Polaris / Knowledge Center
Ideas behind the objects.
Design judgment, material knowledge and a clearer path to your next project.
Explore practical guides and perspectives on custom deal toys, financial tombstones and recognition. Start with the essentials, then go deeper into the decisions that shape the finished piece.
READ THE COMPLETE GUIDE
Start with the question on your desk.
From the studio
Articles & perspectives
Browse the latest writing below. For current project estimates, use our planning guide; dated market commentary reflects its publication period.
Modern Deal Toys: CAD, Sustainability, and the Return of Craft
In the 2000s, deal toys entered a new era—driven by digital tools, custom storytelling, and sustainability. But design only matters when it’s backed by care, expertise, and follow-through.
The 1980s: When Deal Toys Got Loud
By the 1980s, deal toys weren’t just commemoratives—they were creative statements. Designs got bolder, materials more varied, and the culture of Wall Street wanted trophies as unique as the deals themselves.
When Robert Evans Used Lucite to Make a Statement
In a legendary Hollywood pitch, Robert Evans used a custom Lucite block to make a statement. It wasn’t about the material—it was about the message. And that moment mirrors how deal toys evolved in finance.
Brass Balls and Bold Statements
In the 1970s, a Lucite cube with two brass balls changed the tone of financial commemoratives. Deal toys had evolved from formal to fearless—bold symbols of what it took to close the deal.
How Lucite Changed Everything
Lucite was never made for Wall Street—but it turned out to be the perfect medium for capturing the spirit of a deal. This is how one wartime material laid the foundation for the modern deal toy.
How Tombstone Ads Gave Rise to the Modern Deal Toy
Before deal toys existed, there were tombstone ads—plain, regulated newspaper notices that quietly changed how Wall Street marked deals. This was the first step toward the modern financial tombstone.
The Origins of Deal Toys
Long before modern finance, people were already marking deals with meaningful objects—silver plates, tokens, clocks. This impulse to make success tangible is centuries old. Today, we call them deal toys.
Can I See a Sample?
Some suppliers talk clients out of asking for samples. They’ll say a rendering is enough. That a sample just slows things down. That prototyping isn’t necessary.
At Polaris, we take a different view.
Because there’s a big difference between seeing a design on screen… and holding the real piece in your hand.
Make It Memorable
A great deal toy doesn’t have to be flashy to be memorable. What matters is that it’s thoughtful, personal, and fits the deal. At Polaris, we create custom pieces that tell your story and stand the test of time.