Hirin: Back from outer space

The Art of Inspiration

Some products are more than tools. They are works of art, shaped by vision, nostalgia, and a story waiting to be told.

This campaign centered on the Hirin, a bold, unconventional knife designed by Dew Hara and inspired by the sci-fi films and television of his childhood. With its striking form and premium materials, the Hirin was never intended to be a practical everyday carry. Instead, it was designed as a collectible object, something to be admired as much as used.

The goal of the launch was to give context to why such a wild-looking knife exists and how it came to be, positioning it as a design statement rooted in inspiration and creative momentum.

Context / Challenge

The Hirin was aimed primarily at collectors, individuals drawn to distinctive forms, rare materials, and objects with a clear point of view. While visually compelling, its unconventional design and limited practicality meant it could not be positioned through traditional EDC storytelling.

Rather than overcoming skepticism, the challenge was to build myth and meaning around the product. The campaign needed to answer a deeper question: What inspired this object, and why does it deserve a place in a collection?

The launch required storytelling that framed the knife not just as a product, but as the result of creative influence, memory, and imagination.

Creative Approach

The creative approach focused on the idea that art inspires more art. We began by highlighting the origins of the Hirin itself, drawing attention to Dew Hara’s fascination with the futurism and aesthetic language of classic 1980s science fiction. Every line, material choice, and function was treated as an intentional reference to that era.

To extend this idea beyond the product, the knife was handed off to artist and filmmaker Tucker Barrie. The result was a stop-motion, retro-futuristic sci-fi intro where the Hirin became a character in its own cinematic universe. Dramatic lighting, a synth-heavy soundtrack, and stylized movement transformed the knife into a piece of visual storytelling rather than a static object.

The campaign unfolded as a conversation about creative momentum, how one idea leads to another, and how inspiration moves through different mediums, shaping both design and storytelling along the way.

Role & Responsibilities

Creative direction and narrative development

Campaign concepting and storytelling framework

Collaboration with external artist, filmmaker, and copywriter

Direction of visual tone and launch assets

Final review and refinement of campaign materials

I helped shape the narrative behind the product and guided how it was introduced visually, ensuring the launch reinforced its identity as a collectible, design-led object.

Outcome & Use

The campaign assets were used across launch materials, digital channels, and brand storytelling touchpoints. By anchoring the launch in inspiration rather than functionality, the work gave collectors a meaningful way to connect with the product beyond its form alone.

The result was a launch that positioned the Hirin as part of a larger creative continuum, reinforcing the idea that great design is not just about function, but about the ideas and influences that bring it into existence.