Skateism’s top 10 deck designs of 2016 so far. This was incredibly hard being a sucker for good illustration so here are, in my opinion, the best of the best.
1. PATRICK SCHMIDT FOR ELEMENT GUARDIANS COLLECTION
Patrick’s illustrations are just mental, the collection is inspired by traditional Tibertian tiger rugs, each Element rider is given their own spirit animal. A coyote, bobcat and snake – awesome!
2. NECKFACE X BAKER 2016 FALL CAPSULE COLLECTION
This deck collection is the brainchild of Neckface and Baker, and it’s just fucking weird. Nothing new here though, Neckface has always made happy graphics if demonic graphics, so if gore isn’t your thing then this collection is one to avoid.
3. POLAR X PONTUS ALV
These designs are from the beautiful mind of Pontus Alv, the bold shapes and colour pallets are just amazing. I saw these in my local skate shop and instantly fell in love.
4. ELEMENT X ATELIER BINGO
It’s already been covered how much of a fan I am of these designs and they just had to be in my top ten, read more about who Atelier Bingo are here!
5. ALMOST X JEAN JULLIEN
Jullien’s illustrations always make me laugh, and his deck designs for Almost are just plain funny. Check out more of his drawings on instagram, he updates his account pretty much daily with drawings that are so clever and often in the strangest places.
6. THEORY LUCAS BEAUFORT SERIES
Lucas is an illustrator from Cannes, you can read more about his work in this interview. His wacky, colourful illustrations look so good on these Theory decks. 
7. ASTE COLLECTION BY EESU LEHTOLA SPRING 2016
Illustrator Eesu Lehtola created some intense graphics for Aste Skateboards. There’s so much to look at on this board, that screaming monkey face draws me in every time. 
8. ISLE BRUSHSTROKE SERIES
A mysterious one – these were posted on Isle’s facebook page with the caption “soon…”, suffice it to say that although we don’t know much about this series yet, Isle always go the extra mile in the graphics department.
9. KITSCH ANDREW POMMIER SERIES SPRING/SUMMER 2016
So, both 9 and 10 are from the artist Andrew Pommier, I couldn’t choose between them so they both went in! This series has the colour palette that dreams are made of and these characters are the creepiest little dudes – I need to get my hands on the skeleton guy.
10. RED CHICO BRENES DECK DESIGNED BY ANDREW POMMIER FOR CHOCOLATE
The new range of RED decks from Girl and Chocolate are designed to help deliver an AIDS free generation. With every deck purchased $7 will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS with RED, which can provide more than 23 days of lifesaving HIV medication.
The artwork for this deck is by Andrew Pommier an artist who creates these awesome little sketches which I completely love – check them out here on his website.
