TINY ZAPS

CLIENT: TINY ZAPS
LOCATION: WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN, NYC
DETAILS: INTERIOR DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHARLES FERGUSON

Tiny Zaps, a new tattoo studio brand specializing in small-format tattoos, partnered with HUXHUX Design Inc. to shape the design identity for its Williamsburg, Brooklyn flagship. The collaboration set the foundation for a scalable design system—one that will inform future Tiny Zaps retail locations and pop-up activations as the brand expands.

Rooted in a deep understanding of tattoo culture and contemporary retail behavior, HUXHUX reimagined how a tattoo studio could look, feel, and function. The goal: to create an experience through which customers who are getting their first tattoo can set the sensorial parameters of this ritual by exploring interactive kiosks designed to select their tattoo, change music, listen to custom messaging, and alter the interior lights of the tattoo studio.

storefront of a small retail shop called 'tiny zaps,' with neon green interior glow, display shelves with caps, a vintage TV, and an arcade machine outside with a flexing frog sculpture.

“The decision to get your very first tattoo can be a big deal for many people. We wanted to be intentional about using design to give people agency in this moment…allow them to set the terms of this experience with the music they like, the lighting just how they want it, choose to bring friends for support, and have a sensorial experience that feels tuned into their own vibe.”

— JUSTIN HUXOL, FOUNDER OF HUXHUX DESIGN INC.

Interior of a modern lounge or waiting area with green walls, high benches with green cushions, and a bookshelf with records and magazines.

A Playful Entry: The Kiosk Zone

From the moment one arrives, a custom designed three dimensional rat greets customers with an Ipad upon which you can select a favorite design from the brand’s tattoo design library. Customers are welcomed inside by a vibrant waiting area that transitions seamlessly into a “kiosk discovery zone.” Inspired by retro arcades, Japanese vinyl bars, and Tom Sachs’ sculptural work, a series of interactive kiosks invites guests to explore Tiny Zaps’ world: choosing flash designs from a tattoo arcade, browsing records at the music kiosk, or picking up a vintage phone to listen to stories about tattoo history, tattoo aftercare and brand ethos. This tactile introduction encourages exploration and personal connection, turning the space into a self-directed brand playground where guests can shape their own experience.

Interior of a retail store with shelves displaying hats, a small vintage television, a potted plant, two black lamps, and a green counter with doodles of animals and objects, featuring light green walls and large windows.

Colorful vintage arcade game machine labeled 'Tiny Zaps' with a display screen, control buttons, and a coin slot, in a retro-themed room with vinyl records, a bench, and books.

A wall area with a vintage vinyl record player, a framed sign that says 'CALL ME' with a telephone, and a vinyl record album cover featuring David Bowie and the band Diamond Dogs.

HUXHUX Design developed a carefully considered interior environment whose material palette is rooted in the process of tattooing, uniting Tiny Zaps’ aesthetic across all touchpoints. Visitors immediately note a calm monochromatic green environment. The layered green space is designed to feel fresh yet soothing. Core tattoo artworks from the brand’s catalogue were literally tattooed into green wood panels, giving the interiors a sense of permanence and storytelling. Stainless steel finishes ensure hygiene while adding subtle reflectivity, and a reeded glass block wall softly divides zones—creating transparency with an invitation for all customers to explore the full space.

A Material Language for the Brand

Decorative wall with simple outlines of a flower, a pair of sunglasses, and a cocktail glass with a straw, on a green background.

Green tiled wall with a pink candle on the left, black soap dispenser, and black sink faucet at a bathroom sink.

Minimalist seating area with green benches and padded stools, illuminated overhead, in a modern interior with green and purple decor.

A isometric view of a dental clinic layout showing reception area, three patient chairs, dental equipment, and a separate dental procedure room with a dental chair and staff.

Isometric illustration of a modern, open-plan office space with various workstations, meeting areas, and a reception. Several employees are working or walking around, with a green and black color theme.

The Party Zaps Room: Group Energy, Personalized Expression

At the rear of the studio lies the Party Zaps Room, a semi-private space designed for group sessions and shared experiences. The rear wall hosts a vintage TV installation where live footage is broadcast from within the tattoo studio and a camera capturing activity on the communal tattoo bed celebrates the art-in-progress. Through a custom lighting control kiosk, guests can mix colors and transform the room’s atmosphere—turning a tattoo appointment into a collective celebration and personalized expression.

A room with a glass block wall on the left, decorated with a sign that says 'tiny tops.' in blue and gray. In the background, there are retro-style televisions and monitors stacked, with some displaying static or text. The right wall features artwork including a butterfly and bowtie illustrations on a greenish wall. The ceiling has a wooden slat design and blue lighting, giving the scene a vintage, playful vibe.

A modern medical examination room with a padded examination table illuminated by a blue laser light, behind a glass block window, with a chair and wall-mounted lamp.

A modern kitchen with a metallic finish, decorated with multicolored LED bulbs on the wall, which reflect colorful light onto the surface.

Interior of a room with multiple vintage television sets on a wall, displaying black and white and color images, surrounded by purple and blue lighting, with black circular speakers above and a seating area below.

Upon completing their session, guests are brought to the aftercare station, where education meets reflection. The thoughtfully placed mirror becomes a moment of self-recognition—an intentional pause to appreciate both the art and the experience while they learn about how to care for their new tattoo. The final step is a mini photo studio to capture guests new tattoos to share on social platforms.