ASTROKIDS is an independent streetwear label and multidisciplinary creative project by Vladi Solano, based in Mexico City—blending visual design, art direction, and product design into a cohesive universe expressed through made-to-order pieces, original graphics, and limited runs. Existing somewhere between fashion, illustration, and subcultural storytelling, the project operates as an open system where each release expands a growing visual world. Rooted in emo, Y2K, and streetwear sensibilities—but filtered through a more niche, irreverent lens—ASTROKIDS embraces contradiction: cute yet aggressive, nostalgic yet disruptive, personal yet global.
All visuals are developed in-house, with a strong emphasis on illustration as the core language. Designs range from digitally constructed graphics to hand-executed airbrush pieces, incorporating references from retro cartoons, early internet aesthetics, and underground fashion cultures. The tone is intentionally impertinent—playful, emotional, and not designed to appeal to everyone—creating a brand identity that feels selective, expressive, and self-aware. Alongside apparel, the project extends into tattoos, commissions, and collectible-style graphics, positioning ASTROKIDS as both a brand and a personal archive of visual output.
Brand, creative direction, and web design for ASTROKIDS & WWW.ASTROKIDS.WORLD
I developed the full identity and creative direction for ASTROKIDS®, alongside the design and execution of its dedicated e-commerce platform, ASTROKIDS WORLD. The project includes logo design, visual language systems, illustration development, product design, and the creation of a digital storefront that translates the brand’s aesthetic into an interactive experience. The website was designed not only as a sales platform, but as an extension of the universe itself—balancing clarity and functionality with a strong visual presence.
The brand operates on a made-to-order and limited release model, allowing for a more intentional approach to production while maintaining exclusivity. Despite its niche positioning, ASTROKIDS® has reached an international audience, with orders shipped across Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, and countries including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, France, Spain, Belgium, and Colombia. This global reach reinforces the project’s ability to resonate beyond its immediate context while remaining deeply personal in its execution.
As a self-initiated project, the challenge was not only to create a compelling visual identity, but to build a complete ecosystem from the ground up—one that could function simultaneously as a creative outlet, a brand, and a commercial platform. The identity needed to feel authentic and unfiltered, while still being structured enough to support product design, scalability, and international distribution.
Another key challenge was translating a highly specific and non-mainstream aesthetic into a website that builds trust with a global audience. The visual language—rooted in emo, cholo-punk, and retro digital references—risked being perceived as chaotic or inaccessible. The goal was to preserve that rawness while designing a user experience that feels intentional, reliable, and easy to navigate, particularly for customers encountering the brand for the first time.
I approached ASTROKIDS as a world-building exercise rather than a traditional brand. Instead of simplifying the aesthetic, I leaned further into its specificity—developing a visual system that embraces emotional intensity, graphic density, and stylistic contrast as defining features. Illustration became the central pillar, allowing each product and release to function as both merchandise and artifact.
For the web experience, I balanced expressive design with clear structure—ensuring that navigation, product presentation, and purchasing flows remain intuitive despite the strong visual identity. This dual approach allows the platform to communicate credibility and professionalism while maintaining the brand’s distinct voice.
The result is a cohesive yet evolving project that operates across disciplines: a brand that produces objects, a platform that distributes them globally, and a personal archive that continues to expand. ASTROKIDS® is not designed for mass appeal—it is built for connection, for those who recognize themselves within its visual language.
year
2026
timeframe
2 weeks
tools
Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator & After Effects
category
Brand World & Creative Direction
