Acid USA custom motorcycle painting
ACID is a design studio owned by Scott Chester, aka ACID, based in Brooklyn, New York, which takes elements of street art, graffiti and cutting, edge industrial design and combines them to create unique and exciting products and art work.
Scott Chester who has a background in automotive and industrial design studied at the Center for Creative Studies College of Art and Design in Detroit, Michigan, Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and Art Center College in Pasadena, California. Upon graduating, he combined his college gained expertise and love of motorcycles and opened his own custom motorcycle paint shop, ACID, Inc. (named for his daughter, Arielle Chester Industrial Design). He began customizing motorcycles and helmets for affluent private collectors.
As part of this ongoing creative process, ACID completed what he calls his “soda series,” which included bikes designed with recognizable graphics from such soft drinks as Coca Cola, 7-Up, Mountain Dew, Sprite and Dr Pepper. “I wanted to create something that when you saw it go by on the street, you wouldn't forget it,” ACID explains. “Yet you'd recognize the logo, at 70mph and it would be familiar, even if you had never seen the bike before.” He has also completed motorcycles with graphics of Heineken, Coors Light and Sunoco. Tommy Hilfiger and ECKO UNLIMITED each own two ACID bikes, and Scott has designed a custom helmet for Ralph Lauren. Additionally, the “Queen of Hearts” bike was featured in the DMX 'Rough Ryders Anthem' video. ACID's Yankee bike was featured in the Yankees World Series 1998,1999 Victory Parades up Broadway, in New York City.
ACID's custom motorcycle and helmet designs must present an interesting visual while flashing past as well as standing up to scrutiny when the bike and rider are at a stop light. His designs are outstanding in both scenarios because they are vibrant and unforgettable.
In 1998 ACID was approached by Marvin Samel and Jonathan Drew, future owners of Drew Estate, cigar company. They wanted ACID to develop a cigar brand. After several years, ACID cigars, now consists of five different lines and sixteen different cigars, all of which have served to solve a major cigar problem: the cigar tastes good as it's smoked but the lingering aroma is not often pleasing. The secret process for creating the patented ACID cigar aroma involves blending over 140 botanical and herbal elements. The mixture is cured into the wrapper layer tobacco for over six months, which makes for a pleasant smelling smoke without hindering the five-tobacco blend within the cigar. “If you're in a room full of cigar smokers you can easily detect the ACID aroma.” ACID cigars have become the established leader in the Botanical and Herbal Aromatic Cigar Market. Tying in with ACIDs' love of motorcycles, ACID Cigars sponsors a motorcycle racing team, which competes on the F.U.S.A. circuit.
In 2001, designer Diane von Furstenberg challenged her design team to create an urban inspired print collection. Her print design director, Evelyn Luna, contacted ACID to create a graffiti inspired print. The print entitled, Cross Town Traffic, incorporated graphics relating to Diane von Furstenberg modified in the graffiti style. “I come from old school Brooklyn, before Rap was pressed on record, New York in the late 70's. The DVF project gave me the opportunity to explore that aesthetic in a different media.”
In working with von Furstenberg's design team, ACID Studios introduced them to an expeditious design tool: Photoshop. “At the time all their artwork was hand painted. Working in Photoshop made them aware of the benefits of the technology.” ACID says.
ACID clothing line will launch in September 2008. In addition to the motorcycle riding gear, the line will feature a dress suit, a Sportline suit and a line of mens and womans t-shirts. “Like most of my other design work, I wanted to make this different,” ACID says. The dress suit does not have lapels. It's made out of a wrinkle resistant engineered material and is cut to be very comfortable. The Sportline suit is stylish, not baggy, and will be perfect for the man who wants to look good while still being casual.” Meant to appeal to “big boys, men who love toys.” the clothing line, which ACID describes as a bit “George Jetson” in that it is forward thinking and not at all retro, will fit in with the whole ACID vibe and target audience. The clothes won't be flashy, they're designed to make 'YOU' look good!
Lest he be pigeonholed as a mere graffiti artist or a motorcycle design expert only, ACID is very quick to point out his other artwork. His art often features landscapes, urban exteriors and nature. In a typical ACID twist, he uses autobody paints, which give the images luminosity and vibrancy as the colors change depending on where and how the painting is view, making them much more interactive. “Viewing them becomes more of an experience,” he explains. They shimmer and jump off the surface with an otherworldly appeal.
While in design school in Detroit, ACID had an epiphany while viewing a Van Gogh self portrait that has remained with him to this day and shapes everything he does in all facets of ACID, be it motorcycle customizing, clothing design, or ACID cigars. “I realize that my art will last much longer than I ever will. So it has to be good. The realization drives me to excel and push myself everyday.”
