The 5ASIDE crew visited Design FC in New Jersey to highlight a nonprofit using football and design to empower young people [1].
This initiative matters because it merges athletic engagement with creative expression, providing youth a tangible way to explore their identities. By designing their own jerseys, participants translate their personal stories into visual art while engaging with the global community of football.
Design FC operates as a global nonprofit that leverages the popularity of football to reach youth [1]. The organization focuses on the intersection of sport and creativity, allowing participants to take ownership of their image and narrative through the process of jersey design.
During the visit, the 5ASIDE crew met with the founder of Design FC to discuss the organization's mission [1]. The program encourages young people to use the football kit as a canvas, a method that fosters community building and individual confidence in the New Jersey area.
The project emphasizes that football is more than a game; it is a tool for social empowerment [1]. By integrating design principles into the sport, the nonprofit helps youth develop skills that extend beyond the pitch, focusing on storytelling, and visual communication.
The visit showcased how a localized effort in the U.S. can mirror global trends in using sports for social good [1]. The collaboration between the 5ASIDE crew and the nonprofit brings visibility to the role of creative arts in youth development.
“Design FC uses football and design to empower young people.”
The integration of design thinking into youth sports programs represents a shift toward holistic development. By focusing on identity and storytelling through the medium of football jerseys, Design FC addresses the psychological and social needs of young people, utilizing a globally recognized sport to bridge the gap between athletic activity and creative literacy.
