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1. HOST NATIONS


The last few years, NIke et al have received a lot of backlash for their underwhelming national kits. As an independent label, for the GC/WC we did our own variations based upon design styles from 1986 - the year Mexico hosted the tournament and Canada made its first appearence, to 1990 when the USA made its way back to table after 40 years.

2. VECTOR


When designing posters, the 'pure' designer in us is always searching for the simplest, and most iconic motif to tell the story. That sometimes can be done through repetition of a core element that has the adaptability and flexibility to assume different personalities and characteristics. Sometimes it's the connective tissue of an overarching style and sometimes it's figuring out that single distillation of an idea that instananeously connects people with the subject. But our prime aim has always been to strip away the noise / ephemera and keep true, focused intent.

3. GRUNGE


Take everything in the approach from the section above and sprinkle in a smattering of gritty textures, imperfect screen prints, a spray can, and handrawn elements that can have a more emotive and authentic connection with the viewer. Of course we cheat a little by getting the photos cleaned up and into the software to enhance and manipulate. The execution certainly brings something to the table in helping define the visual tone of voice.

4. THE ART OF DOOP


An artist collective whose function was to provide gameday posters in the early years of the Union's existance. We have it on good authority from a previous MLS insider that we were the first group to do this. Once it became popular, teams hired agencies to do this - which defeated the whole community and fan aspect of our approach. Each poster had to be conceived and executed within the 90 mins it takes to play a game.

5. STAINED GLASS


For jersey week, Major League Soccer selected 18 artists to produce social media graphics based upon the theme of "True Colors". MJ was the sole represenatative for the Philadelphia Union. He was drawn to doing a stained glass digital illustration (didn't have time or money to make one. Ha). Not sure why entirely. Maybe its the levels of illumination that can enhance and strengthen the colors depending on the surroundings. Read into that what you will - 'New Soccer' fans can be fickle beasts. This in turn led to some player request offshoots especially when some of them got red cards.

6. DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION


I said I had no style, didn't I? And its that kind of flexibility that allows us to move between styles, Want a painting? check. Halftone or newsprint? Yeah got that too. Vector? To the Victor go the spoils!! Repeat patterns, patterns, patterns for materials? You Got it.

7. RIVER CUP EVENT


For 4 years, in support of the Philadelphia Union Foundation, there was a charity game between the Sons of Ben - the main SG - and the coaches, ex-players, and FO staff of the Union. In this particular year the Union were wearing their Bethlehem Steel throwback jerseys of black, white, and red, which informed the design. With a tag line of "Whose Side are You On?" it was billed as a title card head-to-head.

8. BASTION FC


After years of making team, player, and SG merchandise we set up Bastion®FC with a specific aim. We use design to help build strong brand identities for grassroots, non-profit, and academic sports teams. Shaping futures, promoting well-being, and fostering community are key tenets of our work. Together we can 'Make Team Happen'. So far we have done work locally, and as far afield as Kenya.



9. TYPEKITS


What happens when you make a niche brand at the intersection of soccer and design? TypeKits™. Licensed by some of the main type foundries, We produced 4 series of garments (only series 1 & 2 went on sale) consisting of soccer shirts, t-shirts, caps, and jackets. We still work for Monotype in producing annual team kits for their global summits. Each design needed to capture the history of the typeface and its designer, while sticking to solid soccer tropes. Like F*C* Comic Sans. We must be doing something right when Paul Renner's (Futura) family said it was a fitting tribute to the great designer.