Graphics in sports have become increasingly more significant. Some teams will use them to take a jab at the opposing team coming up, others will use them on a daily basis and build their brand, create “hype”, and stand out from the crowd. All of the graphics you see roaming the land of social media is building brand awareness for the schools and their teams. Today we will look at just a few standout reasons why sports graphics have become and will continue to be such a staple.
When Michigan plays Michigan State this year they will likely have a very wow’ing Game Day poster on both sides. We share our rendition of the party at the Big House this year below. These graphics become important for players and their friends as they send a deeper meaning and explain a story in a very robust way.
We have all seen the graphics circulating Twitter that just make us say “WOW.” We have no idea what went into the creation of this graphic. The planning for some of the graphics these days sometimes can take months or even years. Let’s say it’s January 1 and your season isn’t until September. January 12 your team has a photoshoot for the upcoming season. Those photos have graphics planned around them already. The designer and photographer are working hand in hand to be able to strategize and plan for what they will be putting on the screen. They are planning TV commercial graphics and putting players on the big screen. They are thinking about what if this player has a record breaking season, do we have the images for them to use? 9 months from now you will see the work shown.
Rivalry games, Game Days, Homecoming, Senior Night and so on have their own reasons for being exciting. But when you are putting out a senior graphic to hype up your seniors on senior night, or you have a player on the field standing over the top of the opposing team after a big play it brings new excitement to everyone involved. Wouldn’t you get excited to see your and your best friends on a poster for senior night? I would. I did.
Not everyone puts graphics out that are showcase pieces. When you can put out consistent Game Day releases, Final Scores for people to share, or a special piece when a player breaks a record you are able to set yourself apart from the pack. You have the ability to stand out and look more professional, more as the kids say, “lit,” and raise your brand awareness.
Your brand matters. Your players' brands matter. The NIL deal with the NCAA didn’t happen for nothing. People everywhere have recognized that everyone, every school, and every organization is a brand and it is important to showcase your brand at an elite level. Throwing out half decent pictures on socials can diminish the value you place on your brand. It can come across as amateur and inconsistent.
When you have posted elite level graphics and pictures for a length of time and people begin to notice they will begin to look for what you posted every week just out of “curiosity.” What they have done now is become emotionally involved in the brand without even noticing. It matters to them what you post, it matters what you look like to them and they want to show that off even when they have no direct tie to the program.
Graphic design won’t be leaving the sports industry anytime soon. With a graphic you can make someone be interested in the matter of a second to see what you have to say. It can draw attention and it can drive sales on many levels. Having a strong graphics game is a crucial piece to the puzzle in the world of sports in general. From High School to Professional levels you can showcase your brand at a high level and put yourself above the rest with just one image.
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