My friend Jed belongs to a group of skaters called the Spot Doctors. He asked me to create a logo that could be used on stickers, packaging, t-shirts, and other goods. The iconography in the Spot Doctors logo is based on the grip tape of a skate deck and a concrete trowel, the tools of the trade for this group who creates DIY skate spots in and around Raleigh, NC.
When I started this project, I sat down with Jed and talked to him about the history of the Spot Doctors. Jed told me that he’s been skating since he was 3 years old and has been DIYing skate spots for almost as long. He and his three brothers fixed up curbs, ledges, and other spots throughout their childhood. As he grew up, Jed continued to DIY skate spots with his friends and they were sometimes called “spot doctors” by other skaters. Jed liked the name and eventually started calling his group of friends the Spot Doctors.
During my initial research, I sifted through countless skateboarding magazines and looked at current skate company logos and branding. I sketched several different logo concepts using a concrete trowel and skate deck. With Jed’s feedback, I further developed one concept into the final logo.
I also created a prototype and packaging for a Spot Doctors product, skate wax. Skate wax is used to reduce friction between the skateboard and the curb, ledge, or rail that you’re skating on. This allows the skater to go faster, slide smoother, and thus land tricks more easily. Spot Doctors skate wax is packaged in a plastic tube with a removable cap, similar to what you’d see antiperspirant or deodorant packaged in, to prevent melted wax from getting in your car or bag.
By the end of the project, I not only created a logo for the Spot Doctors but designed several other items as well. I created skate deck graphics using the cross iconography from the logo, an enamel pin design, and a t-shirt design. I also created a product packaging design and photographs of the product prototype in use. I also had logo stickers made, which Jed and his friends are placing around Raleigh, NC. (Keep an eye out for them in the wild!)
Although I was slightly unfamiliar with the subculture of skateboarding at the beginning of this project, I became well-versed in it by the end. It was a challenge to create a design that brought my client’s vision to life, but after many revisions and collaboration, I created something that we are both very happy with. I am currently working on several projects for them and plan on creating even more work for the brand in the future.
Miranda Estep 