THE WHAT
The work showcased here is by students from ART 400: Special Topics – Design for the Social Good, who were tasked with designing an original brand for a new WNBA team coming to Philadelphia in 2026. The students were challenged to create team identities that resonate not only with the city of Philadelphia and WNBA fans but also, more specifically, with the community and residents of Kensington, Pennsylvania.
THE WHY
Designing a brand for a WNBA team tied to Kensington goes beyond creating a logo or team name—it’s about crafting a visual identity that symbolizes hope, pride, and change while addressing the neighborhood’s struggles and aspirations.
Kensington is a neighborhood in Philadelphia’s Lower Northeast, encompassing areas such as East (or Lower) Kensington, West Kensington, and Harrowgate. Once a proud and diverse community, Kensington has gained national attention for its ongoing challenges, including a thriving narcotics trade, widespread opioid use, and rising violent crime. On any given day, hundreds of individuals struggling with addiction can be found on its streets, highlighting the urgent need for transformative action.
In this scenario, the new WNBA team is partnering with community leaders to shine a light on Kensington’s challenges, fostering awareness, advocacy, and a renewed sense of pride. By aligning their brand with the community’s needs and aspirations, the team seeks to contribute to efforts aimed at restoring hope and revitalizing this historically vibrant and multiethnic neighborhood.
