Strike Bowling “High Rollers”
What an experience! Never did I think I’d ever get to design my own bowling ball, let alone design a whole damn collection for a VIP experience for all Strike Bowling venues across Australia.
“Strike Bowling is always reinventing classic forms of entertainment, and the homegrown, newly designed bowling attire is something that most bowling alleys across the world have never tried before – a definite first in Australia.” - Sydney Unleashed
Strike & Fun Lab well and truly live up to their name ..and the hype!
Scroll down to see the collaboration in full - from concept to the official launch!
“Known for reinventing classic forms of entertainment, Strike Bowling wanted to elevate the usual alley experience and inject some style into the classic red, black and white colour palette. For $25, players can opt to upgrade to the High Rollers pack, which includes a custom design bowling ball, bowling shoes and High Rollers socks to keep. You also score a free stein of Furphy, express check-in and a High Rollers sticker pack.” - Timeout Magazine
Design Process
Like always, I started with some good ol’ pencil and paper. After playing around with a couple of concepts and idea’s, I got a good look and feel for the collaboration - and worked my way to the final designs. As the designs were to be used across a bunch of different products (including a damn ball) I designed the artwork in a way whereas I could join, adjust or seperate the artworks for maximum versatility.
Concepts
Once we had the designs and the direction, it was time to digitise the artwork and get cracking on the digital mocks and setting up the artwork files for sampling.
Everything but the ball came back perfect - so after a few samples and factory changes, we decided to switch the ball from the blue (pictured) to a white. This would help us achieve the vibrance we were looking for and to give us the perfect blank canvas to add my trademark ‘star and dot’ background - which would give the ball a more customised, complete and unique look and feel.
The Collection
With this collaboration being the first of it’s kind, there was no way we were going to release anything but the best. That said, there was plenty of test-printing and sampling before we got to the final products - but we got there - and I couldn’t have been more stoked with the finished products!
I’d like to make a special thank you to Jax for her effort and determination when it came to working through the production (and changing multiple factories) to ensure everything came out to the absolute highest standard possible.
“With artwork instantly recognisable for his iconic style, Steen is a creative powerhouse whose bright and bold designs make for collectable and shareable works that bring joy and proudly adorn living room walls, laneways, multi-storey buildings - and now even bowling balls - all around the globe.” - Strike Bowling
Funlab HQ (Melbourne)
Once the collection was signed off and in production, it was time to get started on the marketing and launch collateral. So I went down to Melbourne to meet the team, get plannin’, paintin’ and slidin’(they have a slippery slide) at Fun Lab HQ. The giant pins were to be used as part of the official launch.
High Rollers Hype (Brisbane)
With Brisbane being my hometown, it was time for the Funlab team to jump on a plane and head up to my local Strike in Brisbane Wintergarden to film the pre-launch media and marketing content. I painted a mural and we drank beers and test bowled..it was a pretty tough day.
“Bowling has never looked so cool with this new collab between Artist Steen Jones and Strike” - TimeOut Magazine
Offical Launch (Melbourne)
With all of the hard work done, the only thing left was to officially launch the collaboration and celebrate - so went back to Melbourne for the private event at Strike Bowling in the Melbourne CBD.
We kicked off the event with live painting (I finished off the pins) and kicked on until the venue kicked us all out. We were at capacity within minutes and it stayed that way until the wee hours.
That said, I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to Jax and the Strike team for doing such an amazing job with this collaboration and launch - from start right the way through. Watching everyone enjoy the collaboration and have the times of their lives was the icing on the cake!
“Strike Bowling wanted to elevate the usual alley experience and inject some style into the classic red, black and white colour palette."It’s turned out to be such a cool (and bad-ass) collection," says artist Steen Jones."Truth be told, I don't think I've ever had so much interest, hype or excitement for a collaboration, which is another reason why this project has been so great to be a part of”
"Strike Bowling is always reinventing classic forms of entertainment, and the homegrown, newly designed bowling attire is something that most bowling alleys across the world have never tried before – a definite first in Australia."
“His distinctive work can be found all over the world, from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne’s laneways to the streets of New York to billboards in Los Angeles to one of Pablo Escobar’s abandoned mansions in Columbia - and now at Strike Bowling.”
Unofficial Launch (Brisbane)
With the launch being in Melbourne and me from Brisbane, we threw a little something in my hometown with some of my nearest and dearest. More fun was had. Thank you so much once again Jax & Strike for the royal treatment! We had a ball (pun intended)
