"As a designer, we think as a brand...so I always try to make myself a brand."

Olivia Brestal is a multi-talented midwestern creative that grew up in the soccer capitol of the U.S., so it's only fitting she has spent the entirety of her post-grad career creating for professional soccer clubs.

As a sr. designer & photographer for Sporting KC, Olivia joins the podcast to discuss how she developed her work's aesthetic, her inspirations in illustration and sports photography, and her move to Texas where she worked for FC Dallas.

We touch on the unfortunate practice of stealing fonts, the sameness of visual aesthetic in sports, design criticism and the needless sensitivity most sports designers have with their work being critiqued.

Olivia also gives us some insight into how they are faciliating a creative culture among their creative team including their office environmental decoration.

Lastly, we go deep into the world of soccer (football for non-U.S. listeners) discussing everything from the growth of soccer in the U.S., our favorite boots, youth development programs and how the visual aesthtetic of soccer leagues like the MLS and Premier League are the best top-to-bottom aesthetically in the world of sport.

Mentions Include:

Olivia Brestal on Twitter
Olivia Brestal on Instagram
Olivia Brestal on Behance
Sporting Kansas City
Mikey Burton, illustrator
Jeremy Darlow, Brands Win Championships
Episode 66: Jeremy Darlow, adidas
Wolff Olins
Landor & Associates
Erik Davila, former FC Dallas, current Advocare
FC Dallas Scarf of the Month
Hatch Show Print
Men in Blazers
Generation adidas
Episode 85: Samir Gole, VP Digital, MLS
DixonBaxi
Premier League branding
Manchester City FC hackathon

My next guest is RiCardo Crespo. RiCardo is best known as a creative ninja. You find much about him online and he prefers it that way as he consults with Nike and many other global brands. He has been global creative director for Mattel, 20th Century Fox and has spent time agencies like McCann Erickson, Saatchi & Saatchi & more.

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