We are incredibly honored to be featured in the latest June/July 2026 issue of The Riversider Magazine!

The feature story, titled "Riverside Spawned a Monster," takes a look back at our 25-year journey of pushing the boundaries of large-format printing, custom signage, and complex experiential installations right here in the Inland Empire.

From our early days on Brockton Avenue to our current solar-powered headquarters, we’ve always believed that you don't have to go to Los Angeles to create world-class, immersive media installations. You can make it right here in Riverside.

Check out the full feature article by Ken Crawford below:

Riverside Spawned a Monster

Words by: Ken Crawford | Originally published in The Riversider Magazine

Derric Swinfard was not supposed to be in the printing business. He was a snowboarder, sponsored by H-Street and later EVOL Snowboards, spending winters on the mountain and summers doing sports marketing for Osiris Shoes. Then a friend showed up at his house on Brockton Avenue with a vinyl banner, and something clicked.

He tracked down an HP printer through a contact in Irvine and financed it for $675 a month. The math was simple: make enough to cover the payment. He started selling to friends, and Monster Media was in business.

That was roughly 25 years ago. Today the company operates out of a solar-powered facility in Riverside, producing large-format printing, custom signage, and experiential media installations for clients that include Goldenvoice and, most recently, Radiohead.

Swinfard’s wife, Erin, returned to the business full-time once their son Dash was grown and now runs day-to-day operations. "She runs circles around people," Swinfard said. "She doesn’t miss anything. I’m chasing squirrels."

A Social Conscience & Community Impact

The company’s social conscience developed alongside the business. After Dash was born, Swinfard came across footage of Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society confronting Japanese whalers in Antarctica. He brought in his business partner Bill Fold and artist connections including Shepard Fairey, and launched Sea No Evil, an annual fundraiser that ran six years at the Riverside Art Museum and Municipal Auditorium, raising roughly $300,000 for Sea Shepherd.

"Just making stuff for money is cool," Swinfard said. "But doing things that make a difference is even cooler."

That impulse extended to the facility. Working with then-city council member Rusty Bailey, Swinfard helped change city policy to allow businesses to access Riverside’s solar rebate program. Monster Media became the first commercially rebated solar project in the city.

Bringing the Radiohead Bunker to Life at Coachella

The Goldenvoice relationship grew steadily over years of Coachella work. This past spring it culminated in the Radiohead bunker, a 17,000-square-foot subterranean structure built in five months to house the physical debut of the band’s Kid A Mnesia exhibition.

Monster Media produced more than 8,200 square feet of drape printing, 4,200 square feet of wheat paste, and continuous prints stretching 55 feet wide. Swinfard watched his crew install graphics while welders finished handrails around them.

"I didn’t know if it was going to finish in time," Swinfard said. "It was pretty wild."

It did.

And Monster Media did it all from Riverside.

"You don’t have to go to LA to get cool stuff," Swinfard said. "Make it here in Riverside."

Looking to bring a massive vision to life? Contact the Monster Media team today to get started on your next project.”