Helmet painter and designer for Bs designs.
We had the chance to collaborate with Thomas Darbonville where he took over our instagram story to answer your questions!
You can find the video version on our Instagram’s highlights ( @behindtracklimits) or on our youtube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZW-GxDMnbo )
Thomas is a 20 year old french helmet painter for BS Design, he has painted helmets for Formula 1 drivers such as Pierre Gasly, Charles Leclerc and Yuki Tsunoda as well as formula 3 driver Dennis Haugher.
What is the most interesting helmet you have done?
“The most interesting for me is not necessarily Formula 1 helmets but it is private customers, we have more liberty and it is more fun to paint.
Is there a particular artistic style you use or are you open to whatever the client wants?
We have our style but we can always adapt to something else!
Past or Present, who would you love to design a helmet for?
Past I would like to paint the helmet or Ayrton Senna and now I would like to paint Charles Leclerc’s helmet but I have already done it !
Have you ever had a creative block?
Sometimes but very rarely, I am always open to designing the helmet the way the driver wants, they are a huge part of the process.
Have you met any of the drivers?
I met drivers like Charles Leclerc, Theo Pourchaire, Victor Martins, Pierre-Louis Chovet, Oliver Rasmussen and many more, it was so cool!
Have you got any hopes to design more than helmets?
Yes! I have a little company that works in graphic design. So if you want to see that you can check on instagram @full.graph
How close are the drivers involved in the process?
Drivers talk about the design with the designers and then we paint the helmet. Sometimes, they call us for details.
How did you come to the conclusion that you wanted to design only helmets?
Really good question! Because I love helmets, the design and motorsports and I have the chance to work in this world. I am so happy to work with drivers.
What sort of subjects did you study ?
You don’t have a school to become a helmet painter but I studied visual communication.
Favorite design yet?
I think it is Romain Grosjean’s helmet because it is one of the most complicated helmets in formula 1 and I loved the colors and design.
Favorite feature about Formula 1 helmets?
first, the carbon was beautiful and secondly the new visor.
If you could make a helmet for any driver who would it be?
Why not Lewis Hamilton, it is a good design and he would be inspirational to design for!
How long does it take to make one?
It is usually 20 hours of work for one piece but sometimes it is easier, but approximately 20 hours.
Where does the inspiration come from when designing a helmet?
My inspiration comes from my idea and then from designer’s instagram and other helmet we can see during the race.
What are your favorite colors blended together?
My favorite colors are on my helmet, so orange, black carbon and sparkles on the helmet.
What is your favorite helmet you have ever designed?
My favorite one is Pierre Gasly’s helmet.
What does a typical day as a helmet designer look like for you?
A typical day starts with coffee and redbull of course! To be serious, in the morning, I make the graphic design of the helmet and, in the afternoon, I make the varnish and do all finitions.
Do you get nervous when painting a driver’s helmet?
No I don’t, I have been painting helmets for a long time now so I find I rarely make mistakes, even then they are easily corrected.
How was it to design such a special helmet for Pierre Gasly?
I don’t know which specific helmet you are talking about but the one for Anthoine Hubert for Spa was very emotional to paint. For Monza, it was so exciting to see one of our helmets on the first step of the podium!
Thank you to Thomas for answering to our followers’s questions !!
Follow Thomas on instagram @thomas_dbvl and @bs_designs_helmet
To watch the whole video head over to our Instagram or Youtube @behindtracklimits
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