These rather bombastic boards are central to a game I’m working on that’s currently in soft launch. They’re designed to drive gameplay, customisation, and battle pass progression. The game is stylised and aimed at a younger audience, but I still wanted the boards to feel like something you’d find in a real skate shop, bold, collectible, grounded, and most importantly, super cool.
I created loads of these boards, but things really kicked off with the electric skull, skull pattern, and bomb illustrations, developed alongside the 3D board to make sure everything worked properly. The setup allows me to change wheel colours and designs with a simple texture swap, without touching the UVs. Little considerations like this are essential when working with limited time and budgets.
Some of the more interesting designs came from a collaboration with an illustrator and old college friend, Matt Rowe. I gave him a few topics and a general style direction, and he came back with a batch of great line art sketches. I didn’t want to restrict his creative process with technical details early on, so I let him explore freely. Once he’d finished, I picked them up, made a few edits, and added colour.
The flying skateboard burger, which is probably my favourite, took loose inspiration from a T-shirt design I liked. The composition is completely different, but I loved the line work and bold use of colour. I’m also a big fan of the pizza eating itself, it’s super clean, and I couldn’t resist adding the ‘Yum!’ type. The flying robot with a drink is all Matt’s work, fully coloured by him. I’ve no idea what he was on when he came up with that, but I love it.
I really enjoy collaborating with talented people. The work often takes on a life of its own, and interesting things come from the back and forth. It was also brilliant to reconnect after all these years and bring some wild ideas to life together. Matt’s a great illustrator, creative, fast, and professional. I can’t recommend him enough.
I created loads of these boards, but things really kicked off with the electric skull, skull pattern, and bomb illustrations, developed alongside the 3D board to make sure everything worked properly. The setup allows me to change wheel colours and designs with a simple texture swap, without touching the UVs. Little considerations like this are essential when working with limited time and budgets.
Some of the more interesting designs came from a collaboration with an illustrator and old college friend, Matt Rowe. I gave him a few topics and a general style direction, and he came back with a batch of great line art sketches. I didn’t want to restrict his creative process with technical details early on, so I let him explore freely. Once he’d finished, I picked them up, made a few edits, and added colour.
The flying skateboard burger, which is probably my favourite, took loose inspiration from a T-shirt design I liked. The composition is completely different, but I loved the line work and bold use of colour. I’m also a big fan of the pizza eating itself, it’s super clean, and I couldn’t resist adding the ‘Yum!’ type. The flying robot with a drink is all Matt’s work, fully coloured by him. I’ve no idea what he was on when he came up with that, but I love it.
I really enjoy collaborating with talented people. The work often takes on a life of its own, and interesting things come from the back and forth. It was also brilliant to reconnect after all these years and bring some wild ideas to life together. Matt’s a great illustrator, creative, fast, and professional. I can’t recommend him enough.
Credits
Illustration : Matt Rowe
https://www.beehiveillustration.com/illustrators/matt-rowe/illustrator
3D Artist : Gordon Brown
Illustration : Matt Rowe
https://www.beehiveillustration.com/illustrators/matt-rowe/illustrator
3D Artist : Gordon Brown
