Collections

Each collection employs unifying elements: logos, colors, fabric, cut and design elements, to give the entire collection a cohesive feel. From year to year, we examine what was done in the past and couple that with the latest design ideas, trends and technology to create an ever-evolving and growing brand.

Catalogs

Dealer catalogs are often the first look at the new season of apparel. Each photograph, each line drawing and every description is given more emphasis. Our attention to the details: drawing each item to scale, illustrating each stitch type, zipper, and trim, all contribute to the image of this high quality and detail-oriented brand.

Logos

The Capo collections have developed to include several levels of technology, fabric spec and cut. We worked with Capo to develop sub-sets of logotypes to signify each of these levels within the collection. The logotypes were designed to complement not only the overall look and feel of the brand, but the design of the apparel within each level – considering the color palette and even the target audience for the particular pieces.

Padrone

Cyan / Roma

Martello

Dorato

Turismo

Cipressa

Ispra

Bacio

Arona

Photos: © Forrest Arakawa

Part I: May-June

May and June were very busy. Mostly dedicated to a total rebranding of Team Columbia Highroad to Team Columbia-HTC, along wrapping up the new 2010 Spring/Summer collection for Capo.

New Sponsor = very busy designer

Funny thing about sponsorship… in my experience, it doesn’t seem to make a difference whether or not you’re a local club or one of the best teams in the world, sponsorship always seems to come down to the 11th hour. Not sure why, but I’ve always seen it work out this way – for my own team as well as for others. This poses a huge challenge for the designer, since sponsorship in large part is what you see in person, on TV, etc. The image of a team is an essential component to making this all work.

With Columbia-HTC we had about 3 weeks to nail everything. It’s not like there was any time to test anything out, the rebrand had to be ready for the biggest race in the world: the Tour de France. No pressure.

We started with what we knew worked and tossed out everything else. The previous Columbia-Highroad design had quite a reception: both good and bad, but all of it was attention for the team. It made a big impact – people were talking about it – and that was our goal. So, we took that design and evolved it into something that would compliment the new sponsor – HTC. Being a mobile phone company and having a very tech savvy brand, we needed to take something that was more edgy and raw and refine it, streamline it, sand the corners off and give it a more modern and integrated feel.

In the end, a lot of the same general concepts were still there, they were just executed in a way that would compliment both the existing partners, as well as the new one. This idea carried through the new clothing, vehicles, and marketing materials.

Take a look at some of the cycling news and photo websites for some great shots of the new kit:

http://www.tdwsport.com

http://www.grahamwatson.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com

http://www.velonews.com

Thinking about 2010 in 2009

One of the challenges of working with a company that produces a collection each season is trying to stay ahead of the curve of what people like and create something new and different from the previous (or current) collection. With Capo, they’re always trying to push forward and do something different with design. They’re always looking for new technology they can incorporate as well as new trends in fashion/design that they might be able to incorporate into their collection.

For 2010, Capo has a lot of new technology, new cuts and new fabric. We wanted to be able to showcase that in the design, as well as continue to push the envelope with the design to keep that trademark Capo flair. With seven kits in the line up, there’s something for everyone and we’re hoping for another great reception from the public when these hit the shops in the late winter/early spring.

Check out Capo’s website for more info:

http://www.uplandsg.com

In addition, there are several new projects in the works. The Inland Inferno Tri Club will be getting a new logo refresh and a new website in the coming months and we’re working on a non-cycling website and logo design for Retail Control Systems (although Dave is an avid cycling/outdoor enthusiast).

It’s been a very busy spring and signs point to it continuing… through the Tour? Stay Tuned.

Capo 2010

Wrapping up the spring/summer 2010 collection with Capo. There are six new designs as well as some returning favorites. Totally new look, new fabrics and technology – all-around an awesome collection that should suit a wide range of Capo fans. Looking forward to hearing some of the feedback. We’ll post some sketches here soon.

Giro 100

It’s the 100th year of the Giro d’Italia this year and we’ve been working with High Road Sports on creating something special for the event. Take a close look at the new jersey on Stage 2, which will be used throughout the three week tour of Italy.

We’ve also done several invites to media events for Columbia-Highroad focused around the Giro.

Boston Performance Coaching

A new kit design for Boston Performance Coaching is now in production. Expected arrival is mid-June.

Team GoGreen

The Sinapore-based Team GoGreen finalized their kit recently and will be moving on to production with Capo in the coming weeks. Here’s the design (below) Look familiar? Tom at GoGreen contacted us a while back now about doing a design for the team. He liked the Sheehan Graphic Design Kit so much, that he wanted me to come up with an adaptation that would work with GoGreen and the team colors (red, black, white). It came out really nice and should match their Pinarellos really nicely… looking forward to seeing this one post-production.

Drummond Custom Cycles

We’ve finally wrapped up the new Drummond Custom Cycles website. The launch is imminent. This is a really nice refresh of their current site, giving the small, yet personal and sophisticated shop the attention it deserves. Dick Drummond is a great guy. If you’re ever in the Enfield, NH area, stop in and check it out…

Cima

Monza

Tomba

Cipressa

Stella

Photos © James Garrahan / © Forrest Arakawa

Team Columbia – Highroad

Our work with Columbia-Highroad didn’t stop when I left Mallorca from the team camp. In fact, it became more busy with the Tour of California – America’s largest Pro stage race – only weeks away. We worked closely with Highroad’s marketing dept. Ellen and Kristy, as well as owner Bob Stapleton, to develop some new media for the event. This included numerous things, from posters, tents and signage for media events and displays, to disc wheel designs and ‘TechDev’ logo and decal designs for the time trial equipment.

Everything was designed to encapsulate the image that we’d developed with the cycling kit, while streamlining and simplifying the design to better adapt to the many different mediums that Highroad requires. It’s been a fun and challenging process and in hindsight, turned out really well.

It has been great following the team this season where they’ve already had some excellent success with the team racking up the wins in some of the most prestigious races in the world. It’s always great to see your work on the world stage, but cycling is that much more special, as the imagery is so dynamic and the events so emotional that it take our work to another level entirely.

Stay tuned for more from Highroad…. in the meantime, check out the Highroad Sports website for race updates and some great action photos of the team: http://www.highroadsports.com

Capo

Upland Sports Group, the owner of Capo Cycling Apparel has recently released their 2009 Spring/Summer collection. We worked closely with Rob and Gary at Capo to create these designs and it’s great to see them post-production and looking great. From what I hear from Rob and Gary, the reception with customers and shop owners is great – they really like the designs.

It’s always fun working with Capo. They have a great eye for something new and different and they allow me the freedom to explore new ideas. Their high quality fabrics and details really make a huge difference – both in function and in design – producing the best sublimated kits in the industry.

Check out all 7 of the Capo in-line kits (Atlas, Verde, Forza, Ronde, Modena, Stella and Fiora) here: http://uplandsg.com/capo

More Cycling…..

Sticking with the theme, we’re also wrapping up some designs for a new HED Cycling factory kit, a Boston Performance Coaching kit and starting a new design for Team GoGreen in Sinapore. I’ll post some final mockups here soon.

We’re also working on a new website for custom frame builder, Dick Drummond. Check back soon for more updates. His current site is located at: http://www.drummondcycles.com

That’s all for now. I’ll be posting some more on the other projects we’ve been working on next.