Insert Coin
A sprawling multi-year undertaking.
In fall of 2021, I created a capsule I called “Insert Coin”. Based on the arcade culture that was actually a generation before me, I wanted to celebrate the whole notion of the sticky floors, the ugly carpet, and the joys of underage gambling that was mall arcades. The first insert coin collection was 5 styles all based on different arcade games. All colors were pulled from the gameplay themselves (with one exception) and the underbrims were printed with the cabinet console button/joystick array.
Insert Coin Vol. 2
After the success of what was now Volume 1, I went back to the drawing board. I never like to rehash an idea that has no juice left, so I knew that something had to change to make the next collection fresh, but also create a cadence so we could keep the train rolling. Insert Coin Vol. 2 was based on gen 2 video gaming, still games that were largely played in arcades, but that many people took home on the first home consoles. Four styles all, again, based on the color story of the games themselves. I added a brim rope that emulated the controller cords from the consoles. Fun fact: The top brim stitching is actually Pantone matched to screens from each of the 4 games references
Insert Coin Vol. 3
At this point I had a formula and a “yes, and” practice. So putting together Vol 3. was an easy understanding. But, to avoid just recreating the same hats, this time I printed textures and elements from each of the gen 3 games (two from each major console) on the front panels and top brims.
