Jimbo Phillips Vs. Bell Helmets

Posted: Sep 2, 2009

Source: Madison

For 2010 Bell have teamed up with renowned Californian skate and surf artist, Jimbo Phillips, for a design collaboration on no-less-than 7 separate helmets. Jimbo is an artist from Santa Cruz California that was literally raised on eye popping graphics. His father, Jim Phillips, designed all the Artwork for Santa Cruz Skateboards in the 70’s and 80’s and was the creator of the iconic "Screaming Hand" logo.

Check out the new graphics inside!

Growing up the son of the legendary ‘70’s and ‘80’s surf and skate artist who created generation-defining graphics—colorful popping eyeballs, screaming hands and all manner of skull—Jimbo Phillips was seemingly preordained to become the torchbearer of a unique American aesthetic …or remain unnoticed under his father Jim’s considerable shadow. Fortunately for Bell, the younger Phillips has achieved the former, not only taking the handoff from his dad, but applying his own creative sensibilities to advance the family “look”—a look Bell will employ on no less than seven helmets in the 2010 line.


“Jimbo has worked closely with the Bell graphics team for years for years,” explained Creative Director Eli Atkins. “It’s all been so well received, we worked with Jimbo to do a proper collection for this year.”

The Jimbo Phillips Collection includes two graphics on the new Sequence helmet, two on the Variant, two on the Faction skate-style lid and one on the Drop full face helmet. Included in the collection are a pair of coordinated graphics—one on the Faction and one on the Drop—that actually create a scene when viewed together.


“Generally, people are drawn to Jimbo’s work,” said Atkins. “But skeletons choking each other might be a little too in-your-face for some, so we had Jimbo do a few of illustrations in a little more abstract and subtle way. On the whole I think there’s something for everyone.”

Phillips, who lives in Santa Cruz not far from Bell, continues to illustrate for a diverse client base including Santa Cruz Skateboards, Line Skis, The Surfrider Foundation, DC Shoes, record label Fat Wreck Chords, concert promoter Bill Graham Presents and others.


-At age 18, Jimbo began working for his father doing graphics for the skateboard industry (Santa Cruz Skateboards) creating Eye popping graphics for t-shirt designs, decals, Magazine ads and Skateboards.
- In 1990 Jimbo started his own graphic art business doing art for Skateboard companies, creating logos for local surf shops, and silk screening t-shirts and posters for local punk and metal bands. His client list grew, and now includes great companies such as Santa Cruz Skateboards/Surfboards, Fox Racing, Sessions, Fat Wreck Chords, Bell Helmets and Natal Design (Japan).
- In 2001 Jimbo did an International Ad campaign for Snickers Candy bars, which got him nominated for artist of the year by Archive Magazine and was featured on the cover.
- In 2002 Jimbo's Bomber chick helmet design for Giro received Helmet Graphic of the year in SKI Magazine.
- In 2005 his art was featured on Tony Hawk American Wasteland video game where the game weaves in and out of Jimbo's comic book format.
- In 2007 Jimbo donated artwork to Second Harvest Food Bank for a skatboard graphic where all the proceeds go to help "Grind out Hunger!"
- Rob Dyrdek from MTV's "Rob and Big" show recently commissioned Jimbo for an "art piece" to add to his personal art collection.
- Jimbo is currently busy working on new designs for Santa Cruz Skateboards/Surfboards, a new shoe graphic for DC Shoes and new rock posters for ‘Bill Graham presents..’ .


Jimbo is an artist that strives to push the envelope of what is possible on a skateboard, helmet or any surface and continues to do so in a fluid yet eye catching style. Keep your eyes peeled for Jimbo's graphic assault!