Decked Out:
Publication Design 2
This two-spread layout was created to explore visual storytelling through dynamic, layered composition centered around skateboarding culture. The assignment focused on capturing the rebellious spirit and energy of street skating using typography, photography, and custom vector artwork.
The design draws inspiration from grunge and graffiti aesthetics, employing distressed textures, bold stencil fonts, and angled text placement to reflect the movement and unpredictability of skating. Custom shapes and circular emblems were integrated to frame key images and unify the layout. Monochrome photography adds grit, while the contrast of heavy black linework and splattered ink textures heightens the sense of motion and street influence.
A major design challenge involved maintaining visual balance across complex layers of text and imagery. Careful type hierarchy and modular layout planning helped ensure legibility without sacrificing energy. The final result is a raw, expressive layout that feels as bold and boundary-pushing as the culture it represents.
The Research
The foundation of this project was rooted in the exploration of David Carson’s experimental design philosophy. Best known for his work in Ray Gun magazine and his rule-breaking approach to typography and layout, Carson emphasizes emotion over perfection and visual impact over strict readability. His belief that “don’t mistake legibility for communication” became a central concept during the research phase of this assignment.
To prepare for the project, I studied Carson’s work in editorial design, analyzing how he layered images and text, distorted type, and embraced asymmetry and grunge textures to evoke a raw, visceral energy. I also reviewed street culture zines and skateboarding magazines from the 1990s and early 2000s, identifying design techniques that reflected a similar anti-establishment, DIY spirit.
These references informed the visual tone of the spreads—from the distressed textures and tilted type to the overlapping visual elements and gritty black-and-white photography. The layout pushes traditional grid systems to the edge, mirroring the rebellious nature of street skating and Carson’s iconic disregard for convention. Through this research, the final design emerged as a tribute to expressive, intuitive design thinking rooted in cultural authenticity.
