Break Tapes is a digital archive dedicated to the preservation of breaking culture through collecting and sharing VHS tapes in an accessible format. This project is part of my graduate thesis work at the Maryland Institute College of Art. It included a branding system, motion graphics, poster designs, and digitizing around 42,300 feet of tape—so far.

With a growing number of independent writers making a living by connecting directly with their readers, FB Bulletin offers a new set of publishing and subscription tools for US-based content creators. This icon design is an abstract form designed to gain recognition over time. The goal was to create an original symbol that wasn't immediately recognizable—yet still felt familiar. The icon was part of a larger system of iconography developed by Buck.

I discovered breaking in 2001 by watching the movie Beat Street. Seeing this movie was a paradigm shift that set me down a path of self-discovery through the exploration of hip-hop culture. During this time, in the early 2000s, I started collecting breaking VHS tapes. It was through collecting and studying these tapes (sacred artifacts) that I became informed and inspired by different breaking cultures from around the world.

I discovered breaking in 2001 by watching the movie Beat Street. Seeing this movie was a paradigm shift that set me down a path of self-discovery through the exploration of hip-hop culture. During this time, in the early 2000s, I started collecting breaking VHS tapes. It was through collecting and studying these tapes (sacred artifacts) that I became informed and inspired by different breaking cultures from around the world.

The VHS tape is part of the history of dance language. By documenting and sharing/resharing these sacred artifacts (literally remnants / documents or the history of the dance language) I am in fact, codifying the history and 
extending this knowledge back into the universe.

The VHS tape is part of the history of dance language. By documenting and sharing/resharing these sacred artifacts (literally remnants / documents or the history of the dance language) I am in fact, codifying the history and 
extending this knowledge back into the universe.

Identity System

Identity System

When considering a brand for Break Tapes, it was important for me to contextualize how it would live and interact alongside the VHS artwork. The tapes are filled with vibrant colors, graffiti, and photoshop effects. With that in mind, I created a system of minimal design elements that would stand apart. Below are some of those visual elements.

When considering a brand for Break Tapes, it was important for me to contextualize how it would live and interact alongside the VHS artwork. The tapes are filled with vibrant colors, graffiti, and photoshop effects. With that in mind, I created a system of minimal design elements that would stand apart. Below are some of those visual elements.

The goal of the website was to simulate what it's like digging through the boxes of tapes I have stashed away in my mom's basement. I wanted the tactility of the tapes to come through in a web experience. I also didn't want the original tapes to be altered in any way. I digitized them and posted the videos entire contents. Glitches and sound issues are transparent in order to preserve the authentic nature of what it's like to interact with a VHS tape.

The goal of the website was to simulate what it's like digging through the boxes of tapes I have stashed away in my mom's basement. I wanted the tactility of the tapes to come through in a web experience. I also didn't want the original tapes to be altered in any way. I digitized them and posted the videos entire contents. Glitches and sound issues are transparent in order to preserve the authentic nature of what it's like to interact with a VHS tape.

There’s something fascinating about these tape designs. It's an honest aesthetic originated out of b-boys teaching themselves photoshop. For this poster series, I created my own designs inspired by my favorite tapes.

There’s something fascinating about these tape designs. It's an honest aesthetic originated out of b-boys teaching themselves photoshop. For this poster series, I created my own designs inspired by my favorite tapes.