ABOUT

The Process: From Research to "The Sale"

1. The "Deep Dive" Research Before I opened Photoshop, I had to understand the "vibe" of the specific recruitment theme. Whether it was an Official Visit or a "Stay Home" campaign, I researched the visual language of elite football. I looked for textures, lighting, and "moods" that felt expensive and high-stakes.

2. Building the Environment (The "City" Factor) For the Stay Home and The Future is Now series, the city of Baltimore was the star.
The Logic: I knew that to keep local talent, the city had to look like the place they needed to be.
The Execution: I treated the city backdrops with as much detail as the players—adjusting the grit, the lighting, and the "energy" of the streets to make Morgan State feel like the heartbeat of the community.

3. "Dressing" the Hero (The Car Analogy) I approached the player images like a luxury car display.
The Polish: I used "base players" as models, but I focused on making them look "sweet"—flawless lighting, sharp textures, and a powerful stance.
The Psychology: By making the Morgan State athlete look like a pro, I was helping the recruit visualize themselves in that exact same light. I wanted them to think, "If I go there, this is how I’ll look."

4. Creative Freedom: "Going Crazy" With the instruction to "do whatever my imagination was telling me," I pushed the boundaries of standard sports design. I didn't play it safe with templates. I experimented with different compositions and "wow" factors to ensure that when a recruit scrolled through dozens of offers, the Morgan State graphic was the one that made them stop.