Designing your cycling clothing is an exciting prospect, isn’t it? But how does the process of designing cycling clothing work? Do I have to design something myself, or do you do it? Will I interact with your designer? Who is that, by the way? Here’s a glimpse of the products you can design. Let us show you how to design your own cycling kit.<\/p>\n
My name is Melvin Kramer, 29 years old, and I am the designer at TD Sportswear. Let me tell you a bit more about the design process for your sports apparel. Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by cycling. Michael Boogerd winning solo on Alpe D’huez and the battle between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck on the Tourmalet are moments that have always stuck with me. In 2016, I started studying Communication & Multimedia at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Here, I developed my skills as a designer. The combination of cycling and design came naturally to me.<\/p>\n
I’d like to give you some insight into the design process I go through with you. You might be wondering how a cycling clothing design comes about. Often, both the client and I have no idea how the clothing should look. Sometimes, there’s a vague idea already. Plenty of possibilities! Let me walk you through the following steps to explain exactly how it works.<\/p>\n
Clients often bring in examples found on the internet. A great starting point! In these cases, I always try to inject my own ideas into them. Offering alternatives is important to me. It sparks enthusiasm, which is exactly what we need!<\/p>\n
After determining the rough expectations, it’s time for colors and logos. Based on this, I make a few proposals. These contribute to a better understanding of the exact desires. It gives the client a clear idea of the possibilities. It’s important to continuously receive feedback and suggestions on the design.<\/p>\n
The next step in the process is optimizing the design. This involves adjusting a proposal or adding details. I personally love details because they make the shirt truly personal. Examples of details include a small logo or accent on the collar or sleeve. Here are some examples of shirts with small details incorporated:<\/p>\n
Once the design is satisfactory, it’s ready for production. We always make a test print on a piece of fabric first. This allows us to check the colors and logos, so we can make any necessary adjustments. As a client, you can be involved in this process, ensuring a great end product. Here’s what a test print looks like:<\/p>\n