Website Award/Badge Graphic

Hotrodders.com

I'm an administrator of a popular online community for people who build hot rods, muscle cars, and custom cars.

For this project, we're working on a "Hotrodders Knowledge Base" -- a directory and search engine of websites that feature technical information of value to people who are building their own cars. Hot rod enthusiasts can search/browse the Knowledge Base, and find links to relevant articles, parts suppliers, websites, etc.

Right now, we're working on the Interior category of the Knowledge Base -- a collection of links to websites and webpages that feature information about automotive interiors: upholstery, seats, dashboards, steering wheels, convertible tops, headliners, carpet, flooring, etc.

I'd like to get an award badge/emblem designed, to recognize the best resources listed in the Knowledge Base. This graphic will *not* be prominently displayed on my website. Rather, websites whose urls are listed in the Knowledge Base can place the award graphic on their websites. Like a "Top 100 Website" or "Best Web Resource" award. The award graphic will link back to the Knowledge Base. So, their site gets a nice graphic and recognition, and our Knowledge Base gets a link back.

The target audience is essentially people who run small automotive information websites, or publish automotive technical articles. I want them to see this graphic, and say: "That would look great on my pages, and it would add to the credibility of my site."

Their target audience is gearheads: mostly male, usually anywhere from 18-70 years old. Primarily American, but also Canadian, Western European, and Australian. Technically-minded people with a good eye for design.

I'm looking for an award badge/emblem, to give to websites whose urls are listed in the Interior category of our Hotrodders Knowledge Base automotive directory. This is akin to a "Best of the Web" or "Top 100 Websites" award that a small website might display. This badge will appear on various websites that feature high-quality technical information about automotive interiors: upholstery, seats, audio, carpet, flooring, dashboards, steering wheels, fabric, leather, etc.

1. It should clearly look like an award. This probably means some gold. It should not look like a trophy. This isn't a first-place award, just a generalized "Best of the Web" award that will appear on various sites.

2. It should include the text "Hotrodders Knowledge Base" and "Top Resource: Automotive Interior".

3. It should include an automotive interior image. Perhaps a car seat, needle/thread, stitches, industrial sewing machine, fabric, etc. For some ideas, see this listing of websites of custom automotive interior businesses: http://www.hotrodders.com/kb/custom-interiors .

4. The graphic will be placed on varying websites with different backgrounds, so it has to look good on a light or dark background. It may also be placed on a "Links and Awards" page with other badge/award graphics, so it needs to stand out in a crowd.

Search Google Images for "Website Award" or similar phrases to see some examples. Here are a couple of award-type graphics that I like:

http://www.ait.com/images/website_award_2007.png

http://ooglewindowblinds.com/wp-con…logo30.jpg

Please do not use any clip art or stock images in the logo. Thanks!