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HyperFreak Series - 2019 SIMA Wetsuit of the Year
We aimed to design the most comfortable wetsuit ever. By sourcing the lightest, stretchiest neoprene available anywhere, eliminating the zipper, and painstakingly tweaking every detail, the surf industry voted it the best of 2019 and StabMag claimed it as the most comfortable.
One of the best surfers in the world, Jordy Smith, claimed the HyperFreak as the biggest breakthrough in surfing since the invention of the thruster (3-fin) surfboard which revolutionized the sport.
Trim items like this Button Tab take several revisions and refinements to get the right tactile feel and aesthetic while proper construction techniques are imperative to avoid failure.
Raised-ink logos will stretch with the material and avoid cracking while the dimensional look gives the product a higher value perception.
Below is an example of the graphics page for each sample. The wrist logos are spec'd in the raised-ink mentioned above. They are shaped to match the curved wrist pattern and designed to allow flex for easy entry yet limit the opening to prevent flushes and secure around gloves.
This spreadsheet is an example of any given spec for a typical production order. Working very closely with our engineer and pattern makers, we work to dial in every detail for the best blend of cost, efficiency, and ultimately, correct production of the end product.
Working on a bi-annual schedule, getting all the details worked out on any single product can be daunting, but getting them fine tuned on a broad line takes an extra level of focus. Below you'll see the O'Neill Wetsuits Fall 2019 range. Another dozen or so (not shown) are also designed by myself for global-specific markets. During this season, I also redesigned a line of gloves and a boot that didn't make it to market.
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