Under the Microscope: 5 Lessons for Creating Meaningful Anniversary Art for Laboratories

At One Of A Kind Art Studio, we’ve dedicated over 30 years translating stories into handcrafted, deeply personal 3D art. From inspiring family businesses like Colorado Serum to large, cutting edge global companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, CF Industries and Leidos, our commemorative art is designed to celebrate not just what your company does—but why you do it.

When it comes to laboratories, the challenge—and the joy—is capturing a legacy built on precision, discovery, trust and breakthroughs. We appreciate that scientific anniversaries deserve more than a plaque or printed timeline. They deserve a piece that honors both the science and the soul of the organization.

Here’s are Best Ideas we’ve learned to make laboratory anniversaries truly unforgettable:

1. Go Beyond the Logo—Tell the Origin Story

Every lab starts with a question. A problem to solve. A test to refine. We begin by learning about the lab’s founding purpose—whether it was a bold idea started in a garage or a moonshot R&D mission. Who took the first risk? Those early sparks are what make a story sing, and what set a lab’s culture apart.

2. Celebrate the People Behind the Pipettes

Labs are powered by brilliant minds and steady hands. We are known for reflecting that human engine behind an anniversary story—whether through portraits of founders, publications with your success stories, or candid photos from team celebrations. Some clients share handwritten notes or a piece of archival equipment. These personal touches make the final piece resonate with both seasoned scientists and new hires alike.

3. Add Layers of Meaning

The best commemorative art reveals itself slowly. We embed discoveries: schematic snippets from a breakthrough method, visual nods to a milestone discovery, or a timeline in the structure of the piece. Discover the miniature picnic basket in the Leidos artwork, reminiscent of team culture. These layers invite curiosity and give people a reason to stop and explore.

4. Make It a Collaborative Process

We treat every project as a co-creation with our clients. Our time-tested process adaptably reflects your team’s priorities and vision. We partner with our clients to make sure vision, voices, and memories are reflected.

 

5. Honor the Milestone—But Reflect the Mission

An anniversary is a chance to look back—but also to reflect forward. We ask: Where is the science headed? Whether it’s emerging areas of research, a new market served, or a shift in methodology, we integrate future-forward symbols to remind everyone: the journey isn’t finished, it’s just getting started.

 

Final Thought from the Studio

Lab work is often invisible to the outside world. But to the people inside—researchers, technicians, analysts, and collaborators—it’s a shared legacy. Art that honors that legacy not only preserves history—it inspires the next chapter.

Done well, it becomes more than a keepsake. It becomes part of your corporate identity.