How to design an award worth winning (even for throwing a thong)
Some achievements deserve recognition. Finishing a marathon. Breaking a sales record. Finishing a dry dry Weet-Bix in front of a cheering crowd faster than anyone else.
For the third year running, Altrum is designing and creating the trophies for the Big Aussie BBQ — the proper hardware handed out for the two most fiercely contested titles of the day: the Weet-Bix Eating Competition and the Thong Toss Championship. Junior and senior divisions. Genuine glory.
Last year's Junior Division Weet-Bix champion hardware, in its natural habitat.
How do you design an award for a thong toss?
It's a fair question, and Altrum have thought about it more than you'd expect. Here's roughly how they approach it.
Start with the story
A good award should immediately remind you what you won it for. The event name, the category, the year — that's what turns a fun afternoon in the park into something worth keeping on a shelf.
Match the personality of the event
Not every award needs to look like it belongs at a black-tie gala. The Big Aussie BBQ is relaxed, playful and proudly Australian, so the awards should feel the same — colourful, distinctive, a little cheeky, but still a genuine prize you'd be chuffed to win.
Make the important details easy to spot
A winner should glance at it and know exactly what they conquered: what the event was, what they won, which division, and what year they achieved eternal glory.
Suit the moment
Think about what happens after the applause. It needs to be held up in front of a crowd, carried home on the subway, and displayed on a desk. Compact, substantial, and — crucially — difficult to mistake for an actual Weet-Bix.
The final test
Altrum reckon there's one question that matters before approving any award:
Would the winner be excited to hold this above their head, or place it proudly on display?
Having watched three years of grown adults absolutely lose their minds over a thong-throwing trophy, we can confirm: yes.
Beyond the barbie
This year's awards were put together through the Altrum online store — pick a production-ready design, add the event artwork, personalise each category, order. Straightforward, which matters when you need a small number of awards and the event date is coming at you.
The same process works for company events, employee recognition, fundraising competitions, deal celebrations, and just about any contest that deserves more than bragging rights.
Want to make your own award or deal toy? Use code AMERICAJOSH for 10% off your first order at store.altrum.com.
Come and see them
The trophies — and the competitions that inspired them — will be at the Big Aussie BBQ on Saturday, August 15.
Just remember: technique matters in the thong toss, and dry Weet-Bix should never be underestimated.