Hawk’s Eye Steadies the Spin
Birdhouse Skateboard
Hawk’s Eye Steadies the Spin
Tjep.’s Birdhouse Skateboard graphic, crafted for the iconic Birdhouse brand founded by Anthony Frank “Tony” Hawk—aka “The Birdman”—captures the raw pulse of skateboarding’s cultural revolution. Commissioned in 2019, this design channels the global phenomenon of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, one of the most famous video games worldwide, into a deck that’s both a rider’s tool and a collector’s gem. Studio Tjep. had the honor of designing this graphic for Hawk, ranked the second most influential skater by Transworld Skateboarding in 2011, celebrating his legacy as a professional skateboarder, actor, and entrepreneur.
Birdman’s Legacy in Flight
Centered on the piercing eye of the Birdhouse hawk, the graphic creates a visual anchor that holds steady during Hawk’s signature triple flips, giving the illusion of stillness amid dizzying spins. Screen-printed on a 7-ply maple deck, the hawk’s head dominates with a golden-orange eye blazing against a vivid green field, its sleek black wings slicing outward to evoke speed and freedom. Inspired by Birdhouse’s classic logos, the design pays tribute to boards like the one Hawk rode for his groundbreaking 900, merging nostalgia with contemporary grit.
Tony Hawk’s Iconic Deck Design
Hawk founded Birdhouse in 1992, cementing its status as a beacon of vert skating and innovation. Tjep.’s graphic uses high-contrast colors—green deck, gold eye, black accents—to ensure the design pops on ramps or in display cases. UV-resistant inks preserve vibrancy through grinds and slides, while the top grip tape remains matte black for function, keeping the focus on the underside’s bold visual. Subtle geometric flourishes at the deck’s ends echo the brand’s iconic logo, tying the piece to its storied heritage.
Minimal Lines, Maximum Motion
The hawk’s eye, strategically placed at the board’s balance point, serves as both a visual and symbolic core, grounding the chaos of aerial tricks. As Frank Tjepkema notes, “The eye is Tony’s focus made manifest—it’s the heart of the board, steady through every spin.” The design’s clean lines and restrained palette transform the deck into a canvas of motion, where every ollie or kickflip carries the weight of Hawk’s influence on skate culture.
Tjep.’s Homage to Skate Legends
Launched in 2019, this graphic adorns pro-model decks and limited releases, sold globally in skate shops and featured at design events. Blending Amsterdam’s design precision with California’s skate ethos, Tjep.’s creation is more than a board—it’s a tribute to Hawk’s vision, where every ride channels the spirit of a subculture that soars.