ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Martin Grasser Redesigns EssentiallySports with Headline-as-Brand System for Longevity

architecture-design · 2026-04-09

Martin Grasser, the designer behind Twitter's blue bird icon, has spearheaded a redesign for EssentiallySports, a leading sports publisher in the U.S. Established by three college students with a mere $100 for a website, EssentiallySports has expanded to achieve 500 million page views annually and attracts 30 million readers each month. The redesign focuses on creating a unified identity across various platforms, including newsletters, social media, live events, and collaborations with creators. Grasser's strategy highlights cross-platform adaptability, utilizing headlines as the main visual element, integrating team colors, and adopting a modular design. This approach underscores the importance of editorial clarity and coherence for brands, ensuring sustainable speed for long-term success.

Key facts

  • Martin Grasser designed the new identity for EssentiallySports
  • Grasser previously created Twitter's blue bird icon
  • EssentiallySports is a top ten U.S. sports publisher
  • The site receives 500 million annual page views
  • Monthly readership reaches 30 million people
  • The brand began with three college students and a $100 website
  • The redesign uses headlines as the primary visual identity
  • The system is modular for cross-platform consistency

Entities

Artists

  • Martin Grasser

Institutions

  • EssentiallySports
  • Twitter
  • X
  • Facebook
  • Google Discover
  • PRINT Magazine

Locations

  • United States

Sources