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FIDLOCK Consumer Products
Creating Worlds Beyond Reality
Evan Ohl on storytelling, modular systems and magnetic-mechanical fasteners in immersive costume design
Evan Ohl – known online as @justohl – is a Senior Brand Designer with over ten years of experience in marketing and visual communication. As a former lecturer in graphic design, he moves confidently between branding, motion, photography and digital design.
We had the opportunity to speak with him about his work and how he integrates FIDLOCK fasteners into his projects. Discover exciting insights into the ideas behind his costumes.
Evan discovered magnetic-mechanical FIDLOCK fasteners early in his professional career and was immediately fascinated by their functionality.
“I’ve found that using FIDLOCK products such as the V-BUCKLE to replace conventional components makes the constant opening and closing significantly smoother.”
These fasteners have had a lasting impact on his work, opening up new possibilities to seamlessly combine functionality, modularity and futuristic aesthetics within his costumes.
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From Street Art to Story-Driven Design
Evan’s creative journey began with street art and the gallery scene in Los Angeles. Early on, he experimented with mixed media, animation and digital design tools. During his studies, his focus increasingly shifted towards graphic design – print, branding, motion and photography.
Programmes such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Figma are not merely tools for him, but part of his creative DNA. Custom typography, textures and icon systems – all of these now flow directly into his costume builds.
Since 2016, he has been active in the LARP community, developing characters for large-scale, multi-day events where costumes are mandatory and storytelling is a central element.
“Storytelling is definitely one of my favourite aspects of creative work.”
Each costume emerges from a blend of character concept, visual direction and functional requirements – always grounded in a clear and fundamental backstory.
Cyberpunk as an Open Design Space
Evan is particularly fascinated by the aesthetics of futuristic and cyberpunk-inspired worlds. Between megacities, technological extremes and post-industrial outskirts, space for interpretation emerges.
His work draws on real technological developments – modular systems, wearable tech, protective and utility units – translating them into believable, wearable concepts.
Cinematic influences such as Blade Runner 2049, Ghost in the Shell and Dune shape the atmosphere, yet his designs remain distinctive. For him, the decisive question is always: Would this system function in that world?
Function Meets Modularity
Immersive events last several days and often take place under demanding conditions. Heat, dust, wind or cold require flexible solutions.
Costumes must be adaptable, pouches need to open quickly. Equipment should be modular – easily added or removed – without compromising the overall visual impact.
In the interview, Evan emphasises how essential well-designed hardware is for these systems:
“A backstory contributes most to the cohesion, but without functioning systems, a costume won’t hold up.”
This is precisely where FIDLOCK’s magnetic-mechanical solutions come into play.
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Why Magnetic-Mechanical FIDLOCK Fasteners?
Evan originally discovered FIDLOCK through functional footwear and technical apparel. What convinced him was the combination of tactility, reliability and futuristic appeal.
In the interview, he highlights two product families in particular:
• V-BUCKLE – ideal for modular systems
• SLIDER – perfect for pouches or smaller items
Replacing conventional components makes the frequent opening and closing during multi-day events significantly more comfortable. At the same time, the visual impact changes.
“FIDLOCK fasteners can instantly transform an ordinary pouch into an element that feels completely believable in a sci-fi world.”
For Evan, FIDLOCK fasteners expand not only functionality but also the narrative potential of his constructions.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to hear and feel that distinct ‘click’ when opening or closing.”
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Shaping New Worlds Together
We would like to sincerely thank Evan for the inspiring interview and for sharing insights into his creative process. To see more of his projects, follow him on Instagram (@justohl) and TikTok (@just.ohl).
We’re very much looking forward to his upcoming projects and to supporting them with our FIDLOCK fasteners. Stay tuned – many new modular solutions and innovative fasteners will feature in his next builds.
