Start The Riot

Graphic Design | Large-Scale Stadium Display
Designing a visual anthem for 24,000 fans with Los Caballeros Reales.

Project Overview

Commissioned by the Tifo Council of Los Caballeros Reales, this project aimed to create a commanding visual that captured the passion, identity, and power of Real Salt Lake’s supporter culture for the 2025 home opener.

  • Client: Los Caballeros Reales

  • Role: Lead Designer & On-site Director

  • Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Slack (for coordination)

  • Project Type: Large-scale hand-painted stadium tifo

  • Timeline: 9 days (design phase), One day for painting, One day for rehearsal in the stadium.

A large banner with the phrase 'Start the Riot' displayed at a soccer stadium, with spectators in the background.

The Challenge

The brief was open-ended: create something bold and deeply tied to the identity of both Los Caballeros Reales and Real Salt Lake. The early concept, "This is OUR Place," lacked the intensity needed to rally the crowd.

After exploring multiple directions with the Tifo Council, we arrived at a stronger, sharper rallying cry: "Start the Riot."

It connected emotionally to the supporters, referenced RSL’s nickname for its home stadium, and offered high visual impact when displayed.

A cartoon-style graphic with a medieval knight holding a shield with a lion and crown crest, surrounded by five banners. The banners read 'This is our place,' 'Start the riot,' 'Our home,' 'Our riot,' and 'Riot reigns.' The background features stylized mountain peaks in red, white, and blue, with a black and red border.

My Role & Responsibilities

As lead designer and an on-site director, I:

  • Created the final tifo artwork in Adobe Illustrator, integrating symbolism, typography, and team colors

  • Led feedback sessions with the Tifo Council and defended key creative choices, such as the knight figure’s pose and symbolic elements

  • Helped procure paint supplies and helped lead a volunteer team during a full-day painting session

  • Directed layout, color blocking, and painting accuracy on-site to ensure fidelity to the design

A man with a bald head and glasses (Giles) is painting a large outdoor artwork on a fabric surface with blue paint, using a paint roller and a paintbrush. Other people are in the background near a brick building.

Design Strategy

The visual identity featured:

  • Mountain Range: Rooting the piece in Utah’s geography

  • Knight Figure: Symbol of strength, loyalty, and readiness

  • Royal Shield & Crowned Lion: Emblematic of RSL’s regal tone and the supporters’ persona

  • Medieval Typography: Legible, stylized, and powerful from the stands

The palette was carefully chosen:

  • Crimson Red: Passion and energy

  • Royal Blue: Unity and loyalty

  • Gold: Prestige and pride

  • White: Clean contrast for legibility

Medieval knight in armor with a shield featuring a lion and a crown, standing in front of a mountain range with snow caps, with the words 'Start the Riot' in medieval style font.

The Execution

The tifo was painted entirely by hand in one day by a team of dedicated volunteers

  • I coordinated layout and color-blocking on-site, translating the Illustrator file directly onto fabric

  • Volunteers followed my visual guides and live direction to ensure accuracy without the use of stencils—each element was painted freehand with care and focus

  • The night before the home opener, we held a full stadium rehearsal to test the tifo's deployment mechanics, position volunteers, and make sure the unveiling would be smooth and impactful

  • This run-through allowed us to troubleshoot folds, clarify timing, and finalize our display plan under real-world conditions

People working on a large banner or flag with red, white, black, yellow, and blue colors, set up outdoors next to a brick building under a cloudy sky.
People painting a large flag on the ground outdoors, with utility poles and buildings in the background.
Several people are creating a large mural painting of a coat of arms with a yellow lion, a shield, and other heraldic symbols on a paved surface outdoors, with houses and utility poles in the background.

The Impact

Unveiled on March 1, 2025 at America First Field

  • Displayed to 24,000 fans and broadcast on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass

  • Widely shared by RSL and fans on social media, including feedback like: “We need this on a t-shirt.”

Screenshot of social media comments about a blacksmith's work, mentioning it looks amazing, wanting a shirt with the design, and giving applause and fire emojis.
A screenshot of a social media comment from Fatima Nawabi saying 'Amazing!!' with a smiling face with heart-eyes emoji, expressed with 14 weeks ago. The comment is marked as a 'Top fan' and has received one like.
Screenshot of aFacebook comment thread discussing a design related to Los Caballeros Reales, with users praising Giles Robert Sims and expressing support.
A screenshot of comments on a social media post, with users praising the content and mentioning the crowd, energy, and coolness of the scene.
Screenshot of a social media comment that says 'Killer tifo' with a red heart icon and five likes.
A large flag displayed at a soccer stadium with the words 'Start the Riot' and a knight helmet, shield, and mountain design, with spectators in the background.

Reflection & Takeaways

This project sharpened my ability to:

  • Design for scale and visibility

  • Lead collaborative, community-centered creative work

  • Advocate for design decisions under scrutiny

  • Deliver a grassroots project under tight timelines and real-world constraints

It also deepened my appreciation for how design can energize and unite a community.

Soccer field with three referees in yellow uniforms walking on the grass. Large banner in the background with a crown, lion emblem, a knight helmet, and the words 'Start The Riot'. Empty stadium seats and spectators in the background.
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