Interview: The Incredible Rise of German Kit Designer Philipp Truxa

From Photoshop to the pitch — Philipp (@trukapsd), a self-taught designer from Germany, has rapidly become the most recognizable name in the world of concept football kits in Germany. Known for his detailed, story-driven designs and realistic mockups, his work has captured the attention of fans and clubs alike.

What started with social media graphics and photography evolved into full kit creations that now reach tens of thousands, including viral hits like his 50th anniversary jersey for 1. FC Magdeburg and a Champions League concept for VfB Stuttgart with more than 40k likes on Instagram.

In this exclusive Footy Headlines interview, Philipp takes us through his journey from fan to creator, the meticulous process behind his designs, and how he’s carved out a unique niche in the crowded kit design space. He also shares insight into trends he loves (and hopes will disappear), and offers a glimpse into what's coming next, including potential real-world collaborations and an ambitious project ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Part 1: The Personal Beginning & The Breakthrough

Footy Headlines: Hi Philipp, thank you for your time. To begin, could you tell us a bit about your creative journey? We understand you started with photography, which you still do, before moving onto graphic and finally jersey design.

Philipp Truxa: I was never good at drawing, but I wanted to express myself creatively, so I taught myself graphic design ten years ago. It all started with social media graphics and collages. Photography gave me a different perspective and also got me interested in fashion for the first time. Since football is my greatest passion, I wanted to combine everything – that's how I ended up, via a roundabout route, in jersey design.

Let's talk about what feels like a key moment for many who follow your work: your concept for your favorite club, 1. FC Magdeburg, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Cup Winners' Cup victory. As a kit for your own team, what did that specific project mean to you personally?

Philipp's first concept was for his favorite club, 1. FC Magdeburg - he also played in the youth academy of the team for almost ten years

I played in the club's youth academy for almost ten years and have been a fan of the club for almost twenty years. Therefore, I knew from the start that I would work on the design until it was perfect for me and to do justice to the club's history. It was a project I'd had in mind for years, but for a long time, I lacked the skills for it.

After creating that Magdeburg concept and seeing the positive reaction, did that give you the confidence and motivation to pursue jersey design more seriously?

The response was overwhelming—many even approached me in the stadium. I knew I was still full of ideas I wanted to implement. I also knew I would occupy a niche with unique content, especially in Germany. I also enjoy speaking in front of the camera.

Philipp also created a fantastic concept for a new Bundesliga scoreboard

Part 2: The Creative Process - Storytelling in Photoshop

It's clear that almost every jersey you create tells a profound story. Where do you find the inspiration for these narratives? Is it always history, or sometimes something else?

Coming up with ideas usually takes longer than the design process. That's why I do a lot of research on the clubs beforehand and try to put myself in the fans' shoes. There doesn't always have to be a story behind the jersey; sometimes I design a fashionable pattern and then adapt it to the club – the main thing is that it doesn't look like a standard product.

We know you use Photoshop to bring these ideas to life. Could you walk us through your typical process? For example, how do you go from the historical idea of an anniversary to a final, detailed texture on a jersey?

I first sketch out lots of shapes, symbols, or landmarks that fit the club. Then I play around with filters in Photoshop to create a pattern. Sometimes I know exactly what I want it to look like, but sometimes it just evolves through hours of experimentation.

The realism of your concepts is stunning. Is there a particular technique in Photoshop or a specific detail - like the fabric texture or the lighting that you feel is most crucial to making a concept look real?

I mostly use high-quality mockups from the online platform Gumroad. I edit these to suit the individual jersey manufacturers to make them look as authentic as possible. Textures and lighting are particularly important. The more realistic the mockups, the better fans can visualize the jerseys on players or themselves.

Part 3: Reflection, Growth & Personal Favorites

You've now created an impressive collection of concepts. Looking back at everything you've designed, do you have a personal favorite jersey? And what makes that one so special to you?

Philipp's most popular concept to date

Of course, the 50th anniversary jersey of 1. FC Magdeburg is still special to me. But the gray-black Champions League jersey for VfB Stuttgart remains one of my favorites to this day. I wanted to design a jersey that would look majestic under the floodlights, yet still modern and casual. With over 40,000 likes on Instagram, it's also my most popular jersey to date—something I'm very proud of.

On the flip side, is there any design you look back on now and think, 'I would do that completely differently today'? And what have you learned as a designer since you first made it?

I once designed a jersey for 1. FC Kaiserslautern which was created from a leftover design from another project. I thought it was too good to throw away. So I simply added the Kaiserslautern logo and posted it. The response was very positive, but deep down, I knew it wasn't really intended for this club and was impersonal. I wouldn't do it again today.

How do you decide which club or nation to design for next? Do you wait for a specific idea or anniversary, or do you just follow your creative impulse?

Most of the time, I just wait until a club releases another bad jersey so I can redesign it. This is especially popular with my followers and attracts a lot of fans. But special occasions like cup finals, club anniversaries, or promotions also play a big role in my decisions.

Part 4: Industry Perspective & The Future

He knows what fans love - Philipp created a Schalke concept quite similar to the popular Hamburg 25-26 home kit released around one year later

From your perspective as a designer, what is a current trend in the official kit world that you find exciting? And is there a trend you wish would go away?

This season, kit manufacturer Jako has heavily focused on embossed designs. We've rarely seen something like this in Germany before. It allows for very beautiful patterns that enhance simple jerseys and make them special. I hope more clubs embrace this trend.

On the other hand, I hope we'll soon be free of floral patterns. Over the past three years, this trend has been overplayed, and it often has had no connection to the club.

Finally, looking ahead, what can we expect from you in the future? Are there any new projects or concepts you're excited about that you can share with us?

For the upcoming World Cup, I'm planning a project where I'll design a jersey for all the major nations. I'm also currently in contact with several German clubs and hope to see some of my jerseys in the stadium next season at the latest.

Do you like the designs created by Philipp Truxa? Do you think we will soon see an official kit designed by him? Let us know in the comments below.