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Tantrum Cycles to crowdsource 2017 graphics with Design Challenge

Written by Zach Overholt
15 Comments
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Tantrum

Think you have some design chops? Always wanted your own spin on a finished bike? This may be your opportunity to do just that. Just announced by Tantrum Cycles’ owner Brian Berthold, the brand is looking for a complete redesign for their 2017 bikes with the exception of the head badge (though it can be tweaked apparently). Depending on the production value of the finished design, the winner of the challenge has the potential to win a free frame as the grand prize.

While Tantrum Cycles might be a bit of an unknown at the moment, based on Berthold’s past work (Kona Magic Link, Brake Therapy Components, as well as years of motorsports suspension experience), we’re guessing that might change very soon. Key to the Tantrum design is Berthold’s own Missing Link suspension design which promises to be a design revolution.

We hope to get a ride on the bike soon, but for now check out the Design Challenge’s official rules from Tantrum after the break…

tantrum 1
All photos c. Tantrum Cycles

Tantrum contest

tantrumcycles.com
Zach Overholt
5,725 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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taldfind
taldfind
8 years ago

I’ll just leave these here.

http://apexcreative.net/why-design-contests-are-bad-for-designers/

http://jeannetto.tumblr.com/post/55701533700/my-entry-for-powells-books-tote-bag-design

In short, shame on Tantrum Cycles for running this contest.

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Brian Lindstrom (@BrianLindstrom_)
Brian Lindstrom (@BrianLindstrom_)
8 years ago

Designer professionalism aside, this is a huge gamble on a part of the bike that directly influences the bike purchase decision. Money invested in bike color and graphics will be reaped in-full and then some due to sales and production ability. Also, no “professional” designers will be entering the “contest.” They might enter that category, but if they are doing spec work they are clearly not professional.

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Groghunter
Groghunter
8 years ago
Reply to  Brian Lindstrom (@BrianLindstrom_)

I doubt they are obligated to actually use any entry.

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Penguin Dood
Penguin Dood
8 years ago

Thanks taldfind! Agreed 100%. It is a shame that so many artists give away their time and skills for free. A killer graphic design is worth way more $$ than a free frame.

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Mr. P
Mr. P
8 years ago

I need a full suspension frame that needs engineering. The best linkage and geometry design that fits my wants without any input will receive (potentially) a free frame.

Winner levels:

Level 1) If you design, weld, and add complete finishing kit, you get 100% frame credit.

Level 2) If you just provide the measurements, you will get a high five, a “Bro!” and a warm PBR.

I will be selling the shit out of these frames for profit, but you will be stoked to know you were the designer (but need to sign an NDA and not tell anyone).

Lovingly signed,

Mr. P

Graphic Designer

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Mike D
Mike D
8 years ago
Reply to  Mr. P

Holy sh*t Mr. P… SPOT ON, MATE. Your take on it had me rolling!

I’m happy they recognize that the current graphics are pretty terrible, but this contest is a bit of a faux pas. You wouldn’t ask photographers to show up to shoot your product for your 2017 catalog for a (partial) frame voucher either. Or I hope to god you wouldn’t anyway..

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Bradley
Bradley
8 years ago
Reply to  Mike D

Uhh yea they would!

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Hans Henrik Bærholm
Hans Henrik Bærholm
8 years ago

I don’t know how he expects people to make a pro level design when there are, as far as I can tell, no template files.

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Ryan S.
Ryan S.
8 years ago

I agree with these comments. Spec work is only asked from ***holes, cheap ***holes.

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Steve @ G4G
Steve @ G4G
8 years ago

They should change the contest to include a new brand name.

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PT
PT
8 years ago

What a joke. Devaluing the huge amount of work that goes into this kind of design. Maybe this is a joke on us to get a reaction – with the name of this cheapskate company being “Tantrum”. If they think design work is worth this much, imagine the quality of their bikes.

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Linda Thompson
Linda Thompson
8 years ago

I get that there is a lot of negativity surrounding the idea of designers putting themselves on a limb to get recognition out of the contest.

Still, it seems like that what a designer is doing for their primary business model anyway. Aren’t they already dependent on finding clients that will use their work, in the hopes that others will see and look at their portfolio?

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chazpat
chazpat
8 years ago
Reply to  Linda Thompson

Linda Thompson says:
I get that there is a lot of negativity surrounding the idea of designers putting themselves on a limb to get recognition out of the contest.

Still, it seems like that what a designer is doing for their primary business model anyway. Aren’t they already dependent on finding clients that will use their work, in the hopes that others will see and look at their portfolio?

Hi Linda,

So what do you do for a living? Tell you what, come do it for free for me and I’ll let you list it on your resume. Aren’t workers already dependent on performing work, in the hope that others will see and look at their resume?

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Brian
Brian
8 years ago

To all contestants,

In appreciation of everyone’s work, I am increasing the prize levels. The winner will still get 100% off. Second place will get a $700 credit voucher off a new frame. Third will get $500 off. 4th and 5th will each get a $200 voucher.

BTW, I chose $700 for 2nd place because that is what the original guy charged me for the current graphics.

Depending on the quality of the final work, this could increase.

Good luck,

cheers,

brian

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Brian
Brian
8 years ago

BTW, this is Brian from Tantrum Cycles. I really had no idea about the controversy this would stir up. I came up with the idea, thinking I would enter it if I had the skills.

Luckily, there are a lot of people exited to do this, which is what I wanted. So much so, that I wanted to increase the prize levels to participants. There are some great people working on this.

And the actual cost to me is WAAAYYY higher than what I paid the previous guy, so don’t think I’m getting off cheap.

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