RIDERS IN THE STORM
A temporary network rebrand inspired by retro sci-fi aesthetics
OVERVIEW
Riders in the Storm was a temporary network rebrand created to communicate TYT's resilience during a difficult media and political landscape. Originally pitched as a single promotional graphic, it grew into a year-long campaign spanning marketing, social media, merchandise, and broadcast graphics, with approximately 50 assets created across the network.
Role: Conceptualization and execution of network rebrand through collaboration with leadership and the marketing team
Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Year: 2024
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THE CHALLENGE
The project began with only a loose creative brief calling for a retro, 80s-inspired aesthetic and the phrase "TYT Forever." After presenting my initial concepts, the scope expanded into a full network rebrand with the new title Riders in the Storm.
DESIGN EXPLORATION
The direction continued to evolve through several rounds of feedback. While the marketing team favored a simpler approach, executive leadership pushed for a more futuristic, digital aesthetic. My role was to refine the identity while balancing competing creative perspectives and maintaining a cohesive visual system.
THE SOLUTION
The final identity blended chrome typography, geometric shapes, glitch effects, and sci-fi influences into a distinctive visual language that reflected the campaign's message of resilience.
After the identity was approved, I extended the branding across social media graphics, website banners, YouTube artwork, merchandise, promotional graphics, fundraising campaigns, and other marketing materials, ensuring a consistent look throughout the campaign's year-long rollout.
REFLECTION
This project strengthened both my technical and collaborative skills. I learned new Photoshop techniques for chrome lettering, glitch effects, and lighting while gaining valuable experience navigating evolving creative direction and incorporating feedback from multiple sources.
Although the final design differed from my original concept, the process reinforced the importance of flexibility and designing toward project goals rather than personal preference.
THE CHALLENGE
What began as a single retro-inspired promotional graphic evolved into a year-long network rebrand with a much larger scope.
DESIGN EXPLORATION
The identity evolved through several rounds of feedback as I balanced different creative perspectives while maintaining a cohesive visual direction.
Early concepts featured an 80’s retrowave inspired aesthetic, and the tagline “TYT Forever”
The design was simplified and the tagline became “Riders on the Storm”. Then “on” was changed to “in” and I refined the design with a glitch effect and scanlines.
THE SOLUTION
The final identity combined chrome typography, geometric shapes, glitch effects, and sci-fi influences into a flexible system used across roughly 50 campaign assets.
REFLECTION
The project strengthened my ability to navigate evolving creative direction and reinforced the importance of designing toward project goals rather than personal preference.