Behind the Design: How Joe Staley's Tribute Illustration was Created

[Sourdough Sam]

What makes you proud of this tribute to Joe?


It's kind of crazy because I just thought this project would be an Instagram post and that was it. Just one post. But everyone liked it so much that they wanted to make this a bigger thing, which I was in shock for that too. I was like, "something I made, you want to make a canvas out of and give it to Joe and potentially have it also live in the stadium?" To have a version hanging at Levi's® Stadium and to be apart of 49ers history forever is humbling. I grew up 10 minutes from Candlestick Park. My first ever game at Levi's was my first week on the job. To be a kid that was never afforded the opportunity to go to games at Levi's, to now having something I created as part of 49ers history means a lot, as an artist and as a 49ers fan.


How long have you been involved in graphic design?


I started graphic design my senior year of high school. I've always liked drawing, but then I picked up graphic design when a friend taught me how just as a hobby. At the time, the Golden State Warriors were doing really well, so I wanted to create a Warriors shirt when they won the 2015 NBA Finals. Ever since then, I just really loved it and couldn't stop designing. As a kid, I loved sports and I loved drawing. I never thought I would be able to have a career in both. Now, I'm here with the San Francisco 49ers and I get to do both drawing and design so it's pretty cool.


How do you describe your style of design?


My late design professor Michael Stinson emphasized one word in latin : A Fortiori, latin for "with great reason." I try to do that with whatever I create, no matter how big or small, to the best of my ability. Design, to me, is a way of visual storytelling. Meanings and intricacies in a design create visual interest. I hope to create pieces that not just "look cool" but to have meaning and purpose. I want to tell a story through my designs and illustrations, narrating a viewers eyes through a canvas and keep them intrigued - to have them find something new every time they look at it. In this instance, seeing Joe throughout the years.


Last thing I just want to say, I hope you like it Joe and I hope the Faithful like it as well. And I want to thank Joe for 13 great seasons in red and gold.