MARCHING UNIFORM DESIGN

By Chad Duggan, Creative Designer
Demoulin Bros. & Co.

Creating a new uniform for today’s marching musical ensemble can be a daunting and overwhelming task. Where does a person start? Should one stick with the tried and true, traditional designs or rock the proverbial boat with a new and updated style? More and more music educators are looking to create an entirely new look, or update the traditional design that has been a part of the ensemble’s existing image for many times…decades. How can today’s music educator find the uniform design that represents a fresh, modern appearance, but maintains the support of administrators, alumni, and traditionalist too? Not an easy job. Here are some points for discussion that may help bring your wants, needs, and requirements in line when it’s time for new uniforms

Start by defining the style of the group. Style is determined by the image that a performance ensemble aspires to create when experienced by an audience. Many factors contribute to the defined style of a group. The type of musical literature presented plays a leading role. Classical, Jazz, Popular, and Rock are just a few of the choices that exist for the marching musical ensemble. The uniform design presents an image that can support the choice of musical literature. For example: An elegant, regal style to perhaps represent a classical repertoire. Maybe a more aggressive, darker look to interpret Jazz musical choices. Possible a bit more “flashy” design for a group that prefers popular or rock selections. If the ensemble presents many styles of literature, this too should be considered by endeavoring to create a look that is versatile enough to represent many musical styles.

Focused designs that exhibit clarity from a distance are visually pleasing to the eye. Too many design ideas or details can create a cluttered, unorganized look. Take into account the importance of details that can only be appreciated from a close proximity, verses the appearance of the uniform from the press box of a large performance venue. A successful design is one that is visually effective from a distance, and beautiful upon close inspection.

Consider the use of large, overstated details that are visible from far away. Many times one of these details is used as the main focal point of a design, and can be outlined or framed to create visual definition that communicates across the size of a football field.

Textural contrast for interest is popular in today’s modern designs. Reflective elements, metallic ornamentation, shiny fabric finishes, matt or non reflective fabric finishes, and velvet textures, to name a few, all work together to create contrast, interest, and dimension.

Carefully use white and lighter colors to draw the eye to a particular part of the body or feature of the uniform. White is very powerful and visible on a football field, and should be used with great consideration. The use of white toward the top of the body when combined with darker colors will visually lead the eye up, and create the perception of greater height.

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