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rss 239 weeks ago
I was thrown a little bit by a comment made on Jimiyo's feature: "Why don't you just call this "bird and skull" fury?" I laughed at first; it was just so blunt. Then I stopped and thought to myself that there's really a lot more to it.

There's no denying that stylistic trends bleed into design across many different artistic platforms; web interface design, logo design, illustrated compositions, etc. What I love about the t-shirt community is it's ability to bring a mix of all of these different flavors to fabric. Artists are able to share their knowledge, compare styles and techniques, and the end product is accessible to a broad arena.

So naturally, the personality of the t-shirt industry is going to parallel the personality of its roots—it's going to showcase trends. Shapes, color sets, technique—if you think about it, artistic trends help define an age and sometimes reflect a throwback to old school treatments. :: ahem :: "vintage" :) It can be as fun and unique as the artists want to make it. That's what's important.

I am personally inspired by my environment, sometimes including ALL of these popular shapes and concepts, and wanted to do a sort of in-yo-face presentation of what we're seeing today across design media. Skulls, robots, birds... it's okay to be sick of it, I've sometimes had my fill. (I'll puke if another client asks for "one of those web 2.0 logos") But I think it's okay to embrace it too :) You've just got to bring your original flavor to it. How else will styles change and evolve?? Do your own thing, or take popular subject matter and spin it if you like.

In response, I've created a tee featuring elements I'VE recognized as having some solid influence in today's design, and I wanted to get some community feedback. Either on the tee design itself (Leave the question mark as a message of "what's next?", or fill it with a popular icon I've missed?), or just some of your words on trends in general.

What are your thoughts?

38Comments
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    239 weeks ago
    Very nice :) I would say another very popular element is tree/roots.
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    239 weeks ago
    sweet idea, cmyk designs are big from what I see,
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    239 weeks ago
    love it. clever.
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    239 weeks ago
    I agree, trees would be good for the box.

    I love the idea and the color scheme. I'd probably buy it.
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    238 weeks ago
    Hey, look everyone, birds!
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    238 weeks ago
    Thanks everyone for your comments on the posting. I really like the ideas. Arrow, if it were to be a cmyk thing, I wonder if there could be a clever way to typeset it so I can work it in with the current color scheme. I also love the roots/tree idea. That's another great one.

    LOTM, did you even read the post above? Free speech to be clever; I hear ya. However, I invite you to read it through and let me know your thoughts on TRENDS, not birds specifically. I appreciate, in advance, your constructive critique.
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    238 weeks ago
    I think I cam across wrong, I meant, "Hey, guess what, today's shirt is yet another bird..." I love your design and agree totally, it's why I shop here now instead of Woot, though recently, Woot seems to have more variety.
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    238 weeks ago
    Yeah, i noticed folks got pretty heated over today's feature. Thanks for the love and especially the clarification. I'm going to post both Arrow's and Olechka's recommendations and see what you all think. I'll be looking forward to the feedback :)
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    238 weeks ago
    Maybe a retro boombox or shudder shades? Musical notes? Headphones?
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    238 weeks ago
    skulls are always going to be in because they will always have that edgyness factor to them. the skull is probably one of the most iconic things in history.
    I like for the floral flourish is represented
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    238 weeks ago
    hmm, to make the cmyk work with the colors you got... maybe an image three times with three different tones. Should get the message across. Looking forward to it.
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    238 weeks ago
    You knocked it out of the park...great design and I love the thinking behind it.
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    238 weeks ago
    really nice one! maybe a bomb for replacement of thunder sign or next? :)
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    237 weeks ago
    Thanks for ALL of your feedback. Sorry it's taken a bit to get some of these iterations illustrated. I've posted some of your ideas below. (Arrow, I tried balancing the "cmyk" with varying tones, and the image got a little too complex :) This is the best I could convey...)

    What does everyone think? I'm really loving everyone's insight regarding the trends topic. Keep your words flowing. If I get enough positive feedback on this tee idea, I may try subbing it to TF.

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    237 weeks ago
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    237 weeks ago
    i love the concept, the designs, and the colors but something about the order just doesn't settle with me. it did before the last one was added. i can't put my finger on what would help. maybe it's just me. it looks SO good though.

    also, maybe a radiation symbol would be an alternative for the last one?
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    237 weeks ago
    dude, I vote for the tree. Tree shirts are EVERYWHERE you look.
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    237 weeks ago
    Haha, brilliant observation.

    Yeah my vote is for the trees.
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    237 weeks ago
    I agree, the tree works the best here.
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    237 weeks ago
    I definitely agree with you all. I was curious to see how the other subjects would work in the group, but the tree provides the best visual balance IMO. Thanks, peeps!
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    237 weeks ago
    I would have thought guitars were more popular than robots...especially tree guitars...and tree guitars with skulls :P
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    237 weeks ago
    I like the radio and the tree, but the cmyk doesn't really fit.

    I'd totally buy this shirt if it printed, though. Despite its simplicity it seems to get the message across as well as look pretty rad. I really like the colors the way they are, also.
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    237 weeks ago
    I like the question mark because it keeps things open, swap the lightning bolt for the tree
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    237 weeks ago
    No way, the lightning bolt is MUCH more common than the tree!
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    237 weeks ago
    i would say zombies or grim reapers, but that probably falls under the "skull" category......i can't remember the last time i went shirt shopping and DIDNT see a dozen reaper shirts....the zombie trend seems to have overtaken the comic book and movie industry bt i find those kind of boring, hence, i drew up a "comic book hero" looking one for my son and use it for my avatar
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