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Skateboarding, art and the web, Parker Newman from Popdeck.com talks about his recently launched skateboard design community.

What is Popdeck all about?

Popdeck is essentially a skateboard design competition. Started out as a passion between our love for design/art and skateboarding. We have always collected cool decks as art after we skated them up, and this was just the natural progression.

So who is popdeck or involved with creating the idea?

My twin brother and myself start Popdeck. We were previously in the t-shirt business and have always had a passion for skateboarding. We're located in Chicago.

How does it work?

We have an ongoing contest for skateboard art and every 3 weeks we pick a winner, pay them a prize and print there board. The community has the obligation of choosing the winners by rating each design submitted out of 5. After a winner is chosen, we award them 200 dollars and a free deck.

Don't Break my beat Board design by: nunosk8

Where are the boards made?

Our boards are made in Pennsylvania by the good people of Penn Woods.

Where did you get the idea for the website?

We were pretty involved in the design community from our prior work, and just were so impressed by the different mediums people could use to create art. Being skateboarders since forever, it just seemed like a cool idea.

Do you think more people buying popdeck’s are skating their decks or do you think they are using them as art or to hang on their walls?

Right now we want to say that 90 percent of boards sold are by skateboarders. I think though over the past few years, we have really seen a push to people presenting skateboards as art and we hope to open up into that more. To be honest, you really can’t get a great piece of art for cheaper then 40 bucks. But, at the end of the day, it is a skateboard and most people are grinding them up.

What do you think is the relationship between Skateboarding and Art?

Skateboarding has always been a way for people to express themselves. Whether it is by mastering tricks or the entire graffiti and streetwear scene that goes with it. I think it is a dual serving relationship and we have seen a lot of artist come out that were skaters, these guys then become great artist and then give back to the skate community. A prime example of this to me is having these great grafitti artist that came out in the 90’s are now established gallery artists.

One prime example is Eric Elms, he was very into that whole scene in the 90’s. Started off as just a graf writer and now we have seen his amazing art on skate brands such as Supreme.

Why have you decided to produce and sell decks in only 20 units?

We started this as an idea to merge art and skating, but didn’t want this to be something that was completely exposed to the masses. We are a tight niche community and we really want people to know they are getting something unique and hand made. As we grow though we hope to raise quantities, but they will always be hand numbered

Squad Comic board design by: squad comic

$40 for a sweet original designed limited edition deck is a pretty sweet deal, How come you decided to make them so cheap?

It was basically for a few reasons, most importantly we didn’t want price to be a reason people couldn’t experience our brand or for people to be hesitant about ordering from us. Being a direct to consumer company as well, we wanted to take advantage of our margins and give it back to the consumer.

What are the plans for the future of Popdeck.com?

Right now we are just making our site and community better and better. We will constantly mold and improve the site. Also, expect a ton more special contest with great prizes and what not. We are also launching a gallery section, let people show off their pics and videos for prizes.

VW - So Mr. Brewer, how are your new sponsors treating you…and do you miss the east coast…are we east coast…I didn’t do well in geo? 

VW - Skateboard Set-up right now? 

VW - Your Part In “Homegrown Slightly lit Video”, which was your fav places to skate in your part and out of everyone else in that video…who did you get more pumped off of?

VW - What 1 trick your love doing these days and well hate even trying? 

VW - Non-Skateboard Sponsor You Wish You Had? 

VW - One thing to tell kids about skateboarding…and reason why you’re still doing it? 

VW - This is one question I had to ask because it’s always on my mind…what are your views on this helmet law in Canada? 

VW - One trick you wish you had on lock down? 

VW - Craziest road trip/demo/skate sesh? 

VW - Am and Pro you’re pumped of? 

VW - Last scrape you were in? 

VW - Song you’re real into these days. 

VW - So Mr. Brewer, how are your new sponsors treating you…and do you miss the east coast…are we east coast…I didn’t do well in geo? 

GB - ha-ha oh yes its East alright.  The sponsors are pretty kick-ass right now.  They've all been super nice.  I just got back from a trip to the states with Vans for an article in Concrete so I'm pretty hyped on that.

VW - Skateboard Set-up right now? 

GB - Deck- Real 8 and 1/4.  52 mm Spitfire Wheels. Reds Bearings, 147 Thunders Trucks.

VW - Your Part In “Homegrown Slightly lit Video”, which was your fav places to skate in your part and out of everyone else in that video…who did you get more pumped off of?

GB - That’s a tough one.  Montreal and Toronto are both awesome cities but I think Toronto was pretty fun.  I was super pumped off all the guys we were there with.  I'd never really met any of the boys until then so it was really fun to get to meet them for a trip like that.  Everyone was awesome on that trip for sure.

 

VW - Skate Video You Can’t wait to see? 

GB - The Fallen Video, Lakai if it ever comes out.  A new flip video would be rad too but I don't know if they're even doing one right now.

VW - What 1 trick your love doing these days and well hate even trying? 

GB - Hardflips.

VW - Non-Skateboard Sponsor You Wish You Had? 

GB - Alexander Keith’s or Wendy's.

VW - One thing to tell kids about skateboarding…and reason why you’re still doing it? 

GB - Just have fun doing it mainly.  It's the best way to mellow out and meet new people.  If you’re having a good time that’s all that matters and people will see that.

VW - This is one question I had to ask because it’s always on my mind…what are your views on this helmet law in Canada? 

GB - shi*tTY!!!  If I hit my head it's my own fault.  Someone could slip on ice or trip off a curb and hit there head but you don't need helmets to walk on an icy sidewalk.  I hope.

VW - One trick you wish you had on lock down? 

GB - Switch three flips.

VW - Craziest road trip/demo/skate sesh? 

GB - The Homegrown one was fun and the Vans one I just got back from.  But when a bunch of us from Fredericton and Moncton went to Calgary and ended up getting to skate in Slam City Jam.  That was pretty much the funniest thing ever!

VW - Am and Pro you’re pumped of? 

GB - Appleyard, Reynolds, Rowley.

VW - Last scrape you were in? 

GB - I try to stay out of trouble, but I almost went in the police patty wagon the other day for trying to throw a giant road barrier over a fence ha-ha.  As soon as I herd the brakes of the truck the officer had my face up against the side of the truck and my arm wrenched around my back ha-ha.  Luckily some randoms saved me and told the cop that a car had just ran into the barrier and they saw me fixing it.  He told them that they could fit in the truck too and better leave now.  So they walked away.  I ended up talking my way out of it because I had New Brunswick ID and I was “Just visiting for 3 days."  Then he was cool with it.  He actually said this stupid line that sounded like some sort of slogan ha-ha.  “You enjoy Vancouver.  You do not destroy it!"

VW - Song you’re real into these days. 

GB - I dunno I like to keep a good mix of everything.

VW - So G-brew when you coming down to Lunenburg way. We need some beer and you need to destroy the Lbc Park, while I am drunk and watch…hope to hear form you soon...and maybe see you skate. 

GB - Hopefully I'll be in New Brunswick around Christmas time.  Maybe next summer I'll make a trip again and get to check the new Halifax Park out and come down to Lunenburg and see all the boys.

Lata.  Peace!

 

Published On: 9/16/2007

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