Deckster
Building a generative design tool for DIY skateboard makers
web
experience
prototyping
fabrication
For my final project at UCLA, I decided to reimagine the skateboard design process with a tool for making custom decks. I began by breaking things down into a rule-based system and then writing software to explore traditional and experimental shapes. The end result is a series of hand-crafted objects and an open-source tool anyone can use to create their own.
Crafting with Code
I started developing a tool because I wanted to share the joy of crafting a custom board with other skaters and makers. My sketchbook, full of custom boards I had doodled over the years, provided inspiration for the first prototype. I kept the generative algorithm simple and spent most of my time on the tool’s interface so that users without design experience could easily refine their ideas.
The initial prototype allowed users to quickly iterate through randomly generated shapes, refine the outline, and download as SVG.
A collection of unedited skateboard shapes generated with Deckster.
Digital → Physical Prototyping
The biggest challenge I faced was making the transition from digital to physical as seamless as possible. Laminating, pressing, and shaping each skateboard deck was a labor intensive process — even with experience and access to the right equipment. Despite this, it was extremely rewarding to ride and test these unique skatecraft with friends and family.
