Eye-catching surf and skate event poster mockup in elevator display – urban placement for youth culture marketing

Surf, Skate & Sports Creative Direction

Branding, design, and story-rich visuals for the culture of motion.

You’ve seen the brands that get it. They don’t just look good—they feel alive. The surf shop that looks like a magazine cover. The skate company that oozes attitude from a single sticker. The indie brand that went viral because their flyer had soul.

This is where I come in.

I offer full-scope creative direction, brand design, and storytelling for surf, skate, and action-sport brands who want to go deeper than a logo. We’ll dive into what your scene feels like. What it sounds like. Who it speaks to. Then I’ll turn that into a world—posters, guides, ads, merch, art, whatever you need to tell the story right.

Whether you're launching a lifestyle brand or reigniting a heritage one, I help you speak the language of your people—loud and clear.

Surf lifestyle postcard design – youth-focused branding for surfing events, apparel, and beachside promotions

What’s Included:

  • Art Direction rooted in research, culture, and aesthetics

  • Graphic design across posters, flyers, ads, merch, decks, packaging

  • Brand strategy for surf/skate/lifestyle brands

  • Style guides that help your team stay on-brand forever

  • Creative consulting (what to say, how to look, what to feel like)

  • Social-ready design assets

  • Marketing art that actually connects

  • Moodboards, style frames, references, and full collaboration flow

  • Ongoing consulting for launches or seasonal campaigns

What’s Not Included:

✘ Stock templates
✘ Cookie-cutter branding
✘ A one-size-fits-all “aesthetic”
✘ Design with no soul

We’ll work together through reference boards, persona design, moodboarding, and guided creative discovery.

You’ll get strategic input as well as creative output—we go deeper than “make it look cool.”

Every deliverable is planned in phases.

You’ll have calendar access to key milestones, and we’ll check in to make sure each stage is on track with your vision (and your audience’s needs).

Research. Concept. Strategy. Sketching. Graphic design. Social assets. Final files.

Whether you need a poster or a full brand refresh, we’ll build something that’s designed to move people.

Art and Creative Direction Services

To book, we require a 33% deposit, a 33% by mid-milestones, and a 33% billed at the end of the project. Reach and and contact for a custom setup/day rate if you have on-going needs.

Visual creative process mind map – planning and ideation workflow for social media marketing campaigns

Event & Brand Identity – Art direction for contests, skateparks, and community events.

Custom event branding brochure with surf poster – layout design for print and digital marketing of summer festivals

Social Media & Content Graphics – Eye-catching, branded visuals tailored for fast-scrolling feeds and culture-forward brands.

Surf event flyer design held in hand – beach event marketing and outdoor promotion visuals

Experience Design – High-impact visuals for events, community building, shoes, and merch.

400%

400% increase in bookings while working with surf industry clients, driven by targeted visual development and strategic creative alignment.

33%

60% rise in qualified traffic over six months through refined visual strategy and audience-first presentation.

90%

improvement in perceived art quality and audience alignment while working with the skateboarding industry.

Special pricing for those who look for long-term solutions. Contact for custom arrangement.

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  • It’s very hard to find a professional like Miguel. Very organized, prolific and effective with his workflow. Not to mention the impressive quality of ideas he brings to the table. It’s an honor to have worked with him!

    João Lira, Lead Concept Artist on Star Atlas, ATMTA Group

  • The director loved the works we just delivered from our collaboration! Thank you for helping us.

    Alice Zhang, Translator and Producer, NetEase Games

  • I want to say that your proposal was the most professional I’ve seen in a long time, even better than most freelancers and other AAA studios we’re working with.

    James Ohlen, VP Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast’ Company.

  • It was fantastic working with you on these, you're an exceptional talent with a wonderful work ethic. You had a tasteful process for creative exploration, and your balance of structure and freedom always invigorated our sessions. Looking forward to the future, Miguel.

    River Gandour, CEO of Third Book

Art Direction Portfolio

elevator showcasing branded Instagram grid – marketing visuals for skate and surf event identity campaigns
Colorful event flyer for skateboarding and surfing meetups – bold type and lifestyle photography for urban promotion
Graphic design with surf quote 'Your favorite surf crew on the horizon' – beach culture and community vibe branding
Typography-focused surf poster with inspirational quote – lifestyle and wellness event marketing design
Surf + Skate event poster – vibrant print-ready visuals for action sports event promotion and youth community engagement
Bold red poster for World Skateboarding Day – graphic-heavy layout for global youth-focused skate events
Outdoor poster for longboard meetup – photography-based flyer for coastal skate sessions and surf-skate crossover events
Skateboarding event flyer in urban setting – grunge graffiti mockup for underground street culture events
Urban-themed sidewalk AF skate event flyer – raw visual style for Gen Z-focused entertainment branding
Poster for surf road trip and coastal ride event – social media graphic with adventurous, free-spirited design
Flyer collage for multiple skate meetups – action sports community building through social media and print
creative process mind map

Know Your Audience, Design From Truth

Every great brand starts with empathy. I use tools like Miro to map persona profiles, character inspiration, and story DNA that connect directly to your people—whether it's surf kids in Lisbon or a global skate community on Discord.

Before we even touch a pixel, we’ll know who we’re talking to—and why they care.

This is where design starts to matter: when it understands the human on the other side.

visual style guide strategy

Not Just a Look—A Language

Great branding isn’t about a logo. It’s about building a visual world your audience can step into. I create style guides and visual systems that help your brand stay consistent, coherent, and alive across every platform.

This is where aesthetic meets intention.
Everything flows from the inside out.

  • professional and beautifully shot wacom tablet for digital drawing and design

    You’ll get a collaborative board (Miro, Figma, etc.) loaded with design references, moodboards, mockups, and style direction. Everything we build — from board graphics to branded campaigns — comes with visual reasoning, so your team isn’t left guessing what the vibe is. I also deliver process videos and, if needed, connect you with trusted artists or printers in the action sports scene.

  • concept art workstation background, with professional software rendering

    I only work on one brand at a time — when we collaborate, your brand becomes my full-time obsession. Whether we’re building a seasonal line, launching a new product, or reviving an old aesthetic, you get all of me — not some spread-thin agency approach.

  • professional freelance artist taking notes on a macbook and leading a online meeting.

    I bring a hybrid of street culture fluency, subcultural respect, and design muscle. We’re not just making pretty graphics — we’re building identity systems that speak to real communities. That means staying grounded in what makes skate, surf, and sports culture real, and pushing visuals that reflect that spirit with no poseur energy.

  • resources and physical design books on a professional artist desk

    Every design choice has story baked in. Your graphic tee drop isn’t just about what looks cool — it’s a snapshot of who your audience is, what they believe in, and what they stand for. Whether we’re doing nostalgic throwbacks or launching a bold new voice, I design with story, rhythm, and rhythm in mind.

  • a beautiful selection of sketchbooks being reviewed by a professional artist and designer

    Tools include the full Adobe Suite, Figma, Blender, Photoshop, and even physical prototypes when needed. I’ve worked on everything from soft goods to mural design to high-level campaign graphics — and I’m constantly tracking visual trends in streetwear, action sports, and youth culture to keep your visuals ahead of the curve.

consultation services images, with reference boards and post it notes

Creative Process, Unfiltered

You’re not just hiring a designer—you’re inviting a collaborator. My process is visible, messy, honest. From the first sketches to late-night sticky note storms, you’ll see how your brand is shaped in real-time.

Research. Strategy. Sketch. Design. Iterate.
This is what it looks like to care.

Instagram performance dashboard with follower growth and insights – proof of ROI for social media marketing services

Social Design That Sells

It’s not just about making content—it’s about making content that connects. I design campaign visuals, carousels, stories, and scroll-stoppers built for the algorithm and for humans. Real traction, real engagement, real results.

Let’s make your feed more than just “active”—let’s make it iconic.

Behind-the-scenes content planning or design tutorial for social media marketing in lifestyle and events industries

Friendly. Fast. Fully in.

No agency walls. No middlemen. Just us, working closely to build something you actually believe in. I’m here to listen, guide, and design with you, not just for you.

Good work starts with good people. Let’s talk.

Mobile-first website design mockup for surf event – responsive UX tailored for youth engagement and ticket conversion

From Desktop to Pocket

Whether it’s a campaign image, a promo flyer, or a product launch teaser, I design visuals that scale—from high-res print to thumb-sized stories.

Seen in your feed. Felt in your bones.
That’s the kind of design your brand deserves.

  • Do I need to have a full brand identity before working with you?

    Not at all. Whether you’re a legacy skate brand or a new collective, I help shape the creative direction from scratch or evolve what’s already there. From moodboards to merch-ready design kits — we can build your identity together.

  • What’s included in your art direction services for skate/sports brands?

    Each collaboration includes creative strategy, visual storytelling, seasonal themes, social media graphic systems, and production-ready design assets — all in one cohesive brand pack. You also get access to my collaborative process boards, pitch-ready presentations, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns.

  • Can this help us stand out in a saturated market?

    Absolutely — that’s the goal. My experience in concept design for games and film helps your visuals hit differently. I bring that cinematic storytelling and worldbuilding mindset into streetwear, board graphics, shop launches, and campaigns — so you’re not just selling gear, you’re selling an identity.

    Picture this: there’s this really cool person you kid to meet and be friends with: this is the identity that I help design, for customers to relate to in such a way that they can’t get enough of.

  • We already have a designer. Can you work as a consultant or just for a campaign?

    Yes — I’m happy to step in for specific campaigns, new line launches, or serve as a creative director on call. I can work alongside your internal team or help expand your network by recommending top-tier creatives if you’re scaling.

  • Do you design for events or live activations?

    Yes, I’ve worked on brand activations, skatepark visual design, and themed events. From pitch decks to streetwear mockups, every visual is tailored to create real-life, shareable experiences.

  • Can I get help with social media graphics and content styling too?

    Definitely. I create branded assets for Instagram, TikTok, promo videos, or even retail displays — all matching the art direction. We can also create templates your team can update for new drops or events.

  • Do i need to be an art director to book? and know terms?

    Not all clients know technical terms, some dont evne know what “art direction” actually is. that’s okay, because im here to guide every step of the way, there’s ample time, project calendars, and scheduled meetings to go over everyon'e’s needs and communication styles.

flyer design of gen z poster that appeals to a skateboarding audience

Want to give your brand the cinematic edge it deserves?
Let’s shape a skate identity people remember — and want to rep.