More Than a Graphic: The Creative Challenge of Designing Athlete Commitments

Written By Hannah Page

Commitment (and signing) graphics have never been the easiest part of the job. They’re deceptively complex. On the surface, it seems simple: a player commits, a graphic is created, and it gets posted. But behind the scenes, it’s not that straightforward.

The first challenge is logistical. Not every player visits campus, and not all who do participate in a photoshoot—though most do. Among those, some take over 100 photos, while others prefer just a handful. In some cases, the only content available is a single photo the player sends in themselves. All of those scenarios are completely fine—this isn’t a complaint. Every player’s situation is different, and the goal is simply to work with what’s available and still make something meaningful.

But beyond the logistical hurdles lies a deeper creative challenge: maintaining a consistent brand while telling individual stories.

Each season brings a new direction for the program—whether that’s staff changes, a shift in recruiting strategy, or a refreshed tone that reflects the team’s evolving identity. That direction needs to be communicated visually. At the same time, the graphics must stay true to the university’s brand and feel cohesive across an entire class of recruits. That alone is a balancing act—and it becomes even more complex when each player brings a different personality, background, and reason for choosing the program. It’s not a bad thing; in fact, it’s a strength. But it also introduces unique creative variables.

Designers (and photographers) are constantly navigating vision and reality:

  • How do a few images become part of a fully developed visual system?

  • How do you build energy and excitement while staying on-brand?

  • How do you give each player their own moment while preserving a consistent aesthetic?

Designing these graphics isn’t just about clean lines or bold type. It’s about problem solving, storytelling, and building visual consistency in the middle of creative chaos.

So no, commitment graphics aren’t easy. But they’re one of the most rewarding pieces to get right. When they land, you’re not just announcing a name. You’re helping a future player step into a visual identity that reflects the culture they’re joining.

The Updated Design

By June 2025, WKU Recruiting’s commitment graphics had taken on a more refined direction. Rather than pull from outside influences or try to land visual cues from other programs, the focus shifted fully to what makes WKU unique. As a WKU alumnus and Bowling Green native, it felt meaningful to create something that reflected the spirit of the program through a more grounded and honest lens.

I had some initial hesitation about whether the look would be “flashy” enough, but that concern quickly faded. The simplicity became the statement. Some programs lean into layered edits, graffiti fonts, and neon accents—that’s their identity and it works for them. Each program is unique. WKU is straightforward, disciplined, and rooted in tradition.

This updated look stood out not because it tried to do more, but because it confidently did less. It ended up fitting the program’s identity: gritty, real, and focused on the process and game.

As Pete Thamel said in his recent article, “Helton has stayed relevant by exuding John Wayne-like calm in the head coaching chair,” defying the sport’s chaos through clear focus and consistent success. The graphics weren’t just visuals—they became an extension of that same mindset: steady, intentional, and unfazed by the noise.

The layout was inspired by vintage two-page Nike ads: minimal design, bold type, and a single word with a period—“Committed.” No distractions. Just the message. It mirrored the tone of the program itself: honest, focused, and work-driven.

Avoiding my typical edits and cutouts also allowed the photos to breathe. Expressions, poses, and personality didn’t get lost in effects. The individuals came through more clearly—and that helped make each graphic feel personal.

Using a two-page format gave the design more room to breathe. It allowed for multiple photos, family moments, and clearer space for key details without overcrowding the layout. The final product didn’t just announce a commitment—it told a story, visually and intentionally.

  • Creative Strategy

    • Define the identity first – Before designing, clarify what your program actually stands for. Don’t default to what’s trending; design for who you are.

    • Build a flexible system – Create a visual structure that can adapt to high-res photos, phone shots or screenshots , or photos from previous programs.

    • When in doubt, let simplicity lead – Clean design creates more impact than trying to overcompensate with effects or textures…especially when you are unsure of the direction.

    Working With Limited Content

    • Use every asset intentionally – If you only have one good photo, center the design around it. Crop creatively, play with framing, or highlight it boldly.

    • Plan for fallback options – Have a secondary template or layout that works without a player photoshoot (e.g., city skyline, jersey textures, team facility, or a small box and create a clipping mask for their photo).

    • Maximize your time behind the camera – Use a variety of angles: overhead, eye-level, low, and off-center. Capture both tight headshots and wide full-body frames. The more variety you get in a short window, the more flexibility you’ll have during design.

    Maintaining Brand Consistency

    • Stick to one or two typefaces – Typography is one of the easiest ways to keep consistency even if photo quality varies.

    • Create a modular template – A layout that scales between 1, 2, or 3 photos helps accommodate varying photo sets while preserving structure.

    • Use program-specific elements – Whether it’s a field texture, locker room backdrop, or color tone—lean into what’s yours, not just what looks cool elsewhere.

    • Work within existing brand systems – Don’t reinvent the wheel. If your school or athletic department has a style guide, use it. Stick to approved fonts, colors, and logos to maintain a cohesive visual identity across platforms. If no style guide exists, build one based on what’s already out there. Pull visual cues from uniforms, facilities, official websites, and past media materials. Keep it clean, consistent, and repeatable—something others can build on later.

    Player-Focused Without Losing Identity

    • Balance player individuality with program tone – Give each athlete a moment, but frame it within a look that feels cohesive with your broader campaign.

    • Show don’t oversell – You don’t need neon lightning or wild effects to build excitement. A confident design that’s grounded in tradition often hits harder.

    • Ask what the photo feels like – Does it feel powerful? Grateful? Focused? Let that guide the design mood more than just what you “can” do with it.

#GoTops
Hannah

Hannah Page