My original design work and submission for the 2026 Seattle FIFA World Cup Host City Poster Contest.
My artwork qualified in the top 40 for the Seattle region FIFA World Cup (FWC) design competition. Unfortunately, I did not make the cut for the final four who will be representing the Emerald City. Still, I gave myself a chance and designed this poster in less than week. Below is my Final Submission.
The FIFA World Cup is an epic sporting event that is beloved by people around the world. My design, “Portal to the Pacific,” channels and highlights this epic character by drawing on the equally epic landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Among the chief elements of my design are representations of the rugged Cascade and Olympic Mountains, the scintillating waters of the Salish Sea, Washington’s lush evergreen forests, and our region’s boundless multi-colored skies. In these skies, at the focal point of the design, shines a bright soccer ball sun, giving life and joy to the spectators at the bottom, and symbolizing the mesmerizing power of the FIFA World Cup. The soccer ball-like globe, tucked under one of the spectator’s arm, echoes the soccer ball above, further suggesting the universal appeal of this sporting event. At the same time, this element serves to welcome the world to the Pacific Northwest and the City of Seattle.
There were very strict guidelines to follow in creating an identifying poster for Seattle, such as not using any famous buildings, stadiums, or branded landmarks and personalities. I drew inspiration by our cities connection to nature. The initial soft outline was used for layout and guidance. I wanted a bottom vantage point as a "welcome" outlook to our city. I am also considering the time of day that would highlight the Northwest colors. I went deeper in detail and decided including a proper Seattle sunrise or sunset adds an additional recognizable quality to our region.
I used an original photo taken at Pritchard Island Beach, a sunrise peering above tree line and reflecting onto the water. I tweaked the colors in Photoshop, adding additional textures such as clouds and grain. In Illustrator, I digitized all the shapes drawn in my detailed sketch, combining the hand drawn elements and the photo background together. In the first composition, the colors are not finalized in this version and are used to highlight each individual shape. FWC has a specific color palette and "vibe" which I utilized in regions around the poster. This led to the final composition.
To me, the Pacific Northwest holds tremendous variation in color, depth, and terrain. Looking to the sky from the waterfront, or through the trees in Seward Park, and even afar from any neighboring mountain, these ecosystems constantly communicate with one another. I wanted my final colors and style to honor this natural friendship. This final composition is inspired by water color. I wanted all my shapes to have soft, inviting lines, that appear to mix and fold into each other. Special thanks to Royal for saying I should give it a shot, and to Ellison and MJ for their artistic feedback and support.
By making it to the Top 40, I received an official FWC Scarf, along with a letter of recognition and thanks from the committee.