I Am The Trend » t shirt design

IAMTHETREND: Design My Chemical Romance’s Next T-Shirt & Help Support Make-A-Wish

Adam Hendle — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:08:22 +0000

MASScanvas has teamed up with My Chemical Romance to put together a pretty awesome t-shirt design competition which not only rewards the artist but gives back to those in need. Here’s the details:

Step 1.
Designers: Learn what you need to know to get started by clicking ‘Submit your design‘. You have until July 22nd to get your submissions in!

Fans: Let designers (and the band) know what you like, if you’d wear it as a Tee, and how you think it could be even better. The band will pick the 5 winners based on your input!
Everyone: Follow MASScanvas on Facebook to be notified of special MCR giveaways throughout the contest.

Step 2.
When voting starts, get all your friends to vote for your favorite design, especially if it’s yours.

Step 3.
The band will announce 5 winners on 08/18/11. Each winner will receive $1,000 and have their design sold as a limited-edition T-shirt with proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In-progress designs and qualified contest entries will on display HERE

You can also check out a video of Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance introducing the contest HERE

Further Details:

- The band will pick the ultimate 5 winners based on the top 20 designs from the public vote.

- The 5 winners will be announced via video by the band on or around August 18th.

- Only these top 5 designs will be printed and sold in highly limited editions at http://apps.facebook.com/masscanvas/shop.

- The 5 winners will each receive $1,000, and the top seller will receive an additional $1,500.

- For every winning T-shirt sold at the end of this contest, MASScanvas will donate $2 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

- It only takes $7,500 to grant one child’s wish, and the ultimate goal is to grant as many as possible.

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IAMTHETREND: T-U-G Tactical Urban Gear the Japanese Johnny Cupcakes?

Adam Hendle — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:39:01 +0000

So I just received a very nice email from Lesley over at Tactical Urban Gear or T-U-G for short asking me to check out their line, and I am sure glad I did. Upon first glance at the line I could tell that these guys have put a lot of time, thought and energy in to creating their line, and that is something that I can respect.

Upon first glance the brand immediately reminded me of a cross between Johnny Cupcakes and Paul Frank. Their first 5 designs focus around two characters they have developed, Hiro and Ono. The characters just have that same lovable, approachable and dare I say cute characteristic that has worked so well for brands like Paul Frank.

With that being said, I think the designs are very good, but still not 100% in my book. I love the characters but Im not a big fan of how the company has designed to display the Hirobot logo predominantly on the Hiro shirts, it’s a bit distracting and takes away from how awesome Hiro is. They do however do a much better job with the Ono shirts, leaving the large text off the shirt and focusing solely on the character. Also as of now the line is limited to only to white shirts, which might limit a few customers whom are looking for options other than white.

Overall I really like what I see, and also can see this brand taking off in the future. This is only their first line and it definitely shows some huge promise. With a few more color choices in shirts and a more character development I could definitely see it catching on. The shirts themselves sell for $29 and are made from premium quality 100% fully combed cotton.

Head on over to IAMTHETREND Article!

IAMTHETREND: Artist Profile: Tom Neal

Adam Hendle — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:42:09 +0000

Name/Age:
Tom Neal, 19 years young.

Website:
www.ctrlaltdefeatclothing.com
PORTFOLIO
DESIGNS THAT TOM HAS ON SALE

Background/Education:

Believe it or not, I’ve never actually studied illustration, graphic design, art after secondary school. I’ve always wanted to become a film-maker, and that’s the path I decided to pursue at The Northern Film School, UK. Fashion and merch design is just something that I have always loved to research and get involved in.

Why/How did you get into design?:

I’ve always doodled strange and wonderful things in classes when I should have been concentrating. I guess I’m just one of those people who can’t stop designing things! Whenever I have a spare few hours, I’ll find myself sketching away or brainstorming ideas. I found that my illustration and ideas were improving every day, and found that my drawings worked best using T-shirts as my canvas.

Favorite Project(s) that you have done:

I have yet to work with any seriously huge bands and brands. I found my ‘Pretty Gosh Darn Awesome’ shirt really fun to put together, and it was extremely rewarding to see it achieve my first Tee Of The Day on Emptees.com. It’ll soon be available from those crazy Italian guys at Suck Clothing.

Influences/Inspirations:

It was pretty special to see the rise and rise of Johnny Cupcakes. I have always been a fan of his ability to take a simple idea and make something out of it, and to see his little business venture grow into the huge multi-million dollar industry it is today! I know I’ll probably never become as successful as Mr Earl, but he has definitely inspired me to go for it and put together my own clothing line. In terms of my design style, I’m fascinated by futuristic artwork from War Of The Worlds, and fun character concepts from all the cartoons I watched as a kid.

How Would You Describe Your Style?:

I’m all about huge, colorful, vibrant prints. If my art doesn’t cover the vast majority of the front of a shirt, then it’s not complete! My designs also tend to be pretty simplistic, and I love to create cute little character shirts.

Is this your full-time gig?

I spend pretty much all my spare time working on designs for clients, or for fun, but unfortunately it’s not enough for me to live on. I work behind a bar whilst I’m not studying my course at University. Maybe in the near future I would like to get into full-time freelance work, but for now it’s just to earn a bit of spending money.

One piece of advice:

If I can do it, so can you! No, but seriously, just keep at it. I spend too much time on Photoshop and Illustrator, it’s just a case of pursuing what you’re passionate about, and not letting other things get in your way. Dedicate some ‘me’ time for you to concentrate on your goals.

Favorite Medium:

Almost all of my work is drawn up on the computer. I find it easier to develop a design on the screen, mainly because you have the freedom to completely alter it effortlessly if required. I also don’t have the steadiest of hands, so I find myself using ‘ctrl-z’ an awful lot. It would be difficult to do that on paper/canvas!

Favorite Website:

I think social networking is the future. It’s incredible how easily we can all stay in touch and meet new people with a few mouse clicks. I’d say I use Facebook the most, but Myspace and Twitter follow closely. I’m also obsessed with Emptees.

Favorite Band At The Moment:

It’s been out for a while now, but ‘Homesick’ by ‘A Day To Remember’ is possibly my favorite album at the moment. Pop in a pair of bassy earphones and it’s pure bliss. For those quieter, calmer moments I’m loving ‘The Dangerous Summer’ too.

Favorite Clothing Line:

I’m a fan of a few at the moment. Electric Zombie’s new line is mental, Glamour Kills has always been around the top of the list too.

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