Design for the National Medal of Technology is the work of medalist and sculptor Mico Kaufman, of North Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The design was selected from among a handful submitted by artists in 1984. The 3-inch medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut.
The obverse side of the coin depicts the technologist as something of a modern "wizard," with a concentrated beam bouncing off the palm of his hand representing the input and the output of technology and of the innovation process. Inscribed around the image are the words "NATIONAL MEDAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION."
On the reverse is an eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, encircled by the inscription "AWARDED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO," with a space provided to engrave a recipient's name.