Action Shot Videos
Photo of Garments
Background Analysis & Research
Intersection of Aesthetics and Functionality for Cyclists
Market Analysis
Cycling Pro Brands: Positioned in the top-right quadrant
Cycling Commuter Brands: Positioned Bottom left quadrant
Consumer Demand
Urban explorers and commuter cyclists seek apparel that transitions seamlessly from bike to streetwear.
Brands like ROA and Satisfy prove there’s demand for functional yet stylish clothing.
Strategy
Develop commuter-friendly features like reflectivity and sleeve articulation.
Focus on a more advanced commuter, someone who uses it as a means of transportation multiple times a week
Target Audience
Persona - Sebastian Chen
Demographic Profile
28 years old
UX designer
Professional navigating life in Seoul, Berlin, or San Francisco
Allocates 10% of income to technical apparel/gear
Psychographic Drivers
Environmental consciousness
Mindful living
Owning fewer but higher quality possessions that serve multiple purposes
Community connection
Behavioral Patterns
Cycling is a daily ritual
Modern day nomad
Mindful consumer
Organized life
Aspirational Identity
A balanced achiever between work, health and fulfillment
Everyday adventurer, taking the long way home everyday
Experiences over everything, buys gear to do his favorite activities as good as possible
Goals & Objectives
Innovation in Development
01
Fit & Size Analysis
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Analyze brand sizing systems using statistical tools and size mapping.
Apply AI to run competitive sizing analyses 5× faster with higher accuracy.
02
Material Development
Ideation stage of material development; how can we take insights from interviews and translate to concepts for fabric mills using 3D printing?
Using 3D modeling/Grasshopper to communicate fabric concepts for a competitive edge
03
Developing an Ecosystem
Creating this collection with a user-centric design philosophy and thinking about packability and garment features.
Generating functional features based off of real user insights to develop innovative products setting garments apart from competitors
Functional Criteria:
Secure Pockets Catered to Items
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Breathability & Temperature Regulation
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Weather Adaptable Pieces
Creating this collection with a user-centric design philosophy and thinking about packability and garment features.
Generating functional features based off of real user insights to develop innovative products setting garments apart from competitors
Modularity & Packability
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Visibility & Reflectivity
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Fit for Motion
Creating this collection with a user-centric design philosophy and thinking about packability and garment features.
Generating functional features based off of real user insights to develop innovative products setting garments apart from competitors
Aesthetic Criteria:
Versatile, “Normal” Off-Bike Appearance
Creating this collection with a user-centric design philosophy and thinking about packability and garment features.
Generating functional features based off of real user insights to develop innovative products setting garments apart from competitors
Subtle Integration of Technical Features
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Personal Style Expression
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
Minimal Compromise on Fashion
Creating this collection with a user-centric design philosophy and thinking about packability and garment features.
Generating functional features based off of real user insights to develop innovative products setting garments apart from competitors
INTRODUCTION / THE BRIEF (Slide 2)
Why: Establish context and your unique market positioning. Shows you understand WHERE the opportunity exists (the gap between functional and refined).
Project title and tagline
The market gap you're addressing
Your design philosophy (functional minimalism)
Scope: 3 Looks, 6 Garments, ecosystem thinking
Brief overview of your approach to depth
MARKET & TARGET USER (Slides 3-7)
Why: Demonstrates strategic thinking. Shows you're not designing in a vacuum—you understand demographics, psychographics, and why THIS user matters.
Competitive Matrix (where brands sit on functionality vs. aesthetics spectrum)
Market opportunity data (age groups, purchase intent, growth trends)
Target persona introduction (Sebastian Chen)
Key behavioral/psychographic insights about your user
Why this user needs Kinetic
USER RESEARCH FOUNDATION (Slides 9-10)
Why: Proves your design decisions come from users, not assumptions. This is where you demonstrate you listen before you sketch.
Overview of user interviews conducted
Functional criteria discovered (from interviews)
Aesthetic criteria discovered (from interviews)
Key quotes or insights that shaped your direction
Transition to showing HOW you solve for these needs
COMPETITIVE SIZING ANALYSIS - PART 1
Why: Shows unique technical skill and data-driven thinking. Sizing analysis is rare for designers—this differentiates you and proves you think beyond aesthetics into manufacturing/fit strategy.
Research goal: Understanding if commuter cycling has an industry-standard fit
List of 10-15 competitor brands analyzed
Explanation of what you compared (size boxes, measurements, fit philosophy)
Visual comparison showing variance across brands
Key finding: Lack of standardization = opportunity
YOUR SIZING PHILOSOPHY - PART 2
Why: Shows how you take research insights and turn them into STRATEGIC positioning. Proves you can make defensible design decisions backed by data.
Your approach: How you'll use Size USA anthropometric data
Specific sizing decisions (rise height, waist range, hip measurements)
Rationale: How cycling posture informed your measurements
Application to all garments (not just overpants)
Competitive advantage statement: What makes your sizing different/better
Expected outcome: How this reduces fit anxiety for buyers
Include test garments in this section
PACKABILITY PROCESS - PART 1 (THE PROBLEM)
Why: Introduces your first major depth section. Shows you identify real user pain points and frame them as design challenges, not feature requests.
User insight: What commuters struggle with (managing overpants at office)
Specific pain points discovered in research
Design question you asked yourself
Constraints you set (size, weight, aesthetic integration)
Why this matters to the user journey
PACKABILITY PROCESS - PART 2 (IDEATION)
Why: Demonstrates iterative design thinking. Shows you explored OPTIONS before settling on one—this is professional design process, not jumping to first idea.
Concept sketches (5-7 different packability systems explored)
Explanation of each concept (what it is, why you considered it)
Design rationale: Why certain concepts were rejected
How you validated concepts (user testing? feasibility checks?)
Selection of winning concept with reasoning
PACKABILITY PROCESS - PART 3 (IMPLEMENTATION)
Why: Proves you can execute on concepts. Shows technical design ability (specs, materials, manufacturing considerations) and user validation.
Final packability system specifications
How the mechanism works (step-by-step or visual explanation)
Material choices and durability considerations
Dimensions when packed / weight / usability metrics
User implementation: How a commuter actually uses this in their workflow
Validation: Did testers confirm this works in real use?
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT - PART 1 (THE PROBLEM)
Why: Introduces your second major depth section. Shows innovation mindset—you didn't accept existing material solutions, you questioned them and found a gap.
Research insight: The problem with static conditions (heat buildup)
How standard solutions fall short (mesh only works with airflow)
Design question: What if we approached thermal regulation differently?
Your hypothesis: Can shape + stretch + strategic design mitigate dead-air zones?
Why this innovation matters to commuter experience
SLIDE 13: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION & CONCLUSION
Why: Closes the loop by proving everything works in real conditions. Also reflects on what you learned—shows maturity and growth mindset.
PART A: The Collection
Line plan: All 6 garments with key specs and price points
Technical overview of each garment (main features, materials, fit philosophy)
Visual: Flats or product photography showing finished garments
PART B: Field Testing & User Validation
Who tested: Demographics of test group
Duration and conditions: Real-world wear scenarios
Direct quotes from testers (specific feedback on each product attribute)
Quantified results: Fit satisfaction, packability usability, wearability scores
Durability and performance data (if tested)
Visual: Lifestyle photography of testing in action + detail shots
MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT - PART 2 (PROTOTYPING)
Why: Demonstrates technical skill with emerging tools (3D printing). Shows you're comfortable with production-relevant prototyping and experimentation.
Prototyping approach: 3D printing + TPU experimentation (using UMN Makerspaces)
Why TPU: Material properties that make it suitable for this application
Swatch exploration: 3-4 different patterns/approaches tested
What each swatch solved for + trade-offs of each
Selection process: Which swatch performed best and why
Testing metrics: Thermal performance, durability, aesthetic integration
Feedback: How does this look/feel/function in context?
SLIDE 13: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION & CONCLUSION
Why: Closes the loop by proving everything works in real conditions. Also reflects on what you learned—shows maturity and growth mindset.
PART A: The Collection
Line plan: All 6 garments with key specs and price points
Technical overview of each garment (main features, materials, fit philosophy)
Visual: Flats or product photography showing finished garments
PART B: Field Testing & User Validation
Who tested: Demographics of test group
Duration and conditions: Real-world wear scenarios
Direct quotes from testers (specific feedback on each product attribute)
Quantified results: Fit satisfaction, packability usability, wearability scores
Durability and performance data (if tested)
Visual: Lifestyle photography of testing in action + detail shots
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
Why: Demonstrates reflection and learning. Shows you extract lessons from projects (professional maturity). Ties everything back to your identity as a designer.
What Research Taught You: How user insights changed your assumptions
What Data Taught You: How sizing analysis became a competitive advantage
What Material Innovation Taught You: How 3D printing enables new possibilities
What Packability Taught You: How constraints drive elegant solutions
What Craftsmanship Taught You: How quality execution elevates innovation
Professional Outcomes Achieved
List of concrete deliverables (market-ready designs, validated solutions, etc.)
Skills demonstrated (user research, data analysis, material innovation, technical execution)
Why This Positions You for the Role
Statement connecting project back to technical designer/active wear designer roles
Brief note on transferability of these skills to industry roles
Visual Closing
Polished final image: Full lookbook style OR lifestyle photoshoot OR brand positioning visual
Should feel complete and professional (this is their last impression)