Project: 4-Wheel Jamboree Mega Trucks Trading Cards
The Challenge
The 4-Wheel Jamboree event introduced new types of vehicles, but our VP of Marketing felt they needed something engaging beyond a traditional show guide to grab attention.
The Solution
I designed a set of collectible trading cards featuring the new vehicles. The packs were randomized to encourage trading among kids, making the event experience more interactive.
The Impact
1. Drivers embraced the cards, often signing them for fans, creating a new engagement opportunity.
2. Kids and adults, actively traded cards, generating excitement around the featured vehicles.
3. The project added a unique branded experience beyond standard event materials.
The Process & Iterations
Initial Concept
Inspired by baseball cards, the first design featured vehicle images and performance stats. However, after discussions, we realized that reliable stats were hard to obtain, leading to a necessary redesign. As part of this revision, I introduced a color-matching system where each card’s color was pulled from an accent or dominant color of the vehicle. This gave the cards a unique identity, made sorting easier, and visually distinguished them from one another.
Refined Approach
Instead of focusing on stats, we shifted to driver and vehicle details such as hometown, engine type, and horsepower, which were more consistently available. My director also requested decorative text elements to fill white space. While I typically prefer a more intentional use of negative space, I found that integrating event-related terms helped reinforce the branding without cluttering the design.
Final Version
The final design balanced a strong visual presence with key vehicle details, making the cards both collectible and informative while maintaining a clean and branded look.
