OVERVIEW
Brief & Background
Trèski Apparel – A Sheffield-born brand created by a snowsports-loving student, aims to bring sustainability and energy to outdoor adventure wear. Focused on providing vibrant, eco-conscious apparel for ski, snowboard, and mountain enthusiasts, Trèski embodies the spirit of adventure with a commitment to the environment.
INITIAL IDEATION
Born in Sheffield, Trèski Apparel blends the city’s industrial heritage and adventurous spirit with a commitment to sustainability. Inspired by Sheffield’s proximity to the Peak District and its identity as the UK’s “Outdoor City,” the brand celebrates durable, functional design with a creative, indie edge. Combining practical performance wear with bold, illustrative aesthetics, Trèski reflects a new generation of conscious mountain-lovers who value both authenticity and the environment.
Translating Research into Design
- Idea 1: Muted but stark contrasts largely playing with negative space.
- Idea 2: Stylized CG, NPR (non-photorealistic), or hybrid animation: A blend of 2D and 3D techniques, creating a visually distinct look that incorporates hand-painted textures, choppy yet fluid animation, and other elements like pop art and fairy tale painting styles.
Key Connection: Sheffield as a Gritty, Green, and Independent Spirit
Outdoor Adventure Meets Urban Edge/ Where Urban Grit Meets Alpine Spirit
Born in Sheffield—The Outdoor City—this brand draws on the unique intersection of urban resilience and mountain adventure. With its close proximity to the Peak District and deep-rooted identity in outdoor culture, Sheffield offers the perfect backdrop for a ski and mountainwear label that’s built in the city, made for the mountains. The city's steelmaking heritage informs a brand ethos centered around durability, craftsmanship, and minimalist design—reflecting apparel that’s as functional and enduring as it is stylish.
Sustainably Independent by Nature
Tapping into Sheffield’s thriving independent scene, the brand positions itself not just as performance gear, but as a lifestyle rooted in DIY creativity and local pride. It embraces sustainable values through small-batch, low-waste production and collaborations with local printers and artisans. Designed for Gen Z adventurers, it channels an aesthetic of earthy palettes, industrial textures, and playful visual storytelling—blending environmental consciousness with Sheffield’s spirited, self-made energy.
Notes
Style: Non-Photorealistic (NPR, 90s) & Stylized
Artists Inspiration:
Tom Haugomat (French Illustrator)
Fortiche Production SAS
(French Studio, notable Arcane)
Sony Pictures Animation
(American Studio, notable Spiderverse Film Series)
Main creative directors for the Spider-Verse trilogy are Bob Persichetti, Justin K. Thompson, Joaquim Dos Santos, and Kemp Powers. Bob Persichetti and Justin K.
Evolution of Ski Apparel
Purpose of Ski Wear: The main purpose of ski wear is to protect skiers from the cold, wind, and snow while allowing for comfortable movement and freedom of expression.
To connect Sheffield with Trèski‘s sustainable ski apparel brand, especially during the Research & Concept Development stage, consider the city’s cultural, industrial, and geographical identity, and how that can naturally align with your brand's values.
Conceptual Angle for Branding
“From Steel to Snow”
A brand rooted in Sheffield’s raw strength, forged for the challenges of the mountains.
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Play on this in logo design: hard/soft contrasts, icy colours layered over steel grey, or weathered textures in print.
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Narratives in branding could explore how adventure and sustainability can co-exist in a post-industrial, future-facing city.
INITIAL IDEAS - MASCOT, PROMOTIONAL & MERCHANDISING
SCANNED SKETCHES & WORKSPACE - INITIAL IDEAS & STORYBOARD OF GRAFFITI IDEA ON TOP OF ROYALTY FREE PHOTOS & VIDEO CLIP
DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION
The initial design phase involved exploring how to visually represent Trèski Apparel’s balance of urban grit and alpine adventure. I experimented with colour, typography, and layout to align with the brand’s Sheffield roots, its focus on sustainability, and its youthful energy. The early palette featured slate grey to reflect Sheffield’s steel industry, navy for trust and durability, sky blue to symbolise open air and freedom, and coral to bring in a playful, energetic twist.
While these choices had a clear rationale, I soon realised the overall identity felt too safe and lacked the bold, memorable impact the brand deserves. The colours didn’t fully reflect the raw excitement of the outdoors or the spirited edge of Sheffield’s indie culture. The concept felt resolved but not alive—it communicated the message, but didn’t pack the punch I wanted.
Ultimately, this led me to re-evaluate the direction entirely. I now aim to explore a bolder, more expressive identity—something with more attitude, experimental edge, and emotional resonance. Moving forward, I want to lean harder into the playful DIY aesthetic, embrace more unconventional typography and textures, and create a look that feels truly fresh and reflective of the audience’s adventurous spirit.
MY INITIAL IDEAS FOR ILLUSTRATION ASSETS - MASCOTS, POSTERS & LOGO DESIGN
GROUP - LOGO INITIAL IDEAS
FURTHER SELF - EXPLORATION
One of the key challenges was ensuring the brand identity delivered the bold, adventurous energy it aimed for. Early designs felt too soft and lacked the visual “punch” needed to stand out. I refined the colour palette to better reflect the alpine–urban duality and connect with a youthful, sustainability-minded audience. Lime green and turquoise introduced a fresh, modern edge, while sunset coral brought energy and warmth. Electric blue evoked the thrill of snow and ice, and charcoal black grounded the design with a sleek, practical feel. Pine green created a strong link to nature and eco-conscious values.
To further embed meaning, I integrated symbolic visual language through subtle textures and tactile, analogue-inspired typography. Circular arrows and recycled icons subtly communicated sustainability. Steel linework nodded to Sheffield’s industrial roots, while tree rings, topographic lines, and track-inspired motifs echoed themes of nature, movement, and adventure—bringing both concept and material values into the visual identity.
While the previous iteration felt too restrained, this led to a shift in direction—toward a more expressive and dynamic identity that fully captures the spirit of independent adventure culture. I began exploring bolder typography, more textured visuals, and the incorporation of 3D elements into my workflow. Using 3D allowed me to visualise garments and brand touchpoints in immersive environments, helping translate concept into atmosphere. This move supported a richer, more layered identity—one that doesn’t just tell a story but feels like the start of an adventure.
Artists Inspiration:
Tom Haugomat (French Illustrator)
Fortiche Production SAS (French Studio, notable Arcane)
Sony Pictures Animation (American Studio, notable Spiderverse Film Series)
Stylized CG, NPR (non-photorealistic), or hybrid animation: A blend of 2D and 3D techniques, creating a visually distinct look that incorporates hand-painted textures, choppy yet fluid animation, and other elements like pop art and fairy tale painting styles.
Outcome / Reflection:
The final outcome visually and conceptually embodies the spirit of Sheffield—its industrial roots, outdoor culture, and independent ethos. Through a balance of durable design elements, earthy and industrial colour palettes, and hand-rendered illustrative details, the brand communicates both functionality and authenticity. Symbolism drawn from steelwork, the ruggedness of the Peak District, and local DIY culture creates a clear visual identity that speaks to adventure, sustainability, and self-expression. Every design choice—down to textures, typography, and mascot illustration—reinforces the narrative of a city-forged brand made for conscious explorers.Concept Video for Social Media: ‘Built in Sheffield. Made for the Mountains’
Royalty-Free Film/ Video clip by FRAMED on FILMSUPPLY