While interning with SDSU Athletics, my largest project was creating the graphics for the A.C.E. Awards, SDSU’s all-sport banquet. I was tasked to make the announcement poster, social media graphics, and presentation graphics. In one of my first meetings with the A.C.E. Awards team, they talked a lot about how uninterested athletes were last year. The graphics were not visually engaging. I wanted athletes to feel special and excited seeing these big-screen graphics. My supervisors gave me all creative control so I started brainstorming. I knew I wanted to incorporate photography and a gritty element. Grit would represent the perseverance athletes go through to be the best at their sport. It’s not easy work. It’s dirty and difficult. I then wanted to showcase the athletes' facilities. So, the backgrounds would feature pictures of what they know most, and where they play their games. Football featured Snapdragon Stadium, Baseball the Tony Gwynn Stadium, etc. I wanted athletes to be visually engaged with what they were seeing, so they’d be excited to sit for two hours.

For the poster, I was trying out a lot of ideas. Classic Hollywood ticket looks, outlined courts/fields, etc. I ended up deciding featuring Snapdragon in the background would be the best idea. Every sport has some connection to the new football stadium, whether it’s going to games or attending ceremonies there. I put the photo in black and white and a red overlay over it so the white text would pop. I also included a group of physical items from all the sports. Soccer ball, lacrosse stick, and more. I was only allowed to use 2 fonts: Aztec Bold and Futura PT Condensed Medium. I could not change the weight or style so I had to get creative with how I achieved visual hierarchy. I used drop shadows and glows to make the text legible. This poster was to be printed so I knew I needed it to be clear from a distance.