RockShox DIY Contest - A Look back

by Karl Burkat
Aug 15, 2011 at 23:08

We've received over 500 designs for the RockShox DIY Contest! With 2 weeks left, it's gonna be pretty tight for the $12,000+ in cash and prizing. Not sure what this contest is about? Details here.

But now, for inspirations sake, let's take a look at the past artists tasked with creating the previous RockShox Totem fork sticker packs:

Press pics for the RockShox Totem over the years.
Michael Salter - Totem sticker pack no. 1

As a sculptor, toy designer, animator and graphic artist, Michael Salter describes himself only as an “obsessive observer” of our dense media culture. Michael’s attempts to deal with the veritable avalanche of content thrown at us from corporations and media outlets have resulted in an internationally recognized body of work shown in galleries from Brussels to New York, L.A. to London, Amsterdam to Chicago. His massive Styrobots, the largest being 22ft tall, loom over even the largest exhibit spaces. Michael is also an associate professor of digital art/new media at the University of Oregon where he encourages his students to “look closely at visual culture, dissect it, test it, soak it in, magnify it, dress it up and poke fun at it.” @semantography






Press pics for the RockShox Totem over the years.
Peter Fowler - Totem sticker pack no. 2

Welsh artist, Pete Fowler, and his ever-expanding “Kingdom of Monsterism” represent an incredible variety of work, from drawings and paintings to animations, sculpture and music. Pete has been influenced by everything from Japanese art, folklore and myths to psychedelia and “super nature” on his way to creating a world where “banjos are played by horned owls and synths tweaked by mutant horses.” While best known for his work for the band Super Furry Animals, spanning a decade of album covers from 1997-2007, Pete never seems to tire of art-making and experimenting. You can follow Pete and his constantly shifting obsessions @themonsterist.






Press pics for the RockShox Totem over the years.
Cody Hudson - Totem sticker pack no. 3

Graphic designer and installation artist, Cody Hudson, has translated his unique graphic style into any number of ventures. His artwork has been exhibited throughout the US, Europe and Japan including the MCA (Chicago), New Image Art (LA), Rock Gallery (Tokyo), and The Lazy Dog (Paris). His design firm, Struggle Inc. has seen anything but — working for clients like Nike SB, Burton, VW and Virgin — all resulting in Cody’s uniquely clean and iconic approach. Recently, Cody has even ventured into the world of rustic American cuisine with his new Michelin-starred restaurant, Longman and Eagle, in Chicago’s burgeoning Logan Square neighborhood, described by Cody as “The sort of place where a man can get a shot with breakfast.” @Struggle_Inc






Press pics for the RockShox Totem over the years.
Geoff McFetridge Totem sticker pack no. 4

LA-based, Canadian-born Geoff McFetridge tends to ignore the line between his commercial and personal work. He’s created award winning graphics since he was a student, garnering praise from the likes of I.D. Magazine and Art Directors Club, and continues to work with companies like Nike, Burton, Pepsi and Patagonia. His graphics are “Full of hands and teeth, objects and animals, hands and heads,” resulting in an aesthetic that’s both well-resolved and abstract. His work has been exhibited in Los Angeles, Berlin, Paris, London, the Netherlands and Japan. He’s started numerous companies, including Solitary Arts (a skateboard company), Pottok (where he prints wallpaper and fabrics) and Champion Studio, which recently created the entire graphic and typography package for Spike Jonze’s film, Where the Wild Things Are.






For full interviews with each designer, check out this snazy pdf outlining the contest.

Inspired to enter? Get your designs in before September 1st for a chance to win one of 10 RockShox Totem Forks!
Must Read This Week

86 Comments

  • + 189
flag jerryhazard (Aug 22, 2011 at 0:20)
 Do ANY of these guys even ride a mountain bike? This is not going to be a very unpopular opinion, but:

Its probably "just me", but I figure bike stuff - including graphics - should be designed by people that use it, or people that are at least involved in the sport or work for a manufacturer... What next - Paul Frank graphics? I don't mean to take anything away from the talented artists who have created the graphics (not crazy about any of the designs though), but KUDOS to RS for opening the opportunity up to the RIDERS...
  • + 26
flag johnny-compton (Aug 22, 2011 at 0:58)
 Totally agree ^^
  • - 160
flag Prehistoric (Aug 22, 2011 at 1:36) (Below Threshold) show comment
 you are a hater. the both of you
  • + 48
flag Chooched (Aug 22, 2011 at 1:49)
 Would you want a graphic designer to service your fork? Leave the graphic designing to the guys who went to school for it. Sure a rider could design the fork, but it's not going to be nearly as good as someone who does it for a living.
  • + 81
flag Matt-W (Aug 22, 2011 at 2:11)
 There are plenty of people who are both gifted at design and well versed in the art of shredding.
  • + 7
flag inked-up-metalhead (Aug 22, 2011 at 2:33)
 i believe thats why theyre running the competition, so they can find a mountain biker who is good at designing graphics. I imagine the winners design is gonna be touched up by someone professional, but its still a rider designing it. and im sorry chooched, but what you said is wrong. specialist jobs, like servicing a fork, does need someone whos trained in it, but picking up a pencil and drawing? i dont need a degree to design my own tattoos or owt, and im pretty sure practically everyone out there can draw. and saying its not gonna be as good as someone professional, you dont know that. when this comp is over im sure the totem graphics are gonna be the sickest ever.
  • + 5
flag dingus (Aug 22, 2011 at 3:09)
 That's a pretty dumb comment Chooched, are you trying to say there aren't any graphic designers with an interest in biking?
  • + 17
flag slandrews (Aug 22, 2011 at 3:14)
 we all know you want my design with cheryl cole on it don't lie Razz
  • + 7
flag NorthEasternDH (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:02)
 its art dude, it doesn't matter
  • + 6
flag marvin-the-martian (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:23)
 @slandrews i know cheryl cole is pretty hawt, but you forgot abouut a whole LOAD of hotter chicks! Eek
  • + 6
flag hoolydooly (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:48)
 its art. Nothing is good or bad, its just different, its all art. so everyone that enters the comp is just as good as each other. its just a matter of what the judges like more.
  • + 7
flag ru-the-ginger (Aug 22, 2011 at 5:06)
 considering the prizes were sets of totems and stuff it does seem pretty stupid to give them to guys who dont ride bikes.
  • + 2
flag inked-up-metalhead (Aug 22, 2011 at 5:52)
 the current comp is for mountain bikers, but these are the old sticker sheets that came with totems. rockshox decided to go with a different approach to them this year, which i like.
  • + 15
flag smike (Aug 22, 2011 at 6:50)
 Here's my 2 cents: It's a fork on my bike - I don't need to be reminded that it's about mountain biking. I don't need graphics of ladder bridges or shovels or jumps or silhouettes of guys doing tricks. The fork itself is already on my mountain bike, doing all those things. I think these sticker packs are beautiful and unique and area a great compliment to the product.
  • + 17
flag TurboPune (Aug 22, 2011 at 8:33)
 Really though, who needs 14 mustaches?!?
  • + 24
flag immacaroni (Aug 22, 2011 at 8:37)
 i salute all the internet warriors. keep the heated battles going, its great entertainment.
  • + 1
flag marvin-the-martian (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:00)
 IKR.
  • + 0
flag ButtonPusher (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:14)
 i think that the artists should at least appreciate and understand MTB in the same way a photographer that may not ride does...
  • + 8
flag LukeT66 (Aug 22, 2011 at 14:24)
 I think they should be doing less cartoon like and childish stickers, but these are only the stickers that come with the fork, they're not the stickers that come on the fork.
Here are my designs btw http://luket66.pinkbike.com/album/ROCK-SHOX-Comp/
tell me what yous think and please fave if u like. Smile
  • + 4
flag ButtonPusher (Aug 22, 2011 at 14:28)
 ^^ Wow, those are pretty impressive man..! Lots of different styles in there...
  • + 1
flag cyrix (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:06)
 "I don't mean to take anything away from the talented artists who have created the graphics"

That is exactly what you did though, not that I find anything wrong with your opinion on the matter or anything. Most of them were honestly not to eye catching for me. Except the third one, kinda liked that one.
  • + 1
flag aflo661 (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:48)
 Wicked stuff, LIke the idea the one guy had with including all the letters. I could see that getting interesting Smile
[Reply]
  • + 14
flag BasstoBass (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:19)
 Personnaly, i'm a rider & a designer... I design since many years now and of course taste & colors aren't the same for every one, so i'm pretty agree with Jerryhazard, but Sram made this request to these artists for their references & reputation in the "graphism"... Ok, they maybe never ride a MTB in 45° down, but their stuffs were very cool, no? And the opportunity for a rider to made the 2013 totem's stickers pack is a f*cking good initiative...! I see very cool stuff in last weeks, some f*ckin scraps too... But you know taste & colors...
I propose this : http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7001650/
Faves if you like... Or offend me if you whant... Wink
  • + 1
flag mozarle (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:49)
 Honestly, they all look cool but not for bikes. They are more suitable for wallets, watches etc, not for bikes let alone freeride bikes.
I really like your proposalSmile Did you enter the competition?
  • + 2
flag marvin-the-martian (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:53)
 I really wouldn't like a watch to have little characters on them...
  • + 0
flag BasstoBass (Aug 22, 2011 at 5:14)
 @ Mozarle : Yeah you are right... But some can be completly applicable on fork... & yeah i'm in the contest...

@ richardpowell : taste and colors... Wink
  • + 2
flag vineet (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:19)
 Would you like some beer style on your Totem?
  • + 1
flag marvin-the-martian (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:20)
 I would like a totem please! lol
  • + 3
flag voltagerider Plus (Aug 22, 2011 at 8:42)
 Hey Basstobass I love your design! Faved. Wink
  • + 2
flag mph51 (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:23)
 I like it! Maybe I would prefer a little less noise on the stanchion, but who cares what I think! Iove the lack of color and use of wood.
[Reply]
  • + 10
flag vitulinu (Aug 22, 2011 at 4:16)
 dude seriously, this looks like stickers to decorate a 3 years old children´s toy. Not a extreme freeride fork
  • + 1
flag BasstoBass (Aug 22, 2011 at 5:18)
 Maybe an alternative...?
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7001650/
I doesn't know...
  • + 1
flag bigburd (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:55)
 My thoughts exactly , would look cool and your kids Raleigh Jungle or maybe as a joke to put on a friends bike to make it look camp/stupid/childish
  • + 1
flag BasstoBass (Aug 22, 2011 at 11:52)
 Don't change man, you are perfect...
  • + 2
flag vineet (Aug 23, 2011 at 2:12)
 Check out my entries so far - http://vineet.pinkbike.com/album/Rock-Shox-Totem-Concepts/
I would also appreciate if you can let me know what kind of graphics your prefer on a Rock Shox Totem, and I will do my best to create them.
[Reply]
  • + 9
flag zumajevs (Aug 22, 2011 at 0:46)
 almost all of these designs are stupid I thinkSmile
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag brajal (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:14)
 As a designer and rider too, I must say that some of the past sticker packs miss at some point that link to our sport. Their iconography seems to be the artist/illustrator iconography and not the product or brand universe, but I guess is that's what you want/get when you ask an artist to do this kind of work.
They're all great illustrators and I can't even compete at their level but,... I've read all their interviews in the RS pdf, basically looking for some inspiration and references to this specific work... but I found no story related to the product or intended use.
I don't mean that the graphics should all be bike related, but some clear messages that relate with the final target would be great to see.
That was my main goal on my proposal as well as respecting the given brief.

Props to RockShox and Pinkbike to give us riders the opportunity to have a go.
  • + 4
flag mozarle (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:21)
 Believe it or not your work is more applicable to a totem & on every fork in general & I mean it.
  • + 1
flag brajal (Aug 22, 2011 at 8:02)
 basically this kind of stickers can be applied anywhere, but if works well on the fork... better... thanks mozarle
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag tristan1486 (Aug 22, 2011 at 0:23)
 all of these are so sick! and some of the other designs ive seen are crazy, going to be cool to see who wins.
good luck to everyone who entered!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag arkon11 (Aug 22, 2011 at 6:14)
 These graphics just don't excite me. Sure the Styrofoam robot looks fantastic, but the stickers.... eh. They're kind of boring, and would look more at home on some hipster's fixie than a totem. I liked what BasstoBass posted http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7001650/. It looks sharp and tough, while still looking modern.
  • + 1
flag mobilechernobyl (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:21)
 Hit the nail on the head with the Hipsters comment - I wouldn't doubt if the most bicycle action these artist's see is their fixie with precision placed spoke cards...
  • + 1
flag Session603 (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:16)
 I just put my XTR spoke cards on this morning!!!! Time to do some sweet skids..
[Reply]
  • + 7
flag iamamodel (Aug 22, 2011 at 5:26)
 Forget the sticker pack - I want a 25 foot styrofoam robot!!!
  • + 1
flag Session603 (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:16)
 glad somebody feels the same way I do.
  • + 2
flag cyrix (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:25)
 REMEMBER ME! *shoots flames out of mouth*
  • + 1
flag Session603 (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:26)
 hahaha
  • + 0
flag cyrix (Aug 22, 2011 at 16:30)
 I guess I should have explained the joke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omLpwpRH6PA
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag Horizon123 (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:28)
 It's their job as graphic designers, kinda stupid to say something like that. Should we now not let surgeons preform surgery on us if they havent themselves had the surgery done?
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag trailstar2danman (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:57)
 I don't need stickers on my Fork (RS) to remind me how cool it is or how well it preforms on the trail, as long as my seals don't blow i'm COOL.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag lenmerderdenfer (Aug 22, 2011 at 23:18)
 I am a graphic artist and an avid mountain biker. No pun intended. I believe, I see the world and the RockShox Totem through a different lens. If you would like something fresh, easily identifiable, forever changing and lastly applicable to all possible bike color schemes, have a look at my conceptual ideas. There are 2 of 2. If you like my concepts, please vote for them and you may get them on your 2013 Totem(s). In turn, I may get a Totem. For sure, that would be outstanding to live my dream as an artist with all of you boys and girls rocking my designs. I do have many sketched concepts for the sticker pack waiting in the penumbra of my humble abode. Since this contest is just a peepshow for the Totem fork, vote for the merits of my displayed concepts for the rest will be a surprise even for RockShox. This has been my sales pitch! I hope you like what you see. I thank wholeheartedly those who have all ready expressed and interest and "fav-ed" my designs. Ride loose, lenmerderdenfer Please follow this link to view the aforementioned designs. http://lenmerderdenfer.pinkbike.com/album/Rock-Shox-Design-it-yourself-Sticker-Contest/
  • - 1
flag Godi (Aug 23, 2011 at 4:14)
 sorry to say but your brain is a bit flicking like an hologram, holograms are cool but it's a finishing, not an idea.
  • + 1
flag lenmerderdenfer (Aug 23, 2011 at 5:00)
 Please reread my post. Thank you. After all, I designed the logos/graphics and compositions which are ideas, concepts or conceptualizations if you like. On another note, Cyan, Magenta,Yellow and Black are also types of visual tools or finishes as you boldly mentioned. Lastly, I need and chose a "finish" in order for you (Godi) and many others to see them by means of color.
  • + 1
flag lenmerderdenfer (Aug 25, 2011 at 4:25)
 I have submitted 4 variants for the RockShox DIY contest. There are now (4 of 4) images. Enjoy!

http://lenmerderdenfer.pinkbike.com/album/Rock-Shox-Design-it-yourself-Sticker-Contest/
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag SaucissonSavoyard (Aug 22, 2011 at 11:13)
 I think what these artists made is great, but we all know that's it's impossible to do something that's will please everybody ! It's also more difficult to make a design that will fits a mountain bike fork than something like a table or something flat...
By the way, here is my last one, I hope you'll enjoy it ^^
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7025608/
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag ziggyzuggy (Aug 22, 2011 at 2:34)
 yeah those are welldone but they dont attract me....i dont know ...maybe its just me or they seem to be just ugly at some point... but who cares i love totem..
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag nightmareterror (Aug 22, 2011 at 12:00)
 Unfortunately for a lot of people art and designs are becoming a big deal. People want something that performs well and looks good while they're using it. I think a lot of people will agree with me on this. Most of these designs are okay, but none that really strike me as excellent... however I myself haven't designed anything better.
  • + 2
flag brajal (Aug 22, 2011 at 15:12)
 Art and design are different things , and they are not new trends either. Art is expression since the caves age and design is solving needs, comunication, form, function etc. since Leonardo da vinci for instance ... This Sticker pack is more like a marketing action to this new product, and for that it involves someone art but some design logic also. Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Lazyty (Aug 24, 2011 at 12:28)
 hey "chooched " i was going to enter this compition but decided not to because i have other shit to do with my life . anyway i ride everyday and i am going to school for graphic design and hhonestly these sticker packs suck . they have nothing to do with riding or forks r even the name of the forks . they do compleatly unrelated doodles that they probably drew getting high ands thought it weas good . it isnt !
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag nothingbetter (Aug 22, 2011 at 21:39)
 I still think the best looking forks were the mid 2000 marzocchis. Simple, plain, boring to some, but not naked. Enough colour to catch your eye but not so detailed that it gets blurry and gross when scratched. And the stand out letters of "bomber" were neat, although they do get ripped off eventually.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag thegromit (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:50)
 Why's everything so fluffy looking? Looks more like some hipster bike stuff not trying to be negative I just don't see these as mountain bikeish.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag caiocrz (Aug 22, 2011 at 14:59)
 TBH, I wouldnt stick any of em sticker anywhere on my bike. If only we riders had the "skills"...Well, lets leave it to the geeks, while they are busy we are ridin' braap. xD
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag benisgod (Aug 22, 2011 at 2:33)
 at the end of the day... you dont have to the stickers on the forks! but the sticker packs do look pretty sweet... and who cares if they down don't shred downhill or anything they're just the stickers that go onto the forks!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag trailchef (Aug 22, 2011 at 22:48)
 like the gangster animals except the whole pink deal. the rest are a little juvenile like hello kitty. maybe get troy lee to do your stickers.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag matko-cro (Aug 22, 2011 at 2:23)
 i like codys the best.

too bad the stickers arent available separately,without you having to buy a really expensive fork.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag cat-walk (Aug 23, 2011 at 17:21)
 heres a idea. just make the shock bodies transparent so the internals can be seen.
  • + 1
flag vineet (Aug 25, 2011 at 1:24)
 Really dope idea bro!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag trailhunter1 (Aug 23, 2011 at 15:16)
 the second set was my fav, the bottom right sheet was glow in the dark. Didn't put them on the bike but used them on other things.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag downhillscotty (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:45)
 cool stickers for the forks but i dont relly know what ones i like i need to see them on a fork
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag beeboo (Aug 22, 2011 at 8:29)
 All i have to say is, I'm not a huge fan of any of the designs! Rockshox can do better then this and i have seen better designs then these posted by riders here on pinkbike
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag trailstar2danman (Aug 22, 2011 at 7:58)
 Props to all Graphic Designers.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag STPrider1096 (Aug 24, 2011 at 21:07)
 I would ride with the finger/nucks stickers on my argyle! Are these up for regular purchase?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag kitemaddog (Aug 23, 2011 at 8:51)
 There's some nice entries so far but guaranteed they will pick some lame old crappy design like the previous packs
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag soutie1 (Aug 23, 2011 at 6:02)
 Hated every single one, Looks like they where designing for Ikea.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag jrjounor (Aug 23, 2011 at 15:05)
 i hope the one with the cat trying to get out of the lowers are cool enough to win:$
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag yamatorider (Aug 22, 2011 at 0:34)
 and they all look like they can be seen riding some single speeder around downtown...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag badburke (Aug 23, 2011 at 8:17)
 somebody make the bottoms look like a tallboy beer...
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag dgraham (Aug 22, 2011 at 17:04)
 WTF, i was wondering why i got some crazy flower sticker when i asked rockshox for a pack. free-be

nuff said
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag kean (Aug 22, 2011 at 8:26)
 Or just team a rider up with a graphic designer that is how they usually get stuff done.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag thegromit (Aug 22, 2011 at 9:52)
 Giant robot is dope
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag enzodropone (Aug 22, 2011 at 11:32)
 Geoff McFetridge rocks as hell!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jrjounor (Aug 23, 2011 at 15:06)
 that would be sick
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag ChinoJ10 (Aug 22, 2011 at 13:31)
 I like the second last set
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag Racerx7734 (Aug 22, 2011 at 13:01)
 I don't really like any of the old sticker packs.

Sorry.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag nickridesforkicks (Aug 22, 2011 at 5:39)
 is there a way of seeing all the entries so far ? Smile
[Reply]

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