System:
Designing for the Everyday Grappler
Type:
Art Direction & Graphic Design
Role:
Designer
Graphics Coordinator
Designing for the Everyday Grappler
Type:
Art Direction & Graphic Design
Role:
Designer
Graphics Coordinator
Apparel for Life Between Work, Sweat, and Community
This project explores how technical performance apparel can support people not only in movement, but in everyday life.
Designed for working professionals who train jiu jitsu in the middle or at the end of their day, this collection addresses the physical, emotional, and social transitions between work, training, and personal life.
Inspired by downtown Vancouver’s jiu jitsu community, I created a system of garments including a competition rashguard kit, community merch tees, and a post-training cotton hoodie. All rooted in function, comfort, and connection.
This case study reflects my approach to design as both performance-driven and human-centred: creating garments that support movement, identity, and belonging.
Designed for working professionals who train jiu jitsu in the middle or at the end of their day, this collection addresses the physical, emotional, and social transitions between work, training, and personal life.
Inspired by downtown Vancouver’s jiu jitsu community, I created a system of garments including a competition rashguard kit, community merch tees, and a post-training cotton hoodie. All rooted in function, comfort, and connection.
This case study reflects my approach to design as both performance-driven and human-centred: creating garments that support movement, identity, and belonging.
Who I Designed For
Working professionals in downtown Vancouver who train jiu jitsu alongside their careers.
This includes therapists, healthcare workers, game developers, creatives, and operations professionals. People who train either mid-day or in the evening, then return to their work, families, or personal routines.
This includes therapists, healthcare workers, game developers, creatives, and operations professionals. People who train either mid-day or in the evening, then return to their work, families, or personal routines.
Their day often looks like:
Work → Train → Work → Home
or
Work → Train → Café / Family / Social Life
Work → Train → Work → Home
or
Work → Train → Café / Family / Social Life
Apparel must move seamlessly between performance and lifestyle.
The gym lacked a cohesive identity for competitions and community events.
Members wanted:
1 - a unified rashguard set
2 - breathable post-training layers
3 - apparel that could transition out of the gym
4 - clothing that represented the gym culture beyond the mat
Members wanted:
1 - a unified rashguard set
2 - breathable post-training layers
3 - apparel that could transition out of the gym
4 - clothing that represented the gym culture beyond the mat
The opportunity was not just to design clothing, but to build a system that supports performance, comfort, and belonging.
The System
I designed a three-piece apparel ecosystem:
1- Technical rashguard and shorts set for training and competition
2 - Community tees for events, competitions, and support
3 - A cotton recovery hoodie for post-training wear
Together, they function as both performance equipment and cultural identity.
Designed for unpredictable, full-body movement.
Jiu jitsu requires flexibility, durability, and adaptability across every direction of movement.
This kit was created to support folding, extension, compression, rotation, and constant contact with the mat, not just static sport motion.
Jiu jitsu requires flexibility, durability, and adaptability across every direction of movement.
This kit was created to support folding, extension, compression, rotation, and constant contact with the mat, not just static sport motion.
Designed as a wearable identity.
The tee unified the team at competitions while being wearable beyond the gym.
Red was chosen for energy, visibility, and passion, worn with pride in high-pressure environments.
The tee unified the team at competitions while being wearable beyond the gym.
Red was chosen for energy, visibility, and passion, worn with pride in high-pressure environments.
A recovery layer designed for life after training.
Created using 100% cotton to prioritize:
1 - comfort on sweaty skin
2 - breathability
3 - durability
4 - sustainability
Created using 100% cotton to prioritize:
1 - comfort on sweaty skin
2 - breathability
3 - durability
4 - sustainability
The graphic and quote “Come for the submissions, stay for the friendships” reflects the emotional core of the community.
Results
1 - daily wear of the hoodie by athletes
2 - consistent adoption of competition rashguards
3 - strong emotional response to the graphics
4 - increased sense of identity among gym members
Apparel became a unifying symbol, not just gear.
Growth & Learning
If I were to relaunch this today:
1 - I would upgrade to premium compression fabrics
2 - explore recycled fibers
3 - develop engineered stretch panels
4 - introduce anti-odour yarns
5 - refine pattern engineering based on wear testing
The project continues to shape my understanding of movement-led and circular design.