The first thing in my opinion that differentiates a "good looking robot" from a "not as good looking robot" is the use of machined parts. Finding a sponsor that can cut out parts for you is a very important team goal. We are fortunate enough to have a CNC plasma cutter available for use at our school. We try to use it as much as possible because this allows for very precise design of parts. The first step to getting machined parts is having a student or students who know how to use CAD software. Not only does this allow for quick prototyping and proof of concept but it also allows quick editing and very easy "export to reality." Once the part is completed and works correctly in the CAD software all you need to do is send it to a sponsor (even via e-mail) and they can cut it out in a day or two. This allows for very efficient build time. Theoretically you could even build your whole robot in CAD, watch it drive around and work and then send it to a sponsor to cut it out, get the parts and simply assemble it with bolts. I know that this is what 217 and 148 do. If you look them up, they have beautiful robots. Everything is fully drawn up in CAD, tested for proper function and then sent away to be cut. If you can't find a sponsor to cut out parts for you. Try to make your robot as shiny as possible. When I say this, I mean make everything as polished and clean as possible. This means stay away from lots of visible hack saw cutting, glue, tape and visible "oops I accidentally drilled in the wrong spot" holes. Clean lines, symmetry and as little "jank" as possible make a beautiful robot. I consider "jank" to be something that looks like it was thrown together without thought and planning. Finally, wire everything at the end and at one time. Planning the wire routing should be done after everything else is done, this eliminates the "lets move this wire over here because its in the way now." Mount all of the jaguars and victors in the same spot and close to the power board. This means less wiring over all and all of the similar wires can be zip tied together into sections. Planning makes a robot looks good.PLAN PLAN PLAN. And then of course add some LED's at the end
(check out ebay, search for led strip, search by lowest price and order a 40 in strip for $6 shipped directly from China.
It will take two weeks to arrive however).
Let me know if you have any more questions.