For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE swimming. I have been swimming since I could walk and can’t imagine my life without it. I’m extremely lucky to be going into my 9th season as Head Coach of Seattle Prep’s Girls Swim Team and getting to share my love of the sport with so many.
For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE design. I have been creating things since I could hold a crayon. I was blessed to have many family members, in creative careers, who inspired me to be the graphic designer that I am today. I get to make people/businesses look good for a living!
Valentine’s Day seemed to be an apropos chance to share that this past month, my two LOVES have collided! I have had the unique opportunity to do design work for some incredible swim-centric businesses and wanted to share some of the amazing things we’ve done together.
George Costanza (Seinfeld) famously called it the "Worlds Collide Theory". In a nutshell, it means that one must keep their personal life (i.e., friends) separate from their relationship side (i.e., love interest). Should the two worlds come into contact with each other (by means of love interest becoming friends with their friends), both worlds blow up. While there are no girlfriends or boyfriends involved in this story, I’m here to tell you that George was wrong!
In the Fall of 2023, I was asked to join the Board of a phenomenal non-profit called No More Under. In this role, I can partner with them to help save lives through swimming advocacy and safety training. They successfully lobbied to have May 15th named Washington State Water Safety Day and they asked me to create a logo to represent this new momentous occasion. We worked together to combine the current No More Under branding elements (the wave icon) and the ultimate sign of water safety - a life ring – to help get the word out about this day, which promises to be an incredible celebration.
Also in the Fall of 2023, I was contacted by my friends at Excel Swim Club, a local swim team that focuses on teaching stroke fundamentals, as well as building strength and stamina for our youth in the water. Their leadership changed hands a few years back and they felt that it was a great time to update their logo/branding. Sticking with their well-recognized brand purple, we added in a bright orange and white to make it pop. The sun and water combine to make a subtle “e” for Excel, as well as bring a bright disposition to their new brand, something suits them (see what I did there?) perfectly.
In 2024, the same non-profit, No More Under, has asked me to create a logo for their upcoming new program launch. The Swim Safely Series will be out soon and will offer an opportunity for youth and adults alike to get more comfortable in, and be safer around water. We live in a city surrounded by water, so I couldn’t think of a more impactful opportunity. Stay tuned for more information on these classes!
Again, I feel so lucky to have been given these opportunities to combine all that I love. While it’s “work”, it’s really something enjoyable and I hope that that shows in the results.
On this Valentine’s Day, I hope that you can find a way to celebrate some of your LOVES!
#GraphicDesign #WaterSafety #SwimSafely #Swim #Swimming #SwimTeam #LogoDesign #BrandDesign #VectorGraphics
Kirsti Rochon is a senior level Brand Designer and Marketing Professional in the Greater Seattle area. For more information, visit KirstiRochon.com