? Challenge Coin - Need help with Design ?

[Z-Knight]

This past year I made a Dopey Challenge coin and gave it out during the Marathon weekend. I hope to do the same the 2026 weekend when I attempt Dopey #11. Hopefully this one won't be as bad as this year's one was...oof! Also, this is still contingent on me having a Job in a few months - I work at NASA as a federal civil servant, so crossing fingers I don't get canned.

Anyway - ignore the negativity. Here is the design of the coin I made this past year. It has little tiny medals on the back that are removable and can be placed on the front dopey as if he was wearing a medal.






Now I need help with the new design and I would love to hear inputs. I was still planning on using magnets on the back of the coin, but instead of being in the shape of the medals I want to make them be the shape of the characters - it might be a tight squeeze on the back of the medal to fit so not sure it will work. The reason I want character medals is so that you can stand them up, kind of like that one picture above. But I want to stand them up on the front of the coin in a running pattern - kind of like they were running on a course. I may have a small "road" or a small "ribbon" (representing a road) on the front where the characters can stand so they look like they are on the race course or at the starting line, etc.

Anyway, I'm looking for ideas on design and colors.

Here is the dopey I am thinking of using:


Here is the inspiration for the back of the previous medal


anyway - I value any comments and suggestions. I think I have convinced myself on the design of the removable characters/magnets, but have not figured out the front or the back yet. As I said, I worry the back may not have much room if I make the magnet characters too big.

fire away at suggestions...please!

 

[The Expert]

I LOVED what you did this year, so no notes from me. It was such a nice surprise! I'm only sorry I'm not doing Dopey and will have to wait until 2027 for another one.

The removable medals were GENIUS and I had a great time updating Dopey every day of the challenge.

Also, I would 100% be willing to pitch in some of the cost and I'm sure I am not alone!

Fingers crossed on the job front!

 

[Z-Knight]

I LOVED what you did this year, so no notes from me. It was such a nice surprise! I'm only sorry I'm not doing Dopey and will have to wait until 2027 for another one.

The removable medals were GENIUS and I had a great time updating Dopey every day of the challenge.

Also, I would 100% be willing to pitch in some of the cost and I'm sure I am not alone!

trust me..if i get this one made and i still have a job then i will mail you one if needed. I've mailed at least 30 out of the first design. thank you for being so awesome. shoot there are way too many to thank out there so this my little way of doing it.

 

[The Expert]

trust me..if i get this one made and i still have a job then i will mail you one if needed. I've mailed at least 30 out of the first design. thank you for being so awesome. shoot there are way too many to thank out there so this my little way of doing it.

Oh I'll be at MW, just not doing Dopey.

 

[smileyanna]

OMG, I loved the challenge coin this year! And my kids couldn't get enough of it (they basically ignored the medals when I got home - the challenge coin had MAGNETS and could be SWAPPED OUT). I'm running Goofy this year, so take this with a grain of salt; character shaped magnets could be tough, as you mentioned. I liked the uniform shape of the medal magnets in 2025, so don't let that stop you. Running characters sounds amazing!

And sending some positive energy to you and your team at NASA.

 

[cburnett11]

Hoping the best for you this year! That Dopey coin looks amazing! If you have an extra laying around, I’d love one and would certainly send you some $.

 

[camaker]

The one you made for this year was fantastic! If you want to make a new design for next year, that's great, but don't do it because this year's was bad, because it wasn't.

 

[Z-Knight]

Hoping the best for you this year! That Dopey coin looks amazing! If you have an extra laying around, I’d love one and would certainly send you some $.

message me your address and i will get you one

 

[Z-Knight]

The one you made for this year was fantastic! If you want to make a new design for this year, that's great, but don't do it because last year's was bad, because it wasn't.

yeah i appreciate it...i just LOVE that new Dopey pose and that's why i want to make another one...this is the same sickness as signing up for Dopey Challenges yearly.

 

[Kerry1957]

I agree 100% with the other responses; the coin was amazing!

You could put the characters on uniformly shaped magnets and have them run a course on the back side. That way people could choose which characters were in the lead and which were falling behind. But I do like your idea of beings able to put them in front as well.

 

[Z-Knight]

This past year I made a Dopey Challenge coin and gave it out during the Marathon weekend. I hope to do the same the 2026 weekend when I attempt Dopey #11. Hopefully this one won't be as bad as this year's one was...oof! Also, this is still contingent on me having a Job in a few months - I work at NASA as a federal civil servant, so crossing fingers I don't get canned.

Anyway - ignore the negativity. Here is the design of the coin I made this past year. It has little tiny medals on the back that are removable and can be placed on the front dopey as if he was wearing a medal.

View attachment 946958
View attachment 946956View attachment 946955
View attachment 946957


Now I need help with the new design and I would love to hear inputs. I was still planning on using magnets on the back of the coin, but instead of being in the shape of the medals I want to make them be the shape of the characters - it might be a tight squeeze on the back of the medal to fit so not sure it will work. The reason I want character medals is so that you can stand them up, kind of like that one picture above. But I want to stand them up on the front of the coin in a running pattern - kind of like they were running on a course. I may have a small "road" or a small "ribbon" (representing a road) on the front where the characters can stand so they look like they are on the race course or at the starting line, etc.

Anyway, I'm looking for ideas on design and colors.

Here is the dopey I am thinking of using:

View attachment 946961
Here is the inspiration for the back of the previous medal
View attachment 946962

anyway - I value any comments and suggestions. I think I have convinced myself on the design of the removable characters/magnets, but have not figured out the front or the back yet. As I said, I worry the back may not have much room if I make the magnet characters too big.

fire away at suggestions...please!

when i say I want them standing on the coin as characters...the images above is what i am thinking.

since coins are usually smaller than medals (even my huge coin) i am limited as to what can actually be made by the manufacturer. so magnets seem like the easiest idea as opposed to some fixed track inside the coin, etc

i just want something unique again but maybe it wont be as unique as the first coin was so at least make it even prettier. i think im just obsessed with the look of that Dopey pose i included in the previous post and hence want a new coin.

 

[Livelovedance]

I just want to say that your first coin is AMAZING! I love the idea of switching out the medal magnet each day, but I also really like the new Dopey image. I’m not creative but I’m going to follow this thread and if I come up with any ideas I’ll be sure to chime in!

Fingers crossed and wishing you the best with your job!

 

[FlyingDonut]

Wow this is cool. What service do you use to manufacture these?

Do the standing characters need to be stamped / plate like? If they could have small tabs with a hole or better yet pin, I'm wondering if you could keep them up with something like the locking trading pins hex key backs (https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Parks-Brass-Locking-Backs/dp/B00DPL6N84)

 

[3princesandaprincess]

These are amazing! I dont have any design ideas to offer; you have an obvious skill here!

 

[DianaMB333]

I loved this year’s… I have shown them to many people (even more than the Dopey medal!)… and the response is always an amazing big eyes and smile while saying “these are awesome! The person who did jt is so talented!”…

No design advice from me… but a big thanks in advance for all the care and energy you put into it!

 

[Erika10021]

I remember seeing these after the marathon weekend and was so jealous! They completely stunning and I have complete faith in whatever you come up with for 2026.

I am happy to contribute for the 2026 coins.

 

[Z-Knight]

I remember seeing these after the marathon weekend and was so jealous! They completely stunning and I have complete faith in whatever you come up with for 2026.

I am happy to contribute for the 2026 coins.

that's why you all need to show up for the morning meetups.

 

[marty3d]

Love the challenge coin - I keep it on my desk and see it every day (to be honest I sometimes fidget with changing the magnets around during excessively long calls)

Not doing Dopey this year but I’d contribute too!

Wishing you the best with your job!

 

[Z-Knight]

Love the challenge coin - I keep it on my desk and see it every day (to be honest I sometimes fidget with changing the magnets around during excessively long calls)

Not doing Dopey this year but I’d contribute too!

Wishing you the best with your job!

dude im constantly fidgeting with those magnets and I'm not a fidgeter. Im starting to wear the edges out..lol