LCS Aloha Collection
2023 | Riot Games, North America League Championship Series
Project Description
I designed this collection for exclusive sale at the 2023 LCS Summer Championship event in Newark, New Jersey.
The theme of the summer season was LCS Fresh, and the creative direction was leaning into beachy vibes to tie our studio in Santa Monica to the Jersey Shore. During our brainstorming sessions someone was keen on having a bucket hat and “Hawaiian” shirt, so I naturally gravitated toward what I know intimately well as someone from Hawai’i—aloha and the beach.
Enter the Aloha Friday business casual attire you find in Hawai’i—the aloha shirt. Contrary to what’s depicted in Hollywood or at themed parties, the aloha shirt isn’t always brightly colored or overtly floral. This particular design was inspired by a monochromatic Vissla aloha shirt I saw my cousin wear to my sister’s wedding. I wanted it to be subtle LCS x aloha vibes but I decided to present it in various colorways for consideration. I even conducted a test for fan and casual reception among family, friends, and students at the University of Hawai’i Esports program.
The surfboards, flowers, beach ball, coconut drink, pineapple, crab silhouettes and wavy lines took inspiration from existing Pool Party key art and I based the Poros on previously released pin set stylings. The rest I took inspiration from the Santa Monica Pier, California palms, and woven lauhala.
I designed the pattern in Procreate on iPad and had intended it for use on an aloha shirt, beach towel, and reversible bucket hat, but it quickly expanded to being used on other products like a mousepad and t-shirts.
Produced with DOTEXE
Skills
✓ Illustration
✓ Concept Art
✓ Graphic Design
✓ Creative Direction
✓ Product Development
Waves Pattern (right top, middle squares): Chris Resilard
Product Photos: Shannon Cottrell
“Melissa’s innate leadership qualities shine brightly, particularly in her capacity to manage creative teams and translate visions into reality. Her open-mindedness and enthusiasm in exploring various opportunities were infectious and had a positive impact on the entire team whenever she was involved in a project.”
Not long after the broadcast announcement of the LCS Fresh summer merch, wildfires tragically ravaged the west side of Maui, leaving people devastated and without homes. I wanted to raise awareness for support and started a personal campaign to raise funds—Melissa’s Merch for Maui saw my community raise $2,500 in 2 weeks, and I shipped LCS aloha merch (I purchased) to randomly selected winners in Hawai’i, California, and Florida.
