Performa

University of East London - UEL BA Product Design Volleyball Project

Ana Beatriz Novaes Silva London - 2013

Ă?ndice Research Stage 5 Project Objectives 7 Design Issue 8 Volleyball England 8 East London Lynx 9 Customer Profile 10 Marketing 12 Existing Products 14 Shorts Testing 15 Material Testing 16 Padding Testing 17 Stitching Research 18

Concepts Stage 19 Concepts Model Testing

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Refinements Stage 33 Refinements Chosen Models

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Final Stage 47 Final Products Manufacturing Process Technical Drawings Materials Storyboard Sales Images Branding

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RESEARCH

Project objective The objective and aim of this project is to dewsign specialised shorts for a men’s and women’s sitting volleyball team, particulary for member’s who have physical impairments/disabilities. Sitting volleyball, sometimes known as Paralympic volleyball, entered the Paralympic games as a demonstration for amputees in 1976 in Toronto Canada and was played as a medal sport thereafter. Atheletes with the following disabilities are eligible to compete in sitting volleyball: • Amputees • Spinal cord injuries • Cerebral Palsy • Brain injuries • Stroke The uniqueness of sitting volleyball is that all players must have at least one buttock in contact with the playing floor whenever they make contact with the ball.

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Design issue There are various risks when playing sitting volleyball that can lead to players obtaining sport injuries in numerous ways, for example players engaged in intense volleyball matches tend to slide on the playing court at great high speeds and are still required to stop while maintaining control to execute shots.

There is also a tendency to roll on thier sides during a game play and sometimes they lift slightly off the ground and land with a bump which is a common risk of injury that occurs in matches. Matches can become very intense and wild especially considering that getting to a ball in a fraction of a second sooner can be the difference between winning and losing a game.

Current technology hasn’t played a big part in the game but the high level standard at the top is such that teams are constanly looking for anyhting that can give them and edge over thier opposition therfore the need to have safe sporting gear can aid in the prevention of injuries by the constant bumps and rolls will prove to be invaluable during play. These factors justify the design issue in this project therfore the need to design specialised shorts that can aid in preventing injury without sacrificing a player’s performance are required .

Volleyball England Volleyball England is a governing body committed to furthering the growth and excellecnce of all disciplines of volleyball in England. Since April 2009 volleyball england has taken over the management of the Great Britain sitting volleyball programme.

This is a compnay that has a large influence on sitting volleyabll in England and therfore it is the main client we will be working with since they are the most likely to support the project.

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East London Lynx East London Lynx is a sitting volleyball club based in East london and is sponsored by GLL and Starting Blocks. The club currently has around 30 members including men, women able and disabled of all casts, creeds and nationality and is growing in membership. The club has a good relation with Volleyball England and players deemed good enough by coaches are often invited to a training camp with the GB men or women sqaud in Kettering.

Coaches of the club regulary teach in schools and universities around London and local counties and are currently provididng sitting volleyball sessions at The University of East London along with a dew other higher education institue. The club has 11 players who are full members of the GB sitting volleyball Paralympic sqaud both men and women along with 2 members who are in the GB Youth Development Standing Sqaud Able Bodied.

The future aim of the club is to grow and develop sitting volleyball to the extent were they can develop an England or UK league. The club has been supporting and playing against clubs from around the country, Greater London, Kent, Essex and Northen England to help advance the game and to get clubs started. The club has been the main user group we have used to aid are volleyball project.

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Customer Profile A customer profile is a aclear statement that provides a picture of the specific type of person or business you are currently serving or providing a business too.The information aids in implementing a marketing strategy, promotional design and sale tactics. By developing a customer profile you are able to identifiy certian characteristics from your desired target market and user group.

• Age: 25 • Gender: Male • Occupation: Full time student • Matt is a 25 year student and plays for a sitting volleyball team • Matt is a dedicated player and trains twice a week He has found that while training and competing in matches he has experienced certain sport related pains and even injuries due to: • Sliding on the court at high speeds • Rolling on his sides • Lifting slightly off the ground For primary research we asked Matt various questions regarding sitting volleyball and what he would take into consideration in terms of sporting equipment (shorts).

• How comfortable are his shorts?

• Can he easily slide on the court?

• Do the shorts come in various sizes?

• How long does he prefer the shorts?

These are the factors Matt is looking for in shorts: comfort, slippery against the playing court, various sizes, lenght has to be longer on legs, less friction burn, fabric that doesn’t waer out, shorts that don’t get dirty.

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Marketing Marketing the product will require in-depth primary and secondary research into the specific market sitting volleyball market.This collected information will be used to help pin-point all the specific needs and potential wants of the desired target market.

This information will also determine the viability of the product and give an estimate of its impact in the current market. In collecting data, questionnaires will be used to gather essential qualitative data along with various analytical techniques will be employed such as the Boston and Ansoff matrix.

7 P’s being applied to market volleyball shorts The traditional marketing mix of price, product, promotion and place are fundamental marketing issues that must be addressed if an organisation wants to have a successful marketing strategy.

• Product – This means to find a tangible product or an interpretable service that can be mass produced on a large scale – This aim of the project is design a pair of sitting volleyball shorts therefore the shorts are the main product however we will also be designing a pair of training shorts as well.

• Price – This is the amount the targeted market will pay for the product.

This can be determined by quality, market share, competition, martial cost and brand name • Place – This involves location and where the products and services are to be purchased by the public market – The products would be sold in sport retailers and volleyball specialist’s shops and websites.

• Promotion – This factor relates to the promotion of the product through methods such as advertisement and point of sale – The main method of advertising would be to promote the shorts to Volleyball England and to other sitting volleyball clubs.

• People – This refers to the appropriate recruitment and hire of the correct staff. By having the right people and giving them the correct training it can greatly affect the performance of a business and either have bad consequences or give a competitive edge

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• Process– This refers to the various and numerous activities that occur within a business that determines the purpose, quality and performance of a product or service.

• Physical Evidence – This refers to the judgment of customers on products and services. Consumers need physical evidence to make perceptions and judgments on anything therefore it’s vital that a company must supply this because it can affect the reputation and performance All of these marketing techniques, methods will be used to used to gather data that will aid in the overall marketing of the specialised shorts.

Regarding the promotion of the product various advertisement methods can be used to endorse the shorts to numerous sitting volley ball teams.

Marketing of the product will conducted with various mediums such as web, commercials and also face to face promotion with numerouswomen’s sitting volley ball teams.

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Existing Products Errea premier women’s volleyball shorts • Versatile shorts that can be used for other sports • These volleyball shorts contain Lycra for a comfortable fit • Material- 85% Nylon, 15% Lycra

NWT women’s under Armour UA react 3” • Running volleyball shorts • Comfortable and durable • The shorts have advanced heat gear moisture fabric • Material: 100% Polyester

Mizuno National V Mens’s Volleyball Shorts • Shorts feature moisture mangement • capabilities • Technology for superior comfort and • performance • Material: 100% Polyester

Adidas performance ESS 3S Chelsea shorts • The material has breathable qualities • Made from Adidas Climalite technology • Material: 100% Polyester

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Shorts Testing As seen on the pictures below, after searching the existing options, we made some tests os the available models in the market, so that we could evaluate their levels of comfort, resistance and quality. The pictures are numbered according to the tests.

1) Slazenger shorts: • The shorts were of good quality and • comfortable to wear • The shorts has mesh as an internal layer which made the shorts breathable 2) East London Lynx training shorts: • The shorts were made of high qaulity polyester • The shorts have polyurathane padding on the back and sides • The shorts are used for training not for a competition scenario 3) Swiming trunks: • The shorts are made from a lightweight fabric • The shorts has mesh as an internal layer which made the shorts breathable • The shorts also come with a drawstring waist with 2 side pockets 4) Nike football shorts: • These shorts were specifcally designed for football.

• The shorts are made from 100% polyester • The shorts cause alot of friction when sliding on the playing court

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Material Testing After trying the existing products, our group carried on testing possible fabrics to our products:

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1) Polyester Lining • Fabric is extremely strong • Common uses: Home furnishings, drape along walls • Advantages: Strong, durable, abrasion resistant • Disadvantages: Stains hard to remove, holds body heat

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2) Bi- Elastic • Stretch fabric is a blend of polyester, rayon and spandex, Stretches in all directions • Common uses: Sports clothing • Advantages: breathable, hard wearing • Disadvantages: very thin material

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3) 3D Jersey • Common uses: Clothing, draped • Advantages: Durable, cool, dry • Disadvantages: Shrinks, damages 4) Neoprene • Synthetic rubber with wide variety of uses good chemical stability • Common uses: Diver suits, cases • Advantages: Protection against rain and sand, impact absorbant

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5) Mesh • Constructed from synthetics mesh, can be flame resistant or antistatic • Common uses: Hinge mesh, restraining straps

Padding Testing We also carried on tests regarding the most common foams exinting in the market, as we aimed from the beginning a padded product: CHIP FOAM • Firmer and denser than most other foams • Common Uses: cushioning, packaging, soundproofing • Advantages: Good for ‘rough’ use • Disvantages: Breaks up if cut thin COTTON • Soft, warm, good insulator, very absorbant • Common uses: clothing, terrycloth, paper • Advantages: Soft, comfortable, resistant to alkalis • Disadvantages: Easily burns BLUE FOAM (polystyrene) • Rough and stif material, being a good insulator • Common uses: arts and crafts, architectural models • Advantages: resistant to moisture, most chemicals and heat • Disadvantages: Cannot be used in hot environments

CLOSED FOAM • High strength • Common uses: life jackets, marine hulls, aircraft interiors • Advantages: hydrophobic, excellent strength to weight ratio, doesn’t rot • Disadvantages: Expensive, uncomfortable R 500 FOAM • Good thermal insulator • Common uses: CMU insulation, filling up cavities • Advantages: high thermal insulation, Highly fire-resistant • Disadvantages: asd SOUND ZERO FOAM • High air resistance • Common uses: soundproofing • Advantages: resonance proof, can be made in various colours and sizes • Disadvantages: must be treated with fire retardant

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Stitching Research Stitching types were also part of our research stage, aiming find out what stitch would better fit our garments.

Rolled hems • Rolled hems are machine stitched, and they can be used for casual wear and sportswear.

• The hem is created by folding the hem of the clothing and creasing.

• It’s easier for the novice to create and will result in a more professional look.

Flat Fell Seam • The flat fell seam technique is used in sports wear and jeans as it is a strong seam.

• Tough and durable • Flat felled seams are often used with heavy- weight fabric Turned and Stitched • The turned and stitched seam finish is used on lightweight fabrics such as broadcloth.

Zig-zag • Zig-Zag or machine overcasting is one of the quickest ways of • preventing seam ravelling.

• A zigzag in the perfect stitch to hold downyarns or novelty threads Two-thread Stitches • Lightweight and stretchy.

• Superb as edge-finish on delicate fabrics.

• Narrow-width stitch is good alternative to rolled hem Two-thread wrapped • This gives a neat finish, but would be too bulky For heavy fabrics such as corduroy.

• Strong and stretchy Seams on lightweight fabric, edge-finish seams on sportswear, outerwear Sheers Decorative stitch on wovens and for pieing.

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CONCEPTS

Concept 1 Competition Shorts This concept was designed as a first idea aiming the comfort of the player.

It has adjustable waist for a perfect fit, is made of polyester lining - as in out tests it was proved as the most sliding fabric out of the tested ones.

Despite being loose, to provide comfort it has adjustable legs, to fit different players and to prevent the shorts of going up during the match.

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Concept 2 Training Shorts

This concept was a basic sketch aiming the comfort of the player.

Using the colours of the team, it would be made of interlock jersey in the gray area (to slide) and 3D jersey in the yellow area (to brake).

Even though it is really easy to wear, later on the project it was found that this would actually be one uncomfortable option, as the seams on the back would hurt the player’s coccix after some time playing.

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Concept 3 Competition Tracksuit Trousers designed focused on fulfilling the needs of the different players: different amputees and standing people.

It has a loose shape in a sliding fabric, at the same time that is absolutely adjustable, in the waist and ends.

The user can adjust the height to the one most comfortable to him (what helps the different levels of amputees, as well as velcro allows a fit closer to the body.

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Concept 4 Training Shorts This concept was focused on absorbing the impact of the game on the players.

It is padded on possible areas of impact, but it is short to be fresher.

It would be made of sliding lycra in the colour of the team.

It also has adjustable elastic waist and, due to the fabric it is made of, provides a fit closer to the body.

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Concept 5 Training Tracksuit As a development of the previous concept, this one was designed to expand the protection provided by the previous one.

It offers protection not only in the thigh area, as well as in the legs, preventing bruises and burns due to friction on the floor.

It would be made of bielast in the main cool of the team.

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Concept 6 Training Tracksuit

The trousers were developed so that they can be fold up to become shorts The padding folds to the back to surpport the upper legs Material: • External layer - Polyester • Internal layer - Mesh • Padding - Sound 0 Foam

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Concept 7 Training Shorts This concept was developed with padding covering sides and across the buttocks, to give the biggest protection to the player.

The stripes give a tougher structure to the padding and helps rolling on court.

Material: • External layer - Polyester • Internal layer - Mesh • Padding - Cotton

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Concept 8 Training Shorts This concept was also developed with padding covering sides and across the buttocks, to give the biggest protection to the player.

The padding was sewed in to scales shapes, so that it provided a smoother movement while sliding on court.

It has adjustable waist and is made of spandex This model was chosen to be taken foward to refinement, for its qualities.

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Concept 9 Competition Tracksuit This tracksuit was the chosen concept to be taken forward to the refinement stage, as it is really easy to wear, it’s breathable, with a pleasant look and easy to personalize with the teams’ colours.

It has adjustable waist and ends, is made of polyester lining with mesh on the sides.

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Model Testing Concept 3

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Model testing Concept 5

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REFINEMENTS

Refinement 1 Competition Tracksuit This refinement was developed from the chosen concept. It would have high and adjustable elastic waist, so that the player would not need to keep pulling it up during the games.

It has a loose shape and it’s made of polyester lining, but has as a differential seamless back, to provide the most comfortable outfit to the user.

Inside, it has a short layer composed by mesh - which is breathable - to keep the trousers always on the right place.

It would also have adjustable ends to prevent wrapping up and flat lock seam would be used to add the smallest possible volume to the seams.

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Refinement 2 Competition Tracksuit This trouser aimed on the flexibility of the player. Despite being extremely sliding, polyester lining absolutely isn’t elastic. Therefore, it was chosen to use lycra - a very elastic fabric in the knees’ area, to allow wider movements, and polyester lining in the rest. It has adjustable waist and ends, for the perfect fit, as the rest of the garment is loose. The adjustable end would be specially important for the disabled players.

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Refinement 3 Competition Tracksuit This concept is a fancy option, easy to adapt to the colours of the team. Made of polyester lining, it has mesh circles to circulate the air, as trousers tend to be warmer. It has adjustable waist and ends to balance the loose shape, but its highlight are the slight elastic in strategic areas, to keep the trouser in the right place during the sessions.

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Refinement 4 Training Shorts Shorts aiming on training sessions, these were designed to protect the user from impact. It is padded on the side for rolling on court with polyurethane foam. The coccyx and hip bone are also protected from shocking. Made of bi-elast, a breathable kind of lycra, it has polyester ling on the padding to help sliding.

Even though it is padded, it allows full movement, as the foam is distributed in non-articulated areas.

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Refinement 5 Competition Tracksuit This refinement was focused on the different kinds of amputees. Made of polyester lining, this trousers have parts of elastic mesh on the side, to allow wider movements during play. The highlights of this design are the blue lycra strips, which allow the pants to be cut on the high of the amputee and helps maintaining the pants on the right place during the matches. It has adjustable waist and is also really easy to adapt to the team’s colours.

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Refinement 6 Training Shorts This refined concept consists of training shorts that have padding from all the way down the sides and the buttock area.

The shorts are made in a fabric which is a mix of Polyester and elastane, to make it lightweight and stretchy.

It’s very breathable and comfortable to wear, specifically designed in that shape with position landing in that of a player rolling on court.

The padding inside has a thickness of 1 centimeter.

The foam used inside the short is called thin polyethylene.

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Refinement 7 Competition Tracksuit The refinement below was made aiming on bringing freshness to the player. Made of polyester, the tracksuit has breathable areas made of mesh, so that the player won’t sweat during the matches. The ventilation areas are in precise places, such as the back of the knee. The trousers do also have adjustable strings on the waist, to provide the player the perfect fit.

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Refinement 8 Chosen Competition Tracksuit This idea was chosen for being the most comfortable and versatile for the players. Made of polyester lining, it has a white lycra area in the knees’ area, to stretch, allowing the players to make quicker and wider movements. The tracksuit has seamless back (to prevents bruises due to the volume of the seam) and adjustable waist, but its main feature is the lace end, which allows standing people to adjust and fold the pants at their own will. The laceholes are similar to button holes to cause the minimum discomfort possible.

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Model Testing Competition Tracksuit

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Refinement 9 Chosen Training Shorts This idea was chosen also for being the most comfortable and versatile for the players. Made of spandex, it has padding, breathble areas made of mesh in the sides and adjustable waist. The padding was developed specifically to help players roll on their sides and has a line to help structure the foam. Together with the mesh - which allows the skin to breath -, the padding makes a really comfort garment to the user.

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FINAL STAGE

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Final Product Competition Tracksuit

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Final Product Training Shorts

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Manufacturing Process Process

The scheme below quickly shows how our garments could be mass produced, in a plant.

Manufacturing Process

horts and Trousers

Mass Procduction of Shorts and Trouser

1. Manufacturing starts with a prepared roll of fabric which is rolled out on a table top which is cut and layered into stacks.

7. Assembly of all pieces of the shorts begins Two webs of fabric are joined at the crotch

pared roll of fabric which is cut and

1. Manufacturing starts with a prepared roll of fabric

is rolled out onthe a tablecutting top which is cut and 2. The stacks are cut and shapedwhich following layered into stacks patterns of the shorts and each stack is going to be used for a specific area of the shorts and has its own cutting 2. The stacks are cut and shaped following the cutting pat pattern. each stack is going to be used for a specific area of the sho

ollowing the cutting patterns of the shorts and a specific area of the shorts and has its own cutting

pattern

3. Smaller pieces are cut using aexterior of the legs are sewn together 8. The flat on a machine called an overcaster which machine called a clicker also known sews and cuts excess material proportionally and to size as a stamper.

3. Smaller piec called a clicker

3. Smaller pieces are cut using a machine called a clicker also known as a stamper

9. The elastic drawstring waist is attached

The shorts areand made on the reverse side so that all 4. 10.

Designs logos are embroi4. Designs and logos are embroidered using a machine stitching will be on the inside with a needle are then turned the right side out using aasuction deredTheyusing a machine with needevice 5. Pockets are cut using a cutting mould dle.

Manufacturing Process

ered using a machine

shorts begins mould at thebegins crotch horts aneously fold, press and the crotch

Mass Procduction of Shorts andof Trousers 5. Assembly all

6. A mechanical robot will simultaneously fold, press and

1. Manufacturing starts with a prepared roll of fabric which is rolled out on a table top which is cut and layered into stacks

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pieces of the shorts begins Two webs of fabric are joined at the crotch.

sew pockets whichspray are then sewed into place 11. Finally shorts are sprayed with multipurpose antibacterial sanitising and then shipped off

d into place

7. Assembly of all pieces of the shorts begins Two webs of fabric are joined at the crotch

2. The stacks are cut and shaped following the cutting patterns of the shorts and each stack is going to be used for a specific area of the shorts and has its own cutting

pattern of the legs are sewn together flat on a 8. The exterior of8. theThe legs areexterior sewn together 8. The exterior of the called legs are together flat on a machine ansewn overcaster which machine called an overcaster which sews and cuts exflatsews on aand machine called an overcaster which cuts excess material sews and cuts excess material cess material proportionally and to size. proportionally and to size

proportionally and to size

3. Smaller pieces are cut using a machine called a clicker also known as a stamper

9. The elastic drawstring waist is attached.

ttached ached

verse side that rse side so so that all all

e out using a suction out using a suction

h multipurpose antibacterial sanitising spray multipurpose antibacterial sanitising spray

8. The exterior of flat on a machine sews and cuts exc proportionally an

9. The elastic drawstring waist is attached

10. The shorts are madeso on the that reverse side so that all 10. The shorts are made on the reverse side stitching will be on the inside are then turned the right side out using a suction all stitching will be on the inside They areThey then turned the device right side out using a suction device.

5. Pockets are cut using a cutting mould 4. Designs and logos are embroidered using a machine with a needle

11. Finally shorts are sprayed with multipurpose antibacte

and then shipped off 11. Finally shorts are sprayed with multipurpose antibacterial sanitising spray and then shipped off.

6. A mechanical robot will simultaneously fold, press and sew pockets which are then sewed into place

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Technical Drawing Competition Tracksuit

Front view

Side view

335mm

380mm

220mm

700mm

930mm

50mm

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5mm

195mm

100mm

Technical Drawing Training Shorts

Front View

Side View

335mm

300mm

500mm

50mm

230mm

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Materials Competition Tracksuit 1) Lycra + Elastic The waist of the tracksuit is composed by white lycra - elastic, breathable and comfortable. To provide tighter hold, it has an inside layer of clothes’ elastic. The waist also has polyester lace for adjustment.

2) Polyester Lining The lenght of the tracksuit is composed by polyester lining, a thick fabric 100% polyester. In the outside it is slippery, while in the inside it has a comfortable texture.

3) Lycra The side of the knee is made of white lycra, to provide flexibility to the player. The fabric is composed of elastan and polyamide and, therefore, is realy elastic and resistant.

4) Spandex The ends of the tracksuit are made of red spandex, a fabric fully composed of elastan. It is extremely elastic and resistant, providing the player a perfect fit to his legs.

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Materials Training Shorts 1) Mock Eyelet The lenght of the shorts is composed by red mock eyelet, a quick drying, breathable, resistant sports material. Composed by 100% polyester, it is slightly elastic to provide comfort to the user.

2) Padding The shorts are filled by a layer of polyuretan foam, a material which is extremely light-weight and flexible, but it is still soft and resistant enough to absorb impacts during the matches.

3) Lycra The line on the side is made of white lycra. Whilst providing stability to the foam padding, it also gives a stylish detail to the garment. Composed of elastane and polyamide, it is elastic and resistant.

4) Mesh The inside layer of the shorts is made of mesh, a extremely resistant and breathble fabric made of polyester. It was chosen for allowing the skin to breath during the training sessions.

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Story Board Competition Tracksuit

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Story Board Training Shorts

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Sales Images

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Branding Our products are really functional, easy to wear and perfect for the player.

Our logo aims to give this sportish feel that a volleyball player desires. The ball on the background remember us of the volley ball, the stripes resemble the lines in the side of the pants and the lines of the shorts. The colours are vivid and contrastants and the typography gives us that business approach, as it’s serious and clean.

Volley ball Project - Group 6 May • 2013 Ana Beatriz Novaes Silva Noori Islam Aman Syed Abbas Kevil

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