The Journey

Photos, notes, and caffeinated exploration

‘HARMONIC RIFF’

The design language of the Harmonic Riff collection embodies the sounds and rhythms of a race day. From the whir of freewheels to the roar of the crowd, brilliant riffs of harmonic coloru wrap around the rider with pure sound energy in motion, mirroring the impact the team has in the peloton.

“In a song, a constant tension of riffs and progressions draw and hold our attention,” says designer Mckenzie Sampson. “Ebbs and flows provide a framework for a song and make room for launch points, whether that’s a breakdown, a lead, or a solo. But at the end of the day, everything is built around that consistent harmonic flow.”

 
 

Onward and upward to Canyon bikes. Working to help elevate Canyon apparel design through product design, graphic exploration, and art direction.

SD WORX Team Kit -

Main focus on kit apparel execution. Tired of the mundane team apparel currently in the peloton. We focused this kit on the boldest saturated colors using a bitmap to zone the gradients and maintain the brightest saturation of color.

In 2018, We set out to disrupt the custom apparel industry within cycling. We created a new segment of specialized business and built it from the ground up. Our goal was to build a design first custom business model that could be a creative outlet for individuals as well as help promote global teams, retailers, and events.

  • Redesign and develop apparel styles specific to a custom business needs. Initially focused on a Minimum viable product model.

  • Launch the custom business globally while working directly with key accounts and markets.

  • Provide and build an exceptional global design team

  • Be a conduit for the global design team in helping to grow and build the business

  • Continue to design new quick-turn apparel styles and accessories to grow with the market in custom.

  • Work directly with account managers to leverage the Specialized retailer base and get a foothold in the custom market.

 
 

DRAWING ON THE RIDE SIDE: SPECIALIZED X MCKENZIE SAMPSON RHC

Trimble Racing’s Red Hook Crit was held in Brooklyn last weekend, unleashing a torrent of kaleidoscopic colors and graphics down a 1.13km loop for 26 laps. It’s a sponsorship spectacle, with brands clamouring to seen above the visual din.

McKenzie Sampson is the Apparel and Technical Graphics Designer at Specialized and in contrast, he took a monochromatic approach for the Allez Allez – Specialized team kit and bikes.

Sounds like a dream job, doesn’t it? Despite being one of the US’ most dominant bike brands, Specialized continues to push boundaries creatively; its AWOL project is a good example of the free reign that is granted to their designers and ambassadors.

McKenzie — AKA Samps — has been practising as an illustrator and apparel designer for years, including some interesting projects with the big S, like their fat biking-specific clothing range.

For the team kits and bikes, McKenzie created a two-tone scheme inspired by the street art of Brooklyn, which he applied to two prototype Allez Sprint frames and Roval CLX64 wheels, S-Works Sub6 shoes, S-Works Evade helmets, and S-Works Evade skinsuits.

The frames were painstakingly hand-drawn, with the patterns applied with ink and pens. The scheme was reversed for the two riders — Aldo Ino Ilesic and Colin Strickland — resulting in a yin-yang effect.

The 2016 Red Hook Crit Booklyn was an action-filled event, with a mass crash at the start caused by a stalled motorcycle. That didn’t dissuade Colin and Aldo, though, placing 1st and 3rd respectively. No doubt McKenzie’s artwork was a contributing factor.

FILED UNDER FIXED GEAR BIKES TAGGED BIKE BRANDS FROM THE USA | PUBLISHED MAY 2, 2016

 
 

Having the chance to work alongside my idols was always a dream of mine. When the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to design apparel and create graphics catered to the athletes. We continued to create some of the wildest and most innovative kits in the market and helped progress the industry standard toward what it is today.

Feedback Loop:

Being able to rely on direct feedback from athletes is fundamental in the design and development of Specialized apparel. Adjusted materials, features, and fits allow the athletes to compete at their best and create the best apparel in the market.

Designing gloves and apparel for the likes of Troy Brosnan, Curtis Keene, Hannah Barnes, and Jared Graves.