Description:

You can ping, but can you pong? Ping vs. Pong; a two-day Ping Pong Doubles League where opposites clash. This playful, competitive battleground pits Actors against Screen Arts, and Artists against Designers to win ultimate bragging rights over who truly is the best in the building. We saw a need and the potential for students to connect beyond their existing studios- to inspire new relationships, collaborations and overall a brighter and more connected creative community.

Encouraging connection through existing “rivalry” and “tension.” We teased and challenged students by pinning up posters of cheeky, yet playful “rumours” about each degree, to spark banter and curiosity, and encourage students to sign-up for the competition. 'Talking smack' never looked so good.

Using a constrained palette, we reimagined the look of ping pong with a bold, modern edge. Graphic patterns on the tables creates a sense of motion, while red and blue accents reinforce the oppositional relationships across the various degrees at the Creative Faculty. The visual emblem represents a flying ping pong ball, tying the visual system together. Custom player bibs and rumour-inducing typographic posters added both humour and drama, turning a league into a spectacle. Every element — from layout to colour to copy — worked together to elevate a simple student event into a sharp, contemporary design experience.

The benefits of a game of ping pong are endless, from physical health, mental well-being, hand-eye co-ordination, and socialisation. Framing Ping vs. Pong as competitive and fun meant students were subconsciously engaging in exercise. We provided an outlet away from academic pressure and used sport to help students disengage and just have fun.