Do graphics really matter? For real, do they?

[Analisa]

Brands differentiate graphics?!

 

[Tricia]

Bump for a ski image that just came up in my memories on FB

 

[Andy Mink]

Best White Out graphics.

 

[James]

Best White Out graphics.
View attachment 131430

Nice. Disappointed you haven’t got a magnet big enough to stick it to the fridge.

 

[RickyG]

Gang...we go through this every once in a while...personally I liked the days when you could tell one ski company from another. The old "billboard" graphics. Splotches, swirls of color and weird names do nothing for me. My favorites over the years...The Ski, K2 244/255 generation, first gen Hexcel Comp, the current Head, and Faction skis, Kastle (the color plastic vibration dampener really helps) simple, clean, easily linked to a company. I think the worst name I've seen was in lift line the other day at MJ...Death Wish...!!!?? Any other candidates?

 

[ejj]

I love the Moment Death Wish! Interesting tip shape and graphics--in my opinion. I'm not crazy for the crop of super-subtle monochromatic skis.

I did enjoy "The Ski" mondrianesque graphics from back in the 244 days.

 

[scott43]

Yes they matter...

 

[DanoT]

Graphics will never cause me to buy a ski or stop me from buying a ski. In the case of the latter, a can of spray paint might be required.

 

[scott43]

Can't tell you how many bikes DON'T sell because of colour and graphics. It's remarkably serious for some..

 

[pchewn]

I predict: Sometime in the near future there will be a ski company that puts an electronic graphic display device as the top layer of the ski. Allowing the user to customize his ski graphic dynamically, while skiing, through an app on his cell phone.

It will happen.

 

[Andy Mink]

I predict: Sometime in the near future there will be a ski company that puts an electronic graphic display device as the top layer of the ski. Allowing the user to customize his ski graphic dynamically, while skiing, through an app on his cell phone.

It will happen.

You better patent that idea.

 

[jt10000]

Graphics will never cause me to buy a ski or stop me from buying a ski. In the case of the latter, a can of spray paint might be required.

Have you ever painted a ski?

 

[pchewn]

You better patent that idea.

I have a few patents. They cost a lot of time and money to get. I don't think this one would be worth much.

 

[jt10000]

Can't tell you how many bikes DON'T sell because of colour and graphics. It's remarkably serious for some..

Yeah. I've never bought a bike (or ski) because of color/graphics, but I could see myself not buying because of something I didn't like the looks of. Meh or good graphics for me: OK. But bad: no.

 

[Ogg]

I predict: Sometime in the near future there will be a ski company that puts an electronic graphic display device as the top layer of the ski. Allowing the user to customize his ski graphic dynamically, while skiing, through an app on his cell phone.

It will happen.

You could match them to the graphics on your wheels. I think the SS SkiTalk could use a set of these.

 

[Bad Bob]

There are about 4 themes in the all mountain skis and they all look the same. Classic example is the Enforcer mountain color scheme.
Graphics are marketing for a manufacturer and a personal statement for the consumer they do matter for sales.
Doubt I would buy a ski due to graphics but might easily not buy one due to graphics.

 

[Uncle-A]

Gang...we go through this every once in a while...personally I liked the days when you could tell one ski company from another. The old "billboard" graphics. Splotches, swirls of color and weird names do nothing for me. My favorites over the years...The Ski, K2 244/255 generation, first gen Hexcel Comp, the current Head, and Faction skis, Kästle (the color plastic vibration dampener really helps) simple, clean, easily linked to a company. I think the worst name I've seen was in lift line the other day at MJ...Death Wish...!!!?? Any other candidates?

The first generation Hexcel Comp's will always be my favorite.

 

[NESkier_26]

I agree with Bad Bob's take: I don't buy skis due to the graphics, but awful graphics will stop me from buying a ski. As an example, the crazy graphics on the tails of last year's Mindbenders look ridiculous to me. As a result, a ski that I might have demoed and considered based on its specs never made it to my demo list. I ended up buying Mantra M6s at the end of the season after demoing M5s and Kendos, among a few other skis.

 

[DanoT]

Have you ever painted a ski?

No, I have never painted a ski but I have a buddy who used to put duct tape on the top surface of his skis as an anti-theft device....kept the scratches off the ski as well.

Years ago Ski Canada magazine would tape the top ski surfaces for their ski tests to counter testers sponsor/bias. Then manufacturers started with logo and names on the base as well as distinctive shapes, so they went to just listing the testers own skis and/or sponsorship in the test report.

 

[bbbradley]

You better patent that idea.

Too late...it's now in the public domain.


Graphics are a factor, though pretty far down the list for me. If the ski was truly a killer race ski, short of a ski with f-bombs or some bizarre porn on them, I can't see it stopping me from buying them.

Anyone remember the Burton snowboard dustup a while back? I, for one, am shocked! Somehow, i think Burton knew *exactly* what they were doing and got *exactly* what they wanted,