40th Birthday Ski Patch

Recently, my friend Ernie celebrated his 40th birthday, and I wanted to give him a gift that captured his love for the slopes. Inspiration struck unexpectedly when I stumbled upon a poster at the Whistler Racket Club, a vibrant depiction of the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, designed by the talented artist Brent Lynch.

Posters have long been a cost-effective and highly effective form of advertising, and Whistler and Blackcomb were no strangers to harnessing their power. Working closely with artist Brent Lynch, known for his iconic Saudan Couloir posters and other memorable works like the flying Volkswagen, the resorts created visuals that captured the essence of their ski culture and landscapes.

However, amidst the collaboration, there was a playful tug-of-war between Lynch and the marketing executives, particularly one named Hurst. Lynch, a purist at heart, believed that the art on the poster should speak for itself without the distraction of promotional taglines. On the other hand, Hurst was adamant about including a catchy promotional line on every poster, believing it would leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Hurst recalled their creative clash, stating, "I won on getting the promotional line, but he won by trying to bury it as softly as he could so you couldn't read it." It was a compromise, with Lynch begrudgingly allowing the tagline while subtly downplaying its prominence within the artwork.

The poster, with its bold colors and extreme slope with a helmeted skier overhead, immediately sparked an idea. I envisioned creating a ski patch inspired by the poster, one that would pay homage to Ernie's passion for skiing while also reflecting our shared memories on the slopes.

Carefully, we selected cobalt blue, sky blue, and white, mirroring the hues of the poster. The skier on the patch, clad in a yellow jacket, mirrored the figure on the poster, capturing the essence of adventure and excitement. 

We're inspired by stories like these – tales of collaboration, creativity, and compromise that result in unforgettable works of art. As we continue to craft designs and products that resonate with our audience, we're reminded of the importance of finding that balance between storytelling and promotion, just like Lynch and Hurst did in their iconic ski posters.

When I presented the ski patch to Ernie on his birthday, his joy and excitement said it all. It wasn't just a patch but a token of our friendship and the memories we've created together.