The awesomely creative helmet designs we’ve received from around the world make this a difficult task. We looked at the feedback we’ve received on the blog, and that helped. Clearly there are some designs and some artists – seven, to be exact – that stand out from the pack.

The next step was talking to this group of seven to make sure they understood the process involved if they were to win. This is important, because we are not choosing designs from the entries – we are choosing artists that will be able to go the distance, working together with us on 2015’s artists series designs.

In addition, we are hoping that our artists are ready and willing to travel to the Eurobike and Interbike industry shows next summer and make live art at those shows that will be auctioned for our partner World Bicycle Relief.

Moving 2D art to 3D helmets is a fun yet amazingly complex process, and our Unframed finalists need to be ready to work together with us to make that process as fun and smooth as possible. At a small company like ours, with the big goal of getting fresh art onto helmets, everyone has to be a team player.

After conversations with each and every one of them, we are herewith proud to announce the seven Unframed finalists for the 2015 helmet design contest.

Four women and three men, from Belgium, Chile, the U.S.A., Brazil, Argentina, and the Philippines will compete for the final award.

They are Tiago from Brazil (#71-77 in the original lineup); Carla from the U.S.A. (#65-66); Ignacio from Chile (#36-37); Olga from Argentina (#61-62); Vero from Belgium (#7-10); Jobert from the Philippines (#1); and Laura from the U.S.A. (#47-48).

 Now that you’ve seen these Unframed finalists’ art, we’d love to have more of your feedback. After a further, even tougher week of deliberation, we’ll announce winner(s) on Monday, December 15.

Congratulations, finalists!