Back in Aug 2019, Collateral Damage Studios was approached by Verve to design a Japanese-anime-inspired souvenir from Irish airline, Aer Lingus for the Ireland Rugby team heading down to Japan for the Rugby World Cup 2019. The timeline was particularly tight as the players are scheduled to fly out on 11 Sep 2019. 

The original plan was to come up with 3D sculpts that can be printed into mini statues of the players. However, given the timeline, the plan was rejected in favor of another idea that is more feasible. And admittedly, more in-line with our expertise. The new plan was to come up with illustrations of all the players in the Akira-Toriyama / Dragonball-inspired art direction to be placed on individualized in-flight magazine, CARA for them. 

Based on the anime magazine concept, the art lead also created some mock-up based off Newtype and model the artwork after Johnny Sexton. 

With the concept approved, it was onwards to the artworks itself. The assignment was divided up among the four artists involved. These are some of the samples of artworks done. In total, about 40 players were drawn. 

At the same time, backgrounds of the Yokohama Stadium and the Tokyo skyline was drawn.

Finally, we did the portraits for the management team. Here are some examples of the artworks done. 

On 11 Sep 2019, as the players (and their management team) board the plane to fly them to Japan, they each got an individualized in-flight CARA featuring themselves! These cover examples were shared on the CARA Twitter. Their Facebook page shared everything! 

These photos were also shared by the respective players as their Instagram stories! We are really glad that they liked them. It has been a real pleasure to have worked with the Verve.ie team on this project. We also learnt quite a bit about the Ireland Team through this. Go Ireland! #ShoulderToShoulder

Overall Art Lead: Priscilla Tang
Player and Management artists: Jolene Yeo, Tay Yu, Toh Jing Sheng

Background illustrations: Jolene Yeo

Account Manager: KC Ng