National Checkerboard Day

Every year Vans puts on National Checkerboard Day that encourages artists to incorporate their iconic pattern into their creative output. Being a designer, the answer was literally at my finger tips.

From sketch to lasers to free shoes in Hawaii, this project is definitely a favorite of mine.

Photography by Conner Hill

OK! The Hawaii Story.

My wife and I had the amazing opportunity to visit her sister in Hawaii for Christmas in 2019. While we were there, we found out that Pipe Masters was going on and we had to check it out.

While walking around I noticed that Vans had a booth in the vendor area. So I spotted the wisest lookin’ dude there and went for it.

The project was only at sketch phase but I pulled out my phone, showed off the progress and pitched my heart out. Now he couldn't do much in the moment but he loved it and we traded info. He also gave me a limited edition pair of vans! They even had them in size 15 thankfully.

After I finished the project I sent them off to Vans HQ and that’s where they live today.

I also got to see
Kelly Slater absolutely rip it.
🤙🤙🤙