If you take a look around the arena at a Vancouver Giants game you are most likely to see the two most recently created Giants jerseys.
Hoping to freshen up the team’s alternate jerseys for the Giants’ 20th anniversary, VP Peter Toigo put the Manager of Marketing and Operations, Jamison Derksen to work.
The jerseys were intended to be worn during the 2020/21 season. “Obviously with the season happening away from the LEC and in a bubble, it didn’t make much sense to use a new jersey that the fans couldn’t experience in person.”
As the graphic designer in the Giants office, any specialty jersey that the team will wear typically goes through him.
“I had been wanting to try using the Jackhead logo on the front of a jersey and finally got the go-ahead to do so, and for the striping, I wanted to keep it classic-looking. As for the gold color, it’s just a bit bolder than the silver that we have used on our jerseys in the past, something noteworthy and eye-catching for the anniversary.”
Jamison, a self-taught Adobe Creative user, used both Photoshop and InDesign during the creation process. He claims that lots of trial and error took place while working on the design, which included showing it to Peter and making changes after feedback.
“I initially was just planning on a black one, but he pushed for a white one as well and I think they both turned out nicely.”
Since you guys liked the black alternates so much, we got a white set too! pic.twitter.com/pSN5rdg5uy
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) December 20, 2021
The team randomly revealed the new threads on Tuesday, January 13, and the reveal was very successful on social media. The buzz carried on into the season.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback on the jerseys, more than I was expecting for sure.”
“It felt like we were fielding questions almost daily from fans asking when they would be available in the team store and it was a crazy day in the store when they finally did. arrive. The players also were really excited for a new look and at the start of the season kept asking me when we could finally start wearing them.”
These jerseys flew off of the shelves and at one point Giants fans were only able to purchase one jersey at a time.
JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!
Replica alternates are now in the team store and online!
Jerseys are very limited, maximum 1 per customer.
M, L, XL available! pic.twitter.com/3xhiIVjwpL— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) December 22, 2021
“I think if you look around the LEC on a game night, the number of these new jerseys in the crowd indicates that Giants fans are excited about a new look.”
“I’m really grateful that I was given the creative freedom to design something that I think looks really sharp on the ice.”
The new jerseys are not like any Giants jersey that has ever been worn before, but Giants fans don’t seem to mind.
‼️IMPORTANT TEAM STORE ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
White Alternates: Now in Stock!
Black Alternates: Restocked! pic.twitter.com/8QorAxH7So— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 13, 2022
“The introduction of Gold, using the Jackhead logo on the front, and using a new font (on the white ones) is a lot of change in a short period of time and I’m glad that the team and fans have been open to it.”
This season, the G-men will don their newly created jerseys a few more times.
“If you dig through my computer you’ll find dozens of jersey concepts but I would like to see us run with these for a while. I guess only time will tell.”
And many fans have already given their stamp of approval. Not much time was needed at all.
