Skateboard Catalog Design - KR3W and Fallen

In addition to starting Sublimited I also own a web design firm called MWI. I think skateboarders in general tend to appreciate good design more than the general public for some reason, and in my case it’s not just a hobby but my job as well. Well, my other job besides Sublimited.

One of the benefits of running Sublimited is that I get catalogs sent to me by all the companies and then I get to order stuff. I don’t get to use all the stuff, but it’s still a bit like Christamas. But even if I didn’t get to order anything, I still enjoy just looking at the catalogs, and some of the catalogs are beginning to be great examples of good design.

Two catalogs have caught my eye in particular, namely those from Fallen and KR3W, or KREW for those of you from Arco, Idaho.

Fallen Footwear. The Fallen catalog is printed on some high-quality paper that you know some designer picked out. It’s thick and kind of rough. It’s a black cover with images of masking tape printed on it with the Fallen logotype. This cover stock isn’t the paper you let the printer choose for you. Beautiful black and white photos from Shigeo, simple and minimalistic design, good choice of font, etc. Oh, and a perfect binding to boot, which gives it some definite class.

KR3W Clothing and Apparel. The KR3W catalog is also printed on very nice paper. I’m starting to wonder if these were done by the same designer. Although the style of design for each is unique, the quality is at the same level.

There’s a nice, fancy version of the bracket KR3W logo embossed on the white cover stock then it’s also printed on the emboss with a thick, glossy black ink.

The product photos are perfect, and the scripted font throughout the book matches the cover and gives it a nice feel.

The one thing I think is missing is some shots of the riders. I know it’s about the clothing, but c’mon, we all know the clothing is about the riders. If KR3W didn’t have the team it does they wouldn’t be selling so many threads.

Although I must say the Fallen catalog would be better if it’s photos were more of the riders skating instead of posing around, although it’s not that bad.

You’ll also notice that the Fallen and KR3W websites are pretty nicely designed. Someone with those companies knows what they’re doing on the design side of things.