Meet Thiago Bazzi, Product Developer at Arc’teryx, as he shares how the Technical Apparel program at The Wilson School of Design elevated his design knowledge and career.
The Technical Apparel Design program is a two-year post-baccalaureate diploma that places you at the centre of BC’s world-renowned technical apparel industry. From giving elite athletes a competitive edge to saving the lives of outdoor enthusiasts, this booming industry blends creativity with cutting-edge technology to allow humans to move faster, survive longer and explore further.
The Wilson School of Design proudly offers this unique hands-on course with a curriculum that was developed in collaboration with Vancouver-based companies like Arc’teryx, Lululemon, Mountain Equipment Company, Mustang Survival and Sugoi, as well as top academics and researchers.
I love being in the outdoors. That’s something that really inspired and motivates me, just being out there is really something that helps me refocus.
“My name is Thiago Bazzi. I graduated from the Technical Apparel Design program at the Wilson School of Design. It all starts with the user. So, in Technical Apparel, we are always trying to solve someone’s problem. For example, we are designing for someone climbing a mountain. They need to have good articulation to reach — the harness can’t be covering the pockets because they’re gonna be hanging from the tiny rope.”
“We were encouraged all the time during the program to go and explore, just be out there talking to users of things that we would potentially be designing for. So, we had kayaking trips. We would visit the fire hall, and talk to firefighters.”
“There’s just so many different opportunities for people who graduate from this program. They can go into design. They can go into pattern-making. They can go into product development, business, colour, and materials. There’s just so many different avenues to go.”
“So, I work for Arc’teryx and I’m a product developer there. Every day is so unique. I’m basically responsible for a couple of models every season and I have to guide the model through the prototyping phases and sampling. So, I communicate with the designers and the pattern makers and the factories to make sure that the sample prototypes that are coming out are meeting the designing then.”
“I had never made a garment before I joined. I know where to look for the answers I need now. The Technical Apparel Design program empowered me to communicate better the things that we need. I think design is just the art of getting something out of your head and just putting it into the world. “
