Cosmetic preferences

Racketdesign

Semi-Pro
As some of you know, and my name suggests I am involved and interested in design, especially tennis rackets!

With quite a broad mix of design styles on the latest models released by some brands, is there a specific part of a racket cosmetic that attracts us? Paint colour? Type of finish? Asymmetric or symmetric layout?
 

Fuji

Legend
Matte finish is my favorite. I'm not a big fan of glossy finishes, although they are more durable IME. I don't like really crazy designs. Plain and matte is the way to go!

-Fuji
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
The gunmetal gray (with black grommets selected) on my Angell frame is just sinister enough with timeless class.
 

aimr75

Hall of Fame
As some of you know, and my name suggests I am involved and interested in design, especially tennis rackets!

With quite a broad mix of design styles on the latest models released by some brands, is there a specific part of a racket cosmetic that attracts us? Paint colour? Type of finish? Asymmetric or symmetric layout?

I think for the most part a simple design works best. When it gets too busy, the immediate reaction is typically negative. I think symmetric designs mostly work better than asymmetric, but i think HEAD have done a great job with the asymmetric design of the youtek series. I think the key to theirs being so nice is that they mostly kept it simple. Probably 2 major colours at most, with one being the most dominant while the secondary colour still prominent, and the addition of some accents.

I prefer a matte finish, but gloss can work on the right design/frame. Font styling can play a big part. The current Wilson RF97 etc frames have a simple elegant font that works. Not Gaudy.

As to colour, always a personal preference but people seem to like black. I think though the overarching design would win people over more so than colour. Getting back to HEAD, the prestige and radical lines both work despite the colours, particularly the radical being so vibrant, and not black. The prestige graphene looks very nice and most peoples gripe comes down to the grommet colour more than anything. Colour is certainly a factor, but more importantly its the combination of colours in tandem with a great design. The wilson ncodes are often regarded as a fantastic paint job.. the dominant colour being red, but again, the simplicity in its design is what made it work

anyway, just my 2 cents
 
Put this s*** on everything and you're golden.

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SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
matte, as others mentioned, gives a great look to almost any racquet, but certain colors look better when they are glossy IMO (a dark red, maybe bordeaux, looks better when slightly glossy I'd say). I personally find it important that there is some kind of harmony in the choice of colors and that the design is dynamic (must not be symmetrical, see an IG Prestige for example). The new Graphene Speed and Instinct are examples how NOT to do it IMO, as the PJs look like you gave a kid some time on a painting program.

In general, I'd say that there are two schools of thought: Classic simplicity and modern design, both of which can look stunning if done right.
 

magnut

Hall of Fame
I would be happy with just plain black matte or otherwise. I would be fine with a raw frame with no paint whatsoever on it as well. I think racquets are the ugliest they have ever been. Most look like they should be some sort of NASCAR commemorative. Funny how you dont see people buying cars that have nascar paint jobs. Most of the time its a solid color with maybe a little pinstriping.

I have no idea why racquet companies started making frames so ugly. agassi effect maybe? Racquets used to look like elegant tools....now they look like cheap toys.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
I would be happy with just plain black matte or otherwise. I would be fine with a raw frame with no paint whatsoever on it as well. I think racquets are the ugliest they have ever been. Most look like they should be some sort of NASCAR commemorative. Funny how you dont see people buying cars that have nascar paint jobs. Most of the time its a solid color with maybe a little pinstriping.

I have no idea why racquet companies started making frames so ugly. agassi effect maybe? Racquets used to look like elegant tools....now they look like cheap toys.

same thing is the case for football boots.
 

The_Racketeer

Professional
Gonna have to second (or eighth) the sentiment of matte black on everything. I don't mind some small pops of color but some of these racquets are just obnoxious (I'm looking at you Organix 7).

I'd love it if you could spend a little extra dough and pick out your racquet and color scheme (like buying a car). The pros do it. Why can't we?

Half the reason the new PS97 is going to sell so well is because it's the best PS paint scheme since the PS85. Ok, maybe not half.
 

KYHacker

Professional
Well, and I hate saying this again, agree with Spin. An example of a great update to the classic design are the Prince Graphite's. Just a hint of modern added to the classic cosmetic. I also like some more modern designs as well, and I love loud colors on court. I really like the design of the IG Radicals and the IG Prestige frames. I also like the new Graphene Prestige frames and the Strike's. I don't like the Wilson Juice and Steam series at all.
 

robbo1970

Hall of Fame
no, I mean football boots :mad:

Jk, I won't start a debate on whether it's football or soccer for no reason, call it whatever you like :)

I will end the debate. It's called football. It originated as football, you primarily move the 'ball' around with your 'foot'.....the clues are there. What is a 'soc'?

Look up FIFA and UEFA and tell me where it says soccer, because I can tell you where it says football. All those whose countries played in the world cup, was it the FIFA world cup or the FISA world cup? End of :)

I like symmetry in my racket pj. Don't mind gloss or matt, but it depends on the racquet. A POG would not look right with matt paint.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
1st: Majority black with some accent colors (green, yellow, blue, orange).
2nd: Majority dark shades of blue or red with some accent colors (white, yellow, silver, black)

Preference for matte finish. Next would be low gloss.
 
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movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
I think that you have an age divide. Older players prefer symmetric, simple, understated cosmetics while younger players prefer bright, loud and colors that attract attention. Asymmetric patters probably fit in more with the latter.
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
One thing I have noticed is that majority white racquets don't seem to be as appealing overall. The only white racquet I remember even remotely liking is the TT Warrior.
 

Snaab

Semi-Pro
My preference is gloss over matte. Aesthetically, I really liked the Snauwaert Graphite Pro and Mid type paint schemes from the 80s and my favorite may have been the Fila Champion. I like the current Angell look, especially with the bright green grip and grommets, but would prefer a gloss finish.
 

Muppet

Legend
I will end the debate. It's called football. It originated as football, you primarily move the 'ball' around with your 'foot'.....the clues are there. What is a 'soc'?

Look up FIFA and UEFA and tell me where it says soccer, because I can tell you where it says football. All those whose countries played in the world cup, was it the FIFA world cup or the FISA world cup? End of :)

I like symmetry in my racket pj. Don't mind gloss or matt, but it depends on the racquet. A POG would not look right with matt paint.

When did we (USA) decide to call the game soccer? Would it be that hard to name American Football something else? And what about metric? What's our problem over here? It's not like we're all that hard to brainwash.
 
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teekaywhy

Professional
i took a look at my collection of racquets and for the most part, they have one solid color with maybe one accent. asymetric design notwithstanding.
This may sound ridiculous but i do pay attention to how the racquet looks, especially if the shirt i'm wearing is a bright color. i get over it after the first hit, but even still...
to that end, i think the wilson juice lineup is the most hideous pj out there.
favorites are the volkls, yonex and the new bab pure strikes.
 

Muppet

Legend
To answer OP's question, I prefer a simple design like PK's Redondos or Dunlop's MuscleWeaves. It's also good for the colors to have enough contrast to be eye catching without being loud or obnoxious. Also, I prefer symmetry, but subtle assymmetry like the Prestiges and Redondos is also good.
 

The_Racketeer

Professional
When did we (USA) decide to call the game soccer? Would it be that hard to name American Football something else? And what about metric? What's our problem over here?

The term "soccer" was the first name of that specific sport, 1863. It was coined in Britain. The Brits changed it to football in 1881 but Americans have retained its true name.

Also, the only country to walk on the moon, doesn't use the metric system. Clearly, it's unnecessary.

Just saying....
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Well, and I hate saying this again, agree with Spin. An example of a great update to the classic design are the Prince Graphite's. Just a hint of modern added to the classic cosmetic. I also like some more modern designs as well, and I love loud colors on court. I really like the design of the IG Radicals and the IG Prestige frames. I also like the new Graphene Prestige frames and the Strike's. I don't like the Wilson Juice and Steam series at all.

We're two peas of a pod it seems :lol:
 

THESEXPISTOL

Hall of Fame
Most look like they should be some sort of NASCAR commemorative. Funny how you dont see people buying cars that have nascar paint jobs. Most of the time its a solid color with maybe a little pinstriping.

Because dealerships don't offer that option...
 

Muppet

Legend
The term "soccer" was the first name of that specific sport, 1863. It was coined in Britain. The Brits changed it to football in 1881 but Americans have retained its true name.

Also, the only country to walk on the moon, doesn't use the metric system. Clearly, it's unnecessary.

Just saying....

Good points.

But is walking on the moon necessary? And wouldn't metric make life easier, especially for car mechanics? How would you like to have to have two chests full of tools, one metric one english? Then there's the cars that have you going back and forth from metric parts to english parts.

Did we name our soccer that name before or after 1881? And if you know, what year did we name american football? I'm just wondering if we were trying to be different.
 

robbo1970

Hall of Fame
The term "soccer" was the first name of that specific sport, 1863. It was coined in Britain. The Brits changed it to football in 1881 but Americans have retained its true name.

Also, the only country to walk on the moon, doesn't use the metric system. Clearly, it's unnecessary.

Just saying....

Aluminium. :)
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Hey Racketdesign,

How goes it? Haven't seen you post here too often lately.

Personally, I much prefer a matte finish to a glossy one. I also prefer mainly a single color with perhaps some highlights in one other color. I don't like busy designs (think Wilson K-Factor) as I prefer the minimalist look. Lastly, I much prefer a symmetrical design to an asymmetrical design. Hope that helps. :)
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
My favorite racquets cosmetically speaking are:

1. Yonex Ti-88 with that glossy Ferrari Red
2. Yonex RD Tour 90/95, glossy as well with a window showing off the braided graphite
3. Wilson 6.1 BLX 2012 - I like the glossy red, I do wish the red was more dominant
4. Le Coq Spotif TXM - when new had a beautiful glossy black finish.

Basically I prefer a glossy finish, black and red are my favorite colors on a frame.

And do those who say it doesn't matter, it does alter their play. Glossy finishes tend to make a racquet stiffer while matte finishes make them more flexible.
 

Capulin Zurdo

Hall of Fame
From personal preference, I like simple designs, whether it be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and generally I like both matted and glossed racquets.

Also, I thought I'd share, for me, in terms of first impressions and attractiveness in a racquet, I look at the shape of the frame; its mould. (Admittedly, I'm mostly enticed to small head size, box- beamed racquets; and straight beamed racquets as well)
 

smiley_face

Rookie
Green! Racquets should come back to green.

Head Elite Pro, Kneissl Tom's Machine and Head PC600 silver/green are the best good-looking racquets ever introduced.
 

sargeinaz

Hall of Fame
I prefer glossy finishes. I feel it looks more expensive, while matte usually looks cheaper. 1-2 colors usually looks best. Old head rackets like prestige Classic and pt630 look great. Plenty of old yonexes look great like that old 88 and the super rd 90/95. Some old kneissls were great looking too as well. The old dunlop rev 200g looked great too.
 

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
As some of you know, and my name suggests I am involved and interested in design, especially tennis rackets!

With quite a broad mix of design styles on the latest models released by some brands, is there a specific part of a racket cosmetic that attracts us? Paint colour? Type of finish? Asymmetric or symmetric layout?

Why not simple. I hate all these new fangled busy paint jobs with tons of different colors. Matte black is great.

And the damn patterns make the racket look warped. My dunlop is hideous and it always looks like its bowing. Asymmetrical is just stupid IMHO

PS85 is a great paint job IMHO. Simple and deadly.

Angell rackets? Isnt the market too crowded for a brand AFIAK has little if any recognition?
 

Fuji

Legend
Why not simple. I hate all these new fangled busy paint jobs with tons of different colors. Matte black is great.

And the damn patterns make the racket look warped. My dunlop is hideous and it always looks like its bowing. Asymmetrical is just stupid IMHO

PS85 is a great paint job IMHO. Simple and deadly.

Angell rackets? Isnt the market too crowded for a brand AFIAK has little if any recognition?

Niche market homie. Closest thing you can get to custom made frames as a non-sponsored player.

-Fuji
 

PaulC

Professional
Don't mind gloss or matt, but it depends on the racquet. A POG would not look right with matt paint.

True DAT!!

They actually tried matt on the Triple Threat version, but didn't even last a year or 2 :mrgreen:

I think the Head i-Prestige/i-Rad also would be better off with glossy finish like the rest of the Prestige lineage.

Alright... I admit I'm biased. Compared with the IG Prestige or Radical, I think the Graphene Radical matt finish is just... cheapened the Radical line.

I can't even stand to see a PT57a in a matt paint job like the one Murray got nowaday, it's just... wrong. :twisted:

Then again, I gotta say, a St. Vincent MUST be in matt finish. :mrgreen:
 

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
Niche market homie. Closest thing you can get to custom made frames as a non-sponsored player.

-Fuji

Hi Fuji.

Fair enough, but do players that good really care about cosmetics?

Do they make box beams??

I would like my current racket if it was a box beam and a bit smaller...they make that?
 

Fuji

Legend
Hi Fuji.

Fair enough, but do players that good really care about cosmetics?

Do they make box beams??

I would like my current racket if it was a box beam and a bit smaller...they make that?

You care about cosmetics when they are apart of your paycheck! ;) But yeah, I've worked in a pro shop for a couple years and people DEFINITELY care about cosmetics. You know the Blade 93 that came out this year? We sold out of those and couldn't keep them in stock on release. The frame wasn't even that great IMO, but I had people ranging from 2.5 to open snatching them up cause it's one of the nicest paint jobs to hit the market in recent years.

I don't think they have any box beams, they have a mould that is their own, specs and layup are custom though. Biggest thing for angell is you can easily get plus length rackets. Literally the best way to get 27.75-28 inch frames without going down the pro stock route.

-Fuji
 
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