Redesigning Pokemon's (Worst) Gym Badges

what is your favorite badge? also! to address the omission of the marsh badge, that badge is a weird case of not being able to think of a way to realistically constructively add to it because its such an enigma as is, to the point where i cant even place what it is other than the obvious. the marsh badge is also an odd name considering the theme, and you'll notice that i didnt change the names of anyone (until the very very end), and just focused on design. im curious to hear your ideas, though!

I love how since sun and moon have no gym badges the trainer is just holding up nothing.

"Change your name, change your name, CHANGE YOUR NAME" 100% agree. It's not even that difficult to have a name better than "insert type here" badge.

Another fun fact about the Earth Badge is that in Japan, it's simply called the Green Badge. Now, all the Kanto badges are just Color + Badge in Japan, but what I want to draw attention to is the person who gives out the badge in Generation 2. In English, we know this character as "Blue" but in Japan, his name is "Green"! Pretty cute that Green ends up handing you the Green Badge.

Norman's badge design actually works when you consider it's called the Balance Badge and resembles a scale.

4:38~4:44 It's theorized that the reason Bugsy doesn't evolve his Pokemon is because he's studying their level-up moves - specifically to see if they actually get any before they evolve. I quite like this idea, especially since it's stated that he researches Bug-type Pokemon.

Clearly taste is subjective, because I genuinely love the Fairy badge from Kalos, it’s one of my favorites because it is so different (My favorite being the Rainbow badge from Kanto).

I disagree with what you said about the Kalos fairy badge to be honest. It looks like a butterfly! It goes with Valrie's pose, her out stretched arms and ribbons making her look like a moth or butterfly, which are bugs that are commonly used in fairy designs around the world.

I actually really love the Psychic Badge of Kalos. It's like a crystal ball with mystic clouds of smoke swirling above it. And not to be mean, but yours kinda looks like those decorated cookies? I do agree that Oracle Badge or something like that would be better than just "Psychic"

Funfact! Pretty sure Giovanni was originally supposed to be a flying type trainer which makes sense because the badge is shaped like an feather

"I CANT SEE YOU LET ME SEE YOU" is the best line in my option 14:16

Oddly enough, I kinda like the Paldea badges. The formulaic designs with the fancy detailing fits the feeling of a old, prestigious academy. I really like that aesthetic. And I feel like photos shown when you earn the badge add some charm to offset that. That being said, I LOVE the idea of each one having a little personal flourish to tie in with the gym leader's personality. It lets the badges keep their formal feel while adding some very charming detail!

I wish the badges came together in one of these regions to form like, a key that opens the door to the elite four challenge area, like you've been gathering these weird and wonderful objects all game long, and now those will not just be merits, but are the item that gains you entry into the final challenge.

It really sucks that the last 2 sets of badges has been kinda boring

the ground badge's original simple design is also reminiscent of a feather, it is probably a leftover spirte from the oeiginal first gym leader (same gym placement) who was flying type

I vehemently oppose your opinion on the Kalosian Badges! I love those ones, so different and unique compared to the others and the shiny crystals in them give them that extra touch. The Psychic Badge being a crystal ball folds in not just Olympia's own foresight but also Anistar City's own landmark of a giant crystal (though the name does need changing) and the Iceberg Badge having actual water in it is so cool to me. Granted some could still be given a change to better suit the Leader rather than the Type. Namely the Bug and Rumble Badges. Also the Voltage Badge is a complete outlier, the lightbulb is much better. I'd like to throw my hat into the ring for Gen 9 redesigns while I'm here: Bug: Web Badge, top down web pattern on a dark brown bumpy shape to look like icing on a cake or muffin. Grass: Briar Badge, Brassius' thorn whip in a certain shape, perhaps a spiral. Electric: Eyecatch Badge, a pair of eyes stuck to the ends of a magnet coming from her Magnemite hair-things and her intro line of catching eyes in her Electroweb. Water: Sushi Badge, a fish split into three pieces. Normal: Normal Badge, literally just a disk. It's Larry, I don't think he could draw a smiley face if he tried. Ghost: Grave Badge, a gravestone with a black circle on it to look like a speaker. The last two were actually done pretty good by Toxiquid, just use them more or less and name them the Beauty and Slalom Badges.

In regards to Valerie’s badge I always thought they were made to look like some kind of weird Japanese fairy wings.

the graphic design major in me was nodding along to this video, good design changes!! i can tell that you really understand visual language and production design (the "add a back plate!" was so real lol especially all the tiny changes of sizing and scale). and like typical graphic design feedback, there was a compliment sandwich for each one with "yes great", "hmm, idk abt that but i see the vision", "love the render/mockup it goes crazy" lmao. great job!!!

Your redesigns are so good omg! Also, Koga's badge is a sakura leaf which is at least a little more ninja-y (or at least japanese themed) than a heart. Also also! Personally, I really LOVE the gen 6 bades! Especially Fairy and Psychic (tho tbf, yea, Psychic could just as well represent a poison cloud). And I feel like with the Lighning badge, a design with gears would have been really fitting for an inventor.

I honestly really love most of your improvements for the badges (that aren't from Kalos), and I even get your criticisms for the Psichic Badge (and even the fairy badge but only that it's too wide). I can't really make out what the rumble badge is supposed to be after your redesign, but a rollerskating badge would be pretty cool, and the voltage badge was perfect already, you can't change my mind. A V for Volt that also looks like a light cone, with the added benefit of shimmering, which radiates light that can also be read as electricity due to it's chaoticness. Not to mention it's very recognizable due to it's fun silhouette.