Does the physical aspect of cycling inspire your design work or is it what cycling exposes you to whilst you’re out in the world that’s the source of inspiration?
The physical aspect of cycling is a welcome contrast to the desk jocky aspect of being office based, the bike allows a break from this, and it’s repetitive nature allows the mind to wander free and solve problems or issues from an the left field. Inspiration takes you so far, but balanced with effort and appropriate action, I find it a great complement to my design life.

How does working with Astellas Professional Cycling Team benefit your business - gauge-studio.com?
Its a mutually beneficial thing - I can lend my skills and present the team professionally and positively. The team can pass on and add some exposure to my company. Plus, as a cyclist, its great to help out with a sport that you feel passionately about.

We’ve learned you’re a cyclist. Tell us a bit about your riding…
I love bikes, full stop. If I have a choice, the mountain bike would win out, but you can’t beat a Spanish road climb into the mountains from the coast. I ride singlespeed a fair bit of the time - I’m a bit stubborn and/or stupid some would say, I just like the sheer simplicity and overall effort from one gear.

Design is very subjective. That said, how did you come up with a kit design for Astellas that’s proved to have such a wide appeal with all that have seen it?
I wanted the sponsors to stand out, and the kit to be classic, yet not dated. I looked at a lot of other team kits and started sketching. The result was the off-set red with the white sleeve high lights to stand out in the peloton.

You’re an independent business. How can we find you on the internet?
You’ll be able to find out more about me at gauge-studio.com in the next few months, as my new company launches then, until then, I’m on twitter as jimdesign or jimdesign.co.uk