“Need help designing an award graphic for a kid’s football team…”
That’s the headline I stumbled across while scrolling through Reddit’s r/design_critiques.
The post came from a parent designing slides for their child’s Under-6s football team. The original concept had heart — celebrating young players like “Jimmy” for their Most Improved Player award. But it lacked the punch needed to match the energy of youth sports.
So I dove in.
The Original Concept
The parent had a basic slide:
- Two images of the child (cheering and in action)
- Club colors: dark blue (#1a3eb5), light blue (#4191c7), and gold
- Bold title and subheading
While it had strong intentions, the visual balance, energy, and emotional impact could be leveled up.
My Design Critique
Here’s how I approached the redesign:
What Worked:
- Clear hierarchy with the player’s name and award
- Fun, expressive poses captured the child’s joy
- Strong use of brand colors for the football club
What I Improved:
- Composition & Depth
The original felt flat. I repositioned the figures for balance and added shadows to ground them in space. - Typography
I improved spacing and added contrast between title and subtext. Slight text effects made it feel like a real award graphic. - Lighting & Atmosphere
Youth sports are energetic! I added soft stadium lighting, golden flares, and motion lines for a dynamic, exciting backdrop. - Integration of the Ball
The soccer ball originally floated aimlessly. I added shadow, glow, and slight blur to make it feel like part of the action. - Visual Framing
A subtle gold laurel wreath and angled lines helped frame the composition, adding professionalism without overcomplicating it.
The Result: An Image That Feels Like a Victory
From static to cinematic, this redesigned award graphic now captures the pride, movement, and energy of a young athlete being celebrated. Because let’s be real: when you’re six, this is your World Cup moment.
🧩 Takeaway for Designers:
Designing for kids doesn’t mean dumbing it down.
It means elevating their moment with design that feels as big as their achievement.
