In January 2024, I was very fortunate to work with the Tampa Bay Rays marketing team on their upgrades to the Charlotte Sports Park Stadium after the catastrophic devastation to southwest Florida from Hurricane Ian in 2023. This overhaul included new exterior & interior signage, installation and fabrication across the stadium. With collaboration of Creative Sign Design, located in Tampa; we assisted in the coordination of installation on a tight deadline of February 23rd, 2024. Which we successfully stayed ahead of target, kept a stellar and holistic approach with the Tampa Bay Rays marketing team.
All signage was creatively designed by a design firm in Tampa. We aided, relocated, produced, fabricated and installed. I make no claims to have created any artwork shown in this case study.
Method/Findings & Discussion
Research Problems:
1. Working around the Rays schedule due to protecting players
In accordance with press conferences, maintenance and other factors beyond our control, this created minor setbacks for installation and coordination.
2. Timeline
With such a hard deadline, this created a significant strain on my daily tasks. These projects
did take precedence in my work and had to push other projects on the back burner.
3. Priorities Shifted
As previously stated, the Rays Spring Training did take precedence in all other aspects. Such as - bumping fabrication projects and not fulfilling previous promises to other clients.
Interpretations:
1. Consistent patterns of communication
I consistently asked questions to the lead project manager and marketing team to have a clear and concise overview of what needed to be completed. I made it known immediately if something was missing or unclear to avoid marginalized errors. By creating a binder of all active projects, I collaborated, visualized and conceptualized successfully to our team for an easy and transparent overview on timeframe, duration & status. This did help bring our team closer together with more trust and open communication.
I successfully kept track of all projects for approximate installation, materials, quantity, renderings and organizational factors to keep everything as transparent as possible. My goal is to use a similar structure like this for all large scale projects.
2. Client Expectations
Spring Training happens every year from Mid January - April at Charlotte Sports Park, their marketing team reaches out to us every year at MonarchDIRECT for our outstanding communication, hardworking team, and our ability to outshine our competition. We overcome
hardships, brainstorm and find the best outcome to exceed expectations. This year was no
exception, they expect us to keep a consistent line of communication, professionalism and excel in creatively solving their problems.
Their expectations of us were to successfully install their signage with minimal errors within
their tight deadline, which of course, we succeeded in.
3. Expect the Unexpected
We can’t always control every factor, but we can do our best to overcome and create workarounds to solve problems. For example, we are still getting projects as the deadline approaches. With fast communication, proper inventory and a hardworking team, we can expect the unexpected with the utmost confidence. This needs to be applied to every project that comes to us, no matter what challenge faces us.
Implications
New Insights/Knowledge:
1. Deeper Connections
With a background in graphic design and specializing in print, promotional items and apparel, this project was a huge step in my career. I recently began to express interest in helping out our commercial sign team to keep them on task, communicate installation, keep track of scheduling and inputting myself wherever I am needed.
This was my time to shine and show off my growth and my ability to be seen as a leader. With my design director being preoccupied with other projects and commercial assets, I told him that I was going to take over this project, and he gladly handed it off to me. I immediately began building my connections with the marketing team at the Tampa Bay Rays. This has increased my confidence, communication and ability to articulate important information to the client with ease.
Project Timeline
Acknowledging Limitations
Study Conclusions:
1. The Final Countdown
As the final projects come to a close, we completed this project with minimal to zero errors and in a professional manor. Keeping the client happy is our biggest priority. A large impact on this project was wrangling the team to work together, with great communication from our commercial project manager, we were able to understand and collaborate with ease. It’s a major task we have to face every year, and we knock it out of the park every single time. (Pun intended)
2. What Would I Have Done Differently?
I took this project on to prove myself to my director and also challenge myself, as a designer.
If I could have done things differently, I would have:
• Made more of an effort to connect with the client on a personal level
• Structure & organize for the production team more
• Aided more in project management for efficiency
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