We began the project with a limited understanding of Virgil’s style, which led us through multiple iterations before circling back to core research.

By closely examining the challenge comments, we identified key themes that guided our direction: a raw, work-in-progress aesthetic; visible construction; an unfinished design language; and references to industrial and shipping culture.

Our concept evolved into a landing page that feels like a spontaneous sketch—a contemporary space meant to capture fleeting thoughts. We were inspired by receipt paper as the ideal medium for recording impromptu ideas, drawing from Virgil’s Harvard lecture where he spoke about the power of accidental discovery. The interface invites users to click on sneaker names to reveal images, creating intentional layers of discovery.

One of the key challenges was maintaining the intentionally unfinished aesthetic while ensuring the design still felt high-end. We addressed this by incorporating generous white space and selecting a modern serif typeface with ink trap details—evocative of receipt printing, yet refined enough to carry a sense of sophistication.