YDI worked closely with the LA Dodgers planning & development team to create a multifaceted space at the stadium’s center field gate. Our goal was to realize a vision held by legendary Dodgers owner Walter O’Mally: the baseball stadium as a “Disneyland-like destination”. This large-scale venture tested all our skills, and resulted in a thoughtful, playful environment that fans of all ages can enjoy.

YDI designed both the architectural concept for the Dodger Stadium gate and the team sign that rises above it. The hexagonal motif found around the stadium provided a framework for the gate’s design, as well as a flexible system for incorporating sponsors’ signs in the future.

YDI designed the structure and applied graphics on the stadium’s welcome kiosk. The word “welcome,” printed in a myriad of languages from around the world, is displayed across the underside of the integrated sunshade to invite guests into the Center Field Plaza experience.

As both a tribute to the Dodgers’ loving fans and Walter O’Mally’s hopeful vision, Center Field Plaza is filled with installations and interactive photo moments that engage the crowd. Custom perforated aluminum pendant stars sparkle with color-changing lights around the iconic “Blue Heaven On Earth” sign, designed by YDI.

YDI designed a number of displays that celebrate the achievements of all-time Dodgers players, coaches, and executives – and incorporated these displays into the living landscape of Center Field Plaza. Among these are oversized Rookie Of The Year player cards with backgrounds removed to reveal the lush plant life behind them, and the Legends of Dodgers Baseball series, running along ADA ramps that flank the main entrance to the stadium. Like the Rookie of the Year cards, the Legends series is thoughtfully integrated with landscaping elements around it: perforated aluminum panels allow greenery to peek through the pieces as it grows.

Working with the Dodgers and their concessions partners, YDI created names, brand identities, and signage for new concession stands, paying homage to Los Angeles culture and architecture. Some standout moments included wrapping mobile stands like the vintage lowrider ice cream truck, fire engine beer stand, and Mastercard “Tap & Go” box truck and trailer.

The Center Field Plaza celebrates one of the most storied and well-run franchises in the history of baseball. YDI is proud to have worked on creating a complete fan experience with attention to the smallest details, like the Dodgers logo punch-cut into the stadium’s blue chair backs.

YDI was also responsible for developing a wayfinding signage system to be used throughout Dodger Stadium. A street pole-style sign points visitors in four directions, and a series of illustrative murals guide fans to the newly-designed Center Field Plaza. YDI created these murals with influence from Dodgers archival graphics and mid-century formal elements while still incorporating the necessary directional information for successful wayfinding.

One of our final tasks was to capture the spirit of the updated plaza in several print pieces for the Dodgers prior to the stadium’s official reopening in June of 2021. We created a map rendering that highlights the Plaza’s new features for the visitors’ guide, and a series of three vintage-inspired posters that fit the stadium’s mid-century modern design aesthetic.