Ganassi Racing Driver Apparel
The Request:
Marwin Sports approached me with an exciting opportunity: to develop an apparel pitch for two esteemed drivers of Chip Ganassi Racing, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou. With my extensive background in visual design within the motorsports industry, I was eager to deliver a project that would meet their high standards. Marwin Sports aimed to create simple and clean driver fanwear apparel to present to the two drivers, hoping to secure a production contract. The designs needed to be adaptable for production on stock apparel using the provided drivers’ style guides, logos, numbers, and signatures. Additionally, some designs were to be offered as custom-manufactured apparel.
Project Scope:
The scope of the project included designing multiple options for three types of apparel: a t-shirt, a hoodie, and a hat. The designs had to be visually appealing, align with the drivers' personal styles, and adhere to the branding guidelines provided by Marwin Sports and the drivers themselves. The project required thorough research, creativity, and the ability to integrate provided assets into cohesive and marketable designs.
Design Process:
Research and Concept Development:
Upon receiving the drivers’ style guides, I immediately delved into research, examining their personal websites, current designs, clothing styles, and overall marketing tone. This research was crucial to ensure that the designs would resonate with the drivers and their fan base.
Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon's extensive style guide, complete with fonts, color palette, and logos, provided a solid foundation. Leveraging the black, red, and white color scheme, I created a variety of designs that balanced simplicity with intricate details. Accent colors on trims and “ghosted” patterns added subtle sophistication to the apparel, ensuring that each piece was both stylish and true to Dixon’s brand.
Alex Palou
Alex Palou had fewer assets available, but his distinctive gorilla logo offered a unique design element. This logo, used across multiple companies he runs, including a coffee company, inspired a cohesive pattern. Palou’s personal style is simple, clean, and predominantly black, which guided the design direction. I developed clean, minimalist designs incorporating the gorilla logo, aligning perfectly with his understated aesthetic.
Execution and Delivery:
For both drivers, I produced multiple design options for each type of apparel, ensuring variety and adaptability. The designs were presented to Marwin Sports, showcasing how they could be implemented on both stock and custom-manufactured apparel. The final deliverables were well-received, highlighting the seamless blend of simplicity, brand alignment, and visual appeal.
This project with Marwin Sports allowed me to combine my expertise in motorsports visual design with a passion for creating fanwear that truly represents the essence of the drivers.
