ATHLETE PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS
Athlete Performance Solutions (APS) is a licensed partner of Nike, specializing in performance footwear, competition apparel, and sports gear. They offer a curated selection of Nike products across various sports, designed for athletes ranging from professionals to enthusiasts. APS also designs custom tees for sporting events such as the Columbus Nike Classic and the National Harbor Showdown.
THE PROJECT
APS hired multiple freelancers to design shirts for a series of sporting events happening in 2026. By working with a range of designers, they aimed to capture a mix of creative and illustrative styles, giving each event its own unique look and feel.
The goal of this project was to create fun and creative event t-shirts for two high-level volleyball tournaments in early 2026: the Columbus Nike Classic (Girls 12–18, January 2026) and the National Harbor Showdown (Boys 12–18, February 2026). For each event, there needed to be one primary design and either a spin-off variation or a completely different alternative design.
Each design had to incorporate the Nike Swoosh, the event name, and the year 2026, with the option to include the event month as well. Including a volleyball graphic was recommended but optional. The designs need to appeal to teen athletes, their friends, and their parents.
CASE STUDIES