Summer Internship Project | 1 Month
DESIGN BRIEF
Snowboard bindings are not just performance gear—they're an extension of a rider’s style and identity. With the Guild and Brass bindings, Rome Snowboards sought a highback design that seamlessly blends technical performance with a bold aesthetic for the women’s binding line.
This highback features a custom pattern that ties into the overall design language of the footbed and toe strap, creating a cohesive, visually striking setup. Balancing form and function, the design enhances the rider’s experience by offering both support and a distinct, stylish edge on the mountain.
BINDING ANATOMY
A highback is the vertical support on the back of a snowboard binding that gives support and control by transferring energy from your legs to the board. It plays a key role in heel-side turns, helping with response and stability. Highbacks come in different materials, flex levels, and adjustability options to match different riding styles.
MOOD BOARD
The purpose of this mood board was to establish a strong visual and conceptual foundation for the pattern design of the women’s highback. I was deeply inspired by patterns in nature and concrete structures because of their organic feel and sense of visual balance. Nature creates intricate, flowing designs—like the bold veins of a leaf or the delicate complexity of a spider web—that feel both effortless and intentional. In contrast, concrete structures bring a sense of stability and geometry, with repeating patterns and strong lines that create a different kind of harmony. Blending these two influences allowed me to create a highback pattern that flows effortlessly while complementing the patterns, curves, and textures of the rest of the binding.
CONCEPT IDEATION
During the concept ideation phase, I explored a variety of highback designs through quick thumbnail sketches, experimenting with different shapes, forms, and patterns. This process allowed me to rapidly generate ideas, refine visual elements, and find a balance between aesthetics and functionality before moving into more detailed development. I also explored various cut-out shapes and their impact on the flex and overall performance of the binding. This experimentation allowed me to understand how different forms and patterns would influence both the aesthetics and the functionality, ensuring the final design was not only visually striking but also responsive and supportive on the snow.
More coming soon…