Variant
Skate Video & Premiere
Deep Dish, a Chicago-based skateboard video series has been a passion project of mine for 13 years. “Variant” was the ninth installment to the saga. I partnered with Vans to host the event and bring the Chicago skateboard scene together for a night.
Creating a Visual Identity with Title Design
For Variant, I designed the titles as the foundation of the video's visual identity, reflecting the theme of infection. I layered two distinct styles: one with organic animation of a virus spreading, and another with a futuristic, dystopian look. These were merged using a glitch effect, created by displacement maps from real footage shot on a mini-DV camera. This analog authenticity helped blend the titles in with the rest of the lo-fi footage.
Fusing Skate Footage and Design
Building on the title design, I used high-contrast black-and-white footage for the b-roll to enhance the raw, gritty feel of the video. To complement the skateboard footage, shot exclusively on the iconic Sony VX1000, I layered textures directly derived from the camera. To incorporate the design into the skate footage, I used motion-tracked boxes to highlight key moments—whether it was a skater’s foot whipping past the lens or the VX1000 itself.
Uniting the Chicago Skateboard Scene
I partnered with Vans to host the Variant premiere at the Chicago House of Vans. In addition to an open-skate session and a co-branded photo booth, I created custom animations and montages to be projected throughout the venue, creating an immersive experience. With over 400 attendees—the largest turnout for any local skate event—it was a powerful moment for the skate community, underscoring the Deep Dish's mission to unite and celebrate the scene.
Raising awareness on social
I leveraged social media to drive awareness and buzz around the video and event, creating a strategic mix of content. From an eye-catching event poster and video trailers to an engaging recap carousel post, each piece ultimately helped generate strong interest in Variant and the premiere.
