How to Customize Digital Badges: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

The digital badges market is set to more than double from $0.2 billion to $0.5 billion by 2028, according to Markets and Markets. After spending two years working with universities and research institutions on digital credentials, I've seen firsthand why this growth isn't surprising - organisations are rapidly adopting digital badges to recognise and verify achievements in our increasingly digital world.

But here's the challenge: creating effective digital badges isn't as straightforward as it might seem. Through my conversations with over 50 university staff members, from course leaders to pro-vice-chancellors, I've learned that the real value of a digital badge lies in its careful customisation - from the visual design to the metadata that makes it verifiable and meaningful.

Whether you're new to digital badges or looking to enhance your existing ones, I've put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through the entire customisation process. We'll cover everything from essential design elements and metadata configuration to security features and distribution methods, ensuring your badges are both visually appealing and technically sound.

Understanding Digital Badge Components

Digital badges might seem simple at first glance, but there's actually quite a bit going on under the surface to make them work effectively. Digital badges are uniquely granular, allowing recognition of specific skills and achievements rather than just broad study areas.

Let me break down exactly what makes up a digital badge, so you can create ones that really stand out and serve their purpose.

Visual Elements: The Face of Your Badge

The visual elements are what people see first - they're crucial for making a strong first impression and ensuring your badges look professional. Companies investing in professional design consistently see higher engagement rates. Modern digital credential designers make it easy to create professional badges with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to focus on the creative aspects rather than technical details.

Your badge should be 600x600 pixels in PNG format with a transparent background - this ensures it looks sharp across all platforms and devices. For optimal quality and scalability, you might also consider using SVG format, which allows your badge to scale without losing quality.

When designing your badge, keep accessibility in mind - ensure there's sufficient colour contrast and that text remains readable at different sizes. All images should include alternative text descriptions for screen readers, following WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

Metadata: The Brains Behind Your Badge

The metadata is what makes your digital badge actually valuable - it's all the information that proves and explains the achievement. This needs to follow a specific JSON-LD structure to ensure compatibility across platforms.

Here are the essential metadata components:

• Badge Name and Description: Clear explanation of what was achieved
• Criteria Met: Specific details about what the recipient did to earn the badge
• Issuer Details: Information about your organisation
• Recipient Information: Who earned the badge
• Issue and Expiry Dates: When it was awarded and how long it's valid
• Unique Identifier: For verification purposes
• Evidence URL: Links to proof of achievement
• Alignment: Links to specific skills or standards the badge represents
• @context: Technical field that defines the Open Badge standard version

The metadata needs to follow the Open Badges 2.0 standard - this ensures your badges can be recognised and verified across different platforms. Each metadata field plays a crucial role in making your badge verifiable and meaningful.

How It All Works Together

The visual elements and metadata work hand in hand - think of it like a passport. The design makes it instantly recognisable, while the information inside proves it's legitimate. Digital badges enhance your professional brand and digital footprint, providing a powerful way to showcase achievements online.

Each badge includes a verification URL or QR code that links to a secure webpage displaying all the badge details. QR codes offer a quick and efficient way to verify badges on mobile devices, while the unique URL ensures the badge can be verified through any web browser.

When creating your badges, consider these key verification aspects:

• Test badges at different sizes to ensure visibility
• Double-check all metadata for accuracy
• Verify accessibility standards using tools like WAVE or Lighthouse
• Ensure consistency with your brand guidelines

The blockchain technology automatically creates a permanent, tamper-proof record of each badge, so you don't need to worry about verification or security issues. This decentralised approach ensures that even if the issuing platform experiences issues, the badge's authenticity can still be verified.

For inspiration, look at successful badge programmes like IBM's and Microsoft's - they often use hierarchical systems that clearly show progression and expertise levels through thoughtful design elements. This approach helps create a cohesive badge ecosystem that effectively communicates different levels of achievement while maintaining professional standards.

Planning Your Badge Design

Creating a digital badge is more than just making a pretty image - it's about crafting a meaningful credential that clearly communicates achievement and value.

Define Clear Learning Outcomes & Achievement Criteria

The first step is getting crystal clear on what your badge represents. This is fundamental to ensuring your badge carries real value in the professional world.

Start by mapping out exactly what skills or knowledge someone needs to demonstrate to earn your badge. Be specific and measurable in your requirements.

Think about what you want your learners to be able to do or know by the time they receive this badge. These outcomes should be directly aligned with industry or educational standards.

To structure this effectively, follow the Open Badges metadata framework which requires specific achievement claims and clear alignment with competency frameworks. This ensures your badges are both meaningful and technically compliant.

Consider organising your badges into clear progression levels (foundational, intermediate, advanced) to create meaningful learning pathways, similar to how major universities structure their micro-credential hierarchies.

Evidence Requirements & Verification

You'll need a solid system to verify that someone has genuinely earned their badge. This verification process is crucial for maintaining the credibility of your badge programme.

Think about what proof you'll need to see from your learners:

• Course completion records
• Assessment results
• Portfolio submissions
• Practical demonstrations
• Project work
• Peer reviews for collaborative skills
• Real-world project implementations
• Automated assessment results from integrated LMS tools

Make sure your verification process is straightforward but thorough - you want your badges to carry real weight. Modern digital credentialing platforms now use blockchain technology to make badges tamper-proof and instantly verifiable, ensuring maximum credibility for your badge program.

Consider using e-portfolio platforms to collect and showcase evidence, allowing learners to compile their achievements in a structured, verifiable manner.

Brand Alignment Guidelines

Your badges need to look like they belong to your organisation. Visual consistency is key to building trust and recognition. Consistent branding across digital platforms unifies your brand identity and strengthens connections with your audience.

Match your badge design with your existing brand elements:

• Use your organisation's colour palette
• Include your logo (sized appropriately)
• Maintain your brand's visual style
• Keep fonts consistent with your brand guidelines
• Ensure brand elements don't overshadow badge information
• Create a clear hierarchy of visual elements
• Document specific design requirements in a badge style guide

Technical Specifications

Getting the technical details right ensures your badges look sharp and professional across all platforms. Modern drag-and-drop credential designers make it easy to create professional-looking badges while automatically adhering to technical standards.

Your badges must comply with Open Badges technical standards, including proper JSON or JSON-LD metadata structure for verification and portability. These specifications are non-negotiable for ensuring your badges function correctly in digital environments.

Remember that your badge design isn't just about looking good - it's about creating a credential that your learners will be proud to display and that employers will trust and value.

Take your time with this planning phase - it's the foundation that will make or break your badge programme.

Consider using professional design tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva to create your badge graphics, ensuring they meet all technical requirements while maintaining visual appeal.

Creating the Visual Design

Getting the visual design right for your digital badges is crucial - it's what grabs attention and communicates achievement at first glance. A well-designed badge not only looks professional but also effectively conveys the value of the accomplishment it represents. Simple, clear designs communicate more effectively than complex ones.

Core Design Elements

Your badge design needs to balance professional aesthetics with clear communication of the achievement it represents. Let's look at the essential elements that make up an effective digital badge:

• Shapes: Keep it simple with classic options like circles, squares, or shields. These shapes are instantly recognisable and maintain their impact even when scaled down to thumbnail size. Modern digital credential designers typically default to square formats (600x600 pixels) for optimal display across different platforms.
• Colours: Stick to 2-3 complementary colours that align with your brand. Ensure there's enough contrast between text and background (aim for a ratio of at least 4.5:1) to maintain readability. Consider using established colour coding systems - for instance, bronze, silver, and gold for different achievement levels.
• Typography: Choose clear, web-safe fonts like Source Sans Pro or Open Sans. Use no more than two different fonts - one for titles and another for supporting text. For accessibility, sans-serif fonts are recommended as they maintain legibility across devices.
• Logos: Position your organisation's logo where it's visible but not overwhelming. Vector formats work best as they stay crisp at any size. Follow the example of successful tech companies which maintain brand recognition while keeping designs minimalist and effective.

Visual Hierarchy and Layout

The way you arrange elements on your badge can make the difference between a cluttered mess and a professional credential. A clear visual hierarchy ensures that information is instantly digestible and properly emphasised.

When designing your badge layout, remember these key points:

• Size Matters: Design at 600x600 pixels minimum, but test how it looks at 50x50 pixels - your badge needs to work at both sizes. For LinkedIn specifically, optimise for 180x180 pixels display.
• White Space: Don't crowd your design. Leave breathing room around elements to improve readability and professional appearance. This is particularly important for mobile display where badges may appear quite small.
• Format Choice: Save your badges as PNG files with a transparent background - this ensures optimal quality and versatility across different display environments. Ensure a minimum resolution of 300 DPI for optimal clarity.
• Platform Testing: Check how your badge appears across different social media platforms and devices before finalising the design. Consider creating a cohesive family of badges that maintain consistent design elements while evolving to show progression.

One common mistake is trying to include too much information in the badge design. Keep it simple - the badge itself should communicate the achievement at a glance, with additional details available in the credential metadata. Today's drag-and-drop credential designers make it easy to create and save professional templates that maintain consistency across all your credentials.

The most effective badge designs find the sweet spot between visual appeal and practical functionality - they look professional while clearly conveying the achievement they represent, whether viewed on a mobile phone or a desktop monitor. Badge design must consider both value and meaning outside their original context and ensure functionality across different platforms.

Remember that your badge design isn't just about aesthetics - it's a visual representation of someone's achievement that they'll want to proudly display on their professional profiles. Take the time to test your designs thoroughly and gather feedback before finalising them.

Configuring Badge Metadata

Badge metadata is absolutely crucial - it's the information that makes your digital badges meaningful and verifiable. Digital badges protect credential integrity by providing verified, secure data that cannot be falsified.

Think of metadata as your badge's DNA - it contains all the essential information that proves what the badge represents and who earned it. Digital credentials verify skills, achievements, and qualifications through secure metadata.

Let me walk you through exactly how to set this up properly.

Required Information

First, let's cover the essential metadata fields that every badge needs:

When writing your badge criteria, make sure they are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

For example, instead of writing "Completed leadership training", specify "Successfully completed 40 hours of advanced leadership training, demonstrating proficiency in team management through 3 assessed practical exercises".

There are also some technical requirements to keep in mind for your badge images:

• File format must be PNG or SVG
• Shape must be square
• File size under 256k
• Minimum dimensions of 90 x 90 pixels
• Recommended dimensions between 400 x 400 and 600 x 600 pixels for optimal display

Enhanced Metadata Options

Once you've got the basics sorted, you can add these advanced features to make your badges even more valuable:

• Evidence Links: Add URLs to portfolios, projects, or assessment results that showcase the recipient's work - ensure these are HTTPS URLs for security and use persistent URLs to prevent broken links
• Expiration Settings: Set a validity period if the credential needs renewal (perfect for certifications that require regular updates)
• skills framework alignment: Map your badge to recognised industry standards or competency frameworks
• Verification Methods: Include blockchain verification data and QR codes for easy authentication. Modern digital credentialing platforms can automatically secure your badges with blockchain technology, making them tamper-proof and instantly verifiable.
• Custom Tags: Add relevant keywords to make the badge more discoverable
• Profile: Additional metadata about the issuing organisation that helps establish credibility

When adding skills alignments, be specific about which framework you're using. For instance, link directly to the relevant framework level, like "Aligned with European e-Competence Framework (e-CF) Level 3 for Project Management". The alignment field should contain a specific URL/URI that points to the relevant standard or competency definition - this helps badge consumers understand exactly what the badge represents.

All metadata needs to follow the Open Badges standard to ensure your badges will be recognised and transferable across different platforms and digital wallets. For optimal machine readability and discoverability, structure your metadata using JSON-LD format, which allows for easy parsing by search engines and AI systems.

Here are some final best practices to keep in mind:

• Use templates to maintain consistency across all your badges
• Double-check that all verification links are working before issuing badges
• Ensure evidence URLs point to encrypted resources
• Set up appropriate access controls to protect sensitive information
• Regularly review and update metadata to ensure continued accuracy and relevance

Implementing Security Features

Security isn't just a feature when it comes to digital badges - it's absolutely essential for maintaining their value and trustworthiness.

Let me walk you through exactly how to set up robust security measures that will protect your digital badges from day one.

Authentication Setup

First things first - we need to establish strong authentication protocols to ensure only authorised people can create and issue badges. With digital fraud attempts up 80% globally, robust security measures are more critical than ever.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all administrator accounts that have badge-issuing privileges - you can integrate tools like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Azure Active Directory for this. 2FA effectively blocks unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.

Set up your digital signature protocols using ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) - this creates a unique cryptographic fingerprint for each badge you issue, making them impossible to forge. ECDSA is particularly effective as it provides high security with smaller key sizes, making the verification process faster and more efficient.

Make sure your blockchain verification is properly configured - this means each badge gets permanently recorded on the blockchain, creating an immutable record that can't be altered. This technology ensures your credentials remain tamper-proof and instantly verifiable by employers and other stakeholders.

Data Protection Measures

When it comes to protecting the data within your digital badges, there's no room for compromise. With credential stuffing attempts reaching 193 billion in 2020, implementing comprehensive protection is crucial. Here's what you need to implement:

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Define specific roles and permissions for different team members
• Data Encryption: Use AES-256 encryption (the gold standard) to secure all badge data both in transit and at rest using secure cloud storage solutions like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage with SSL/TLS encryption
• Regular Security Audits: Schedule automated security checks to identify potential vulnerabilities
• Verification Process: Implement a robust verification system where the issuer's public key is used to decrypt the digital signature and compare it with the badge's computed hash
• Regular Backups: Use automated backup systems like AWS Backup or Google Cloud Backup with off-site storage for data protection
• Privacy Compliance: Configure settings to comply with relevant regulations like GDPR, including data retention policies and consent mechanisms
• Database Security: Set up your database with robust security measures using systems like PostgreSQL or MySQL with SSL/TLS encryption

These security measures might seem extensive, but they're crucial for maintaining the integrity and value of your digital badges. The goal is to create a system that's both secure and user-friendly, allowing badge earners to easily access and share their credentials while ensuring they remain tamper-proof and verifiable.

By implementing this comprehensive security framework - combining strong authentication protocols, encryption, blockchain verification, and regular security maintenance - you'll create a robust foundation for your digital badge system that both protects and builds trust in your credentials.

Setting Up Distribution

Technical Preparation

Getting your digital badges ready for distribution needs a bit of technical groundwork - but it's simpler than it sounds.

First up, check your file formats. Digital badges need to follow the Open Badges standard, which means your badge images and metadata need to be in the right format. PNG and SVG are the recommended formats, with PNG being preferred for lossless quality and SVG being ideal for perfect scaling across devices. For PNG files, aim for 400 x 400 pixels, but ensure they remain clear even at 90 x 90 pixels.

Your badges will need specific metadata fields to be compliant. These mandatory fields include:

• Achievement name
• Description of what was earned
• Specific criteria
• Issuer information
• Issue date
• Verification data
• Recipient details

You can also include optional fields like expiration dates, alignments to educational standards, evidence links, and endorsement credentials.

You'll want to verify that your badge platform is properly connected to your existing systems. If you're using a Learning Management System (LMS), make sure the integration is working smoothly. Different LMS platforms have varying integration capabilities - some like Moodle have built-in support through plugins, while others like Canvas and Blackboard typically require third-party tools and APIs.

The next step is setting up your API connections. These are basically the digital highways that let your badges travel between different systems automatically. Key endpoints need to be configured for issuing badges, retrieving metadata, verifying authenticity, and managing endorsements. For security, implement OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code Grant and ensure badges are digitally signed using cryptographic methods compatible with the Verifiable Credentials Data Model 2.0.

Sharing Capabilities

Now for the exciting part - setting up how your badge earners can share their achievements. With 91% of digital badge earners finding their credentials valuable, ensuring proper sharing capabilities is crucial.

Social media sharing is essential in today's digital landscape. Modern digital credential platforms like VerifyEd offer seamless LinkedIn integration, allowing recipients to publish their credentials directly to their professional profiles with built-in verification. The setup process usually involves configuring which social platforms you want to connect and customising how the badges will appear when shared. For LinkedIn specifically, ensure your badges are compatible with their Verified Credentials feature by embedding verifiable metadata.

For professional network integration, you'll want to ensure your badges can be displayed on professional profiles and digital CVs. This means setting up the right metadata so that when your badges are shared, all the important details about the achievement are visible and verifiable. With credential fraud increasing by 78% in five years, implementing blockchain-based verification creates an immutable record of the badge that cannot be tampered with, ensuring maximum credibility for your recipients.

Key sharing features to configure include:

• Portfolio Platform Setup: Configure your system to allow badge embedding in digital portfolios and personal websites
• Email Signature Integration: Enable badge display in email signatures for professional communication - ensure badges are in PNG or SVG format with embedded verification URLs or QR codes
• Verification Links: Set up unique verification URLs for each badge so anyone can verify its authenticity
• Automated Sharing Options: Configure automatic sharing prompts when badges are earned
• Privacy Controls: Enable earners to control their badge visibility settings

Remember to test the entire sharing process from start to finish. Try sharing badges across different platforms and check that all the verification links work properly. This way, you'll catch any potential issues before your badge earners do, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for everyone involved.

Testing and Verification

The testing phase of your digital badges is crucial - it's where you make sure everything works perfectly before sending them out into the world.

Quality Control Steps

Before issuing any badges, you'll want to do a thorough check of each element. A systematic approach will ensure nothing gets missed.

Start with the visual elements - open your badge on different devices and browsers, making sure the design stays sharp and clear regardless of where it's viewed. This includes checking on various screen sizes and resolutions to ensure consistent quality. Image resolution is crucial for quality, so pay special attention to how your badge displays across different devices.

Next, verify all the metadata is accurate. This includes checking that names are spelled correctly, dates are right, and all achievement criteria are properly listed. For blockchain-based wallets, ensure your metadata complies with standards like Open Badges 3.0 and W3C Verifiable Credentials to guarantee cross-platform compatibility.

The verification system needs special attention. Test the blockchain verification system by accessing the verification link on your badge, ensuring it instantly confirms the badge's authenticity. When clicking the "Verify Credential" button, you should see an interactive progress bar that clearly shows the verification steps and results, with a clear verification status indicating tamper-evident blockchain verification.

Don't forget mobile compatibility - most of your recipients will view and share their badges on phones and tablets, so test how the badge appears in different digital wallets and on various screen sizes. Each wallet platform has specific requirements - for instance, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet have strict guidelines for Pass Logo, Hero Image, and Background Image formatting.

Troubleshooting Guide

When issues pop up, here's how to tackle the most common problems:

• Resolution Issues:
  • If your badge appears blurry, check that your original image file meets the minimum resolution requirements (typically 600x600 pixels)
  • Ensure you're using PNG format for the best quality
  • Verify the file size isn't being compressed during upload
  • Use responsive design principles to optimise for various screen sizes
  • Consider using SVG format for scalable graphics that maintain clarity across devices
• Metadata Configuration:
  • Double-check all text fields for accuracy
  • Ensure dates are in the correct format
  • Verify that all required fields are filled in
  • Confirm that special characters aren't causing formatting issues
  • Use JSON-LD libraries to ensure proper metadata parsing
  • Validate metadata against Open Badges specifications using official validation tools
• Platform Compatibility:
  • Test the badge in different digital wallets
  • Verify the verification link works across various browsers
  • Check that the badge displays correctly in email clients
  • Ensure the blockchain verification process works smoothly
  • Test with browser developer tools to inspect and debug display issues
  • Use automated testing tools like Selenium for thorough cross-browser verification
  • Conduct accessibility checks using tools like WAVE and Lighthouse
  • Verify compatibility with both iOS and Android wallet specifications

If you encounter persistent issues, don't hesitate to run another round of testing before issuing your badges - it's much easier to fix problems beforehand than to deal with them after badges have been distributed to recipients. Remember that thorough testing is your best defence against potential issues that could affect your badge's credibility and functionality.

Digital Badge Design: Your Path to Professional Recognition

During my research into digital badge customisation, I've been impressed by how these small digital assets can have such a significant impact on professional recognition and learner engagement.

What started as a technical guide has revealed just how powerful well-designed badges can be for motivating achievement and validating skills.

Whether you're an educational institution, professional body, or business looking to implement digital badges, I hope this comprehensive breakdown helps you create badges that truly represent your brand and resonate with your recipients.

Remember, the key is to balance visual appeal with proper technical implementation – get these right, and your badges will serve their purpose effectively.

• Yaz