Aside from designing skateboard graphics, one of the more coveted projects in the art department was being a handed a 'wheel series'. This usually involved a set of wheels ( X4, 3 sizes) that had a theme. Along with those themed wheel graphics, you'd also create custom packaging for the set.
Some past examples were a set of 4 wheels in a Hot Wheels type of package. Or, a set of 4 wheels in a 'Crown Royal' style velvet bag with Speed Wheels embroidered. You get the picture but otherwise, the possibilities were endless as long as you could come up with some idea that kept production costs in mind.
It was also a great opportunity to work in some old Wacky Packages parody artwork I had always loved! I came up with three graphics with names, and set illustrating these in the wheel art template. You were allotted 4 colors on these projects so, you had to think very strategically on what was going to where. One rule of thumb I had was to have each wheel have it's own distinct color, trying to keep them from looking alike.
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At the rough sketch phase, it's all about fitting the illustrations into the slim donut of area that's printed on the wheel. It serves as a reminder at how audacious it was to even attempt putting a graphic on something so small and seemingly insignificant. As the designs came together, I was ready to color and illustrate.
I was wisely talked out of that original Chow Mein graphic which even at the time, was in very poor taste. Live and learn.
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