WORDCAMP US 2025
Custom Playing Cards & Stickers | Branded Event Merchandise
Custom illustrations of Wapuu for WordCamp US 2025, adapted by the client into collectible playing cards and stickers as branded event merchandise.
Client: Automattic, Inc. / WordPress VIP / WordCamp US 2025
Event Location: Portland, OR
Deliverables: Playing Card Back Design Illustration
Jack, Queen, King Face Card Design Illustrations
Design Collaboration: WordPress VIP Design Team
Skills Used: Branding Illustration, Playful Textural Illustration, Merchandising / Promotional Illustration
Brief :
I had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with WordPress VIP designers to create custom illustrations for a set of playing cards for WordCamp US 2025. The project focused on Wapuu, the beloved WordCamp mascot, interpreted through the theme “Build without boundaries.”
While Wapuu is an established character, my role was to produce my own artistic interpretation for the card back and the Jack, Queen, and King face cards, bringing narrative, texture, and playful storytelling in my style.
I was so happy and proud that the client loved the illustrations—they even decided to turn them into stickers, giving attendees extra fun, collectible items. As a Portland-based illustrator, I especially enjoyed adding roses to the Queen card and the card back, celebrating Portland—the beautiful “Rose City”—and adding a personal local touch.
Final Images
Back Card Design Illustration
Jack Face Card Design Illustration
Queen Face Card Design Illustration
King Face Card Design Illustration
Project Scope / Card Concepts
The client’s goal was to produce engaging, memorable swag for WordCamp attendees, many of whom are Wapuu collectors. My contributions included:
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Card Back Illustration: A builder-inspired scene featuring Wapuu, subtly integrating WordPress VIP’s logo, a primary gold accent, and Portland-inspired roses to honor the city’s identity.
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Jack – Young Web-Builder: Dressed casually and carrying a laptop, this Wapuu builds digital worlds with code and creativity. A growing chart beside him symbolizes progress and innovation, reflecting WordCamp’s tech-focused audience.
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Queen – Nature-Inspired Digital Artist: Wapuu drawing roses on a tablet with a stylus, blending organic forms with digital creativity.
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King – Classic Builder: Wearing a helmet and safety vest, ready to shape the physical world with practical tools and vision, embodying the “Build without boundaries” theme.
So happy the client loved these illustrations—they even turned them into stickers! Huge thanks to the WordPress VIP Design Team and the Automattic team for such a fun collaboration.
Final Thoughts
I’m proud to bring my artistic interpretation to Wapuu for WordCamp US 2025, celebrating Portland’s identity while creating engaging illustrations for branded merchandising and event collectibles. Seeing the client’s enthusiasm and the extension of the artwork into stickers was especially rewarding, highlighting the impact of well-crafted illustration in real-world applications.
These illustrations were created using Adobe Photoshop and/or Procreate by Yoko Baum, utilizing raster brushes. No AI was involved in the creation of these artworks. Happy Human-Powered Creativity!