Ontario Reign Special Event Jerseys 2016-17
Every year the Ontario Reign, the AHL Affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, work with AEG Sports for special event jersey designs to raise money for charity. I was fortunate to work on a Deadpool Jersey, 8-Bit Jersey Night presented , and paw prints on the current jersey (Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley).
These jerseys and more raised over $306,000 throughout the Ontario Reign’s 2016-2017 season, benefiting multiple organizations including the Hope Reigns Foundation, Bob Hope USO Ontario, University of LaVerne Scholarship Fund, San Antonio Regional Hospital Foundation, American Red Cross San Bernardino County Chapter, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley and The Be Perfect Foundation.
ROLES
Lead Designer
DUTIES PERFORMED
Design, Concepting
$306,000
These exclusive jerseys & others raised $306,000 in donations all season
8,068
Total fan attendance for the 2016-2017 season
36-21-10-1
Ontario Reign 2016-2017 regular-season record
Deadpool
I designed a Deadpool jersey for the Ontario Reign’s Eighth Annual Red Cross Day. Fans could meet their favorite comic book heroes during the game and after the game, they held a live postgame jersey auction to benefit the American Red Cross. (Photos provided by Jessica Harsen.)
Process
Challenge
Ontario Reign asked for a special event jersey design for Super Hero night. They wanted a jersey that mimicked the Batman or Iron Man suit.
Solution
In addition to the Batman concept, I pitched a Deadpool jersey concept as well. Deadpool had been released earlier that year, was a box office hit, and also matched the Red Cross’ red colors. He was relevant, fresh and fun, appealing to a majority of hockey fans.
Watch Jerseys in Action
Game highlights from the Ontario Reign vs. San Diego Gulls on January 22, 2017.
Small Reddit thread
8-Bit Pixel Jersey
Jumping on the Minecraft trend, the Ontario Reign wanted an ‘8-bit jersey design’. At AEG, we were each tasked with coming up with our own ‘Pixelated’ jersey version—my design interruption was chosen by the Reign. (Photos provided by Jessica Harsen.)
Process
Challenge
Minecraft was rising to popularity during this time. The Ontario Reign wanted an 8-bit jersey design that would draw the interest to youth and retro gamers.
Solution
In researching Minecraft I saw that the key to 8-bit was patterns of shades of colors. With this in mind, I rebuild the Ontario Reign’s jersey and logo using simple pixels and color variations.
Jersey Details
Watch Jerseys in Action
Game highlights from the Ontario Reign vs. Charlotte Checkers on December 10, 2016 .
Kingston Reign Night
The Ontario Reign held a Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley special event, focusing on dog—the jerseys had paw prints and the first 5,000 received a free dog bowl. All the jerseys auctioned after the game with proceeds going to the Humane Society.
Right Wing Jonny Brodzinski
Process
Challenge
Ontario Reign wanted paw prints on their jersey.
Solution
I originally pitched a version with a snow leopard illustration, but we ended removing the illustration and adding paw print to the vintage style jersey.
Watch Jerseys in Action
Reign vs. Tucson Roadrunners on March 11, 2017.
Video I shot while at the game.
Game highlights
PROJECT DETAILS
Client // LA Kings & Ontario Reign (AEG Sports)
Year // 2016-2017
TEAM
Supervising Creative Direction // Todd Howk
Creative Direction // David Auther
Lead Designer // Nicole (That’s Me!)