Overview
During the 2024–25 season, I worked as the Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager for the Oklahoma Warriors, a Tier II junior hockey team based in Oklahoma City, competing in the North American Hockey League.
In this role, I was the sole designer responsible for all visual output across digital and print. This included gameday graphics, in-game updates, player features, apparel, and large-format assets. I also worked as part of a two-person social media team to support content execution and engagement.
The focus of this season was building a strong, consistent visual identity while managing a high volume of content throughout the year.
Opportunity
At the junior hockey level, content moves fast and needs to be consistent. Teams are constantly posting:
Game updates
Player features
Promotional content
Branded visuals across multiple platforms
The opportunity for the 2024–25 season was to establish a visual direction that could define the team’s identity and carry across everything we produced.
Rather than just creating individual graphics, I focused on building a system and a theme that would make the Warriors feel connected to something bigger.
Gameday/Promotional Material
My Role
Title: Graphic Designer & Social Media Manager
Platforms Managed: Instagram, Facebook, X
Design Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Responsibilities
Sole designer for all digital and print outputs
Created gameday, in-game, and post-game graphics
Designed player features and promotional content
Produced apparel and large-format design assets
Collaborated on social media execution and strategy
Delivered high-volume content under tight deadlines
This role required consistency, speed, and the ability to think beyond individual designs.
Strategy & Execution
1. Creating a City-Driven Visual Identity
The core idea for this season was to connect the team visually to Oklahoma City.
I built a design direction centered around:
The OKC skyline
City-based visuals and environmental elements
A sense of place tied directly to the team
This gave the brand more identity and made the graphics feel unique to the Warriors. Instead of generic hockey visuals, everything felt rooted in the city the team represents.
2. Building a Scalable Design System
With the amount of content required, I focused on creating repeatable structures.
This included:
Templates for gameday and score graphics
Consistent typography and layout systems
Clear hierarchy for readability
This allowed me to produce content quickly while keeping everything visually aligned.
3. High-Volume Content Production
Throughout the season, I handled:
Real-time in-game updates
Final score graphics
Player features and highlights
Promotional and branded content
The challenge was maintaining a consistent look and level of quality, even when working under tight deadlines during games.
4. Multi-Platform Design Execution
In addition to social media, I created assets across:
Print materials
Apparel
Large-format graphics
Each required adapting the same visual system while keeping the brand consistent across all formats.
Key Campaign: New Home and Away Jerseys
One of the biggest projects during the 2024–25 season was redesigning the team’s jerseys.
I designed:
A new white home jersey
A new black away jersey
These designs introduced a refreshed on-ice look that aligned with the broader visual direction of the team. The goal was to create something clean, modern, and consistent with the Warriors’ identity.
This project extended the brand beyond digital and into a physical, highly visible part of the team.
2024-25 Season Graphics
Impact
Results:
Established a city-driven visual identity for the Warriors
Delivered consistent, high-volume content throughout the season
Expanded the brand across digital, print, and on-ice assets
Created a foundation that could be built on in future seasons
This season served as a starting point for a more defined and recognizable brand presence.
Reflection
This experience was a key step in my development as a sports designer.
It helped me:
Build a full visual identity from a concept
Design consistently across a high volume of content
Extend branding across both digital and physical formats
Work efficiently under pressure
It also reinforced how important it is for a team to feel connected to its city. That connection adds meaning to the design and makes the brand stronger overall.
