Wezside x The Academy London — Data-Driven Design for Derby Day Scarves
When The Academy London approached Wezside to help bring Asahi Super Dry’s latest football campaign to life, we knew this project called for something a little different — something uniquely crafted at the intersection of sport, data, and design.
Working alongside The Academy and renowned football analysts Opta, we developed a bespoke creative coding tool using the Processing framework — a visual playground perfect for turning raw data into generative art.
Designing with Data — A Custom Processing Tool
The brief? Create a visual system that could transform Opta’s detailed match data from two iconic Manchester Derby fixtures into bespoke scarf designs for Manchester City FC fans.
Using Processing, we built a custom tool that allowed us to feed in key match stats — possession, goals, shots, key events — and generate multiple visual iterations based on those inputs.
This wasn’t just about representing the data — it was about finding visual language that felt like football. That captured the energy of a 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford or the precision of a Caroline Weir chip.
Each iteration explored different compositions, stitch line weights, and pattern structures — all dynamically generated from the match data itself.
We worked closely with The Academy’s creative team to dial in the aesthetics — balancing clarity, abstraction, and Manchester City’s visual identity.
From Data to Thread — The Final Scarves
The result was a set of limited-edition Derby Day scarves, produced for Asahi Super Dry 0.0% in partnership with Manchester City FC — available exclusively at The Cityzens’ Arms on Derby Day.
Each scarf is more than just merch — it’s a wearable piece of football history. Every line, every pattern, every detail was born from the data of two unforgettable Manchester Derby wins:
- Manchester United 1 – 6 Manchester City (2011)
- Manchester City 3 – 0 Manchester United (2021, WSL)
Why Processing?
At Wezside, we love using creative coding frameworks like Processing for projects like these because it bridges art, technology, and data in a way that static design tools can’t.
It allows for exploration. For systems. For visual stories that evolve from the input data itself — creating designs that feel alive and authentic to their source.
Collaborators
Huge credit to The Academy London for the creative vision, Asahi Super Dry for their bold approach to brand storytelling, and Opta for the incredible data. Cape Town might be a long way from Manchester — but this project is proof that football, data, and creativity know no borders.
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