Chris Austin is an English Senior Graphic Designer specialising in football graphics, performance apparel and sportswear, with 15+ years of experience spanning global sport, lifestyle and music. Based in Germany, Chris has worked at PUMA since 2017 across Global Licensed Football Apparel, leading graphic concepts, seasonal direction, licensed product and high-profile collaborations.
Chris brings extensive experience across global football product, combining strong conceptual and visual direction with hands-on knowledge of apparel development, production and technical execution. He is experienced in leading teams and creative projects, collaborating with global brands including: C.P. Company, Off-White, KidSuper, Slam Jam, Perks and Mini, Pleasures and NEMEN.
Project Highlights
One of Chris’s standout projects is the AC Milan × Pleasures Fourth Kit for the 2023/24 season. Crafted in collaboration with PUMA and LA-based streetwear label Pleasures, the design merges the grit of punk, metal, and grunge with Milan’s iconic gothic architecture. This project exemplifies his ability to merge cultural influences with innovative design, creating a visually striking and performance-oriented football kit
PUMA × NEMEN (AW22), Chris created a “spy camouflage” pattern inspired by supercar testing, applying it across jacquard knits, technical layers and multi fabric constructions
PUMA × KidSuper Club World Cup (SS25) – Chris co-developed hand drawn watercolor inspired graphics and a custom font set alongside KidSuper, for a lineup of global clubs like Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Palmeiras, Monterrey, Al-Hilal, Mamelodi Sundowns and FC Salzburg
PUMA World Cup Jersey Release (SS26) – Forbes (Tiana Randall).
For this World Cup, Puma built its kits on a performance-first foundation, using ULTRAWEAVE 2.0, its lightest fabric, to maximize athletes’ freedom of movement. Building on top of performance, design played a key role in depicting cultural identity. Austin explained that, rather than simply featuring flags or national colors, the team works closely with federations and local communities to gather cultural insight, especially in countries like Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. “There’s a lot of rich culture there, particularly in the patterns and fabrics, so we want to honor that in the right way,” he said. “We bring those elements into the jersey in a modern way, and in a Puma way as well.” Read the full story here:
PUMA Global Football (Teamsport)
Senior Graphic Designer
2021 – Present
PUMA Sporstyle Prime/Select
Graphic Designer
2019 – 2021
PUMA Sportstyle Core
Graphic Designer
2017 – 2019
Merchandising For Life
Graphic Designer
2009 – 2017