Tatsu Ishikawa

Icon Design for Eurorack Module

Client: Knobula2026

 32 bespoke icons designed for Drum Farm, a Eurorack drum synthesiser and sampler module by Knobula. The icons are split across two sections, 16 for the Drum Synth voices and 16 for the Effects engine, and are applied directly to the physical module panel alongside selector knobs.

The primary challenge was scale. Each icon is used at approximately 3.8mm wide on the panel, meaning any intricate detail or stylisation simply would not survive at that size. Close attention to form, line weight, and graphic density was essential to achieve designs that are immediately legible in practice. Where possible, waveform and diagram graphics common in synth and audio product design were avoided, as these are difficult to distinguish from each other at such a small size on the panel.


Find out more about Drum Farm at Knobula.

Software Synthesizer Interface Design

JE-8086 by The Usual Suspects2026

 Interface redesign for JE-8086, an open source software synthesizer that emulates the legendary Roland JP-8000 and JP-8080, famous for their iconic SuperSaw sound, through reverse engineering the original DSP processor for bit-accurate chip-level emulation—meaning the sound isn't just similar to the original, it's perfectly identical.

While the original interface follows what most music production plugins do—a skeuomorphic approach mimicking classic hardware—I aimed to bring contemporary design language to the field with minimalJE, focusing on clarity and usability while respecting the original hardware aesthetic. Working within the plugin's RmlUI framework, minimalJE uses contemporary typography, colour palette, and clean spacing for greater immediacy. The logo was redrawn to reflect the new name while preserving the distinctive character of the original letterforms.

minimalJE is available to download here. Learn more about the JE-8086 synthesizer at The Usual Suspects.

Visual Identity

Client: Significant Patch (Concept project)2025

 Significant Patch is a concept project for an imagined event centered on electronic music performed entirely with hardware: live modular synthesis, sequencing, and real-time improvisation.

The name captures the moment when a single patch transforms everything, when intuition and technology create something unexpected.

I developed the full visual identity, including logo, posters, social media content, and merchandise. The work draws on research into hardware music production and performance culture while establishing a cohesive visual identity for the event.

Visual Identity

Client: Sprint2025

Visual identity for Sprint, a weekly PT-led interval session at Crowborough running track.

The wordmark uses custom lettering inspired by speed and motion while remaining open and welcoming. I developed a custom illustration to support the identity across posters and merchandise.

The brand colours reference the track surface itself: the terracotta tone, and the darker red echoing the moment sweat drips and darkens the track.

Visual Identity

Client: 33Seconds2024

Visual identity for 33Seconds, a creative communications agency. The name references a study on attention spans. I designed a logo suggesting a rotating timer stopped just under 33 seconds, with the double prime mark representing seconds.

The visual system incorporates four abstract wormhole graphics, each built through incremental reduction of duplicated shapes. The concept explores time distortion: how immersive experiences compress or expand our perception of time passing, mirroring the effect of engaging their creative work. These wormholes form a flexible visual language used across touchpoints.

The project included a PowerPoint template with built-in grids and typographic rules for non-designers to create consistent decks, plus supporting assets including custom illustrations for for their website and an anniversary cap.
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