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With it being MLS kit reveal season, and hot takes on designs pouring out of every tube in the internet, I figured this would be a great time to dispel some common misconceptions and provide some clarity about the process.
A thread.
A thread.
Before I start, a quick aside for those not familiar with my background.
In addition to designing kits for semi/pro clubs (NPSL's Dayton Dynamo, USL's FC Cincinnati), I also spent 7 years working in soccer retail, and have connections in Nike and Adidas' soccer divisions.
In addition to designing kits for semi/pro clubs (NPSL's Dayton Dynamo, USL's FC Cincinnati), I also spent 7 years working in soccer retail, and have connections in Nike and Adidas' soccer divisions.
When it comes to designing kits, there are 2 important rules.
1) You're not going to make everyone happy. It's just an impossible goal because... you know, opinions.
2) Most clubs don't have full control of the process.
Let's focus on #2.
1) You're not going to make everyone happy. It's just an impossible goal because... you know, opinions.
2) Most clubs don't have full control of the process.
Let's focus on #2.
Why don't clubs have full control of the kit design process?
While smaller companies -- Admiral, Cappelli, Inaria, Macron, etc. -- are often happy to make completely custom kits, they do so to differentiate from the big boys... and because they have the bandwidth to do so.
While smaller companies -- Admiral, Cappelli, Inaria, Macron, etc. -- are often happy to make completely custom kits, they do so to differentiate from the big boys... and because they have the bandwidth to do so.
But when it comes to Adidas, Nike, Puma and Under Armour, the rules for kit design change.
Due to the sheer volume of their production -- across more than just pro jerseys, but their other gear too -- custom designs have to be worked into the schedule months in advance.
Due to the sheer volume of their production -- across more than just pro jerseys, but their other gear too -- custom designs have to be worked into the schedule months in advance.
It's those packed design schedules that forced the big guys like Adidas and Nike to turn towards set design templates. #EconomiesOfScale
Completely custom kits require a reset of the manufacturing equipment, and the more of those there are, the less they can produce.
Completely custom kits require a reset of the manufacturing equipment, and the more of those there are, the less they can produce.
Now, some clubs are allowed to play within the templates. When designing FC Cincinnati's 2018 USL kits, I couldn't tell Nike "I'd like the seams to go here". But I could propose design ideas within the kit's separate material "blocks".
They could shoot them down though, too.
They could shoot them down though, too.
But when you get to big-time club properties -- your major European leagues and even MLS (which Adidas treats as big-time)-- the clubs actually lose some kit design freedom.
That's because those clubs are billboards for Nike/Adidas, and they have priorities of their own to push.
That's because those clubs are billboards for Nike/Adidas, and they have priorities of their own to push.
It's the brands' individual priorities that result in Nike's city-inspired 3rd kits and Adidas' pastel line for clubs across their top properties. Those brands want to produce kits that fit their design ethos and themes, and thus want more control due to their higher exposure.
That said, clubs *do* get to provide input in the design process -- color preferences, inspirations, etc. And they retain veto powers, too.
But due to all those variables and the lengthy production timelines, most major manufacturers look to finalize kit designs 1-2 years out.
But due to all those variables and the lengthy production timelines, most major manufacturers look to finalize kit designs 1-2 years out.
Quick sidebar: manufacturers are also responsible for setting minimum kit pricing, including discount pricing.
So 90% of the time, don't get mad at your club if you think the kits are too expensive. Unless they're drastically higher than others manufactured by the same brand.
So 90% of the time, don't get mad at your club if you think the kits are too expensive. Unless they're drastically higher than others manufactured by the same brand.
The other limiting factor for the kit design process? It's not just manufacturers who have decision making power; the leagues the clubs play in have a say, too.
Most leagues have competition committees that approve color combinations so teams don't clash, particularly for TV.
Most leagues have competition committees that approve color combinations so teams don't clash, particularly for TV.
If you don't like that leagues have a say in what your club's kit looks like, blame FIFA. They were the ones who shoved the "light kit and dark kit" design trend into regular practice with the aim of improving World Cup broadcasts.
Leagues have now begun to adopt the policy too.
Leagues have now begun to adopt the policy too.
The MLS' Competition Committee decrees what kit color combinations -- think white/blue/white vs white/blue/blue -- are allowed in their competition. They sign off on those combinations on a match-by-match basis, too.
That's why kits in MLS have been so similar recently.
That's why kits in MLS have been so similar recently.
So with all of that in mind, try to remember that a club isn't always at fault for that kit you hate so much.
These things aren't designed by amateurs, and there's a lot of thought and research that goes into the process despite the relative uniformity of design.
These things aren't designed by amateurs, and there's a lot of thought and research that goes into the process despite the relative uniformity of design.
I'll add FC Cincinnati's inaugural MLS kits felt extra strain due to when they were finally announced as an MLS expansion club. The quick turnaround to their first season in MLS put them behind the design scheduling eight ball.
And they did well within those restraints.
And they did well within those restraints.
