Tees In A Pod: design

Showing posts with label design. Show all posts

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Rumble In The Jungle: The A to Z of Animal Tees

What's your favourite animal?

Most of us will have an answer to that question which means that there is never a shortage of designers putting animals on tees, nor consumers who want to buy animal stuff. You hear people ask if the t-shirt marketplace is becoming oversaturated with choice. In the case of animal themed t-shirts, I don't think there can ever be too many!

When thinking about this animal themed post, I thought it could be fun to look at an A - Z of animals on tees, whilst taking a look at symbolism and the various qualities that certain animals represent. I hope it serves as a source of enlightenment and inspiration because, after all, knowledge is power and if we can understand the reasons people want to buy a certain animal on a tee, then we could also discover marketing angles.

I haven't included everything there is to know about each animal, as that would make this post as humungous as a woolly mammoth! However, I have included a number of links at the bottom where my information was collected from in case you wish to read more.

Many animals didn't make the list, and I took license in allocating letters to some that readers may question. Please don't shoot the author... it's not hunting season! Rather, leave a comment telling us all about YOUR animal themed t-shirt/s.

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A - Arachnid
Arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders, is one of the most common phobias. Spiders have been the focus of fears, stories and mythologies in various cultures for centuries and in some criminal societies the spider was used to express commitment to that life. With this negativity also comes creativity, and spiders are considered one of the most creative insects on the planet - symbolic of an ability to excrete one's own artistic world.

Arachnid T-Shirts by (L to R): Russian Criminal Tattoo Designs (@RussCrmnlTattoo); Cool Bug Stuff; and Psychosis: Urban Lifestyle Apparel (@psychosisgear).

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B - Bear
Symbolic of Introspection, Primal Power/Strength, and Awakening Unconscious. To European and Native American Shamanic people, this power animal symbolises awakening the strong force of the unconscious, with the bear totem symbolising determination for the Shaman who would commune with the spiritual world. In a loving environment, this animal symbol showers love and generosity in return.

Bear T-Shirts by (L to R): Wildlife Ink; AAA Native Arts Gallery (@aaanativearts); and Matthew Parsons (Facebook Page).

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C - Crow
Most European traditions view the crow as a sign of bad omens, problems and death. The crow is known to represent the darker elements of human nature. One theory is that negative raven symbolism arose from their appearance on battlefields, and in Norse mythology (primarily the mythology of Scandinavia), Odin - the god of wisdom, war, art, culture and the dead - would have Huginn and Muninn (a pair of ravens) fly all over the world and report back with information.

Crow T-Shirts by (L to R): Darkside (@Darkside_UK); I Love Waterloo (@ILoveWaterloo); and Selene Dracourge - Shadow Magi Group (Facebook Page).

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D - Dog
Dogs are symbols of courage, vigilance, loyal fidelity and are emblems of faithfulness and guardianship. In Celtic symbolism, the dog is considered good luck and because a Celt was rarely found hunting without a hound nearby, the dog became a symbol of a skilled hunter. Dogs are also the archetypal symbols of shapeshifters, and under the Chinese zodiac, the dog represents persistence in adversity, sensitivity, honesty, reliability, watchfulness and/or a nosy nature.

Dog T-Shirts by (L to R): Busted Tees (@BustedTees); MiNGLED (@MiNGLED); and Outdoor Addix (Facebook Group).

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E - Elephant
The elephant can be seen in symbolism across many cultures. A symbol of strength and power, the elephant was the mount of Kings of India and as a devastating weapon of war, came to symbolise the gods of warriors. The Chinese also see the elephant as a symbol of energy, strength and power, whereas Buddhist cultures see white elephants as a symbol of patience and wisdom. To others this animal represents commitment, gentleness and communication in relationships.

Elephant T-Shirts by (L to R): Matthew Dunn Art (@matthewdunnart); The Spotted Olive (@TheSpottedOlive); and Anita Inverarity (@AnitaArt).

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F - Feline
The cat is the Pagan Symbol of the Arcane and is said to have exhibited psychic ability. Folk lore connects the cat to many bad luck stories and symbolic meanings range from a devil to a god. In Western traditions it's the cats association with the night which has connected it to mystery, witchcraft and magic. Their connection to the moon can also be seen in ancient Egyptian symbolism where the cat was sacred and depicted on the head of their lunar goddess Bastet. The cat is also symbolic of independence, balance and wisdom.

Feline (Cat) T-Shirts by (L to R): Obey The Purebreed (Facebook Page); Paws and Effect (Facebook Page); and Kelly Cavender (@KCavenderDesign).

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G - Goat
Babylonians gave us the symbol of Capricorn (the sea goat) and having seen the goat primarily climbing the mountains, it became a symbol of man striving to reach God. Today the zodiac sign symbolizes character traits such as creativity, intelligence, dependability, and calmness. The goat can be a symbol of practical wisdom and an emblem of a man who wins victories through diplomatic means. That said, it also represents stubbornness and a wild nature along with masculinity and sexuality.

Goat T-Shirts by (L to R): Get Yer Goat; bEDOsHIRTS (@bedoshirts); and Peacockcards (@peacockcards).

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H - Horse
The horse represents numerous traits - Stamina, mobility, strength and travel; Love, devotion, and loyalty; Intellect, wisdom, power and nobility - among many others. The winged horse is viewed as a symbol of "the soul able to fly beyond the realm of physical life" and a symbol of "high-flying imagination". As one of the most honoured Celtic animal symbols, the horse is associated with war, as well as the night, the moon, mystery and belonging to the sun god.

Horse T-Shirts by (L to R): Zen Threads (@ZenThreads); Saga Shirts; and Jolly Amusing.

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I - Iguana (representing the Lizard Family)
The Iguana is part of the lizard family and represents conservation, agility and is about and promotes dreaming. In the dreaming realm, it can mean the power of observation or perceptiveness. Dreaming of this animal can represent having too much of these qualities, or not enough. As a reptile, this animal totem represents adaptation. The Mayan's considered the iguana sacred, and in ancient Egypt and Greek symbolism the lizard represented divine wisdom and good fortune.

Iguana T-Shirts by (L to R): Tropicando (@Tropicando); Art Box; and Tee Party.

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J - Jackal
Anubis, the god of mummification, is depicted in Egyptian mythology as a man with the head of a jackal. Anubis was worshipped as the inventor of embalming, and considered the 'guide of souls' with the connection to the jackal coming from the Egyptians' observations at cemetaries - where jackals would lurk around tombs and graves. As a scavenger animal, the jackal is reknowned for cleverness and can therefore symbolise a devious or mischevious person.

Jackal T-Shirts by (L to R): Heather Bruton; Cisnenegro (@cisnenegro); and The Anubis Shop.

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K - Kangaroo
The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia, used on the Australian coat of arms and some currency, and is thus associated with the country and culture in several ways. This Australian marsupial hails from the Macropodidae family - with macropods meaning "large foot". As a power animal it symbolises balance and strength and in dreams it foretells unexpected and exciting trips. Incidentally, a group of kangaroos is called a "mob" (although they are not known for contract killings).

Kangaroo T-Shirts by (L to R): Rick London (@ricklondon); Colin Tobin (@ColinTobin); and Rotem Gear (@rotemgear).

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L - Llama
Llamas played an important role in Inca culture and were a primary source of transportation, clothing and food. Inca religion, based on the worship of nature gods (sun, moon, rain, mountains), involved sacrificing 100 llamas on the first day of every lunar month. The animal thus became an important symbol with nobility often buried with llama figures. Today the llama is still a vast resource for Peru and can be seen on the Peruvian flag. As a symbol of endurance, the llama can also represent standing up for one's self.

Llama T-Shirts by (L to R): MongoWear (Facebook Page); Alisa Christopher (@alisatana); and Signs of Life.

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M - Monkey
Under the Chinese horoscope, the monkey is regarded as quick/keen of wit, highly observant, and curious. To others it can represent mischief, benevolence or humanity. The monkey can symbolise agility and playfulness and where some cultures consider monkeys to be devilish, others embrace this playfulness and their imagination. The "See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil" totem (see below) teaches us not to rely on sight, sound, and speech for truth, but to develop our sixth sense of knowing.

Monkey T-Shirts by (L to R): 8 Ball T-Shirts (@8balltshirts); Omunky (@OMUNKY); and BluAlien.

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N - Narwhal
Sometimes called sea unicorns, Narwhal sightings reinforced the unicorn legends. Like the mythical unicorn, males are known for their long, spiral, ivory tusks. In the Middle Ages, these tusks were thought to possess magical and curative properties. The Narwhal can symbolise the nourishing of others, wisdom and a deep comprehension of issues. They are connected to themes of coldness, resisting captivity, pursuit of freedom, the body as a weapon, and "poking holes" in the theories of others.

Narwhal T-Shirts by (L to R): Squid Ink (@squidinkie); Brian Walline (@Zoodio27); and Tinaseamonster (@tinaseamonster).

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O - Owl
The owl is deeply associated with magic and is said to bring us wisdom. To the ancient Greeks, the owl is a symbol of Athene, the goddess of foresight and knowledge. As a nocturnal creature, it is symbolic of psychic ability and intuition. Native American tribes viewed the owl as a protector against harm, whereas in other cultures (China, Egypt, India) the symbolic meaning of the owl is associated with death - as in, the guardian of the after-life.

Owl T-Shirts by (L to R): Pandora Apparel (@PandoraApparel); LadyUmbrella (@ladyumbrellaltd); and Death & Taxes Designworks.

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P - Pig
The pig has become synonymous with several negative attributes, especially greed and gluttony. In Buddhism, the pig usually represents desire in all its forms and attachment to material possessions. However, in Celtic and ancient Egyptian cultures, pigs are icons of abundance and fertility. In the Chinese tradition, it can also mean abundance and one who is easily angered, and in the case of the Chinese zodiac, it is considered a symbol of honesty and determination. "When pigs fly" is a phrase used to scoff at over-ambition.

Pig T-Shirts by (L to R): Busto The Pig (Facebook Page); Baby Talk Clothing; and AnimePeggy (@AnimePeggy).

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Q - Quetzalcoatl
The Aztec culture had complex mythology and this is where we find Quetzalcoatl - an Aztec god also known as the "Feathered Serpent." It brings together the green-plumed quetzal bird (symbolizing the heavens and the wind), and the snake (symbolizing the earth and fertility). Quetzalcoatl represents life, motion, laughter, health, sexuality, and the arts and crafts of civilization such as farming, cooking, and music.

Quetzalcoatl T-Shirts by (L to R): Ariadna Corona (@Arikodi); Art Attack; and siXsiXsiX.

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R - Rabbit
The rabbit often appears in folklore as the trickster archetype, using his cunning to outwit his enemies. The rabbit is also viewed as a symbol of love, fertility and vigilance. Additionally, the rabbit is used as a symbol of playful sexuality which relates to its reputation as a prolific breeder. As a symbol of rebirth, the rabbit has an association with spring and Easter. The species' role as a prey animal also lends itself as a symbol of innocence - another Easter connotation.

Rabbit T-Shirts by (L to R): Susan Sanford; Detour Designables (@detourshirts); and Design Bakery (@Design_Bakery).

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S - Sasquatch
Sasquatch is the English word for "Sésquac", meaning "wild man". Colloquially known as "Bigfoot", the Sasquatch is a legendary primate-like creature that some believe is a real hominid living in America. Sasquatch lore dates back to early Native American tribes and whilst reknowned for harrassment of humans, the entire body of reports suggest that the Sasquatch is not a violent creature. On the contrary, the Sasquatch can represent imagination and has become a symbol of what might exist and what is waiting to be discovered.

Sasquatch T-Shirts by (L to R): GritFX T-Shirts (@GritFX); Brian Brasher (@etherbrian); and W + K Studio.

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T - Tiger
In Japan, the tiger is the emblem of the great warriors known as the samurai. In this case, the tiger represents courage. The Chinese consider the tiger the king of all beasts. This title came from recognising that the stripes along the forehead resembled the Chinese character of "King". It reminds us of the impossible, triumphs, the beauty of freedom and is a symbol of reverence. As a zodiac sign it represents rebellion, power, passion, a daring nature, and vigor. The tiger can also represent a colourful personality.

Tiger T-Shirts by (L to R): Rotem Gear (@rotemgear); Nature Wear; and Joshua Robin Kaplan.

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U - Unicorn
Unicorn symbolism can be seen in various religions and cultures, from biblical references to the Royal coat-of-arms of the United Kingdom; where, united with the lion, the unicorn symbolised a new order supported by the balancing forces of nature - sun and moon in harmony. The unicorn is a symbol of truth, dreams, purity, magic, and freedom; when seen chained, it illustrates man's fear that a free unicorn (or free mind) is a dangerous beast. The unicorn can also represent one who is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary.

Unicorn T-Shirts by (L to R): Crazy Dog T-Shirts (@crazydogtshirts); Snorg Tees (@Snorgtees); and Soge Shirts (@sogeshirts).

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V - Viper
The viper (snake) can symbolise shedding the past and changing the future. As a complex Celtic animal symbol it represents the process of creation, rebirth, fertility and healing. Along with transformation, the Celtic perspective also shows the snake as a symbol of secret knowledge and cunning. The snake swallowing it's tail is a symbol for eternity. Double snakes are common symbols in many cultures, respresenting the integration of opposites and advanced communication.

Viper T-Shirts by (L to R): Melhi (@melhi); Oliver Hibert - LTD Tee (@LTDTee); and Fly53 (@FLY53).

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W - Wolf
The wolf is seen as a symbol of great respect/honor as well as hatred/persecution. Fear of wolves is accepted as a natural human reaction, with the wolf depicted as evil in the folklore of medieval Europe. The "Big Bad Wolf" and the werewolf are symbols of this fear, whereas to Native American tribes, the wolf was the PathFinder/Teacher which came from an admiration of their intelligence, courage and strength. In Norse mythology, the wolf is a symbol for victory; as a Celtic symbol, it is a source of lunar power. The wolf can also represent free will.

Wolf T-Shirts by (L to R): Wolves VS Lions (@WolvesVsLions); Nerdy Shirts (@nerdyshirts); and Yehteh (@yehteh).

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X - Xenomorph
In pop culture, xenomorph is well known as a reference to the film Aliens, being the name given to the bad-ass extraterrestrial creatures in the movie. The word 'xenomorph' was invented to mean "a strange form", derived from the prefix "xeno-" (meaning 'strange/alien/foreign') and the suffix "-morph" (meaning 'form'). As such, the word is primarily connected to monsters . Dream translations are relatively linear, with the presence of a xenomorph in your dream (or, more likely, nightmare) meaning you may be in an 'alien' situation.

Xenomorph (Alien) T-Shirts by (L to R): Headline Shirts (@headlineshirts); RoadKill T-Shirts (@roadkilltshirts); and Split Reason (@splitreason_com).

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Y - Yak
Centuries ago, a great trans-Himalayan trade existed between Nepal and its neighbour Tibet. The large (standing up to 7.2ft tall at the shoulder) wild Ox of Tibet was the primary source of transportation during this time. Also used to plough fields, provide meat, milk, butter, wool and dung for fuel, the the wild Ox (Yak) provided for all the needs of the Tibetans and Nepalese and came to represent the 'all-good', with nomads calling them "wish-granting". The Yak can also symbolise one who is reliable and persistent, or one who is self-protective and disagreeable.

Yak T-Shirts by (L to R): Jeremy Fish - Superfishal; endemicworld (@endemicworld); and MakaluWear (Facebook Page).

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Z - Zebra
The Zebra teaches us the beauty in individuality. It's distinctive stripes serves as a protective camouflage against predators, who are often unable to pick an individual out from the herd. However, for herd members the stripes have the opposite purpose as each has a unique pattern. The zebra is therefore often used to represent how we too can develop our individuality within a group dynamic. A third spiritual meaning for the stripes is related to the integration of opposites.

Zebra T-Shirts by (L to R): Tat2 T's (@tat2ts); Per Ove Sleen (@POSn); and Olechka Art (@OlechkaArt).

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I can not conclude this post without a special thank you to some of my peers whom answered the call for help on twitter... thank you to Jean Roth of Rotem Gear (@rotemgear); Brad Kelly of the T-Shirt Review Blog (@tshirtreview); Kelly Murphy of Saucewear (@saucewear) & The Tee Gazette (@TeeGazette); and Tees In A Pod's very own Amanda Ryan of Creature Creations (@naturecreations). Thanks guys. Without your help, I'd still be searching the internet for examples!

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Created By: Amanda Vare "Manz", GritFX, Movies, TV, and Pop Culture Tshirts

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Post references
Links to all the sites that provided information:
Wikipedia; An Etymological Dictionary of Classical Mythology; Paganism/Wicca; What's your sign? Discover the world of signs and symbolic meanings; House of Names; Incredible Art Lessons; Chinese Horoscopes; Joelle's Sacred Grove Entrance; Symbolism Wiki; Speaker for the Animals; Like A Cat; Wild Speak; Chinese Zodiac - Chinese Astrology; Masonic Info; Ask/Define; New World Encyclopedia; eLook; Tao of Tattoos; Viewzone; The Curious Dreamer; Ancient Egypt: the Mythology and Egyptian myths; Kwintessential; The Jackal; The Master Of Speech; Socyberty; Urban Dictionary; Associated Counselors & Therapists; Emily Gems; Hub Pages; Lost Civilizations; Answers.com; Sacrifices in Ancient Cultures; National Geographic; About.com; American Museum of Natural History; Enchanted Learning; Macrame Owl; Symbolic Meanings Blog; Khandro Net; Myth Encyclopedia; Reptilian Agenda; Myths-Dreams-Symbols; BFRO.net; Wicked Winks; British Life and Culture; Fantasy Ireland; Symbols; Sweet Mystics Pack; Like a Cat; Dream Dictionary; Baronet 4 Tibet; Tibeto-logic; Power Animals; and Rainbow Crystal.

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Do you have an animal tee? We encourage you to leave your links in your comment...
How to create an active link in comments:

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>>> LISTEN TO US DISCUSS THIS POST IN: Podcast 20: It's Mammoth!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Presenting The Graphic T-Shirt

The way you choose to present your graphic t-shirts should be one of the top considerations when you operate an online t-shirt business. Online shops present many advantages - the obvious being that designers can reach consumers from all corners of the world. That connection however is not a tactile one, making our decisions regarding visual presentation all the more important.

The online retail market is filled with varying methods of presenting t-shirts. You can enlist fans and/or friends to model your tees (GritFX recently employed some interesting models, as seen on the left), model them yourself (if you're game), photograph your tees on hangers, lay them out flat, or do something all together different. Brands that have strong visual presentation will have three things in common:

1. Relevance - to the brand and the brands' target market.
2. Originality - remember the purple cow? Be Remarkable!
3. Consistency - in style, and in keeping with the philosophy of the brand.

In other words, your presentation needs to ROC it!... (Okay, so I'm trying to coin a phrase here...let me know if it catches on...)

When you're brainstorming ideas on how you'll present your t-shirts, remember that customers buying graphic t-shirts will want to not only see the kind of t-shirt they are purchasing - style, cut, colour - they want to see the artwork. Your presentation should cover points 1 to 3 above, together with delivering an accurate representation of the colours and providing clear views of the printed graphics. It's also sometimes a good idea to occasionally do a re-vamp and employ some of the new web design trends - for instance, right now the use of a lightbox plugin for viewing alternate and larger images is popular (something you'll see in the examples below).

That's not too much to remember...Is it...?

A short design assessment of some of the brands I consider to be on the A-list for visual presentation may assist you in finding your own path to Manz's red carpet...

Thriving Ink

Thriving Ink - an independent t-shirt brand - was once a family business that is now run solely by Matthew Dronkers. With new-found freedom, Matt took the opportunity to make some changes and the site was re-branded in June this year! You can read more about that on The Tee Gazette - Promo Alert: Thriving Ink gets relaunched!.

The home page has a slick and linear layout. Customers are presented with a striking, large photograph of a Thriving Ink product, hanging on a slick steel pole - a choice of "hanger" that adds nicely to the polished appeal of the site. The minimal grey background is carried throughout all photography and complements every tee colour in their range. This approach works for the brand and also provides another opportunity to re-iterate the brand! Potential customers can clearly see the Thriving Ink inner t-shirt label, and it's a great way to show individual numbering and any special neck label prints - something original to a brand that showcases shirts which are "designed by real artists from around the world as art for art’s sake". The "front on" view is consistent throughout and when customers are on individual product landing pages, they have the option to view alternate perspectives through the use of a lightbox plugin.

As of the date of this post, you will also see a graphic for the "$15 Grab Bag" - this is a montage of last season's tees shown on a model, clearly illustrating Matt's departure from one form of presentation to another.

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Lady Umbrella

Do I really need to introduce Lady Umbrella to our readers? In case you're a random reader, here is a little background... Lady Umbrella is a range of ladies t-shirts by Spanish designer Elena Montes Casado which was launched upon the world early this year. (Our Irishman Rob is the man behind all the marketing and social media activities for the brand.) They launched with a collection of 6 t-shirts, which are now displayed beautifully on their home page as a slide show of images from their first photoshoot.

Appropriately for their tag line "stay happy", they employed a lovely lady with a beautiful smile to model their tees. Each photo is shot with consistent lighting and a neutral background that's warm, complementary to the t-shirt colours, and shows off shadows nicely - which actually links visually to the shadow work in the t-shirt graphics. Additional photography and views from the same photoshoot are available through their Gallery section.

Once those photographs have your attention, you'll most likely find yourself in the shop section which is designed as a very easy to follow catalogue of the tees. These tee images are void of the model and scripted to load a very decent sized image displaying all the fine details in Elena's work. This feature is provided via the use of a lightbox plugin that is also utilised in the aforementioned gallery.

If we exit the main site for a moment, one of the other methods Lady Umbrella is using to present their tees is video. It's important to note that if and when you do a competition draw or the like, try to show off your tees! Lady Umbrella does this nicely using their artist Elena as a model. This concept extends to promotional pieces the brand creates when sharing what's coming to the collection - often decorated by the artist in the same style as the t-shirt artwork.

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Dos Chicos Tees

Founder of Dos Chicos Tees, Joe Pino, values the quality of art on t-shirts so highly that he enlisted Bryan Vega to bring "Joe's wonderfully witty comedy to life" (to quote the site). This philosophy clearly extends to the unique presentation of design thumbnails in the form of illustrated t-shirts - a simple tee outline acts as a frame for the t-shirt artwork. This minimalist hand-drawn look is also applied to other elements of the site such as photo borders, and complements the drawn "doodle" elements in the brands' logo.

Once a design has grabbed you, the product landing page provides a photographed version of the t-shirt - laid out so that the graphic is clearly visible, yet wrinkled enough to emphasize the fabric. More views are also available to customers through the use of a lightbox plugin. This feature presents a clear view of the design artwork plus a larger version of the photographed tee.

Dos Chicos Tees presentation doesn't stop there with a section of their website dedicated to "People". Real people in real life situations show off their Dos Chicos Tees. If I may quote the site one final time, these people are "Not paid models, not mannequins, not actors, not dolls." Having someone else say how they love your product can mean more than you shouting it from the rooftops - having a fan photo gallery is a visual incarnation of this idea.

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Detour Designables

Detour Designables is one of the many users of Print-On-Demand (POD) services. Acknowledging the value of your own domain, Juna has set up an appropriate "portal" for his designs. Showcasing over 100 designs, the website presents these as pages of classic round edged thumbnails. The approach is perfect for a large catalogue that continues to grow, as it reduces distractions that may get in the way of browsing, as well as the time required to update.

Adding character to the site are header banners and these too are treated with round edges. A mix of models (male & female) and t-shirt styles personalise each category, whilst re-iterating the diversity of tees available and the unisex nature of the range.

Once you've chosen a design you like, clicking on the thumbnail will take you outside of the domain to the particular POD system being used to print the shirt.

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Looking at what the Print-On-Demand suppliers are doing can also give you a sense of how to apply points 1 to 3.
Redbubble uses a montage method - combining a background using the tee art, which is then overlayed with an illustrated model. The expressive/artistic approach is perfect for the crowd on Redbubble - they being high on graphic art/illustration. A larger view of the graphic loads on mouse click. Skreened photographs t-shirts laid out on a consistent 'earthy' textured background - a nice touch that supports their ethical "Commitment to Our Earth". A lightbox plugin is used for an enlargement of tees. Zazzle presents their range of t-shirt designs initially as design thumbnails only (and as I write this a Sogeshirts design represents "Funny T-Shirts" on the Home Page!), recognising that customers to the site are initially looking for a design they like rather than a particular product. When on a product landing page, customers can pick to view the design/t-shirt on a catalogue of models.

Left to right: DesignBakery (Redbubble User); Alien's Revenge (Skreened User); and TDjunkie (Zazzle User).

>>> LISTEN TO US DISCUSS THIS POST IN: Podcast 19: Celestial Referrals & Making the Grade

Created By: Amanda Vare "Manz", GritFX, Movies, TV, and Pop Culture Tshirts

Saturday, July 17, 2010

The Benefits of Guest Writing

The idea of guest writing cannot only benefit us as individuals but also benefits the community of writers and creatives as a whole. We cannot all find the time to write, what with all of our other commitments. But writing on topics and then submitting them to sites across the web can bring us all great benefits, here are a few of the most notable benefits to guest writing. As a personal capacity I have been lucky enough to write for several sites including; Myinkblog, Tripwire Magazine, Niki Brown (Design O'Blog,) Webexpedition18 and many more!

Driving Traffic to your own Site

We are all looking for new ways in which people can find and explore our own business and personal sites and portfolios, with guest posting you can often find a boost of traffic coming to your site after a guest post. This often comes from guest posts linking back to your personal site, you can also choose to link to your social networks.

Guest posting could link a reader to your personal site or brand and then before you know it they are interested in the products or services you are offering. I know that people have often found my site after a guest writing opportunity and have gone onto not only read and retweet but also comment on posts of my site also.

Earn Money

Earning money isn't essential, do it for other reasons.

With some sites out there, authors and website owners like to welcome guest writers on board and as incentives are willing to offer financial reward. It makes sense, if someone is willing to take time out to write an article, which can attract a new set of visitors; it is going to benefit that site in new advertising revenue.

But I would warn that financial reward shouldn't be your only motivator, you may find yourself writing just to bring in the money and your topics may also be rejected if you aren't writing to the high standard that some sites request. Write about topics, which inspire you, if you are inspired about something then research it and bring that information which has inspired.

Reach New People

We all want to reach new people and bring new people/visitors to our site all of the time, by writing for a different site/blog you are potentially going to expose a completely new set of people. Who may not have come across your site before, the key is to write interesting and relevant articles that may encourage them to check out your own personal site.

Love to post or it won't work

If you aren't taking in a feeling of positive energy or a willingness to make an article work then you aren't going to be likely to firstly attract an audience to read the whole article. This may further lead to websites not being willing to publish any further work if you bring a bad work ethic. Guest writing requires you to listen to the sites authors to put together articles, which are going to meet their own high standards. It isn't as simple as just writing the article and sending it off, you may have to meet word counts and picture size specifications. But this is all worth it and most sites will be brilliant in having open communications if you are unsure about things.

I have personally tried to be as open as possible when offering up Design Juices up for guest writers, I love to communicate with people and feed off the energy they often bring.

Top Ten Return Factors

New experience in the way other people work
Exposure to a whole new audience
Opportunity to build up new relationships
Earning Money
Driving Traffic to your site/blog
Broaden your design/creative mind
Learn from someone else
Future Invites possible in guest posting
Gain feedback on work and ideas
Personal credibility

For other information and further information please check out these other articles I have written across the web covering the subject.
Design Juices - I Love Guest Posting: How you can Write for Design Juices and Find my Guest Articles Across the Web
Tripwire Magazine - What Benefits does Guest Writing Bring for Designers?

Care to write for Design Juices?

We are very open to publishing guest author articles, roundups and design articles. No design topic is off limits and I am very open to listen to any ideas. Simply get in touch with me on twitter @jthompsondesign.

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Guest Author: Jared Thompson
Jared Thompson is a product designer. He has just completed his university degree and has a keen interest in design as a whole in the world today. He loves to write and currently runs Design Juices and is part of the team over at Nenuno Creative. Jared is an advocate for the Bauhaus design movement and takes great inspiration from Jonathan Ive and the Ford Kinetic Design Mantra.