crooked finger designs
creative directionThere are lots of words I could write about this project called “Crooked Finger Designs” for starters, it’s a mechanic shop specializing in Volkswagen Vanagons both on the engine side and in the way these vehicles are usually built out as campers or roadtripping machines. It’s on the borderline of cult status.
I met the guy behind this shop named Ransom years ago via Instagram. I had another creative project going called Camp Mug Supply Co. and we connected through that. I was living in Maryland at the time and beginning my search for a van myself. My east coast search paused as my wife and I moved to Portland. We’d continue our search for a Westfalia and Ransom would end up moving to Bend (Oregon) so he became my guide in this process. Ransom had a Westy of course, and that combined with a mechanical background, he was my guy. We became good friends, he opened a small van shop, and needed a creative partner to help launch the brand. Someone to draw a logo, help with some social stuff, you know the usual “brand graphic starter kit” kind of thing. Our mutual passion for these 35-40 year old vans was enough to keep us both greatly invested in seeing this thing succeed. The Crooked Finger shop would eventually grow into a lively scene in Central Oregon. CFD became a household name among those who call 4-wheels home.
Through all of that, I have continued to work alongside Crooked Finger Designs, crafting the visual of the brand and helping Ransom with his vision for all of it. Below is a snapshot of endless hours and messy folders full of half finished ideas, some more refined than others. All while, making sure to keep everything a little bit crookeder.
Above: Core brand elements - Stacked Logo / Shaka / JDM CFD / Slower Than Fast
Below: Exterior of the shop.
Above: Stickers. Free promotion.
Below: Brand color guide / flash illustrations for use / data plate designs for engine builds
Hand-painted camp mugs. Always a staple in the shop since the very beginning.
There is a lot of content I want to share so I thought I would break it up with some whitespace and a few words.
***this section a work in progress
Above: Shop entrance.
Below: Various illustrations, poster designs, tshirts, product, Boneyard Beer collaboration.