As a lifelong swimmer, it was a true privilege to design the visual identity for one of the largest open water races in the country — the Big Shoulders Swim Classic.

Held at Ohio Street Beach with the Chicago skyline as its backdrop, the race offers a dramatic and uniquely urban swim experience.

This year’s graphic and typographic system was inspired by one of my design heroes, Massimo Vignelli — bringing a sense of structure, clarity, and timelessness to a chaotic and unpredictable event.