Transforming Ideas into Reality
Join the creative journey from reference to finished product of this successful project!
Client
My client is part of the military looking to make challenge coins with their unit’s symbol on coins to give as gifts and mementos to other organizations.
Date
Completed in January 2025
My Role
Graphic Designer and Brand Identity
Reference Image
A friend approached me to create a coin design with a buck and cold steel pipe hawk axes. This is the original reference image I received.
Initial Sketches
At the start, I wanted to combine the two elements to create something unique and different than the norm of a buck with x design behind it. I tried making the pipe hawks the buck’s antlers.
More Concepts
Throughout the sketching process, I wondered where the numbers and letters would go. I had ideas for the numbers and letters within the pipehawks as antlers. The client thought they were interesting but insisted with the original concept.
“Is it possible to see what it may look like with the pipehawks in the back and normal horns as well?“
-Client
Showing Possibilities
I wanted to see what this angle of axes would do. Having the axes and the antlers visible would be more pleasing to see everything on the coin.
“Yeah, the pipehawks behind the buck are preferable, my team thinks so, too.”
-Client
Digitize
I got the coin!
I got the axes!
I got the buck!
Something Is Missing….
After I showed the amount of work to the client, there was more info that needed to be incorporated.
Once the center design of the coin was done, I started looking at the other information to adorn the border. To read this info, the coin needs to spin; using the whole space.
I suggested to Helvetica type for its legibility. I decided on a Helvetica like typeface to have the same legibility at a small scale.
The more important info is bolder and bigger to show that it is the most important information. Again, using the round text with all the words facing inward. This makes the reader spin or rotate the coin.
Combine!
Testomonials
“ It looks awesome and I’m glad that you worked on it for us.“
-Client’s Team Lead
“Chelsea’s work is the best, she is very communicative and will ensure that your needs are met. I’m very happy with the logo she made for my group and would definitely seek out her services again in the near future!”
-Client