Design for the Fight: Team Roger

Graphic Design | Passion Project
Designing strength and support for a family fighting colon cancer.

Project Overview

Team Roger was created to support my father during his two-year battle with colon cancer. The goal was to design something meaningful that could unify our family, raise awareness, and bring him hope. This crest became a symbol of strength, love, and solidarity throughout his journey.

  • Client: Personal / Family Project

  • Role: Sole Designer

  • Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

  • Project Type: Logo, Apparel & Sticker Design

  • Timeline: 2022–2024

A graphic with the text "Design for the Fight" and a logo that reads "Team Roger" with a blue and black color scheme, featuring a moose head logo and the words "Tutti per uno". There is a polaroid-style photo of a smiling man with glasses, a red cap, beard, and beige shirt holding a puppy, with the handwritten caption "Love you always Dad".

The Challenge

We needed a design that would serve many purposes: represent our family's support, raise awareness for colon cancer, and most importantly, reflect my dad's strength and personality.

There were emotional and symbolic challenges as well—how do you visually capture hope, humor, and resilience in the face of something as heavy as cancer?

A man (Roger Sims) with a white beard and glasses, wearing a red cap, blue shirt, black Carhartt overalls, and a Christmas-themed tie with a moon and reindeer design, smiling in a brightly lit room with a family photo on the wall in the background.

My Role & Responsibilities

I led every aspect of this project:

  • Designed the Team Roger crest and supporting visual assets from scratch

  • Led apparel mockups and coordinated family input on clothing design

  • Gathered feedback through conversations with both of my parents, refining the design until it earned my dad’s full approval

  • Used Illustrator for logo creation and Photoshop for apparel presentation

A young man sitting on blue stadium seats, wearing a dark sports jersey with white sleeves and black shorts, appearing thoughtful.

Design Strategy

The crest needed to symbolize more than just a fight—it had to represent legacy, joy, and resilience.

Core symbolism included:

  • Moose iconography: A personal and humorous nod tied to my dad’s identity

  • Shield structure: Representing protection and strength

  • Typography: Bold, clear, and timeless

  • Color palette: Reflective of trust, courage, and warmth

A black background badge with a blue ribbon and a stylized blue moose head. The text reads 'ESTD 2022,' 'TEAM ROGER,' and 'TUTTI PER UNO.'

The Process

We took a personal, iterative approach:

  • Discovery & Feedback

    • I met with my parents to discuss what the design should mean to us

    • My dad gave input on logo style, colors, and clothing preferences

  • Design & Iterate

    • Tried early concepts to capture his personality and what he loved

    • Presented multiple options and honed in on typography and balance

  • Finalize & Apply

    • Delivered final crest and applied it to shirts, hats, and stickers

    • Shared the design with family and supporters as a rallying symbol

A black shield-shaped emblem with a blue and white design, featuring a blue ribbon at the top, the words "ESTD 2022" and a stylized moose head, the text "TEAM ROGER" and the Italian phrase "TUTTI PER UNO".
A cartoon pirate skull with an eyepatch, earrings, and a blue bandana, holding a sword in its mouth, with a blue ribbon above the eye patch and a knot. Below, the text reads "DEFEND THE BOOTY" in blue stylized font.
A stylized bear's face with Viking helmet and horns, shield background, and the words 'no one fights alone' above and below.
Two young adults wearing matching blue sports jerseys with slogans 'All For One' and 'Team Roger' printed on them, standing close together against a plain background.

Outcome & Reflection

The crest became a source of unity and joy for our family during a difficult time

  • Although fundraising and sales were not our priority, the design sparked meaningful conversations and connection

  • I grew as a designer by balancing emotion with clarity, and by creating something deeply personal that others could also find strength in

A colorful Hawaiian shirt with a tropical island pattern featuring palm trees, islands, and flowers, with the text 'TEAM ROGER' across the back.
A tropical-themed short-sleeve button-up shirt with orange and green floral and palm tree patterns on a dark background, featuring a crest patch that reads 'Team Roger' on the left chest.
Seven men standing outdoors in a park, posing for a photo in front of an Roger's casket with trees in the background. Some are wearing colorful Hawaiian shirts, others are in suits or formal attire.