TRTL TRAVEL
TRAVEL COMPRESSION SOCKS
ROLE: Creative Lead
Pattern Design, Creative Direction, Packaging Design, On-Set Direction, Production Management
THE BRIEF
Trtl Travel, a brand dedicated to making journeys more comfortable and enjoyable, sought to expand its range of innovative travel products by introducing a line of compression socks. With a mission to refresh and support travellers, especially in economy class, Trtl wanted to offer compression socks that provided not only medical benefits but also a colourful, vibrant design to appeal to their community of travel enthusiasts.
As Creative Lead, I was tasked with designing five unique patterns for these compression socks, each inspired by a travel destination. The designs needed to align with Trtl’s brand ethos of travel light, refreshed, and ready for adventure, all while meeting the technical requirements of compression fabric. The goal was to make compression socks both functional and visually appealing, breaking away from the typical stigma around compression wear and instead presenting them as fun, fashionable travel essentials.
PRODUCT AND PATTERN DESIGN
THE RESULT
Working within the technical constraints of compression sock manufacturing, with the support of Trtl's Product Designer, I created a series of bold, simplified designs that featured bright, travel-inspired patterns. Each design was carefully crafted to retain detail within the sock’s knitted fabric, balancing vibrant visuals with functionality. I drew on the brand’s ethos of adventure and created a series of patterns named after travel destinations, giving each sock its own unique “journey”: Watermelon for Fiji, Grey Stripes for Seattle,Windy Paper Planes for Vancouver etc.
Each pair was made with COOLMAX® and LYCRA® technology, providing gentle compression (15-21mmHg) to reduce swelling and promote circulation, making them ideal for long flights. The result was a line of colourful, practical socks that aligned with Trtl’s brand identity of joyful, comfortable travel.
To promote this product range, we designed a vibrant marketing campaign that showcased people proudly wearing the socks in unexpected travel moments—from airports to scenic viewpoints. This campaign helped shift the perception of compression socks, framing them as stylish accessories rather than purely functional items. The bright and happy visuals resonated with travellers, reinforcing Trtl’s mission to make every journey more enjoyable.
Our efforts paid off with notable recognition. Forbes selected Trtl’s compression socks as the best option for travel, praising their breathable Coolmax fabric, comfortable compression level, and cheerful patterns. The review highlighted the socks’ ideal compression, comfort, and style, affirming Trtl’s place as a leader in innovative travel essentials.
CONCEPT, CREATIVE DIRECTION, ON-SET DIRECTION, PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT, CASTING
AFTER MY DEPARTURE FROM TRTL, IT WAS LOVELY TO SEE THAT 5000 PAIRS OF COMPRESSION SOCKS WERE DONATED TO THE NHS STAFF AT THE START OF THE LOCKDOWN IN 2020
