Twiske Molen Loop | Illustration & Branding

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TWISKE MOLEN LOOP

AC Waterland approached me to help them one more time to create their annual DriFIT shirt for their Twiske Molen Loop season 2019-2020.

The Twiske Molen Loop is a recreational run that takes place every year through the beautiful fields of Het Twiske, a recreation and nature area located northwest of Amsterdam, which is also renowned by its iconic dutch windmill 'Twiske Molen', and which all athletes pass at least once during the race. It's open to all ages starting from young kids to seniors, and consists of 6 different distances.
After the last course of the season (in March), eager runners are able to discover the new official seasonal Dri-FIT shirts which are given by the Athletics Club as a gift for their participation and support to the Club.

For this T-shirt the Association wanted their image to reflect a contemporary approach to the running activity and giving the female figure a prominent and empowering role.

Client: AC Waterland

Year: 2019/2020

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THE MILL

The Twiske Molen is a monumental windmill combined with an electric pumping station to bale the 650 hectare Twiske polder. Among the many types of old windmills in the Netherlands, the Twiskemolen is an octagonal thatched inner porter. The mill dates from 1578 and stood for centuries in Barsingerhorn, near Schagen. The mill has been in its current location since 1975, on the border between the municipalities of Landsmeer and Oostzaan. Twiskemolen is one of the few polder mills in the Netherlands that is still in real operation.

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THE LOCATION

The area has a special status as a protected nature reserve; it is a so-called Natura 2000 area, which is an area designated by the national government on the basis of its high natural values that attracts special flora and fauna.

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APPROACH

My work aims to stand apart from generic running T-shirt cliches by incorporating a bold visual language from streetwear aesthetics to create something that connects sport with nature and provides the image with a playful tone of voice that serves well for the diverse and mixed ages members of the association.

By mixing in running and nature imagery I wanted to emphasize the strong sporting spirit of dutch athletes who run in all seasons regardless the dutch weather, enduring strong winds, heavy rainstorms, cold and gloomy days.
I also wanted to reflect the essence of the beautiful natural area, rich in fauna, flora, and that's home to the iconic dutch windmill ‘Het Twiske’.

By using the line art-styled illustrations and halftone pattern I was able to provide the client with a practical and economical solution that only requires the use of one colour ink to print the T-shirts.