New Work: Pickle and Chill

 

Slagle Design is excited to share the work we did this summer with the folks at our favorite indoor pickleball club, Pickle & Chill!

The project aimed to elevate the brand while staying true to their vibrant colors and overall fun aesthetic. As the former tennis facility rapidly expanded, it celebrated new partnerships with Ohio State University Medical Center, which highlighted the pressing need for improved way-finding and a more welcoming entryway.

We focused on designing clear signage that guides visitors effortlessly throughout the space, ensuring everyone can find their way to the various activities and amenities Pickle & Chill offers. Additionally, the entryway redesign emphasizes a warm, inviting atmosphere, making members and newcomers alike feel right at home. The blend of functionality and playfulness in our designs captures the energy of the club, enhancing the overall experience for all who visit.

 
 
 

Ohio State University Brutus Concept

 

In 2017, The Ohio State University reached out to several design firms to help them reimagine their beloved mascot, Brutus Buckeye.

Their existing athletic branding was not going away, rather they were looking for an alternate Brutus that was more animated and gregarious, seen all across campus (not just the in the ’Shoe or the Schott), and a reflection of the entire student body. After all, Brutus is really just a nutty college kid in a costume!


While Slagle Design and team made it to the final round (top 2), we eventually lost the project to a super-talented agency whose work we admire.

None of this work has been seen outside of our creative team and the the small group of people working on the client side at OSU. We put a TON of work into this and we want to share our take on solving their unique problem…. even though we didn’t land the project.

Phase 1: Sketches by Rafael Rosado

I knew as soon as I got the call for this project, I needed to reach out to my buddy (and OSU Alum) Raf, one of the most talented guys I know. He jumped in and blew us all away with his amazing sketches. He definitely understood the assignment!

Check him out on Instagram.

Concept sketches by Rafael Rosado

Phase 2: Design and concept execution by Slagle Design

Working from Rafael’s sketches, we chose a few to design for the presentation. Brutus needed to look great in scarlet and gray but easily adapted to single-color options, all the while looking great on a t-shirt and other gear. We also reimagined him as an expressive set of emojis. The goal was to mix traditional university athletics style with a more expressive and versatile animation to present a more dynamic Brutus to the fans.

Phase 3: Animation by 2Tall

Greg Walter joined in to help bring Brutus to life and show the client the endless possibilities of creating a mascot that is more flexible and animated. He also cut a video together using the history and traditions of Ohio State athletics to our new concept.

Check out 2Tall Animation’s website here.

Phase 4: Strategy & Story by Thad DeVassie of Ratchet Strategy + Communication

My long-time friend (and OSU Alum) Thad, jumped in and listened well, took plenty of notes, dug deep into the OSU athletics history and came out with a gold mine of content. His content and clarity really brought the project to life and served as a map for the rest of us to follow as we worked from a deep well of OSU tradition and attempted to create the next evolution of the beloved mascot. You can download the entire presentation here.

More about Thad at www.ratchetstrategy.com

Click image to download the Presentation

Despite losing the project, we all learned a ton and had a blast working together on something we were all proud of. Thanks to Raf, Greg, and Thad for joining me on this crazy journey.

 

New Work: Major League Soccer + Target

 

Slagle Design was chosen to represent Columbus to design a mural, illustrations and giveaways for the “MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration by Target!” hosted at McFerson Park the weekend leading up to the 2024 MLS All-Star Game.

Soccer Celebration will kick off MLS All-Star week events with a free festival for fans of all ages.

From interactive fan zones to music, games, autographs, free giveaways, MLS watch parties, and more, Soccer Celebration is the ultimate fan experience taking place in the leadup to the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.

The community can take part in interactive activities and giveaways including customizing your own fanny pack with custom-made patches featuring our illustrations.

 

Creative Partner: Wasserman

 

New Work: Westwater Supply Rebrand

 

We are excited to share a rebrand for Westwater Supply, a company that has been serving Ohio since 1892. The updated logo and brand identity reflects their new messaging: SERVICE. ABOVE ALL ELSE. For over 130 years. It's the people that make the difference.

 

“Jeremy and his team did a terrific job. Initially, we spoke with several companies about cleaning up and updating our company logos to today's graphic and print standards. When we met with Jeremy, his interest in the history of our company and thoughts on our future were very sincere, which made Slagle Design the clear partner for our company. Jeremy helped us envision how our brand identity is conveyed by our logo, whether anything had changed over the years, and how our logo could capture our plans for the future. Through the process, we arrived at the decision to update our logo and were very pleased with the options created by Slagle Design. Since making the decision to change our logo, we've received great feedback from employees and customers, and are excited to roll out new building signage and vehicle graphics later this year.” Kirk Hendricks, CEO

Creative Partner: Thad DeVassie, Ratchet Strategy + Communication