The Game Plan: Designing a Map for BSU's Basketball Season

by: Mardline Prevot

Design by Mardline Prevot

As a graphic design intern with the Intramural and Fitness department at BSU Athletics, my weeks have been packed with exciting projects. Beyond creating promotional flyers for our weekly fitness classes, I recently took on a particularly interesting challenge: designing a cartographic map of the AC Jordan Court Arena for the upcoming basketball season.

This project was a great opportunity for me to apply cartographic design principles to a real-world, user-focused problem. The goal was to create a clear, professional map that would help staff members and attendees easily navigate the arena. I wanted to ensure the design was not only functional but also visually aligned with the BSU Athletics brand.

My design process began with careful planning and research. I first gathered detailed information about the arena's layout, including key locations like entrances, restrooms, concession stands, and emergency exits. I then created a digital mockup, focusing on a clean, intuitive layout. Using clear icons and a distinct color palette, I was able to distinguish between different areas of the arena, making the map easy to read at a glance.

This project pushed me to think strategically about how design can improve user experience in a physical space. It's rewarding to see my work contribute to the smooth operation of events and to know that a well-designed map can make a real difference for the staff and fans.

Looking back on my time here, it's clear that this internship is more than just a stepping stone. It's a place where I'm gaining authentic, hands-on experience and contributing to projects that matter. I'm excited to continue this journey and see what new challenges come my way.