…And what if I could actually use Procreate successfully?
I have often taken the opportunity when I can to study, develop somehow, start a project etc. usually to curb the guilt of not feeling productive with my time, and I just have too many thoughts not to start putting some on paper.
I know I’m not the most talented designer or the best illustrator and mathematics takes me a while to get my head around, but I have vision - my concepts are strong and well referenced and always have commercial consideration.
Having worked in tennis recently (did you know? I haven’t mentioned it much), I had the opportunity to play and discover what padel was all about - a faster, more accessible, social sport and one I noticed Adidas are already creating some pretty nice racquets for.
Wanting to upgrade my skills in procreate, I decided to create a popup concept to celebrate the sport and push the brands reputation further in the sport.
Before we get into this - this is not associated with adidas in any way, all images of their ip is their own, I just own the drawings and the concept, which is directly inspired by their previous work and my own experience in padel.
Adidas in Padel
The brand already has a strong offering in padel, selling racquets and offering branded touches like nets, pillars and other court features featuring their nice new three stripes branding, representing performance. But as an Adidas fan, I wanted even more…
THE ORIGINALS SHOEBOX POPUP
This is nothing new for Adidas, in fact, it’s pretty much done to death - but it works incredibly well. They take the iconic blue shoebox and create giant popup experiences, it even looks a little like the AI installations brands post across social, but this has always been real. Using the classic blue colour, three stripes graphics and customising elements like the barcode label per event - it has an adaptable nature but always Recognisable and distinctly Adidas.
It also lends itself perfectly to being a padel court…
THE SHOEBOX ARENA
Starting with the big impact showpiece, the shoebox is an adapted panoramic Padel court which features the classic three stripes graphics, the blue colour on the court, and the same blue top surround, to represent the ‘lid’ of the shoebox.
As required in Padel, the metal mesh still features and houses the entrance each side of the court.
Key Graphics
arguably the most important graphics, are those recognisable branded elements. Although Adidas use their performance logo for their Padel products, the shoebox popups fall under the 'Originals’ brand. So I’ve decided this popup would be designed to be toured, to promote grassroots padel and introduce the sport to a community that are celebrate diversity and creativity - mirroring the accessibility of the sport.
Court Details
Taking inspiration from existing brand touches, we’re leaning into the three stripes with their pixelated, square textured edges to draw out the lines of the padel court. Adapting their existing branded nets, but replacing the performance logo with the originals trefoil.
Pulling from tennis, adding the ‘Shoebox arena’ on the court floor is a nice touch to reinforce a playful originals concept, and will look great across socials when players are posting their content.
finally the all important barcode sticker. For events it would act as the scoreboard, using a digital display to update the score, player information and play time. the right hand side is used as space for content display, advertising relevant products or run campaigns.
Player benches
Lastly, inspired by a post I saw, I developed player benches (forgive the primitive procreate skills involved in drawing this one - the perspective felt off). The post was a street installation that built street furniture from the three stripes that bled out from a giant shoe. I loved the idea that this could work from extending the stripes on the courtside graphic, so thought benches would be a perfect item to create, either for players or extended to accommodate spectators.
FURTHER Development
If I was to develop this further, I’d probably spend more time on procreate refining details, there’d be some custom padel racquets and some elements which pull from the hole patterns they feature. I also liked the idea of using tennis/padel balls like pixels to create a brand installation around the court as a social moment.
Padel is currently growing in the UK, having been very popular in Europe for some time, especially in Spain. The immediate issue I’ve experienced is that it’s at risk of becoming elitist, like other racquet sports, as the demand grows and venues are pricing court hire higher to take advantage, some up to £100 just for an hour. I liked the idea that this popup concept could promote the sport at more of a grassroots level, and give opportunities to everyone open to trying it out.
Tell me your thoughts on the concept and my procreate skills if you like - I’m off to play tennis because I can’t afford padel right now.
reminder - this is not associated with adidas in any way, all images of their ip is their own, I just own the drawings and the concept, which is directly inspired by their previous work and my own experience in padel.