Global Poker · Tournament series
Global Poker Championships
Bringing a familiar sports language into poker through tournament identities, motion and physical design.
- Creative leadership
- Illustration, animation and 3D
- Physical design
Audience research highlighted an overlap between poker and sports interests. Our poker marketing lead proposed borrowing the familiar visual language of American sports to give the tournament series a premium, recognisable presence. Working with Graphics and Brand, I led our team’s contribution to that direction through mascot illustration, motion, 3D assets and trophy design.
Watch selected film ↓Art direction
From a cinematic world to sports-inspired design
The earlier direction imagined a futuristic “Global Poker Machine”, using detailed 3D worlds and dramatic reveals. The later direction drew on sports presentation, combining bold typography, graphic framing and 3D objects. That language fitted the audience insight and the animal mascots already giving each tournament its character. Both approaches were made for digital channels.
Identity system
Distinct tournaments, one family
The Grizzly Games, The Eagle Cup, The Rattlesnake Open and The GOAT each have a recognisable mascot and colour palette. Those differences give the events character while the shared brand structure keeps them connected.
Physical design
Beyond the screen
The tournament identities extended into sculptural trophies and merchandise. The aim was to create trophies players would want to keep and clothing they would want to collect and wear beyond the tournaments, bringing the Global Poker brand into everyday life.
Leadership
My role
I oversaw mascot illustration within our Motion and Video Production team and led the development of the motion language, animation, 3D assets and trophy designs. Working alongside poker marketing and Graphics and Brand, I guided a multidisciplinary team whose skills extended beyond motion into illustration and physical design.
Credits
Strategic direction with Global Poker marketing. Creative development in collaboration with Graphics and Brand. Mascot illustration, animation, 3D assets and trophy work: VGW’s Motion and Video Production team.
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