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One of the reasons I became a graphic designer was my passion for creating art and connecting with people. This project perfectly embodies both of those interests. I was approached to design the event shirt and promotional materials for the 111th Cambridge Classic Boat Race, a highly anticipated community event. The race carried even greater significance as it marked the final competition for longtime racer and respected community member, Tom Thompson.
This project provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with incredible individuals while contributing to an event that holds a special place in the community. Being able to use my design skills to support such a meaningful occasion was both rewarding and memorable.
Fast Boats and Fast Dead Lines
Client : Cambridge Classic
Project Type : Apparel Design
The client came to me with several key requests that would make the design especially meaningful:
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Incorporate Tom's signature into the artwork.
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Feature the very first boat he raced with his father at the top of the design.
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Include every boat in which he had won a race throughout his career.
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Place the final boat he would race at the forefront of the composition.
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Leave adequate space at the bottom of the design for sponsor logos.
With so many boats to include, a limited amount of space, and a tight deadline, creating a balanced composition was a unique challenge. To streamline the design process and quickly determine the best layout, I began by creating a rough Photoshop mockup. This allowed me to experiment with the placement of each boat before moving into the final illustrated design, saving valuable time while ensuring every important element was thoughtfully represented.
The mockup proved to be an invaluable part of the process, allowing us to make quick layout adjustments before committing to the final illustration. After a few refinements, we finalized the composition and moved into illustrating the design. From there, the project progressed smoothly with only minor revisions. Before long, we had a finished, screen print-ready design that captured Tom's racing legacy while meeting every requirement of the project.
Final Design:
Left Chest Design:
The project came together so efficiently that the client remarked it was one of the smoothest experiences they had ever had working with a designer. The clear communication and collaborative process allowed us to move quickly without sacrificing quality.
Their confidence in my work grew throughout the project, and they trusted me to create the left chest design with little to no creative direction. After presenting the initial concept, they approved it immediately without requesting a single revision. It was a rewarding reminder that thoughtful communication, a strong design process, and earning a client's trust can make all the difference in delivering a successful project.
The Next Year:
The Client was so happy with the sales and results of the design we made together that they returned to me the next year and asked me to design it again. This time they gave me complete creative control with very few design requests. Is was very exciting to me not only for the creative freedom, but I truly think the greatest compliment is a returning client.
