Kickstarter

Uberpong is an Origin of Cool project with the aim being to bring more color and style to the game of table tennis.

The Story

For too long, we have played a game that lacks any aesthetics. We have played with the same ugly, ping pong paddles as everyone else in the world and been stereotyped unfairly. I worked in a startup in London a few years ago and saw how ping pong brought people within the company together. But there was something missing. People had their own style of play and a look that went with it but this stopped with the equipment they were playing with. And then the metaphorical lightbulb lit up above my head. Why couldn't the ping pong paddle be an extension of that person's passion and style? Uberpong's goal is to inject some much needed cool into ping pong and make it the most played sport in the US. Think of table tennis being the traditional, formal English parlor game, ping pong being the more contemporary American version and Uberpong being the future of the sport. We are nothing without you!! To all the ping pong players, tech startups, bar owners, sports fans, graphic designers and hipsters…we need your help!

The Artists

On OriginofCool.com, we have featured some extraordinary artists, graphic designers and illustrators. Many of them jumped at the chance to have their work appear on our paddles and be involved in a project that was breaking new ground. Artists include British artist Hannah Adamaszek (who did a painting for Florence and The Machine's 'If Only For A Night' single cover), American design firm The Bungaloo (who have done posters for The Black Keys and Mumford & Sons), and Swedish graphic designer Viktor Hertz (famous for his pictogram posters). We have also featured local Austin artists Jay Bramhall, Nathan Brown, Charlie Chauvin, Sophie Roach and Dan Patton.
The crucial thing about our Kickstarter is that we not only give these artists the exposure they deserve but also give them a share of what we are funded. Help us get to the minimum amount, and all artists will receive 20% of every sale of their paddle design. Introducing the artists and their designs:


Gordon Holden (USA) - Freelance artist - www.gordonholden.com

Viktor Hertz (SWEDEN) - Freelance graphic designer and artist - www.viktorhertz.com 

Stephen Wildish (UK) - Company: Wildish & Co - wildishandco.co.uk

Dan Patton (USA) - Dog Dive Creative - www.dogdivecreative.com

Flynn Prejean (USA) - BadMoon Studios - http://www.badmoonstudios.net/

Bianca Irving (USA) - Em En OP - http://em-en-op.tumblr.com/

Tambolbee (PHILIPPINES) - Freelance Illustrator/Designer - www.tambolbee.com

John Vogl (USA) - the Bungaloo! - theBungaloo.com

Clint Wilson (USA) - Clintprints - www.clintprints.com

Nathan Brown (USA) - Room122.com - http://www.room122.com

Sean Mort (UK) - Sean Mort Print Shop - www.seanmort.co.uk

Richard Koehler (USA) - RK Creative - http://cargocollective.com/rkcreative

Brent Black (SOUTH AFRICA) - Brentblack Studios - http://www.facebook.com/BBlackStudios

Charlie Chauvin (USA) - chawlie - http://www.chawlie.com

Dave DiAngelis (USA) - Emulsion Apparel - http://www.emulsionapparel.com / http://www.DiAngelis.net

Bobby Rosenstock (USA) - justAjar Design Press - www.justajar.com

Hannah Adamaszek AKA Hannah Chloe (UK) - www.hannahchloe.com

Jay Bramhall (USA) - www.jaytherobot.com / jaytherobot.tumblr.com

Maria Warnes (UK) - Maria Warnes Design - http://www.mariawarnesdesign.co.uk/ 

Sophie Roach (USA) - Freelance Illustrator - sophieroach.com

If you are an artist and would like to join our design community, please email David with your portfolio: hi@originofcool.com.

The Process

We experimented with several printing techniques before deciding on a UV printing process.

The key thing that we had to achieve was to print the designs onto the rubber without compromising the integrity of the rubber. 

People still had to be able to play their regular game with the paddles. Here are a few shots from the early print experimenting.

What We Will Do With The Funding?

Once we have the funding, we will be able to order in the paddles (this has to be a minimum of 1000). The rubber will then be cut and glued into place by a designer. The printers will then print the artists' designs onto the rubber and then we will package this and ship to our first customers who backed us on Kickstarter. We will also be able to pay the video production company for the wonderful Kickstarter video they created and pay the artists for their designs. If you back us, you will get the rewards you chose. If it doesn't reach the minimum, none of the backers will be charged and our paddles will never see the light of day (sad face).

Bonuses

We are offering many Kickstarter bonuses that are unique to this site. Deciding on these was a joyously creative process. Look out in particular for "The Daddy" bonus for $5000. If you love the idea for Uberpong and want to flash the cash, we'll fly you to Austin, put you up in a hotel and take you out for dinner to one of the top restaurants in Austin (and indeed the US). Oh yes, and of course, you can play ping pong with the founder of Uberpong and then have a customized paddle design printed for you.

How You Can Help

We have 30 days to reach our goal of $10,000. If we don't hit that target, we get $0. Every dollar donated is crucial in helping us get Uberpong launched. Please donate early and help spread the word to all of your friends.

Join Us

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @Uberpong
Add your email to our mailing list: www.WeHeartPong.com


The Future of Table Tennis Begins Now

Thank you for making our dream a reality! When you focus on something obsessively for a year and a half then see it becoming a reality, it makes you feel like a magician! Thank you for backing us, spreading the word online and offline, your warm words of encouragement and your faith. 

Please visit www.WeHeartPong.com to add your name to our mailing list.

Peace, Love and Ping Pong, 
Dave