A live fridge magnet station is a simple, inclusive employee engagement activity: each employee, or their family, gets a personal hand-drawn sketch turned into a magnet, often with a subtle company logo. It works at office family days, Women’s Day celebrations, work anniversaries, onboarding weeks and festive events, and it needs very little space. For HR and admin teams, the appeal is a personal touch that does not depend on everyone enjoying the same game or performance.
This guide focuses on in-office and on-campus engagement. It covers different ground from offsites and dealer meets, and is written for HR, admin and internal communications teams across Indian cities.
Why it works for employee engagement
- Inclusive by design. Introverts, senior leaders and new joiners can all take part without performing or competing.
- Personal recognition. Sitting for a sketch feels like individual attention, which employees often remember more than generic merchandise.
- Visible at home. When the magnet goes on the family fridge, the workplace is remembered warmly at home too.
- Low disruption. Employees can drop by for a few minutes and return to work, which suits weekday celebrations.
Occasions that suit a magnet station
Family day
Family days bring spouses, children and sometimes parents to the office or campus. Family sketches with a small company logo are a natural fit. Plan for longer sketching time per family and set the station near the children’s activity zone so parents can take turns.
Women’s Day
A magnet station, combined with a nail art desk or a glitter tattoo station, creates a relaxed celebration. Keep the frame elegant and the messaging simple.
Work anniversaries and milestones
For teams marking five or ten years, a sketch with a short line such as “10 years with the team” is a thoughtful touch alongside formal recognition.
Onboarding and induction weeks
A welcome magnet for new joiners helps them feel part of the team from day one. It also gives the HR team a friendly icebreaker.
Festive celebrations
Diwali, Christmas, Holi or year-end parties can include a magnet station with a festive border alongside the company logo.
Branding without overdoing it
Employees do not want an advertisement on their fridge. A good rule is to let the sketch dominate and keep branding subtle:
- A small logo in one corner or along a thin strip.
- The event name and date in a clean font.
- Company colours used lightly in the border.
- No long slogans or campaign messages.
Scheduling for a working day
Unlike weddings, office events happen around meetings and deadlines. Some practical approaches:
- Department slots: assign time windows to teams so the queue stays predictable.
- Online sign-up: a simple sign-up sheet or form lets employees choose a slot.
- Lunch-hour peak: expect the busiest period around lunch, and consider a second artist for that window.
- Photo-based sketches: for remote or travelling employees, the artist can work from submitted photos, and magnets can be couriered.
Respecting diversity and comfort
Workplaces include people of many ages, backgrounds and comfort levels. Ask the artist to use a gentle likeness style rather than exaggerated caricature by default, so no one feels uncomfortable seeing their sketch on a colleague’s desk. Participation should always be optional, and employees who prefer not to be drawn can be offered an alternative, such as a sketch of their pet or a simple name design. Keeping the activity relaxed and voluntary is what makes it feel like a genuine gesture rather than a mandatory programme.
Planning for large offices
For offices with hundreds of employees, the main question is coverage. The honest approach is to calculate available artist hours, compare them with the expected participation, and decide whether to:
- Book multiple artists.
- Run the station across two or more days.
- Limit the activity to a specific group, such as families on family day.
Talking this through with the fridge magnet artist early avoids disappointment on the day.
Event planning checklist for HR teams
| Task | Timing |
|---|---|
| Confirm date, location and expected participation | Several weeks before |
| Approve branding and frame design | Two to three weeks before |
| Arrange security passes and vendor entry | One week before |
| Set up sign-up or department schedule | One week before |
| Prepare table, chairs, lighting and power | Day before |
| Share internal announcement | A few days before and on the day |
Measuring impact without inventing numbers
You can track simple, real signals: participation counts, sign-up rates, internal social posts and feedback from employee surveys. These help judge whether to repeat the activity at future events.
Pairing with other engagement activities
A magnet station rarely runs alone at office events. It combines well with other activities that HR teams already plan:
- Wellness days: place the station beside a relaxation zone, so employees can take a short break for a sketch.
- Talent shows and fun Fridays: the station gives non-participants something personal to enjoy.
- Children’s zones on family day: combine with a caricature artist or face painting so kids stay entertained while parents wait.
- CSR events: volunteers can receive a thank-you magnet after a community activity.
For hybrid teams, consider a two-part approach: an in-office station on the day for those present, and photo-based sketches for remote colleagues, delivered later. This keeps the activity inclusive and avoids remote employees feeling left out. Communicate the plan clearly in the internal announcement so everyone knows how to take part, and share a few finished magnets on the internal channel afterwards to build interest for the next event.
Frequently asked questions
Can employees working remotely be included?
Yes. The artist can sketch from photos and the magnets can be couriered, though this should be planned in advance.
How long does each employee need to sit?
Usually a few minutes for a single face. Family or group sketches take longer.
Is this suitable for offices outside Jaipur?
Yes. Artists can travel to offices in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities. Discuss travel and timings when booking.
A personal sketch is a small gesture that employees and their families remember. To plan a magnet station for your next engagement event, share your details through our contact page.
Fridge Magnet Artist in Jaipur & across India
Guests are sketched live and their drawing becomes a personalised fridge magnet, a return gift they will see every day.