Finding design inspiration for medals can be a challenge, especially when you’re aiming to create something as captivating as the Conqueror Virtual Challenge's medals. These medals have set the bar high with their intricate designs and innovative ideas, making them a favourite among racers.
But how do you capture that same magic for your event?
At Badges And Medals, we understand the power of a well-crafted medal. We have been designing custom medals on par with the Conqueror medals for years, helping countless events go from ordinary to extraordinary. We know what makes a medal stand out, and we’re excited to share that knowledge with you.
In this article, we listed our favourite Conqueror medal designs and explained why we love them.
The Conqueror Virtual Challenge (sometimes misspelled as the Konkeror or Conqeror) was founded almost a decade ago. Out of the 71 designs currently available, these are the ones we can't stop thinking about, either for their stunning visuals or compelling stories - both of which played a role in our rankings. By the end, you’ll have plenty of ideas to help you create your own stunning custom medals, maybe even with us!
What are the best Conqueror medal designs?
5. The 'Tokyo Virtual Challenge' medal
Glow-in-the-dark colours are used to add meaning to this medal. (CREDIT: WWW.THECONQUEROR.EVENTS)
The Tokyo Virtual Challenge medal stands out with its vibrant colours that dazzle in the daylight. Then, when the sun sets, the medal reveals a surprising and delightful glow, captivating the eye long after the virtual challenge ends. Glow-in-the-dark medals are not very common, so this one gets points for novelty!
What we particularly love about this medal is how its glow-in-the-dark colours add meaning to the medal. The colours are a nod to "the glow of Tokyo" and its vibrant neon skyscrapers. This ties the medal to the iconic Japanese city, as do the other iconic symbols, such as the geisha and the renowned artwork 'The Great Wave of Kanagawa'.
Creative takeaways:
- Take inspiration from your surroundings. Adding local icons to your medals creates a connection to your culture and environment.
- Look for unique ways to stand out. Incorporating unique design techniques, such as glow-in-the-dark colours, can boost excitement or even ticket sales.
4. The 'Jedi Order Virtual Challenge' medal
What sets this medal apart is its clever use of moving parts.
The lightsabers on the front and back of the medal appear to move up and down, mimicking the iconic "turning on" motion that fans of the Star Wars saga know so well. This effect is achieved by adding a movable plate in the middle of the medal. This interactive element is not only a delightful surprise but also a brilliant nod to one of the most memorable scenes in cinematic history.
While sliding elements are not entirely new in medal design, the execution here is particularly impressive. It enhances the connection between the medal and the Star Wars theme and invites people to interact with their medals.
Another striking feature of the Jedi Order medal is its ability to glow red in the dark. This subtle yet powerful detail pays homage to the "dark side" of the Force, adding an extra layer of intrigue and depth to the design. Interestingly, the medal itself doesn't have any red elements visible in normal lighting.
Creative takeaways:
- Tell a story. Designing your medal to tell a story makes it more interesting and creates a stronger connection with participants.
- Adding moving parts to your medal can make it more engaging and memorable.
- However, you should only add moving parts if they will enhance your medal. Think about whether it will help to tell your story.
3. The Yosemite National Park medal
This medal is designed to look like an old-fashioned camera. (CREDIT: WWW.THECONQUEROR.EVENTS)
The 'Yosemite National Park Virtual Challenge' medal is designed to capture the essence of one of the most iconic moments in photography history.
On April 10, 1927, Ansel Adams took his now iconic photograph of the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. This medal is designed to look like the camera he used, using textures and cut-outs to mimic the look and feel of an old-fashioned film camera. Even the ribbon resembles a vintage leather camera strap!
One standout feature is the removable back panel. The panel doubles as a magnet which, when removed, reveals a "viewfinder" and some information on Adams. Designing the medal to look like a camera is a brilliant example of thinking outside the box, transforming what could have been a boring design into something exciting both for the eyes and the senses.
Plus, the magnetic panel ensures this medal won't be forgotten! Rather than tucking it away in a draw, recipients likely display the magnetic panel on their fridge or cabinet. This reminds them of their achievement and, by extension, the virtual challenge!
Creative takeaways:
- Aim for consistency. Ensure that every element of the medal, from its shape to its ribbon, aligns with your theme or brand to create a cohesive and engaging design.
- Textures and cut-outs make your medal more interactive and enhance your design.
- Adding functional elements, such as magnets, increases its utility and appeal.
2. 'The Shire' and 'Mordor' medals
While technically separate medals, 'The Shire' and 'Mordor' medals from the Lord Of The Rings Virtual Challenge are best appreciated as a set, which is why we’re ranking them together.
What makes these medals remarkable design-wise is how they interact with each other.
'The Shire' medal features a detachable ring on the back that represents the One Ring that Frodo must carry from his peaceful home in The Shire to the fiery depths of Mount Doom in Mordor. The 'Mordor' medal includes a slot specifically designed for the ring from 'The Shire'. Once the ring is placed in the slot, participants can slide up the volcano (aka Mount Doom) to "destroy" the ring, as Frodo did in the story.
By designing the medals to complement each other, the Conqueror Virtual Challenge encourages participants to collect both - a smart way to boost sign-ups. It also creates a sense of completion because there's an actual end to their Lord Of The Rings medal series - destroying the ring!
In short, their design not only honours the epic journey of The Lord of the Rings but also provides participants with a rewarding and memorable experience, making these medals highly coveted keepsakes.
Creative takeaways:
- If you have a series with multiple medals, consider how each design can interact with or complement each other.
1. The 'Scooby-Doo Virtual Challenge' medal
It's not often you find a medal with a lenticular paintings on it! (CREDIT: WWW.THECONQUEROR.EVENTS)
The Scooby-Doo Virtual Challenge medal is - in our opinion - the standout in the Conqueror Virtual Challenge series.
At first glance, it captures the playful and adventurous spirit of the beloved Scooby-Doo series. What sets this medal apart, however, is its unique design features.
The dog tag is designed to look just like Scooby-Doo’s own tag. Participants can add their name or their dog's name to the back, which makes the medal more personal and, by extension, more meaningful. The tag can then be removed and added to a dog collar, necklace, or another accessory, reminding them of the challenge.
And it doesn't end there. On the back of the medal, there's a lenticular painting - in other words, a painting that shows different images when tilted. Here, it reveals the culprits that participants “help to catch” as part of the challenge. This adds a layer of engagement that fans of the series will appreciate because it makes them feel like they are part of the mystery-solving team. They are, after all, literally revealing the bad guys! Plus, it's rare to find a lenticular painting on a medal, meaning this one is very memorable.
Creative takeaways:
- Personalise your medals to each participant. This makes your medals more meaningful and valuable to them.
- Include hidden or unexpected details to surprise and delight your participants.
Who makes medal designs like the Conqueror medals?
It's clear the Conqueror medals are as captivating as they are creative.
By now, you’ve seen some of the best designs and understand what makes them so special. From interactive elements to storytelling through design, these medals provide plenty of inspiration for your projects.
If you want medals that captivate and inspire, just like the Conqueror medals, we’re here to help. At Badges And Medals, we pride ourselves on creating medals that are on par with their designs. We've helped countless events transform their awards from ordinary to extraordinary, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Contact us today to get started. We'll design your medals for free, ensuring they’re as remarkable and memorable as the ones you admire.