Raptors MVP Design Program
Designing with purpose—an intentionally designed collection of apparel for the Toronto Raptors’ 2023 Inclusion Apparel line.
2023
Research, Messaging, Illustration & Apparel
BRIEF
Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design
CLIENT
The Toronto Raptors
The Program
MVP—MESSAGE, VOICE & PURPOSE
The MVP Design Program was a 4-week, in-person design incubator program in Detroit, Michigan hosted at Pensole Lewis College in collaboration with the Toronto Raptors.
Inspired by the Toronto community, we researched pain points and designed a graphic apparel collection to the Raptors' Social Impact team, with the potential of having our designs actualized as the Raptors’ 2023 Inclusion Apparel Collection.
E. Scott Smith breaking down his creative process to Nelly Owusu & I.
Core Messaging
Who Uplifts the Uplifters?
My collection highlights Black educators in Toronto, their impact on students of color and the challenges that they face. Research shows that Black students are 13% more likely to enroll in college if they’ve had a Black teacher, yet only 6% of the Toronto District School Board staff are Black. This lack of representation leads to immense pressure to connect with students, and eventually burnout.
GRAPHIC EXPLORATION
Various graphic directions representing the support and empowerment that Black educators provided for their students.
PRIMARY GRAPHIC
SECONDARY (A)
SECONDARY (B)
The Result
THE RAPTORS 2023 INCLUSION APPAREL COLLECTION
A collection of clothing that celebrates the ones who’ve uplifted us. At the end of the program, I was chosen by the Raptors to be the first Canadian ever in the 2023 NBA HBCU Fellowship—a program by NBA Foundation that provides career development opportunities in the league.
