd your logo design, include too many words, or create several smaller images. Instead, go for a sleek design that tells your consumers you don’t need all the bells and whistles to get noticed.

4. Typography as a Branding Strategy

We’ve also discussed the importance of choosing the right colors when it comes to your medical center logos.

Now, let’s quickly discuss how the right font can influence buying decisions, build your center’s brand recognition, and help you to connect with your target market faster than ever.

Of course, the most crucial thing to keep in mind is legibility. As with the image you choose, your font choice will still need to be readable in many different forms.

But your font can also reinforce your overall brand and set you apart from the competition. If you’re an eye doctor, use the same font that’s used on eye test charts. If you work with children, you could choose a font that looks like it’s been written by a child (though is still legible, of course).

Your font matters, so don’t be afraid to take a risk.

Ready to Design a Few Medical Center Logos?

One final thing to keep in mind regarding logo design?

You probably won’t get it right the first time.

To come up with several different logo design options that you can let your patients, your employees, and your target market vote on, use our free online logo maker tool.

Still need a little more advice on how to design the most effective logo possible?

Be sure to check out our blog for access to the latest tips and trends when it comes to logo design.

We can’t wait to help you strengthen your brand with a new logo.

When it comes to the logo for your resume writing service, you’ll need to go big or go home. Business logos are often the first things potential clients will see, so yours needs to make a statement.

There are lots of details to consider when creating your logo, but happily, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a list of 11 steps from conception to completion, that’ll make designing your logo as easy as pie.

Keep reading to find out how.

1. Think of Your Audience First

Before you do a single thing, get out your notepad (digital or paper, whatever floats your boat), and get into the mind of your ideal client.

To define your target market, you’ll need to ask–and answer–questions like:

• Where do they live?
• How much do they earn?
• What do they do each day?
• How do they find stuff out?
• Do they have a certain way of speaking?
• What kind of vocabulary do they use?

Once you have your answers, it’s time to move on.

It’s All About Them (Like It or Not)

The key thing to remember here is, what your clients would want and like is way more important than your own personal preferences.

For example, you might like the cutesy, kawaii-with-lots-of-fuzzy-pandas-and-smiley-popsicles kind of style. But if you’re marketing to professionals in need of a high-end resume writing service, a cute fuzzy logo isn’t going to cut it.

On the other hand, if you’re reaching out to prospects fresh-out-college, then something cool and a little more laid-back might be just what the doctor ordered.

2. Check Out the Competition

Next thing to do is to go online and check out your neighboring resume writing service websites. There, you’ll be able to take a good look at their logos and the kind of customers they appeal to.

What can you learn from your competitors? Is there a certain pattern in the style they use? Are crisp, clean lines all the rage with your client base, or do they prefer something a little softer?

You’ll also want to focus on who of your competition is the most successful. Chances are, their logo is one that sticks in the consumer’s mind. So, take note and learn from their successes. That could be you, one day.

3. Brainstorm with a Pencil

Now you’ve got an idea of who you’re trying to attract and what’s worked so far, you can start to design your logo for your resume writing service.

Again, take out your pad and pencil (it could be an Apple pencil, we don’t mind), and go to town. You want to get every line and curve, every thought and lightbulb idea onto that sheet of paper.

From steps 1 and 2, you’ll probably have a good idea of what you’re aiming for. Now, the only limit is your imagination, so draw everything that comes to mind.

As you move down through our list, it’ll be easier to narrow down which design is the one for you.

4. Keep It Simple

You want your logo to be memorable, and to make it stick you’ll need to keep it simple.

The best logos use minimal colors, symbols, and text, but make the biggest statement. Love them or hate them, brands like McDonald’s, Apple and Starbucks have got it right.

These 3 brands use just 2 colors in their logo, simple shapes, and no text. Well, unless you count Starbucks, whose instantly recognizable typeface is a logo in itself.

The point we’re making is, keep fuss to a minimal. Your logo represents your brilliant, professional and easy-to-use service. Unnecessary clutter will take away from that message and put potential clients off.

5. Keep It Clear

When creating a logo for your resume writing service, you need to send a clear message to your clients about what it is you do. So, think about the exact service you’ll be giving your customers, and tailor your logo accordingly.

The Ultimate Medical Academy, for example, has a clear and comprehensive resume-writing guide. The guide tells readers exactly what their resume should look like.

In the same way, write down a clear description of your service, and what your client should expect from it. Now, incorporate that clear message into your logo.

6. Tell Them Your Name

The full version of your logo should include the name of your resume writing service. You want people to know what you’re called, and for your company name to stick in their mind.

After all, before he was The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, Prince was, well, “Prince.” It was his brand name, catchy and memorable and cool. It was only after he got super-famous he could drop the name without a backward glance.

So, if your resume writing service gets so massively famous that the world will already know who you are, then great. But, for now, use your company name.

7. Go Bold and Stand Out from the Crowd

You could stay conservative and use a sheet of paper as part of your resume writing service logo. It’s safe, recognizable and easy to remember, after all.

But, if you’re itching to think outside the box and be a little more daring, then you can do that, too.

Think Outside the Box…

You can still incorporate paper into your logo, but instead of a pristine sheet, maybe turn it into something else. A crumpled ball of paper, a pretty paper airplane or an origami bird all have something in common: they’re made of paper.

Another tool you can use is that of hidden images. Hidden images show intelligence and creativity, which will definitely strike a chord with many in your target audience.

… Or, Go Nuts

If you’re determined to go even bolder, though, then we tip our hats to you. The 3 brands we mentioned before did just that, and with great success.

Apple used a simple logo that seems predictable, except for one thing: the bite mark in that humble apple is iconic. Take a look at it–you’ll see what we mean.

And McDonalds’ logo is just a take off the first letter of their name, but it makes a huge statement.

Starbucks, though, takes the prize for one of the world’s most successful and obscure logos. Who’d have thought of associating a mermaid with a cup of joe? Not us, but it works.

8. Choose Your Colors Wisely

You’ve fleshed out the bare bones of your logo idea, and your resume writing service is getting its mascot. But before you go full-steam ahead, you need to think about colors.

It’s easy to think, I’ll just pick the colors I like. There’s a little more to it than that. For one thing, it’s very likely that the colors you use in your logo will also be used across your website, in your stationery, and any merchandise you might produce.

Another thing you have to think about though is, where will your logo be displayed? If it’s solely web-based, then the colors you use won’t matter as much.

If your logo will be printed, either in color or black and white, though, the colors you choose will make a difference. Pale shades or fainter colors don’t pick up well in black and white and can be difficult to match even for a color printer.

9. A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words…

Now you’re coming to your final choice of logo image, and it’s going to give your resume writing service wings to fly all over the internet.

So, take another look at the ideas you’ve come up with and make sure you’re choosing the right logo for your business. Does the image say what you want it to? Will people look at it and know what it is you do?

Look at your choice critically and get some outside advice. Trusted friends and family will be able to give you the critiquing you need so you can tweak your logo to perfectly reflect your service.

10. …But Your Typeface Makes All the Difference

You’ve got your image locked down and that is a feat, so give yourself a mighty pat on the back!

The last thing you need to choose is the right typeface that’ll bring your image to life and tell the world who you are.

When choosing your final font, it needs to be:

• Extremely readable
• Easy to scale up and down in size and weight
• Well-balanced with your image
• Fits your business ethos

Your font says a lot about you and will provide many of your customers with the first impression of your business.

11. Make It a Vector SVG Graphic

The final step in the process will get you the most beautiful and user-friendly logo of them all.

Once you’ve got the exact design of your logo down pat, you’ll need to make it digital. The way to do that is to make it a vector graphic.

Vector images are different from traditional JPEGs because you can scale them down or scale them up, all the way to infinity. And you won’t lose a single pixel.

With our premium logo-creation pack, you’ll get full branding with VSG graphics, so you can use your logo on absolutely anything.

The Perfect Logo for Your Resume Writing Service

Your business logo is one of the first things potential customers will see, and it speaks volumes about you and your company.

Make your logo say exactly what you want it to so it’ll appeal to the target market you’re aiming at. Go for substance over style, keep it clear and simple, but don’t think it needs to be boring.

Instead, keep our 11 steps clear in mind, and you’ll soon have the perfect business for your resume writing service.

What are you waiting for? Check out our tutorial on how to create your free logo now.