Research & Design Competition Vests.
Research & Development is a backcountry freestyle event that brings together up-and-coming and professional female snowboarders to push boundaries and build community.
As part of my time as a Snow Design Co-op at Arc’teryx, I was given the opportunity to design and develop the 2026 R&D competition vests with the help of Leshem Rae.
Utilizes warrantied jacket stock and discontinued trims stock.
Summer 2025.
Process.
After meeting with the R&D team to compile needs for this design, I dove into creating a concept sketch. With the aid of Leshem Rae, we hand drafted a first prototype pattern, and worked through the construction, creating construction mock-ups and a sample. Alongside this development work, I also began to create a tech pack, and specific construction sketches in Adobe Illustrator to aid in the sewing of the final vests.
Prototype 01.
Upon finishing the first sample, we fit the vest and consulted the in-house sewing specialists to ensure feasibility of our design. From here, we were able to make updates to fit, refine features, confirm materials, streamline order of construction, and minimize waste material.
See overview page above for feature details.