Builder Series #39: Kobo Craft
Enter Azuki's artisan skateboard workshop
A few weeks ago I started seeing some very clean, minimal skate deck designs coming from a new Azuki community X account and brand called Kōbō. It was apparent that they were tackling a long overdue product offering for The Skaters of Web3 - a customized skate deck complete with full view Azuki pfp and stickers representing some of the core sub community groups and brands in the garden. I caught up with Beelze and Matteo, the two founders of Kobo to learn more about the inspiration behind their brand and what supporters can expect from their recent launch and future plans.
Kōbō has been releasing fire teasers of custom skate decks. Can you tell us more about what you have planned?
We created a full scale skateboard, handmade with full color heat transfer graphics, intended as an art piece for display, but also fully functional as a regular skateboard. We’re giving options for supporters who want to use this as an actual skateboard to ask us for sizing and concave preference so we can produce something that functions optimally for them. In terms of design, the layout is in full view for Azuki and Elemental profile pictures with the option of adding a Beanz companion. Skate decks for Beanz are vertically-stacked and are also available in selfie-mode. We’ve shown real production steps on our timeline and recently shared pictures of a fully-completed product. The decks will be priced at 0.075 ETH each, which includes a custom wall mount and global shipping.
Who is behind Kobo? Tell us about yourself
I’m Beelze and I currently work as a tattoo artist and freelancer in a few creative fields. I have a degree in architecture and worked in a Japanese restaurant. Almost 10 years ago I noticed a trend starting in the US with longboarding. I’m from a small town in Italy and couldn’t find a longboard in the local skate shop so I made one myself. People started asking me about it when they saw me longboarding and soon after this I was making them for friends and other local skateboarders as a summer business. I always wanted to do something more but never had the time, resources or connections. When Azuki came out and I saw the Skaters of Web3 connection, it started making sense - nobody was doing it yet and I took the opportunity. I talked about it with my bestie Matteo and started planning the first steps.
Matteo, my Co-Founder, helped make the idea scalable and operational and we teamed up together. He definitely was the missing piece to make all this from just an idea to reality.
He moved from NY to London for a full month in January to build kōbō with me. We grew up together and are from the same hometown. We both moved to London some years ago. Matteo is an Art Director / graphic designer with more than 10 years of experience in the Fashion/Design industry. He is a multidisciplinary creative and is now working full time with web3 projects out of a web3 hub called Station 3.
When does kōbō launch for purchase and how can Azuki holders get their hands on it?
We just launched on the 5th March, noon EST. Our website will provide the interface to select your asset and customize the board with community stickers.
Why did you decide to make skate decks? Do you have plans to stick to this concept or will there be other product categories you go into? Will these be available outside the community?
These are all handmade skateboards done in our affiliated workshop and made in London, UK. We use Canadian maple which is pressed, cut, and dried - the process takes 2 weeks to make a board from scratch. This product is a proper handmade artisan craft, not a cheap factory-made skateboard. There might be subtle differences between decks because they are handmade, but this is part of the charm and makes them stand out. As designers, we have very high quality standards.
Kōbō means “workshop” in Japanese, and we’re exploring other physical products. Because Matteo has a fashion background we’ll probably explore that too. Our focus will be Azuki at the start because we grew up watching anime and skateboarding and it connects well with us - we love Japanese culture - we will probably stay anime/asian-oriented or inspired. The digital world is becoming overwhelming, so we decided to focus on a handmade item to bring Azuki IP into reality and the physical world in a slow and intentional way.
How does the web3 integration work for Kobo? Do holders need to verify holdings to use their IP on the boards?
Currently there is no wallet connection. Holders assume their responsibility regarding IP licensing - the terms & conditions on our website covers that. We do have some teasers out for Bobu. We’re going to do a proposal for a limited batch of decks with PBT, maybe even on the new Frame L2.
There are lots of custom stickers as a nod to builders in the community - tell us a little more about your inspiration behind this? How many stickers come with the decks?
The idea of the stickers came from some memories of our youth when we went to the skateshop and would ask for stickers to put on our decks. It naturally followed that we thought about all the community logos to represent on skate decks as stickers, and everyone we talked to loved the concept. We print these on the deck itself as part of the customization during the design process - purchasers will be able to select which ones they want and where they are placed and rotate them. Because of how the transfer of graphics to the skateboard works, there’s an extra layer so they feel a bit raised - in the distance they look like actual stickers, but it’s all one piece.
Anything else you want to share?
While the main product and focus is going to be the skateboard, we’re also doing an initiative to be sustainable. It’s called “The Forest of kōbō” and managed through Tree Nation. The organization leads reforestation projects around the world and we’re committing to planting a tree for every skateboard sold. Additionally we’re offsetting all the carbon emissions from our website.
Kind of random, but also thought I would share that I fight with Matteo a lot. We are like brothers, so you can imagine, but we are passionate and want to deliver a top quality product and experience.
What’s next for Kōbō?
We only just launched, so our focus is on our skateboard. We are planning to put forward a Bobu proposal to use Bobu’s IP. The focus right now is on the Azuki, but we have had inquiries from other web3 communities. Our launch isn’t a limited supply - the workshop is open and will stay open. Eventually we would love to be the skateboard provider of web3. In the future we might have some decks in stock for regular retail.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to people looking to build with their Azuki or Beanz IP?
While it’s important to rely on what you know, you should start asking questions to other community members in Azuki. It can be difficult to ask for help, but don’t be ashamed to ask others in the garden or from the Azuki team. We got stickers from Levi, Expected Value and Ab2tract. We got lots of support from Dem, Rose and Whiz. Being open and asking for help about what you’re building helps open up connections in web3. A special shoutout to Illen who supported us with feedback and advice.
Where can people go to learn more about what you are up to?
