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ADIDAS

STREET SPORT CAPSULE DESIGN FOR ADIDAS ORIGINALS

I was shortlisted to the final round once again at Adidas, this time for the position of Assistant Graphic Designer – Apparel Speed 100 – Originals, Basketball & Partnerships.
A heartfelt thank you to Sara Perticarini, Alexander Hughes, Patricia Pfeiffer, and Josh Segal for their time and insights. Huge gratitude to Mirko Oswini for facilitating this opportunity and a special thanks to Christiaan Barnard. The research, design process, and final collection received high praise. Although I wasn’t selected, I thoroughly enjoyed working on the project brief and valued the chance to showcase my skills. This experience has been truly enriching, and I’m eager to explore future opportunities with the same passion and dedication.

PROJECT BRIEF

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WHY BMX X ADIDAS?

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To create a compelling capsule collection, it’s essential to highlight why BMX culture aligns seamlessly with Adidas Originals.

BMX is Rooted in Rebellion → BMX emerged from underground youth culture, just like skateboarding and streetwear.

Its all about street-driven aesthetic → BMX riders thrive in urban environments, from city streets to skateparks. The raw energy of BMX naturally blends with the gritty, stylish, and functional nature of Originals apparel.

The golden era of BMX aligns with Adidas Originals' strong retro influence, making it a perfect fit for the brand’s storytelling.

 

BMX also Freestyle debuted in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and was a massive hit, bringing a new audience to the sport. Nigel Sylvester, a professional BMX rider’s sneaker drops sell out instantly, proving BMX’s demand in fashion. YouTube & Red Bull Media House are pushing BMX-focused content harder than ever. More young people are shifting from traditional team sports to alternative action sports (BMX, skateboarding, parkour).

MARKET RESEARCH : BRANDS : TAPPING INTO THE BMX COMMUNITY

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Coming to the market research, there are few brands that taps into the BMX community. Vans has a deep-rooted connection with BMX, dating back to the late ’70s.For the 40th anniversary collection, Vans dropped a BMX inspired collection featuring retro-inspired graphics and checkerboard patterns, highlighting the sport’s influence on streetwear and skate culture. Lee Pipes, originally a ’90s denim sub-label from Lee Jeans, has made a comeback by tapping into the nostalgia of skateboarding and BMX culture. Nigel Sylvester,  known for pushing boundaries, teamed up with Jordan Brand to create the "Brick By Brick" collection, celebrating his journey and the BMX culture. The collection blends streetwear and sportswear aesthetics, featuring bold graphics, utilitarian details, and a mix of oversized and performance-driven fits. This collaboration highlights the increasing crossover between BMX and mainstream sneaker/apparel culture, proving that BMX has a strong influence beyond just the sport.

CONSUMER BOARD

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WGSN TREND REPORT : GRAPHIC DIRECTION

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REFERENCES FOR GRAPHIC DIRECTION : BRANDS TAPPING INTO THE #BADGEDUP TREND

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MOOD BOARD

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The inspiration and the mood board for the collection represents the BMX community that celebrates both men and women on the field. It encapsulates the raw energy, rebellion, and style of BMX culture. The dominant yellow and black color scheme immediately grabs attention, creating a high-impact visual identity that aligns well with Adidas Originals’ bold aesthetic.

WGSN COLOUR FORECAST TO COLOUR PALETTE

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According to WGSN, there is a palette that features industrial greys and yellows. The report also sheds light on the metallic colour and finishes for both 2025 and 2026. This is also a good palette for BMX inspired capsule collection. Most BMX frames and parts comes in matte black for a timeless tough look and it’s also the fountain colour for the gear. BMX frames often features brushed metal or raw steel finishes. BMX also has punk and rave influences, where bright colours stands out. 

 

WGSN says that the key trend for the year is motor club graphics. There are reports that states that GenZ are very much into extreme sports, and Moto inspired designs provide bold and commercially appealing update to streetwear, sportswear and varsity styles. Deep diving into further, there is a direction for graphics which highlights the badged up designs. Basically designs that looks like as if badges are stacked up. 

HAND SKETCHES

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FINAL MOTIFS

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FINAL ARTWORKS

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AOP STYLE

CREATIVE ARTISTIC DRIVEN STYLE

COMMERCIAL DRIVEN GRAPHIC STYLE

CAD APPLICATION

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© 2025 by Neeraja P Nair

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