COLUMBIA

CABIN FEVER COLLECTION

COLUMBIA: CABIN FEVER COLLECTION

For this project, I was tasked with developing a digital fashion collection inspired by a selected geographical location and a specific brand. I chose Colorado for its rugged, winter-driven landscape and Columbia Sportswear for its iconic cold-weather identity. The assignment required me to create a concept board and color palette, build custom patterns in Adobe Illustrator, develop digital garment designs, and combine these elements into a cohesive seasonal collection.
Although I was unable to save the standalone pattern files or concept board, the full project can be viewed in the PDF below, which includes all final designs.

This was an individual project, completed independently. All design work, illustrations, and technical decisions were produced by me.

THE PROCESS

I began by researching Colorado’s natural environment- mountains, forests, frozen lakes, lodge culture, and winter sports. This guided the warm, nostalgic, cabin-inspired theme that became the backbone of the collection.
Using Adobe Illustrator, I pulled tonal inspiration from Colorado scenery and Columbia’s existing brand colors. I crafted a winter palette of cozy neutrals, firelight reds, icy blues, and forest greens, naming each shade according to the theme.
I created custom patterns in Illustrator, using shapes, textures, and motifs influenced by Colorado’s wildlife and winter aesthetic. (The standalone files were lost, but the final patterns appear in the completed PDF.)
For the apparel pieces, I began by sourcing digital garment templates online, then traced and re-illustrated each silhouette in Adobe Illustrator to create clean vector line work. From there, I refined proportions, added technical details, incorporated my custom color ways, and applied textures and pattern fills where needed. This approach allowed me to build accurate, brand-appropriate Columbia garments while practicing digital fashion illustration.
Finally, I combined all elements: concept, color palette, patterns, and garments, into a unified collection layout. Each piece includes sizes, fabrics, pricing (wholesale/MSRP), and delivery dates to simulate a real retail assortment.

SKILLS

Trend & Market Research -

Analyzed Columbia’s brand aesthetic and Colorado’s climate, lifestyle, and terrain to ensure the collection felt authentic and functional.
Color Theory & Palette Development -

Created a cohesive winter palette inspired by natural Colorado elements (mountains, snow, timber, firelight), while staying true to Columbia’s outdoor identity.
Adobe Illustrator: Patternmaking

Drafted custom repeat patterns and textile prints using vector tools, shape builders, clipping masks, and swatches.
Adobe Illustrator: Garment Design -

Designed jackets, vests, accessories, pants, and technical apparel with clean vector linework, proportion accuracy, and brand-based detailing.
Technical Layout & Digital Presentation -

Arranged product information, colorways, sizing, wholesale/MSRP pricing, and delivery dates in a clean, industry-style digital format.
Creative Direction -

Unified patterns, colors, and garments into one consistent narrative that reflected both the geographical inspiration and Columbia’s established DNA.

OUTCOME

This project strengthened my confidence in Adobe Illustrator, collection planning, and technical design. It taught me how to merge location-based inspiration with a brand’s identity and produce an industry-ready presentation. The Cabin Fever Collection reflects my ability to create a complete apparel story, from concept to color, from patterns to finished garments.