How Briony Douglas Turned The Canadian Grand Prix Into Wearable Art

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Toronto-based visual artist and photographer Briony Douglas put the pedal to the metal—using her iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro to create a collection of racing-inspired stickers designed to transform AirPods Max into one-of-a-kind accessories. Blending motorsport energy with her signature artistic style, the project is a playful reminder that technology can be a powerful creative tool. We caught up with Briony to talk about designing on iPad, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and why personalizing the everyday has become the ultimate form of self-expression. —Noa Nichol

The Canadian Grand Prix is as much a style and culture event as it is a sporting one. How did you capture the energy of race weekend in your custom sticker designs? 

I loved the opportunity to create Formula 1 stickers for our “girl gang” in a way that felt edgy, fun, and anything but boring. I incorporated my love of Y2K aesthetics, which are having such a huge moment right now, and blended that with racing culture. The result was a collection that felt playful, fashion-forward, and reflective of the energy you experience during Grand Prix weekend both on and off the track.

You’ve built a distinctive visual style as both an artist and photographer. What elements of your creative aesthetic made their way into this racing-inspired collection?

A lot of my work is created with women in mind, but not necessarily in ways that are traditionally feminine. For this collection, I leaned into chrome finishes, neon accents, bold typography, and of course flames. I wanted the designs to feel powerful, confident, and a little rebellious while still being fun and approachable.

These stickers were created entirely on iPad Pro with Apple Pencil Pro. How has working digitally changed or expanded the way you approach your creative process?

My iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro are tools I genuinely can’t live without. They’ve completely transformed the way I create by allowing me to move from idea to execution incredibly quickly. I’ve used them to design everything from 40-foot murals celebrating iconic Canadian moments to artwork for some of the world’s biggest brands, and most recently, the 60-foot seating installation for RBC Amphitheatre. Having that creative freedom in a portable format has expanded what’s possible for me as an artist.

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Racing is all about speed, precision, and performance. Do you see any parallels between the world of motorsport and the creative process?

Absolutely. The biggest parallel for me is competition—mostly with myself. As an artist, I’m constantly pushing to create work that’s better than what I made yesterday. Just like drivers are always looking for those extra fractions of a second, I’m always looking for ways to improve my craft. I’ve learned that when I get out of my own way and trust the process, that’s usually when the best work happens.

AirPods Max have become something of a fashion accessory in their own right. What do you love about giving everyday tech products a more personal, artistic identity?

I have ADHD, so variety is something that genuinely helps keep my mind engaged and inspired. I love that AirPods Max can become an extension of your personal style. Being able to switch up the artwork on my AirPods Max depending on my mood, outfit, or current obsession makes something I use every day feel much more personal and creative.

You’ve used iPad Pro for a wide range of creative projects. What are some of the features or tools you find yourself relying on most when turning an idea into a finished piece?

Procreate is where everything starts for me. It’s incredibly intuitive, which allows me to focus on creating rather than figuring out software. I use it for sketching concepts, refining ideas, testing colour palettes, and creating finished artwork. Combined with Apple Pencil Pro, it feels like the closest thing to drawing on paper while still giving me all the flexibility of working digitally.

For aspiring artists who may be looking at your work and wondering where to begin, what advice would you give about using technology as a tool for creativity rather than a limitation?

Don’t wait until you have the perfect setup to start creating. Technology should remove barriers, not create them. Some of my biggest opportunities have started as simple sketches on my iPad while sitting on the couch or waiting at an airport. Focus on developing your ideas and your voice first—the technology is simply the tool that helps bring them to life. The best creative tool is always the one that helps you start.