Project Goal:

Create a commemorative Google Doodle to celebrate the birthday of Missy Franklin, five-time Olympic gold medalist and world record–breaking backstroke swimmer. The illustration was designed for the Google homepage on May 10th—honoring her achievements and inspiring users through a dynamic visual tribute.

Process:

To capture Missy Franklin’s signature energy and elegance in the water, I illustrated a moment of athletic precision: a backstroke start in motion, with the swimmer arched mid-air over the iconic Google lettering. Her form slices through the negative space, creating a sense of momentum that draws the eye through the wordmark. The gold medal in the corner serves as both a symbolic and compositional anchor. The colour palette pulls from aquatic tones—deep pool blues and sunlit turquoise—contrasted with subtle gradients and shimmer textures to evoke movement and water reflection. Each letter in "Google" was subtly stylized to integrate with the composition, using custom texture. Illustrated entirely in Photoshop, the doodle was built using layered brushes, glow effects, and careful light sourcing to create visual depth.

Reflections:

Designing a Google Doodle meant balancing creativity with clarity, ensuring the piece was both emotionally resonant and instantly recognizable! The final composition honours Missy Franklin’s legacy as a champion while celebrating motion, strength, and grace—all set within a playful, interactive space. Plus, it was extra meaningful to work on something tied to a shared birthday, making the process feel personal, proud, and joyfully full circle.