𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝑀𝑜𝓇𝑔𝒶𝓃
Sk8M8TM
A rebrand project for a tech-forward skateboarding app, led by a duo focused on on digital functionality and brand identity. Their goal was to create a culturally resonant platform for editing and sharing skate clips.
“Propping up your phone and letting it roll is the easy part. But going through all that footage after? That's the real hassle. We got tired of ruined sessions, so we built Sk8M8 to handle the grind for you. No more digging through hours of footage or stopping your session to trim. Sk8M8 is built for skaters who just wanna skate, get clips, and keep rolling.”
RESEARCH
Examples and ideas
Explorations
Concept Illustrations and Drafts
Digital Roughs
Typeface, color palette, and illustrated assets
Final Solution
"Film. Upload. Get Clips.
Hit the park or the streets—film with a stationary angle
Drop your raw clips at Sk8M8.io
Get clean, auto-edited clips—straight bangers, no filler
Built in San Diego, Sk8M8 keeps you in motion, so you can focus on stacking clips, not scrubbing timelines. Less hassle, more hammers."
Summary
SK8M8 Brand Kit
When developing the SK8M8 brand identity, my goal was to capture the intersection of skate culture and a tech-driven product. Early sketches explored hand-drawn logos to reflect skateboarding’s DIY roots, but as the project evolved, I leaned into a sharper, more tech-inspired aesthetic. The final icon and wordmark balance those two worlds—underground authenticity and innovative design.
Typography became central to establishing this dual identity. I chose FIT, a bold, graffiti-inspired typeface, for maximum visual impact. It references the raw energy of skate culture while remaining legible and structured. To complement it, I paired Aktiv Grotesk Ex, a versatile sans serif with warmth and clarity, perfect for app interfaces and brand messaging.
The color palette—bold green, burnt orange, and deep purple—pushes the brand’s dynamism. Gradients and color burns bring depth, referencing both skate graphics and digital aesthetics. Together, these elements create a visual language that feels approachable yet disruptive.
Posters & Stickers
To extend the brand, I developed posters and sticker concepts that merge imaginative illustration with core skateboarding visuals. The poster design features a legs-only skater mid-trick—a playful way of saying all you need is your board and your skills. Paired with the logo, wordmark, and a QR code, the design communicates clearly while staying visually experimental.
For stickers, I highlighted a nollie kickflip to rail, overlayed with key calls to action. I drew inspiration from M.C. Escher’s optical illusions and retro RGB logos, giving the designs a nostalgic yet contemporary edge. These pieces were meant to function both as promotional material and as objects skaters would actually want to use and share.
Website & Mobile
The website and mobile mock-ups were designed with the same balance of energy and clarity. Functionality came first: layouts are straightforward and intuitive, ensuring users can easily engage with the app. But I also wanted the visuals to capture the raw creativity of skateboarding, so I borrowed cues from magazine spreads and zine layouts to keep things visually dynamic.
These early mock-ups serve as a foundation, showing how the brand could live across digital platforms. They are intentionally flexible, leaving space for refinement as the product grows and feedback comes in from real users.
