Ballers began as a personal project during my final year of university, inspired by my lifestyle of running, art, and online community. It started as an experiment in blending storytelling, identity, and design into a visual brand. It’s grounded in a raw, urban aesthetic – mixing gritty textures, bold graphics, and city-inspired visuals to reflect the energy of street culture, run clubs, and everyday movement.
My roots in social media began with sharing everyday moments, specifically around fitness and running, which naturally evolved into a personal brand. Over time, I became increasingly aware of how platforms like Instagram act as a space where individuals, not just companies, consciously curate their image. Just like brands, we construct visual identities through what we post, wear, and align ourselves with. My work reflects this crossover, exploring how personal branding mirrors marketing strategies – intentional storytelling, aesthetic cohesion, and community engagement – blurring the boundaries between the self and the brand.
The brand colour #00ba11 came from a derivative of my surname (Ball). It acts as a visual anchor across Ballers, from apparel to digital content, creating instant recognition and connection. For my degree show, this vision extends into a physical space: a community hub that invites people in, sparks conversation, and brings the digital energy of Ballers into the real world, allowing my running community into my ‘branded’ space, to make real world connection from an online presence.
Ballers is more than a brand – it’s an ongoing exploration of identity, belonging, and the power of shared experiences. From running through the city streets to posting online, every part of my lifestyle feeds into the creative process. This project brings together years of content creation, personal growth, and design experimentation into one cohesive space. By translating digital culture into tangible forms – artworks, apparel, and community spaces – I aim to create something that feels both personal and collective, a reflection of a generation building themselves in public.
Instagram : @leahballlifts
Run club instagram : @speedyballers
