My work is driven by a relentless curiosity for how things are made and why they resonate. Outside of my professional work, I spend my time designing and fabricating motorcycles, modifying and racing cars, cycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, and traveling abroad to experience different cultures firsthand. These hands-on pursuits continually inform my design perspective, grounding my work in real-world use, craftsmanship, and performance.
This blend of creative discipline, mechanical curiosity, and cultural exposure gives me a deeper understanding of consumer branding and the expectations people bring to the products they choose to live with. Whether I’m designing graphics, finishes, or complete visual systems, I approach each project with an awareness of how form, function, and emotion intersect.
My approach:
Good design doesn’t happen in a vacuum, good deign requires a collaborative approach. I love working with different teams hearing their ideas, understanding their challenges, and finding creative ways to bring everyone’s vision together into something unexpected and cohesive.
Story-Driven:
Every product has a story to tell. I use color, graphics, and finish to bring that story to life in a way that feels natural to the form and true to the brand behind it.
Practical:
I believe great ideas should make it all the way to production. I stay hands-on with vendors, problem-solve when things get tricky, and look for smart, realistic ways to keep the original intent intact.
Collaborate with cross functional partners to create on trend and brand relevant designs for all H-D riding gear.
Seek out new trends, materials, and techniques to be used across all H-D apparel.
Collaborate with vendors to develop new paints, finishes and graphic techniques.
Prepare graphics sampling and see them through to final production.
Work with the product development team to ensure on time delivery of samples with minimal rework needed.
2022 - Present
Work closely with Yamahaʼs product planning teams to develop colors, materials finishes, and graphics for recreational off-road vehicles, golf cars, and watercraft.
Research trends and concepts then validate ideas against research data.
Develop unique paints, inks and materials ahead of the current market trends.
Create graphics for vehicle that appeal to customers and help to reinforce the
Yamaha brand image.
Prepare graphics for production and oversee approval of final product.
2018 - 2022
Responsible for the seasonal creation of apparel graphics.
Collaborate with merchandisers to drive market-leading graphics.
Prepare material for sales team to communicate effectively with customer.
Create color separation and film positives for screen printed apparel.
Partner with production team from sample stage to final production.
Provide print-ready artwork for overseas production.
Manage the production approvals with licensing department.
Product photography for ecommerce
2008 - 2018
Conceptual development and execution of all hard and soft goods.
Provide print-ready artwork to manufactures for heat transfer and screen printing.
Construct window displays that reflect seasonal trends.
Manage seasonal magazine ads to promote headboardshop.com mail order.
2005 - 2009
2007 - 2007
Concept development and execution of all advertising material and in-house signage.
Provide print-ready artwork to printer.
Assist in managing production schedule.
Oversee production of printed material.
Work as a team to create brand appropriate packaging.
Assist in creation of presentations for new clients.
Retouch photos.
2005 - 2007
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Office
Keyshot
Spot Process
T-seps
Typography
Photo Manipulation
• Color Separation
Screen Printing
Illustration
Advertising Design
Product Design
Packaging Design
Color Theory
Branding/Identity
Environmental Design
Storyboarding
MIG Welding
TIG Welding
Metal Fabrication
Sand Blasting
Vacuum Forming
Powder Coating
HVLP Painting
Carpentry
Woodworking
Featured on Southrnfresh.com
2021
2013
Featured on Pipe burn Online Magazine
2012
Featured on Motorcycle.com
Phone: +1 (412) 320 3846
Email: cbappe@hotmail.com