Black. Bold. United.
A snowboarding event, redesigned to feel like a statement. Not just a show.
Client / Agency: LAAX / MTC – Move the Crowd
Timeline: Oct 2015 – Jan 2016
Platform: Event / Print / TV / Motion / 3D
Scope: Visual-Design, DTP, Trophy Design, 3D Modeling, Video-Compositing
TL;DR
Sponsor-Chaos, enge Timelines, hohe Erwartungen.
Wir untersuchten, wie sich Style und Stakeholder vereinen lassen – und machten aus 240+ Assets, 3D-Previews und Live-TV-Visuals ein klares Schwarz-Weiss-Rot-Branding.
Das Resultat: ein Event, das zum visuellen Statement wurde und bis heute den Look von LAAXOPEN prägt.
The Job to be done
How might we turn an action sports event into a visual statement?
The LAAXOPEN wasn't just a competition. It was a chance to set a new tone for what snowboarding looks and feels like.
The Context
When sponsors meet style
The challenge: unify a wild mix of sponsor expectations, production formats, and tight deadlines – without losing the soul of snowboarding.
- Over 240 print and media assets across 6 production techniques
- Stakeholder alignment across sponsors, resort, producers, and broadcasters
- Fixed event date – zero flexibility in delivery
Outcome & Impact
What came out of it
A new style era for LAAXOPEN. Stronger brand. Bigger impact.
- It is considered one of the most impressive snowboarding events.
- A cohesive, standout identity adopted across future editions
- Sponsor alignment without compromise on aesthetics
- TV and print feedback praised clarity and uniqueness
My Role in the Team
Translator of vision
I designed and implemented the entire on-site event materials and live broadcast assets by transforming Oliver Fennel's (ROD) CI into a bold event experience.
- Designed & produced all communication materials (approx. 120 deliverables)
- Built a full 3D planning and production asset library
- Created animations for SRF live TV commentary
- Designed the official LAAXOPEN trophy
- Maintained visual consistency and stakeholder alignment throughout
Team: Donald Nader (Communication), Andrina Schneeberger (PM), Andi Aniser (Production)
Tools: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, Cinema 4D, Google Workspace
The Path to the Goal
The process in fast-forward
- Align the vision – stakeholder workshop, brand & community deep-dive
- Plan & analyze – check existing visuals, define technical specs, create asset roadmap
- Prototype & iterate – 2D/3D mockups, feedback loops, stakeholder previews
- Produce & deliver – production specs, DTP handover, TV clips, print supervision
- Broadcast & animate – SRF TV fly-throughs, overlays, graphics
- Debrief & improve – learnings documented, feedback integrated
Design Decisions that Matter
Decisions that made the difference
1. One color to unite them all
We replaced the rainbow of sponsor logos with clean white marks on deep black – bold, timeless, and deeply snowboarding.
Result: Unity, contrast, clarity – and a design language that spoke to riders and fans alike.
2. From vision to venue – in 3D
To align everyone, I created 3D maps and pre-visualizations of the venue, which were used for design, TV animation, stakeholder approvals, and construction planning.
Result: Less guessing. Faster decisions. Better collaboration.
Final Design
The final look
Impressions 1st LaaxOpen 2019
First drafts and 3D event visualizations
A small preview of the deliveries
TV Commentary Animation
Challenge accepted – and reignited
3D venue modeling wasn't new, but it was new to me. Especially under tight deadlines, heavy renders, and zero buffer. Grap Sant Joing became my nightly test track. My machine screamed, but I stayed focused.
Late at night, I flew the virtual camera over hand-shaped kickers and rails. It felt like being back on the snow. Not just designing the course—but remembering what it means.
What started as a task became a trigger. This part didn't just test my skills – it brought them home.
The legendary Trophy
What the Project Taught Me
What I took away
Precision beats pressure. Style builds unity.
What I learned
- Start with clarity – it saves time, stress, and misunderstandings.
- Align stakeholders visually, not just verbally — 3D wins hearts and budgets.
- Stay playful – even under pressure, creativity needs air to breathe.
What I would do differently
- Create a shared status dashboard – Google Sheets was not sufficient for the diverse participation.
- Focus more on MVPs for animations – less perfection, more value under time constraints.
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