Duct Tape R&D
Vans
Unreleased Branded Content Series
Role: Lead Producer | Creative Director
Directed by: George Trimm
Duct Tape R&D was a concept series developed for Vans Surf as an extension of the brand’s celebrated Duct Tape Festival — a global surf event that celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, and community.
The goal of the series was to inspire surfers to design and build their own boards, connecting to Vans’ larger “Off The Wall” ethos of hands-on creativity. Each episode was set to feature icons like Dane Reynolds, Tosh Tudor, Lee-Ann Curren, Andrew Allen, and others, diving into their personal approaches to experimentation and surfboard design.
Through storytelling that blended surf culture, design innovation, and DIY spirit, Duct Tape R&D aimed to showcase how creativity fuels progression — in and out of the water. Though the project was ultimately shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains a strong example of creative development and brand storytelling rooted in authenticity and craft.