First Gear (Portfolio: Web Design)

A Little Embolden Book
CLASSIC
THE UNBEARABLE
LIGHTNESS OF
FIRST GEAR
BY LOIS KAMANDULIS

This Little Embolden Book
is dedicated to:

A Little Embolden Book
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
THE UNBEARABLE
LIGHTNESS OF
FIRST GEAR
May this Little Embolden Book and series magically
embolden YOU to follow your Personal Treasure* with
bravery, whole-heartedness, joy and a sense of humor.
Copyright © 2018 Lois Kamandulis, Little Embolden Books.
All rights reserved.
BY LOIS KAMANDULIS
Published in the United States by Lois Kamandulis (with the generous
help of an insane number of faculty and staff at the Valencia College
Graphics Department, both East and West Campuses).
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above,
absolutely no (NONE-NADA-ZIPPO) of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, telepathic, or
otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright
owner of this book and series. And that is that. Not even if you woo
me with tacos from Tortas el Rey or puppies or a free trip to Hawaii.
The answer is still (probably) NO.
For additional works you might find slightly interesting by this same
designer, check out loiskamandulis.com.
*From “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

Because you don’t want
to admit to your competition
that you slacked
at practice yesterday.
Because you don’t want
to admit to yourself that
you don’t know if you
can do it.
Because you know you
can. And you won’t stop
until you do.
DO IT RIGHT.
DO IT WITH FIRST
FIRST GEAR 2

Little Embolden Books
First Gear focuses on the
grit, sweat, blood and tears
necessary to pushing the
boundaries and pushing
yourself beyond what’s
expected. Gone are the days
you doubted yourself.
Say goodbye to the training
wheels and to all excuses.
Dare to step up and be
ready to fall because you
know damn well you’re
gonna get back up again.
Because it’s YOU that’s in
the ring. It’s you that’s up
against that bull. And it’s you
that will make history.
Just whatever you do, be
sure to do it with heart, and
do it right.
Do it with First Gear.
GEAR
FIRST GEAR
E-Commerce Website Design
First Gear is a mostly-online retailer for athletic-wear,
geared towards the modern consumer. The brand is
known for its socially-responsible practices and modern.
clean design, popular among youth.
An e-commerce site was created in order to reach a
broader audience beyond their retail stores. Tailored
support and recommendations along with a detailed
account history and easy, intuitive web design help make
First Gear users loyal and satisfied.
LOIS KAMANDULIS

ONCE UPON A TIME…
There was a new kid on the block
in athletic-wear... and its name
was First Gear. The nascent
company sought not only to create
quality clothing for the active lifestyle,
but at a fair price, with fair practices
and sustainability at the very top of
their list.
May you find this e-commerce website
engaging, easy to use and inspiring to
always do your best (and do it right).
LOVE,
FIRST GEAR 4

Little Embolden Books
WHO:
WHAT:
WHERE:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Age range: 18-35 (Millenials)
Gender: Men, Women
Education level: HS/College
Athletic Skill level: amateur
Athletic wear; modern, fresh,
urban, clean, simple, sociallyresponsible;
clothes, shoes +
basic accessories (water bottles,
gym bags, sweatbands)
Serving North America; headquartered
in NYC; stores in most
major cities and some retailers
Shopping in-store during extended
business hours; online
shopping 24 hrs/day; seasonally
Comparable alternative to Nike,
Adidas, etc. but more sociallyresponsible
and vocal
Celebrity endorsements; online
vs. in-person sales = 40/60.
PROCESS
RESEARCH
LOIS KAMANDULIS

PROCESS
PERSONAS + IDEATION
DERRICK:
FAYE:
ANTONIO:
His goals for the design/
products: Something cool/fashionable;
versatility, ease of care
His challenges: Limited income
(college student)
Comfort-level with product: Mid-high
Likes: Uniqlo, Frank Ocean, Thai food
(Thai donuts esp.)
Dislikes: Redirected subway trains, no
wifi, summertime underground
Where/when going to use product?
While in transit; exercising; everyday
Her goals: Comfortable + fresh + socially
responsible; stylish
Her challenges: Not a professional
athlete whatsoever
Comfort-level: Mid
Likes: Outdoor cafes, The New Yorker,
French bulldogs & pugs
Dislikes: Clothes that shrink, spoiled
children, weak martinis
Where/when? After-work; exercising,
weekend errands
His goals: Something easy to wear,
simple, decent quality
His challenges: Wears out clothes often
(exercises daily); odor/sweat stains
Comfort-level: High
Likes: Game of Thrones, home-cooked
meals, new electronic gear
Dislikes: Trump, rom-coms, people who
always show up fashionably-late
Where/when? Exercising; grocery store
errands; after-work
FIRST GEAR 6

IDEATION
USER-
JOURNEY
TYPE
FUTURA
Futura
Frutiger LT Std 55 Roman
Id mil iscia volesequam
dolluptur adicid eos acerorecus
dolupta temoluptur
sit, natem. Yut eos illuptur
lsnclkn; ackm amk?
SKETCHES/
First Gear remains simple,
strong and to the point in all
of their branding and quality
of product.
COLOR
CMYK:28/0/99/0
RGB: 213/252/32
#d5fc20
CMYK:18/4/4/22
RGB: 181/188/196
#b5bcc4
CMYK:57/43/42/40
RGB: 87/90/90
#575a5a
CMYK:0/0/0/0
RGB: 255/255/255
#ffffff
CMYK:0/0/0/100
RGB: 0/0/0
#000000
Their logo reflects that, and
so too, should their website.

DO IT Right.
DO IT WITH
FIRST GEAR

Water, mud, snow, volcano —
First Gear stands up the toughest
conditions, no matter the place.
LOIS KAMANDULIS

PROCESS
WIREFRAMES
DO IT Ri
DO IT W
FIRST GEAR 10

Little Embolden Books
PROCESS
DETAILS
Social media icons
ight.
WITH FIRST GEAR
Join/Login Cart Wishlist Search
Navigation for mobile

First Gear outlives and outlasts all competition. Just like you.

LOIS KAMANDULIS

THE JOU
First Gear’s web layout
is just as clean and simple
as their clothes.
To the point, striking
and fierce, First Gear
knows how to make
you sweat (but will
keep you dry while you
do), and their website
bears the same level of
quality and ease of use.
FIRST GEAR 14

Little Embolden Books
URNEY CONTINUES...
Homepage and Men’s
Catalog page.
Both describe products
in clean, clear language,
visuals and style.
FINAL
LOGO +
WEB LAYOUT
LOIS KAMANDULIS

FIRST GEAR 16
MORE
WEB LAYOUTS

Little Embolden Books
Personalized shopping
available once logged on, as
well as during the checkout
process. Incentives to share +
order history keep the
experience fun and clear.
And while competitors
try to compete
via major celebrity
endorsements, First
Gear instead chooses
to highlight their latest
research in technology
in threadware tech.
LOIS KAMANDULIS

Jump higher. Run longer.
Swim farther. Pump till you
can’t anymore. Pull another
set of reps. Push yourself
further, for longer, for
better, for stronger.
DO IT Right.
DO IT WITH FIRST GEAR
Do it with force. Do it with courage. Do it with the
best intentions. Do it fully. Do it wholly. Do it for all
the ones who said you couldn’t. Do it because you
know it’s the right thing. Do it with heart. But
whatever you do and however you do it, Do it right.
FIRST GEAR
Scan here to visit the website

Little Embolden Books
LOIS KAMANDULIS

FIRST GEAR 20
MORE DIGITAL
TABLET + MOBILE

Visit First Gear on mobile
LOIS KAMANDULIS

Sweat. Tears. Muscle. Heart.
You do it because you know what you want,
and you’re willing to make it happen.
Whatever it takes.
So however you do it, be sure to do it right.
DO IT Right.
DO IT WITH FIRST GEAR
FIRST GEAR 22

Little Embolden Books
Check out the tablet
version here.
AND THEY LIVED
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
LOIS KAMANDULIS

ABOUT THE
DESIGNER
Someday, Lois Kamandulis will be as cool as she
once was in this image. Until then, she likes to
cook and eat Korean and other ethnic foods,
sleep, and watch magic tricks performed by her husband,
Jimmy.
Her past lives include teaching 1st grade, 2nd grade and
elementary art in the Mississippi Delta, teaching English
in Madrid and hanging out with Tibetan monks through
a study-abroad program in Nepal.
She loves art and laughing at her own jokes, and often
gifts the book, “The Alchemist,” while encouraging all to
go after their own personal treasures.
Her celebrity crushes include the Dalai Lama and Archbishop
Desmond Tutu.
NOT PICTURED:
the nip-sip in
the rest of this
image. (See back
of resume.)
FIRST GEAR 24

Little Embolden Heroes
HOW MANY OF THESE
SHOULD LOIS THANK?
Jimmy Ichihana
Mama Bo Kamandulis
The Late, Great Donald
Kamandulis (Dad)
Meg Curtiss
Jeff Janelle
John Sousa
Jason Jones
Kristy Pennino
Andy Hamer
Jason Ellison
Sarah Siddiqui
Khan Mai
Kevin Boyton
Cliff Manspeaker
Amanda Kern
Jason Hurst
Arli Oráa
Dennis Santspree
Lawrence Sibblis
Hunter Bustamonte
Taylor Chastain
Breanna “BG” Glisson
Marisa “Kuro” Punnapop
Jojo Sobrepeña
Uhh, athletic people?
(or at least consumers
of athletic-wear)
YEP. ALL OF EM’!
THANKS A BAJILLION!
AND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL THESE OTHER FAB
Little Embolden Book
• A Long Day’s Journey into
Those Savage Beasts
• Teach for India in 80 Days (or less)
• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to
Cool Dad Magazine
EDITIONS:
• 20,000 Leagues InDaTub
• The Brief Wondrous Life of
Think-A-Thon 2018
• Love in the Time of Orlando Strong

A BAJILLION
THERE ARE OVER
Little Embolden Books
TO SHARE.
(BUT HERE ARE ONLY 7 OF THEM.)
ISBN 9781781102459
59999 >
HOW MANY HAVE
YOU READ?
Check them all out online + even more cool stuff at
loiskamandulis.com
9 781781 102459