As a designer, are you provided with a rough idea for the design of a glove (cut, colour, features), or do you come up with the spec on your own?
It's always a good idea to have a problem from the start, that way you have a aim to develop a solution and few can argue that you have copied others (Unlike others have done to us, but as our marketing man keeps telling me 'Often copied - never equaled'). You call on many factors such as experience of keeper levels (established Pro's won't want the same as an enthusiastic teenage keeper might look for), innovative new materials in other products and other samples new companies might send you - always keeping an eye on the competition too. When developing the glove, the cut and colours often get revised 4 or 5 times taking some from each design then taking a step back and seeing what works best.
What is the time frame for an average design?
From concept to finished selling sample it will be 2 - 3 months depending on the technical aspect of the glove. Some will slot in to place straight away and everything will just click, others will need a bit more refinement and a few more samples depending on what you're aiming to achieve - but it's always fun.
How many versions of a drawing does it usually take before a final product is agreed upon?
I try to do 3/4 designs of one glove idea and then we pick out the best aspects in a concept meeting. After which a final set of proofs will be produced based on final ideas and sent off to the factory for first samples.
Are you involved in the manufacturing process?
Yes, we keep close contact with every stage of the design process. It is often hard at times to pin down an idea which is crucial to the glove's development which can need further meetings & technical drawings. Everyone involved knows what Selsport represents which is function, comfort and grip this ethos has served us well and the factories aim is to help us achieve that.
Which colour would they never select for a goalkeeper's glove? Why?
Pink was always a big no no but times have changed and we are seeing a demand for a subtle choice of the colour, hence this being used in the Heritage 08 range of gloves & apparel.
Where do you draw your inspirations from?
22 years of being involved in the sports trade, coaching keepers and playing in goal at a semi pro level.
How much involvement do professional goalkeepers have in the process?
Greatly... each year our endorsees are invited to brain storming sessions, as well as testing sessions. Some ideas may work on paper but then a keeper may point something out that we haven't thought of which will improve the glove and point us in a new direction.... their input is key to Selsport - always has been.
How often do you need to adapt to trends to stay current?
This being the 10 year anniversary for Selsport we have rolled back the years and designed the 'Heritage 08' range. This combines new technology such as Storm guard, ABGS smart fabric and new impress palms and others. We have also designed a number of Limited edition gloves which will be based on a retro Selsport gloves but incorporating this new technology.... Top Secret but we'll let you know soon and we'll include pics.
How does a glove designer keep up with the new ball and footwear technology?
I constantly scour trade mags, attend exhibitions, research internet forums, attend games, talk to top pro strikers so I can get some inside information of what works best for them (knowing your enemy) etc whilst I explore other sports to see how ideas have been developed. During testing each glove has tests for impact and grip using a selection of balls making sure that whatever their come up against they can perform without fail, if they don't we go back and improve.
Do endorsees dictate what models you create, or is it the other way around?
Its a very much a working relationship we need them to put the gloves to the test in the most demanding conditions and give expert feed back. If they didn't do this we couldn't put such a strong marketing ethos on our gloves being unrivaled in terms of grip and comfort. The pro's offer ideas but you need to take a general view and not just rely on just one keepers way of thinking. One keeper asked us for a webbed glove once I remember telling him I think that would be illegal ahahahha!
Have you ever gone through an entire design process, only to have it scrapped?
Many a time - ideas may have come at 2am in the morning only for the design to be kicked in the bin next morning. Some gloves have come back from the factory where we have applied a technology and it hasn't worked so it's back to the drawing board and then those gloves have come back stronger and have gone on be best sellers.
A huge thanks to Ian Cornish, Mark Tipton and Selsport for taking the time to do this interview for TGB members.
THE GLOVE BAG SHOP - NOW OPEN
