Commonwealth Games Wrap: 3 Design Choices Gold Coast Got Right 🦘

The XXI Commonwealth Games closed yesterday. Three medal-design choices the host nation made are already showing up in regional sport medal briefs across Asia.

Indigenous Artist Co-Design

Gold Coast commissioned indigenous artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins to co-design the medals. The cultural authenticity was built into the process itself, not added on. For Thai regional sport events, commissioning a local artist to co-design the medal is the cheapest single way to elevate the project. Cost: a small commission fee. Outcome: genuinely local-feeling medals.

Sand-Cast Texture Reads Premium

The sand-cast medal surface has a slightly grainy texture that catches light differently from machine-polished medals. The artisan feel reads premium on camera without any extra decorative ornament. For your own custom medals, asking the factory for a sand-cast or hammered finish instead of mirror polish adds artisan character at minimal upcharge.