PORTLAND GEAR CONSULTING

Context
I participated in a week-long branding and marketing mentorship program hosted by Portland Gear, where I connected with a Product Operations and Logistics employee. After the program, I was hired as a design consultant for a collaboration between Portland Gear and the Portland Winterhawks. The collection paid tribute to the historic Portland Rosebuds and was meant to feel like a memorabilia piece for locals.

Challenges
The biggest challenge was learning Photoshop techniques to create an ice-inspired design and researching a historic hockey team I was unfamiliar with. I also needed to balance nostalgic elements for the Rosebuds with a modern look for the current Winterhawks.

Process
I started with an illustrator file of sketches and fonts provided by Portland Gear, then developed designs with a muted color palette and distressed textures to reflect history and aging. For the modern team, I designed an acid-washed black shirt that visually connected to cracks in ice. By producing multiple variations and styles, I created a collection with broad appeal that honored the city’s hockey roots.