About 10 years ago, Volkl had some important skis with terrible graphics (Karma, Gotama, and Mantra, etc. with the Asian Samurai themes), that cost them several potential sales in my shop. Same with the current Revolt (95 and 104) models. There were/are a lot of older, more conservative, customers that automatically eliminate those skis from consideration just because of the edgy graphics.
Rossi also hurt themselves with the Euro/French, Artist Motiff, on several of their ladies skis of about that same vintage. They had some very good skis, that were almost unsellable because they were so ugly.
Currently, Fischer took a risk with the Hot Pink, Ranger 102FR in Men's sizes. But at least, they offer a toned down, blue version, for the more conservative. They were pretty successful with the Pink ski overall, but it was a dud in my shop. The blue outsold the pink 3 to 1.
Ski Logik sold like crazy when we had it. Just because of the graphics. Some of those skis were true works of art. Performance was "mixed".
Edgy graphics sell a few skis to a small percentage of skiers, but turn a much bigger percentage of the potential consumers off. I like Fischer's current approach of offering alternatives. If I could have had Volkl Karmas with just a bland, conservative, graphic. I would have sold a truck load of them.
Now, snowboards. That's a different story. Graphics are 90% of the sales appeal.