Design FC Kicks Off New Season

Founded in 2018, Design Football Club (Design FC) works with 5th-7th graders in Chester (PA) to encourage creative thinking and self-expression through design.

Each student designs their own unique soccer jersey and apparel, in which they visually express what means most to them, their families, their community, their future aspirations, the changes they want to see in the world, and more. 

Design FC was launched in collaboration with Chester Upland Youth Soccer and Swarthmore's Lang Center in the fall of 2018.

Over the past two years Design FC has grown from the Lang Scholar project of Swarthmore College grad Omri Gal ‘20 to being nominated by the Philadelphia Union for the MLS Community MVP award. The program has added several coaches/mentors, including Union midfielder Warren Creavalle, who has been instrumental in the program’s growth.

Before COVID-19, Design FC would meet once a week at Stetser Elementary to work with 12 students, going through various design related activities and projects. Since COVID, Design FC has transitioned to virtual programming, and continues to work with students on their design projects. 

Ayo George (Swat ‘22), program director, who has been a part of Design FC since its inception, thinks that “as with everything else, transitioning to virtual programming has had its growing pains. That being said, we’re finding new ways to use the technology to engage students and we’re still able to design cool things and provide a space (albeit a virtual space) for the kids to enjoy themselves. That’s all we can ask for really.”

Last week DFC began their latest season with a new cohort of students, embarking on a several month long design journey that will culminate with each student designing their own soccer jersey. 

For more information visit designfc.org