RIP Skateboarding
Client
RIP Skateboarding
Location
Cologne, Germany
Year
2025
Info
During a project for KISD I was asked to develop a complete brand strategy for RIP Skateboarding.
The centerpiece of the brand was an innovative skate shoe, originally created by a fellow student.
Challenge
The main challenge was to position the product as innovative and functional, rather than just another sneaker, while creating a strong emotional connection to the skateboarding community that respects its culture.
At the same time, the brand identity needed to balance authenticity, resilience, and street credibility, and the design system had to be scalable across products, events, campaigns, and social media.
Concept
Instead of conventional lifestyle or sneaker branding, the concept emphasizes:
- Durability and innovation, celebrating a product that grows with the skater, rather than being disposable
- Authenticity over trends, rooted in real skate culture and street aesthetics
- Community and culture, fostering connection among skaters and enthusiasts
The goal was to create a brand that not only highlights the functional innovation of the shoe but also builds an emotional connection to a culture defined by creativity, individuality, and persistence.
Execution
Visual Identity
- Complete brand system: logo, typography and color palette
- Visuals reflect toughness, innovation, and authenticity while remaining consistent across touchpoints
- Illustrative elements highlight the repairable nature of the shoe, connecting product feature and brand story
Applications / Touchpoints
- Social media campaigns: highlighting repair feature, lifestyle imagery, and skate culture
Communication & Storytelling
- Tone of voice: bold, confident, and authentic
- Campaign messaging combines technical innovation (self-repairing shoe) with cultural narrative (resilience and creativity of skaters)
- Visual storytelling emphasizes the connection between skater, shoe, and urban environment
System & Scalability
- Modular design system for future product lines and campaigns
Result
RIP Skateboarding established itself as a recognizable and culturally authentic skate brand.
Its consistent identity and storytelling clearly differentiate it from conventional skate brands, while the shoe’s repairable feature creates both a functional and emotional connection, symbolizing resilience and creativity and linking product innovation directly to skate culture.
