By Alex Restrepo
LSU Sports Information
In the spring of 2006, Brian Athey was a senior trying to graduate with a degree in graphic design when he started dating an LSU cheerleader.
Athey had a busy schedule working on outside design projects to help pay his bills while still trying to finish college. Even with his hectic lifestyle, he made time to attend as many men’s basketball games as he could to root for his beloved Tigers and watch his girlfriend cheer.
Athey was intrigued by how successful the team was and how a number of young players were from the Baton Rouge area. He felt there was something special about this group of players. Little did Athey know, he would get a chance to help promote this special team.
NEW CAMPAIGN
The LSU men’s basketball team’s run to the 2006 Final Four meant more publicity and hype would be placed on the shoulders of the homegrown team for the upcoming season. Guy Gaster, LSU men’s basketball marketing director, knew they would have to go “outside the box” to deal with the increased attention.
“We wanted to set out and do something totally different this season,” said Gaster. “The idea of comic book characters is one that I have been carrying around for a couple of years now.
“Following the success of last year’s team, this seemed like the perfect time to use the concept. With people in the area being more interested in basketball, this (the cartoon campaign) seemed like a great way to really stand out and get their attention. We just needed to find someone/an artist to really bring the campaign to life.”
LSU Graphic Design Coordinator Krystal Bennett knew just the right person for this campaign. Bennett had known Athey through classes they had taken together. Bennett called Athey to see if he would be interested.
“When Krystal first told me about the opportunity, it was one of those things where you get really excited,” Athey said. “This was a chance to get exposure for myself and help promote a school I am so proud to be apart of.”
After Bennett recommended him for the job, Gaster requested that Athey send him an illustration of All-American Glen Davis. Athey sent a sample and Gaster presented it to the administration and coaching staff.
Gaster offered Athey the job, but there was one problem ? Athey was planning on moving to Los Angeles at the end of the summer. The LSU alum knew he could not pass up this opportunity to promote his alma mater.
“I was planning on moving to Los Angeles in August, but after Guy offered me the job I decided I was going to stick around for a few months. I knew it would be great to do this project because it was a sense of paying back and being a part of that tradition that I have been a part of for a long time now.”
Gaster said selecting Athey for such a prestigious campaign was simple because of his connection to the university.
“Brian was selected because we were familiar with his work through some of the projects he had done in class with different people in the athletic department,” Gaster explained. “We really liked his style and it matched exactly what we were looking for. It was easy with his LSU tie-in and the connections he had with the athletic department.”
Athey began what he called a “long stretch” of work by drawing each player by hand. Than he redid all the player illustrations on his computer. The graphic design professional put his creative instincts to the test as he took a couple of hours on each player to decide their specific poses and how he would lay them out. Athey spent hours on end putting the project together with the design program Photoshop. When Athey finished the project, he had estimated it took 150 hours of work to complete.
GOING SOLO
When Athey graduated from LSU, he moved back to Shreveport, La., and started doing freelance for local bands and artists by helping them with album covers and press kits. Athey said he enjoyed working with bands because he likes interacting with other artistic people.
“I like the idea of working with bands because it has been a cool experience to build relationships with other creative people,” he said. “Working with other young creative people makes it easy because we understand where each of us is coming from.”
Athey’s main project since graduation has been his Web site where he posts examples of his work in hopes of attracting more job opportunities. Athey prefers to do freelance work as opposed to working for a company.
“Since graduation I have just been doing little jobs to keep me busy, but not to take up too much of my time,” Athey said. “I really enjoy not having a 9-5 job, especially right out of college. I like getting to travel and set my own schedule.”
Athey plans on moving to Nashville, Tenn., in January and looks to pursue more work in advertising. It was an advertising class he took at LSU that made him realize the vast number of opportunities in that field.
“I would love to continue working advertising and there is so much entertainment in Nashville that I could work with some up and coming artist,” he said. “I could help promote them from a no name artist to somebody who has a fully developed press package to display.”
PAYING DIVIDENDS
Just a month into the season and the cartoon campaign, the project has received rave reviews. The illustrations have been used on posters, advertisements and trading cards. Gaster said the positive response has encouraged them to expand the usage of the cartoons.
“So far, the response to the cartoon campaign has been very positive,” Gaster commented. “We have seen more college students take the poster this year than my previous year’s at LSU. Kids have also been really excited about the posters. We have even had a request to turn the poster into a t-shirt, which we are working on.”
LSU head coach John Brady has seen his fair share of posters as he is in his 10th year of leading the Tigers. The reigning SEC Coach of the Year says he is pleased with the poster because of how much the fans have enjoyed it.
“My only concern is that the fans enjoy it and it’s something they will put in their house or business,” Brady said. “I am pleased with the fan’s response to the poster. As far as my cartoon, it sure does make me look healthy.”
Athey has also been getting good feedback from the cartoons and believes this will be his ticket into much bigger jobs.
“I have had many encouraging talks with businesses that make me feel good about work I have done, especially the LSU illustration project,” Athey said. “I feel I will have a lot more projects lined up for me in the future.
“This opportunity has been a blessing. To work with Guy, the publications department and the people at LSU, has given me the freedom to expose my own talent and show that I am capable of doing things that are more outside the box.”
Athey said he is more proud of the LSU project than any other because he felt his beloved Tigers deserved it.
“I loved being able to promote them and give them the exposure that they deserve,” he explained. “I made sure to concentrate and stay focused the whole time I was working on the project to make sure they got the best product and would enjoy it as much as I did.”