When In4mation designer Rhandy Tambio was asked about the five things he can’t live without, the answer was simple. “Friends, family, food, water, and oxygen,” says one of the four In4mation partners. Every design and collaboration that has come out of the In4mation family since 2007 has been done to fit into their everyday lifestyle, and their Soul Xpression is no different. “I surround myself with a love for art, design, skateboarding, and surfing. It defines me as a person.” Hence the custom surfboard and rack on the roof. The Hawaii-based streetwear brand has collaborated with Vans, G-Shock, etnies, DVS, Aipa Surfboards, Lowdown, DC Shoes, and Menehune Mac and designed their vision for the Kia Soul with balance in mind. Born and raised in the beautiful islands of Hawaii and then living in the hustle of New York City, Tambio realizes that balancing two different types of lifestyles and daily influences into one, is an intrinsic part of their design philosophy. “We wanted something that reflects our lifestyle,” he says. So a militant surf vehicle that looks tough on the outside and fashionable on the inside is what came out when designing the beachcomber. “Soul Xpression means something that comes from the heart,” says Tambio. And that is exactly what they’ve created.
Name: Rhandy Tambio
Company: In4mation + Aloha Army
Hometown: Miliani, Hawaii
Currently Resides In: Lower East Side, Manhattan and Halawa Heights, Hawaii
Clients/Collaborations: Vans, G-Shock, DVS etnies, Aipa Surfboards, Lowdown, Stüssy, The Skateboard Mag, Deadly Dragon Sound, DC Shoes, Gravis, Menehune Mac
Ultimate Roadtrip: From the South of Spain to Moscow. Or through Australia, the land down under.
Favorite Music: King Diamond to the Melodians and everything in between
Design Philosophy / Creative influnences: We wanted something that reflects our lifestyle and is realistic to what we would actually drive. This led us to a surf vehicle that looks tough on the outside and fashionable on the inside.
5 Things in Your Car at All Times: Napkins, sunscreen, flashlight, first-aid kit, $20
What specifically Influeneced your design of the car?
We wanted something that reflects our lifestyle and is realistic to what we would actually drive. This led us to a surf vehicle that looks tough on the outside and fashionable on the inside.
Did you find this project challenging:
It was challenging in a way that we wanted it to reflect what we represent. It’s too easy to paint something loud. That wouldn’t make sense if it didn’t reflect our company and our lifestyles.
Your favorite part of it?
It’s actually a car I would drive.