Action Shot Videos
Introduction
Built for Motion, Designed for Life
Kinetic explores the intersection of technical performance and refined design sensibilities for commuter cyclist gear, a gap in the market.
Creating garments that seamlessly transition from bike to streetwear.
Integrates commuter-centric innovations to enhance the cycling experience.
Focuses on depth in creation of collection, thinking on how apparel harmonizes with the broader cycling ecosystem and material development.
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
Secure Pockets Catered to Items
Deep dive into cycling motion and how it affects garment fit and construction.
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
Research & Exploration
Turning Interview Criteria into Functional Features
Pocket Security
Items feel insecure or uncomfortable in pockets, so riders use backpacks but want better access.
Materials like nylon-spandex stretch and mesh cargo pockets placed lower on the leg can improve comfort and access.
Pants vs. Chain
Wide leg pants get tangled in bike chains or stained with grease, so many cyclists avoid wearing them altogether.
Solutions: elastic straps, paracord systems, durable/washable material panels at the ankle to keep pants safe and clean.
Accessory Implementation
Riders want accessories integrated into gear for personal expression.
Enable self-customization: swappable parts and removable details.
Example: swappable zipper pulls using open source 3D printing files.
Ventilation Variability
Riders feel ventilation in gear isn’t effective enough, especially due to limiting mesh.
Suggest variable systems: half mesh, half open for flexible airflow.
Place laser-cut vents at the knee, with backward flow behind the knee for increased comfort.
Research & Exploration
Fit & Size Analysis
This project deeply integrates and investigates size and fit in the development of garments. For this project, I conducted an in-depth size analysis of competitors to understand their sizing systems and identify potential market opportunities.
Once I completed my analysis, I developed 3–4 test garments in my first look (technical rain gear) to refine the fit and ensure that all aspects of the garment pattern adhere to a comfortable fit that enhances performance.
I will review my original size analysis, my in-depth exploration of test garments and design philosophy, as well as various pattern features developed to ensure a proper fit.
In this size box analysis, I compared measurements from eight cycling brands to see how they size their bottoms for consumers. I also wanted to find out if these brands use real anthropometric (body measurement) data when creating their sizing systems.
To be a competitior in the activewear and outerwear space, you need to have a deep understanding of fit and garment construction to develop successful products. Great fit creates great products and therefore, a great reputation and sustainable competitive advantage.
Most of the brands follow the SizeUSA data trend line, but Ripton stands out as an outlier. Some brands don’t include full size boxes and only list one measurement per size, which is a flaw in their system. In mass production, you can’t make a separate garment for each individual size, you need a range that adjusts slightly for different consumers.
From this analysis, I knew I had to have a garment that can span a range of measurements (in this case, I created the test garments according to my body measurements) so implementing an adjustable waistband and using a stretch woven fabric is necessary to develop this product. If I were to manufacture this garment, I now have a resource I can show the manufacturer for a sizing system based of real anthropometric data.
The brand measurement data and model shown above were created with a deep understanding of AI, prompt engineering, and Perplexity.
You can follow these prompt chain here
Pattern Features for Fit & Performance Success
Articulated Sleeves + Knees + Legs
Shaped patterns to reflect the body's curves and postures when cycling, however, not too obstructive to wear off of the bike.
Specifically seen in the following parts of the body:
Arms, sleeves are slightly curved to mimic bent posture of arms when on a bike, as well as natural resting position of the arms
Legs, the entire side panel on the overpant is slightly bent to allow for movement when cycling
Knees, darts added to the knees to allow for more room and less tightness when legs are in cycling motion
Ease Implementation
Implementing ease in certain areas to allow for less tightness when cycling, creating more movement and less friction.
Adjustability
Elements of adjustability to account for different states of riding the bike, as well as life off of the bike
High Rise
Adding a higher rise improves comfort and waistband stability while biking, since the bent-forward position requires extra coverage and support.
Test Garments
To find a perfect fit for these performance garments, I developed 3-4 test garments for Look 1 (rain jacket + overpants). I follow a philosophy of act fast and fail later.
These test garments were developed in the span of a day at a time, with the first one understanding fit at its most basic form of the bodice. Once I nail down the most basic fit of the garment, I delve into the features and explore possible solutions to fit errors.
I also think it is important to test out these garments whilst performing the activity they are designed for. For this project, I took each test garment, and rode by bike with them to understand how cycling impacts the fit of the garments. Dynamically testing these garments ensure that both the fit of the garment and the functional features act in harmony.
Research & Exploration
Material Development
To create a true competitive advantage in the activewear and outerwear world, you need to understand materials and how to develop unique products. For this project, I explored material development with 3D printing.
My goal is to act with the beginners mind and with these prints to communicate a concept with a fabric mill.
Development Opportunity
The key insight I found from my interviews with commuter cyclists is that commuter cyclists tend to get warm when they are stopped since there is no airflow, however, when they start riding again they cool off.
I thought, what if there was a textile structure that when they are stopped allows for more air flow, and when they are cycling it tightens up to allow for less airflow?
To start, I used Grasshopper to generate different patterns that might emulate this concept. I then extruded them out in Rhino and exported it to 3D print.
To emulate fabric yarns, I removed the top layer and bottom layer in the G-code and used a gyroid infill
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
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?
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?
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
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)