DaveM Photography

More Than Sport Kit

This post doesn't have anything to do with photography. The only connection is that I designed the kit (race uniform) for More Than Sport organization.

If you've read my bio, then you know I have a background in graphic design as well as an interest in triathlon.

One of the things that I love about triathlons is how accessible professional athletes are. When have you ever heard of competing a race alongside professional athletes, besides triathlon? Never. Through social media I've followed several professional triathletes as a way to learn more about the sport and gain any training tips. It was through Twitter that I came across a Tweet from Trek Bikes & K-Swiss sponsored triathlete Chris Lieto about needing a graphic designer to help out with his charity organization More Than Sport. I sent my contact info thinking I would be contacted by a representative of the organization. To my surprise, I got an e-mail from Chris detailing the direction he was looking for in the kit. We even talked on the phone a couple times. How cool is that? I'm on the phone talking to a professional triathlete and he was the nicest guy. We also talked about my upcoming races and asked if I would be going to Kona in 2011. 2011 wasn't a year that I could swing going to Kona, or for that matter racing for More Than Sport.

 After a couple revisions Chris approved the design and it was off to the manufacturer for printing. Chris had been preparing for his Half Ironman & Ironman World Championship and I had not gotten word on the status of the kit, but since no news is good news, I guess the design went off without any problems. The next time I saw the kit, was on TV during the broadcast of the Ironman World Championship on NBC. I was able to grab a couple frames from one of the competitors featured during the broadcast.

Here's the graphic files that shows the complete kit. I also worked on a cycling kit version, but have not seen any of those yet.

I got a great boost in confidence seeing my design on national TV, especially with it going towards such a great cause. This opportunity is already allowing me to branch out into designing some cycling and tri kits. I recently finished a design for a local charity ride. I'm not sure when the design will be revealed, but if all goes well, the jersey will be used to raise money for the charity ride in June. Next, I'm going to be working on the tri kit design for the Atlanta Triathlon Club. As soon as designs are announced, I'll post them here.

Although this post has nothing to do with photography, I'm hoping that in some way the work I've done will lead to future opportunities that are photography related. I'm already planning on going to the Ironman World Championship this year (2012) as a spectator and I'll find the opportunity to take some great photos along the course and hopefully meet Chris Lieto in person. Who knows, maybe if I'm able to train this year, I'll race for More Than Sport. Sometimes you have to wait for an opportunity. Other times, you have to make your own.