Athlete as Enterprise: An Investigation into NIL IdentitiesBrand Identity / Editorial Design / Motion Graphics / Sports Branding / Merchandise Design
A 72-page editorial branding publication exploring how NIL has transformed college athletes into independent brands. As performance, visibility, and marketability increasingly shape athlete value, this project reimagines five collegiate players through custom identity systems, merchandise collections, and strategic brand positioning. The final outcome combines logo design, apparel graphics, product mockups, editorial layout, and a supporting motion graphic to examine the modern athlete as both competitor and enterprise.
Booklet Cover Design Spread
Caleb Downs Logo Spread
Isaiah Evans Logo Spread
Kingston Flemings Logo Spread
Caleb Wilson Logo Spread
Zachariah Branch Logo Spread
Caleb Downs Brand Development Spread
Kingston Flemings Brand Application Spread
Isaiah Evans Brand Identity Spread
Caleb Wilson Statement/3D Model Spread
Zachariah Branch Brand Identity Spread
Isaiah Evans Brand Development Spread
Caleb Downs Introduction Spread
Caleb Wilson Introduction Spread
Interactive Booklet
Project Overview
A 72-page editorial branding publication examining the rise of the college athlete as an independent brand within the NIL era.
As Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies continue to reshape college athletics, athletes are no longer defined solely by on-field performance. They are now marketable entities capable of generating value through partnerships, merchandise, sponsorships, and personal visibility.
This project explores that shift through the creation of five custom identity systems for current (2025-2026) collegiate athletes: Caleb Downs, Isaiah Evans, Kingston Flemings, Caleb Wilson, and Zachariah Branch.
Each athlete received a personalized logo, visual language, and merchandise system including apparel, accessories, and sport-specific products designed to demonstrate how identity can translate into revenue opportunities and long-term brand presence.
The primary deliverable is a professionally designed editorial booklet combining branding, layout, and storytelling. A complementary 32-second motion graphic extends the systems through animated logo reveals paired with athlete-specific audio, bringing each identity to life through movement and sound.
Athlete as Enterprise: An Investigation into NIL Identities