Tees In A Pod: t-shirt design

Showing posts with label t-shirt design. Show all posts

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Retro Rags

Retro is a culturally aged style, trend, mode or fashion; with the use of "retro" style, icons and imagery being injected into art and media since the industrial revolution.

Those who fondly remember "things past" will respond to retro design because a) they lived through an era, and relate to keywords and recall experiences from a time that is often deemed "the most impressionable time of our lives" - our youth; and b) they have a longing for a particular time or simply find enjoyment and visual pleasure from the themes and/or aesthetics of that time. These comprise the market buying "retro rags" - t-shirts with designs inspired by things past. No matter the point of view of the retro customer, the designer needs the concept to yield a reaction, usually in the form of an aesthetic. Here, aesthetics apply not only to the execution of artwork styles seen in the era, but also any graphic treatments applied to designs with an intent to achieve an aged, worn or vintage look.

This is where I see some strong retro concepts being let down by the finish of the artwork. It's easy to fall into the trap of always using the endless supply of graphic resources online including the use of "worn" fonts - something which I wrote about in my first online guest post for BWI Organic Textures Vs Photoshop Brushes and Grunge Fonts. There are other options, and taking a little more time to work a design could be worth the effort. Within the aforementioned post I outlined a little of my own processes; however for this post I'd like to review 5 tee brands who represent the various ways of achieving a strong retro range of t-shirts.

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Mongoware
When you browse the Angry Mongo store, it becomes clear that the mind is one of a Generation-Xer. The 80s is a popular retro era that I personally respond to, but that's not why I chose Mongoware to feature. Here we have an example of a designer with a large range of designs with varying styles. All achieve the same nostalgic reaction from me which shows how mixing up your style doesn't hurt and can in fact help you hit the mark. The vintage version of Lawn Dart Champion represents a great balance of concept, use of retro imagery, and a vintage aesthetic which Mike (Angry Mongo himself) achieves using a digital process in Paint.Net - its uneven finish nicely imitates a worn print. The Dobler Effect is a modern, minimal silhouette of a pop culture reference that only a discerning fan of 80's movies would recognise - which is often part of the appeal of a design inspired by things past. There are many other great designs to check out on the Mongoware store, and the scope goes beyond the 80s (sometimes borrowing a style of the past for a modern pop culture reference as seen with You Make Me Want To Smoke).

Left to Right: Lawn Dart Champion; The Dobler Effect; You Make Me Want to Smoke; and Ultimate Pencil Fighting Championship.

Follow Mongo on Twitter * Join Mongo on Facebook

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Cathie Tranent
To use or to not use photography on t-shirts...? This can be a passionate debate, and for me the Remember When? retro range by Cathie is affirmation that, yes, photography can be great on t-shirts. The high contrast style is reminiscent of results achieved when using an old photocopier, reproducing a photographic image so that midtones are lost. With these midtones and background stripped out, the focus is on the iconic objects which Cathie has accompanied with simple text. The balance creates a nice hierarchy and the eye only see's the text after they've taken in and reacted to the image. In the case of Yo-yo, the trend is broken in order to create a base in which "the dog is walked". Once again, this demonstrates that some consideration of alternating your layout or style can be beneficial. The high contrast effect also reminds me of the look achieved by Andy Warhol when enlarging photographs and transferring the images onto his canvases using a projector (sans the bright colours).

Left to Right: Knucklebones; Dragstar; Yo-yo; and Skate.

Follow Cathie on Twitter * Join Cathie on Facebook

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Instant Classic Tees
Scott of Instant Classic Tees recognises that when emulating a vintage style there is value in using organic processes in conjunction with the use of computer tools. One of the many qualities that I derive pleasure from in this collection is the use of hand drawn graphics & text which connect nicely to pre-computer aesthetics. The hand drawn lettering is reminiscent of vintage poster art and similar to results you'd see when using Letraset (where edges would break away leaving an uneven effect). When a computer font is used, the selection is appropriate for the era and then given more of Scott's aging treatments - for as Scott tells it, "I love most things vintage, retro, worn, and distressed because they have a story to tell." The use of scanned textures (e.g., worn book covers & abrasion) applied to the designs in Photoshop give a natural finish - helping you believe the tee has a history. While speaking with Scott about his processes, he also recommended another useful tool he employs - Mister Retro Machine Wash filters. And if we're lucky, there may be a more comprehensive post by Scott about his processes in the future.

Left to Right: en Francais; I'm a NERD; I Learned the Shuffle; and 1981 Euchre Champions.

Follow Instant Classic Tees on Twitter * Join Classic Tees on Facebook

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Glennz Tees
Glennz Tees represents how retro themes and concepts are just as effective in achieving a nostalgic reaction, without the need to borrow from any specific retro design style or aesthetic. Granted, it's rare that you see this done so successfully, and it is testament to Glen's unique style and his ability to mix the retro pop culture references with humor that they work so well. The vector art is current, modern and clean; with the execution resulting in a timeless aesthetic. This enables Glen to tackle concepts which incorporate themes that run the gamut of "retro"; from back in the 18th century - with the design Extreme Beginnings - through to the 20th century, such as the 50s (with Luna Studio) and of course a number of great designs for the beloved 1980s (including Stuck in the Past). While the design style is not a reflection of the era, nor treated to look aged, the illustrations clearly connect with their pop culture reference and the iconic link is crystal clear. These designs need no text as the messages are embedded in the clever imagery. It's this quality of graphic art and "visual communication" of things past that the tee lover falls for.

Left to Right: Extreme Beginnings; Lunar Studio; Stuck in the Past; and Cooler.

Follow Glennz Tees on Twitter * Join Glennz Tees on Facebook

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8 Ball Tees
Amongst the massive tee range by 8 Ball Tees, you'll find an 80s fashion category, a retro category plus a category 8 Ball Tees have called "vintage". The latter is the range I'd like to focus on in this post as it represents another way to achieve an amazing retro range. Not only are some of the designs treated to appear distressed, the t-shirts themselves have been produced using a washing technique developed to give a worn vintage look. This process, along with reduced ink screen prints, means that "Each t-shirt will have its own unique character, and no two tees will be the same". Combining this extra step in production with designs styled for the era is extremely effective and I find myself nostalgic for some of my old tees that have sadly been laid to rest. Anarchy Symbol has an organic spray paint quality and is distressed for extra effect; whereas Boombox has been printed with a gold glitter effect transfer - a nice way to add another 80s reference. Excellence is not exclusive to production; the thoughtful consideration of the Pong score on Pong 1972 - that being the year Pong first appeared - adds another clever dimension to the tee.

Left to Right: Anarchy Symbol; Boombox; 69 Vintage; and Pong 1972.

Follow 8 Ball Tees on Twitter * Join 8 Ball Tees on Facebook

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

I can't close this post without a nod to one of my favorite 80's movies - which inspired one of the designs seen above.

I gave her my heart... she gave me a pen...

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

Friday, May 21, 2010

Arnold Schwarzenegger knows how much he can bench press - do you?

Arnold Schwarzenegger Bodybuilding Photo - Click to visit the source of this image.

Before becoming the Governator of California and before deciding that he'll "be back", Schwarzenegger was a world champ body builder. He knew exactly what his strengths were and what his weaknesses were and knew his limits. In the design world you should also.....

Know your limits! Know your strengths!

If you're thinking that this "online store/money making thing" is something you'd be good at, then before you do anything you need to know what you have to offer that's commercially valuable. You may love t-shirts by a particular favourite artist of yours, yet that doesn't mean that's where you could make money. Trying to copy or emulate a style or approach to t-shirt designing (or merchandise design) is always a bad idea!

You might find that you keep coming up with great ideas for t-shirts that need some graphic design, but lack the skills necessary to achieve a marketable and sellable design. If so, partner up! Find someone who compliments what you want to achieve - they may have the same sense of humour and interests as you and will be excited and supportive of your ideas; which ultimately makes a designer/artist achieve their best work! Soge Shirts is a fine example of this, as is GritFX T-Shirts (if I may say so myself).

If you get a laugh every time you make a joke at the dinner table, then perhaps word-only quotation designs is the direction you should follow. Research graphic design blogs and trawl the internet for what fonts are out there. There are plenty you can download for free, and many other great fonts for sale. The right font use (along with layout) will make or break the appeal to customers. If you subscribe to the idea that "you've got to spend money to make money" then you're probably going to want to purchase some fonts.

Maybe you know someone who is doing some great artwork and they don't seem to see how that artwork could translate onto a t-shirt... but you do! Ask them to partner up with you. You are already passionate about what they're doing and will be perfect for all the marketing that lies ahead... and there's plenty of it! Lady Umbrella is great example of this kind of dynamic.

Then again, you may just adore photography and have a library of images that are waiting to find a purpose. If that's you, then I would recommend the print shop and/or merchandise path. Sort through your photos and find out if there is a common theme - it may be nature, animals, architecture, or something else - finding a focus and theme is your start; then you can move on to looking at what work is needed to build up a store and an online presence like Creature Creations.

You wouldn't beat Arnie in an arm-wrestle, so do what you do best and design to your strengths.

The following are a series of designers/artists who are flexing their muscles and are great examples of harnessing a strength and converting that into successful online stores.

WORDS ONLY: The Shakespeare Shoppe

Award-winning Australian designer and actor/writer, Sally McLean, is the talent behind The Shakespeare Shoppe. The Shakespeare inspired online t-shirt store is one of many branches of Incognita Design; selected to demonstrate how a font library, and knowing when to use each, is vital to the execution of any design that uses words to paint the picture.

Follow The Shakespeare Shoppe on Twitter

GRAPHIC DESIGN (balancing typography with graphic elements): Rizzo Tees

There's no doubt that the humor and ideas behind the Rizzo Tees range are offspring of the mind of Chris - you just need to follow him to understand that. My motive in featuring this creative individual is two-fold. Firstly, his work is outstanding and he alone manages all he does (operates the whole business with a full time job); and secondly, by his own admission, uses a few graphic designers to help him "vectorize" his ideas. Chris is a perfect example of knowing when to out-source work; effectively managing time, and in doing so, achieving a professional finish with each design.

Follow Rizzo Tees on Twitter * Join Rizzo Tees Fanpage on Facebook

GRAPHIC DESIGN (minimalist): Milk and Eggs

Milk & Eggs Co. are Ade & Dave of Burbank, California. While browsing their website, it came as no surprise that the duo are inspired by Charley Harper (a unique minimalist illustrator), amongst other artists. The duo's humor is expressed through the most bare of essentials, showing us all that you can get your point across without always needing to spell it out.

Follow Milk and Eggs on Twitter * Join Milk and Eggs Fanpage on Facebook

GRAPHIC ART: Seventh.Ink

Matthew Johnson is the talent behind Seventh.Ink Shirts; an independent tee label that draws it's name from his graphic design business - Seventhfury Studios - and the designer's favorite number... 7! I see distinct illustration in the tees and imagine Matthew putting pencil to paper before he migrates to the computer. (I'll have to ask him one of these days... Matthew?) His background in art and graphics is one of the strengths he brings to his brand; that and a great sense of humor... I can't imagine one of these creations popping up on a Corporate Report Cover... but they make for excellent t-shirts!

Follow Seventh.Ink on Twitter * Join Seventh.Ink Fanpage on Facebook

PHOTOGRAPHY STORE: Sabine Steinmüller Photography

Sabine Steinmüller is a German photographer. Her combined love of photography, travel and nature is a strong foundation for this Zazzle gallery which is full of amazing imagery. I'm personally partial to the various landscapes from Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Scotland, which feature on a select range of products. Sabine's store shows a strong understanding of the customers' needs and desires towards this product range. The stationery designs are simple, clean and classically stylish (which could also be considered "corporate") - a design approach which emphasises the beauty of the images.
Follow Sabine Steinmüller on twitter * Visit Sabine's other Zazzle store tailored towards special occasions such as weddings, engagements, birthdays and holidays

PRINT SHOP: Marc Loret

Marc Loret is a French photographer with a fascination for nature who "could look at trees or flowers for hours". His macro perspectives translate to photographic prints which I can imagine many of us hanging on our walls only to be mesmerized, losing ourselves in them for prolonged moments. Marc has forged a strong style/look in how he presents his photographic prints - adding distressed textures to some - and "grunge" style masks/border edges to others -with many cropped and composed for square formats... Because, ya' know - it's hip to be square!

Follow Marc on Twitter (aka macrophotos)

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They're just a few of the many amazing designers and artists who are displaying their biceps online.

As always, we welcome comments and invite all of you to share links to your shops... don't be shy, flex for us... tell us what you think is your strength in this competitive business?

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