From the Art Director: A Deeper Connection to the Game

Written by USA Lacrosse art director Heather Hughes, this column appeared in the Powerhouse Women edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine.

NORMALLY IN THIS SPACE, you'd read remarks from our talented editor in chief, Matt DaSilva.

But for this women’s edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine, he’s handed the mic to me — and I’m honored to step into the light. 

For nearly 20 years, I’ve poured my heart into the branding — and rebranding — of USA Lacrosse and this magazine. I’ve had the privilege of shaping how our sport looks and feels to the world: the covers you save, the logos you wear, the posters you hand to USA athletes to sign, the social graphics you scroll past (and hopefully stop for) and the visual identity that continues to evolve as the game grows.

Design, at its core, is storytelling. And lacrosse has always given us powerful stories to tell. But the most meaningful stories I get to shape aren’t only in these pages. 

They’re playing out in my own home.

I’m not just an art director. I’m also a mom of three lacrosse- and hockey-loving boys. Our house runs on packed practice schedules, shameless amounts of snack wrappers, Lysol-sprayed gear bags and gameday carpool chaos. Through them, I’ve experienced this sport not only from the creative side, but also from the sidelines. I’ve seen firsthand how lacrosse builds confidence, resilience, leadership and community. It’s deepened my connection to our mission in ways I never could have imagined when I first started here at age 23.

When you care about the future of the game, moments like this carry extra weight. And this women’s issue? It’s especially meaningful.

Women’s lacrosse continues to rise in visibility, athleticism, opportunity and voice. The athletes featured in these pages are redefining what strength looks like. They’re breaking records, leading teams and inspiring the next generation — boys and girls alike. If you ask my 10-year-old who his favorite players are, Charlotte North is easily in his top three. 

As someone who has spent a career shaping visuals behind the scenes, it’s powerful to help spotlight the women driving this game forward.

As you flip through this issue, you’ll notice an evolution in our design  — stronger typography, bold imagery, directional graphic elements and layouts that move with the same speed and confidence as the modern game. We’ve created a visual language that matches its momentum.

What I love most about this work is that, like lacrosse itself, it never stands still.

Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting the women who elevate this game. And thank you for allowing me to step out from behind the Adobe files and into the story itself.