Syracuse University Poster

I was trying to get a job within the athletics department at Syracuse University (SU), in early December, although I haven't heard back from them I still have a lot of ideas swimming around in my head to design something for them. I wanted to design something in print or video. I did a lot of storyboards for a video, but Photoshop called my name on this one, plus snow was not helping my athletic field shots.

A lot of my inspiration for this poster came from a conversation I had at a local pub. A Syracuse University game was on the television and a gentlemen was talking to me about the history of SU and how they are not the Orangemen any more. I did find a style guide for SU online and found the orangemen was still prominent, but I still wanted to be creative. So, with inspiration from the color orange and texture treatments from Madden football, I excitedly decided to play with orange paint.

The idea for the ad campaign was to have actual SU athletes getting covered with orange paint. The paint would symbolize school spirit like when fans paint themselves, but the paint on the athlete(s) would instead be splashes of paint, like they are the warriors of orange. The SU athletes would either be in game mode or just be triumphantly standing, similar to a Nike Ad (as seen below but with eye contact) to make SU sports look sexy, fun, and top of the line. I felt that concept would be a strong visual communication for SU athletic admissions and could really make the student athletes, and the sports program shine for new comers.

In the end finding photos to work the project brought be towards an game-play football photo, which was still a great find. I think this athlete is Mike Williams Syracuse University's star wide receiver in 2009. He ranked seventh nationally with an average of 8.2 catches per game; and third in the country in total receiving yards with 623.

HOW Poster Design Awards 2010

"From about 800 Poster Design Awards entries, judge Steve Hartman chose 10 winners, using a judging system that involved several rounds to narrow the field." Read more: HOW Design - Poster Design Awards 2010 Winners 

Juicy Finds for May 2010

If you have about two hours, this is an interesting video. Its a discussion from Cooper-Hewitt on "user-centered design" or understanding how ergonomics effects the productivity and enjoyment of a designed work. Jesse Ashlock, former Editor-in-Chief of I.D. Magazine moderated this panel of three: Dan Formosa, founder of Smart Design who has designed work, ranging from kitchen items to medical products mostly recently known for his leafy SmartGauge with EcoGuide on the new Ford Focus, Sigi Moeslinger, co-founder of Antenna Design that combines technological complexity with a sense of humanity; her work on the NYC subways (which with my current trip to NYC I have recently enjoyed) is discussed. My favorite part of this video is listening to the third panelist Neils Differient, most well known for his Freedom and Liberty chair designs manufactured by Humanscale, he is a slow and enlightening speaker that I feel would be a great person to have sitting on my front porch and drinking ice tea with.



Other inspiring finds, this one from Design Milk is PIE Studio’s business card which folds into the shape of a pie slice and the brochure also folded into a slice unfolds out to an entire pie.




Foosball has entered my life recently, after introducing my husband to a great old fashioned style bar in the heart of Buffalo, with delicious brews and a huge game room, Foosball is becoming an enjoyment. My friend Kevin even got a table for his basement. And although I'm not that good at it, others are and it shows in this creative football coat hook.

2010 NFL Draft Picks

The start of the 2010 NFL Draft was yesterday and to celebrate the newbies to the NFL, Davey Designs has decided to design business cards for several of the new players. These business cards represent the future and past for these players; NFL business card design commentary below.

We'll start with Sam Bradford, the first pick and good pick for the St. Louis Rams. But Sam you're going to start and it is going to hurt. I always feel bad for the new quarterbacks that come right from college into playing. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, not to mention the sacks your going to have to take will be the worst of your life. For this Davey Designs is going to pray for you. With that said, we've designed a business card with double the helmets, we know your a ram and you'll tough it out, but a little extra protection never hurts. Creative design told us to print it on paper made from old turf. The same specs of recycled turf that so many QBs have planted their faces on.

I feel that we have to talk about Tim Tebow. First round, wow! Everyone has a piece of heart for this boy? We watched him be a great leader in college and we can't wait to see him get great in the NFL. So, we have designed him a simple business card. Strong with branding, side-by-side support reaching out for something good. I have faith that he is a good 2010 NFL Draft pick for the Broncos and I am excited to see him, a couple of years from now, really know how to throw that ball like its nobody's business.


To close today's blog Davey Designs has designing a meaningful business card for Dez Bryant. A boy who dropped to his knees to become a cowboy of a new color with a sweet paycheck. Davey Designs designed a business card representing the Cowboy you were and the Cowboy you will become. It's clear you have heart for this team, since you were subconsciously wearing cowboy colored shirts on draft day, we'll give you a big star for more reasons than one.