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As a Freelance Women’s Sports Apparel Designer with technical expertise and extensive experience, I made valuable contributions to the research and development of Janji's groundbreaking women's running collection. My key responsibilities included establishing size grading rules, creating comprehensive tech packs for product development, conducting fittings for initial prototypes, and providing crucial input for bulk production. Through these efforts, I ensured the collection met high standards of performance, fit, and style.
Janji, driven by a profound mission, was established to expand access to clean water in the areas we traverse through running. To actively fulfill this mission, Janji showcases its unwavering commitment by allocating two percent of proceeds from every Janji purchase towards this cause. Furthermore, the entirety of Janji Collective membership fees is dedicated to supporting initiatives focused on providing clean water. Consequently, each Janji product purchased or Janji Collective membership acquired becomes a tangible contribution to improving global water access.
I had the privilege of joining McGarry & Sons, a distinguished sportswear specialty agency led by industry legends Mark McGarry (Principal, Director of Strategy) and Elizabeth McGarry (Principal, Creative Director), to help shape a distinctive visual language for Janji's women's product line. Under the exceptional guidance of Elizabeth McGarry and in collaboration with a team of five highly skilled designers, we created an extraordinary inaugural collection that played a pivotal role in propelling Janji into the sportswear arena. This endeavor proved instrumental in capturing the target audience's attention and establishing Janji as the remarkable brand it is today. More info about Janji Here
Elizabeth McGarry - Creative Director of McGarry & Sons
David Hamm - Design Adviser, Founder of Janji
James Buford - Women's Apparel Designer
Karina Bowie - Graphic Designer
Suegene Lee - Men's Apparel Designer
Yann Weiner - Graphic Designer
Research & Inspiration
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Here’s a look at some of the early product images from Janji's initial collection. The first row showcases a drill top featuring intricate paintwork on the shoulders and sleeve. The third image on the right highlights the heather gray legging, complete with an art intern waistband that includes the brand logo and is designed for effective sweat-wicking. The bottom row displays running shorts with a convenient back pocket for smart device storage. The third image on the right presents a tank top with asymmetrical sleeve piping and neckline color blocking. These images capture some of the standout pieces from the collection.
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During my time as a freelance women’s wear designer at Janji, I was responsible for creating technical packages and managing the fit/spec work required for the collection. This involved conducting early-stage research and developing the technical documents needed for factory production. Given Janji's status as a small brand, I took on the task of creating the spec sheet format and material pages, and even held fittings in my apartment. This role provided a hands-on, scrappy opportunity to innovate and contribute to the brand's development. Additionally, I had to schedule fittings, find people with particular body types, and manage all the necessary data information, which extended far beyond the usual scope of a product apparel designer.
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A significant part of my responsibilities included creating detailed garment specification (spec) sheets, or measurement tables, which are essential technical documents in the production process. These spec sheets look like technical diagrams or sketches of garments, including all necessary measurements and construction details. My role involved meticulously developing these documents to ensure clear communication of design concepts to manufacturers. This comprehensive work was crucial for translating our designs into production-ready pieces, guaranteeing that every garment met our precise standards and vision.
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With over 20 years of experience using Adobe, I've developed a keen eye for initial flat explorations in design. This batch of work highlights the stage where my team and I delved into defining the brand's visual language. It's an exhilarating phase, as we identify iconic details that could become enduring elements of the brand, recognized and cherished by many. This is the most exciting stage of design for me—leaving an indelible mark on a piece that becomes a staple in someone's collection. It's incredibly rewarding to see my products out in the world or notice other brands adopting details I've created. Even if it's coincidental, it reaffirms that I'm on the right track, proving that necessity truly is the mother of invention.
