Out of Bounds is a design project that explores basketball culture, media, and design. It aims to shed light on harmful racial dynamics embedded within commonplace language of sport.

Focusing specifically on star players from the National Basketball Association (NBA), who throughout history have been outspoken social advocates, we situate the project within the gaze of white writers, owners, coaches, and fans.

Using the vernacular of sports design to juxtapose problematic language with imagery of athletes, the posters become small acts of protest, and an ode to those who have sought to do more with their platform than to shut up and dribble.

As a designer with an interest in culture, it is important that I attempt to understand racial dynamics within American society. In particular how my whiteness impacts the areas of culture that I consume, and more importantly, how I do that consciously. Out of Bounds is a project that begins to grapple with this idea.

Student Project made at Minneapolis College of Art and Design.