At Hipins, we are constantly inspired by the bold visions our clients bring to life. In this case, a long-term creative client approached us with a request for a custom pin that would push the limits of standard design—a diamond-shaped pin featuring a character whose body intentionally breaks through the frame. The goal: to create a strong sense of depth and dimension in a 2D medium.
We were excited by the concept and ready to meet the challenge with our signature combination of precision manufacturing, flexible design support, and reliable communication.
Design and Production Specifications
The design was centered on a diamond-shaped base, a departure from traditional circular or rectangular pins. Within the diamond frame sat a highly stylized character illustration, with select portions of the figure—such as hair, arms, and accessories—extending beyond the border.
From a manufacturing perspective, this posed a few unique challenges:
- The artwork needed to be carefully balanced so the extensions did not create fragile or breakable points.
- Mold engraving had to be hyper-accurate, as misalignment would distort the edge/overlap relationship.
- Coloring required sharp contrast and clarity to highlight the foreground and background separation.
We selected die-struck iron with soft enamel for this project. The iron base ensured structural strength for the extensions, while the soft enamel allowed for vibrant color separation and a semi-raised texture that enhanced the dimensional illusion.
To further emphasize the sense of depth, the client requested two-layer plating, using black nickel for the base and polished gold for the character outline. The result was a strong contrast that visually “lifted” the character from the pin surface.
Communication Process: Bringing the Vision to Life
From day one, communication was key. The client came to us with a rough sketch and a high-level concept. Our in-house design team worked closely with them to refine the layout, optimize the silhouette, and provide multiple iterations of vector files until everything aligned perfectly.
Some of the collaborative checkpoints included:
- Suggestions to thicken the overlapping elements (e.g., arms or hair strands) to avoid weak points
- Balancing the proportions between the diamond background and the “break-out” parts
- Adding a thin inner border line to enhance visual separation
Throughout the process, we offered free design modifications and rapid file revisions, always responding within 24 hours. Once the design was finalized, we moved to mold engraving and sent high-resolution renderings for approval before starting physical production.
Post-Production and Client Feedback
The final product was exactly what the client had envisioned—and more.
The extensions beyond the frame looked dynamic and powerful. The polished gold outlines created a beautiful “pop” effect, while the background enamel brought stability and color contrast. When held in hand, the pin immediately gave off a three-dimensional impression, even though it remained a single-layer piece.
The client was thrilled:
“This was one of our boldest ideas yet, and you brought it to life perfectly. The quality, the shine, the depth—it’s even better than the artwork suggested.”
The pins sold out quickly after launch, becoming a standout piece in the client’s collection.
Innovative Touches from the Client
We love when our clients push creative boundaries, and this project was full of great innovations:
- Breaking the frame: Letting the character artwork extend beyond the border added a visual tension that captured attention immediately.
- Multi-tone plating: Using contrasting plating finishes to separate foreground and background visually without adding physical layers.
- Positional storytelling: The character’s pose was designed to interact with the frame, adding storytelling to the shape itself.
These elements helped set the pin apart from traditional designs and demonstrated how thoughtful design choices can elevate a product’s appeal.
FAQs: Behind the Scenes of a Bold Design
Q1: Can extending artwork beyond the pin shape cause production problems?
Not if handled correctly. We use reinforced mold lines and recommend minimum thickness requirements to prevent weak areas. Our design team always reviews for structural stability.
Q2: Is dual plating more expensive or time-consuming?
Yes, slightly—but the visual impact is significant. We’ll advise if your design is suitable and offer plating options to fit your budget.
Q3: Do you offer advice during the design stage?
Absolutely. We provide free vector optimization, professional suggestions, and unlimited revisions during pre-production.