In 2019, I got the incredible opportunity to create the theme art for the US Open Tennis Championships, held in Queens, NYC. I was asked to make an illustration that would be used across several marketing materials, merchandise, and serve as the visual thread for the entire competition.
In addition to the regular games, the Open held their first ever Fan Week, where attendees could spend the week before the games watching practice, meeting players, and experiencing live music and events. As a result, the client wanted US Open fandom to be a central part of any design.
Early concepts explored the fan experience of attending the Open—channeling the energy and hustle of Billie Jean King, the rhythm and repetition of rackets and balls, and the structure of the NYC train system that delivers fans right to the gates.
While each of these concepts achieved the above goals, in the end the client was still looking for something a bit more fan-focused.
Returning to he drawing board, I tried to identify all of the elements that would balance a focus on fans with all the other elements that make the US Open feel special.
Finally, we landed on a concept where a tennis ball (an iconic symbol for a tennis tournament if there ever was one) blooms open to reveal cheering fans. Â
After some rounds of back and forth to iron out details, we landed on a final design that puts the fans front and center, as they await the start of a game in Arthur Ashe stadium, backdropped by a dreamy NYC skyline.