Axon developed an interactive VR Game to market and create buzz around our VR Taser Training program and roadshow. This game features an apocalyptic future where Zombies are on the loose and the only can be defeated by electric currents. In preparation for a large conference, I developed a swag package inspired by nostalgic video game graphics.
Swag design | branding | Merchandise
Marketing Ask: make something sick.
Existing brand assets
Early Round Selects
Tekken-Inspired VS Screen
Simple Type and Character Lockup
Character highlight with Brand Yellow
Nintendo Smash Reference with Chrome type
Completely out of brand risk–Blackletter type in warm yellow gradient on Chrome effect, paired with a Primary Zombie
Simple and Flat lockup with a zombie hand in a non-game style
Flat Zombie Hand alt
Zombie hand alt in hipster-like lockup. A little cleaner and more wearable.
Color Alt–illustrating the fun the team could have with the shirts themselves
Queen reference–OK this one is dumb, but I thought it would be a hit with our audience.
All in all I created over 50 unique design ideas. I was heads down for 3 days just experimenting and trying new things. Messing around in photoshop, watching zombie videos, asking my boyfriend for advice obscure game references that would be funny, thinking of what VS could look like, how I could alter the logo without completely abandoning the existing brand. It was so hard, but really fun. I loved this tunnel I got in to, it reminded me of going to design school, just hyper-focused on something without fear of failure or thinking about if something will sell. It was an excellent design exercise that really felt creative. I think these funny little sprints are a great thing to add to my regular design workflow.
This branded zombie moment has grown into multiple releases of the game, and now it has its own visual language surrounding it and is a source of fun internally at Axon. When we were asked for a cool piece or a pinball game for the Australian office, I immediately thought of our in-house game, TASER vs ZOMBIES. I pitched it, Australia loved it, and we got it made!
