I always make a point to use the word “diverse” in describing the range of projects I have worked on. Well, this one comes straight out of the left field. That being said, I had worked with famous footballers before… and by “with” I mean as an unknown entity, on the same project, for vastly different salaries. Sad face (not really sad, I’m always happy to be employed).

Back in January, I worked on a commercial starring several Manchester United football players. The ad was for international fruit juice brand Chivita and the post-production company I worked with were Bark & Bite (Manchester). In the advert, the players (Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Eric Bertrand Bailly), drink some juice before gathering round a Chivita themed pinball machine “Chivita, 100% Pinball” as the illuminated backboard says.

As you can see from the video, the scenario is like an analogue version of Disney’s Tron; the players are miniaturised and play football-pinball against the machine. My role was to create the artwork for the sides of the main body of the machine as well as the “backbox” sides and “backglass” where the score is displayed. Those pinball machine elements had to depict both football and fruit, whilst looking explosive and retro.

Aside from a supermarket-load of fruit, that backglass is where my illustration of the players comes in. First drawn separately, they were composited together like the reflections of the players themselves, frozen in time. It’s a hard one to explain, the video shows it all. A fun and interesting project which also put me in touch with a great Manchester-based production house.