This is a website that focuses on t-shirt design. Not only are the designs all unique and interesting, the company shows a great appreciation for the artists. They have a number of artists programs inviting them to enter contests for t-shirt designs and chances to win prizes up to $25,000. They even have scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students that have design ideas. On top of that, Threadless even offers resources for education on t-shirt design. All of these aspects make me really respect the company. As young designers I think it is important to work together and network ideas and artwork. It is almost as if the company is acting as a collective inviting everyone to participate and have an opportunity to be part of the project. Their marketing strategy involves everyone and always rewards you for either buying a product, designing a shirt, or even referring new customers. The founders of the company aren't just leaving out everyone else, they involve the art community to add to their company and make it better than it might be if they did all the work. They are utilizing the network and art community to create an amazing product that really involves an entire community.
This post sorta reminds me of my Google Doodle post. They get the entire community involved by letting people submit designs and also give away awards. I took a look at the website and the design challenge sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a great source of inspiration in more ways than one! We can view the designs or submit and try to win!!
ReplyDeleteThis site was a great find. I love how they use outsiders to create the products especially with the chance to win. and i often find that in certain places the looks tend to be similar to one style and this allows for a wide creative range.
ReplyDeleteT-shirt design is a great fix for everyone's inner fashion designer to pop out. Just like seeing a poster you've designed chilling on a wall somewhere, it's a pretty neat feeling to see someone walking down the street wearing a shirt you've designed.
ReplyDeleteSome of the t-shirts on this website are really impressive. It's always nice to see company's making an active effort to bring designers together and bring the community together.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this site. I think its pretty legit, in response to Shanna's comment. I know some people who are video bloggers that actually get into this and have received their awards. I guess if you submit there is an understanding that you are basically selling off your design, which heck during these times, why not? I do agree there are definite dangers for t-shirt designers, or any type of designers for that matter when it comes to this sort of stuff.
ReplyDeleteI like what I see at Threadless, but I do think Shanna's caveat is important. Too often designers work is being taken for nothing and that can set an expectation that diminishes the value of our work.
ReplyDeleteBut on that note I bought my Ipod case from Threadless. It is cool. Just ask if you want to see it.
Seems like a good way to get your name out there, especially if you're designing gifts and the like to sell, yourself.
ReplyDeleteI have always liked their designs for their cheeky yet simple graphics!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lauren, Threadless is a great way to gain recognition in the art world and get your name out there. Very informative post!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend in the current competition. I really like this kind of forum, where you are hearing from absolute strangers about your work.
ReplyDeleteI think Threadless is good for getting your name out there and having somewhere to get feedback on your work, but unfortunately what Shanna said is definitely true of many t-shirt companies (Threadless included, but not to as great of an extent as more 'shady' companies).
ReplyDeleteI think places like Threadless are good for getting started, but if you have so many good ideas, you can always start your own! My favorite example of this is Chris Weibring - most of you have likely never heard of him but he is the Blackhawks graphic designer and makes basically everything you ever see that is Blackhawks-related! I sent him an email a while back just to build a connection, and now follow his self-launched, self-made t-shirt brand line on twitter. It's interesting, worth looking at because really, he's just like us! http://beiconicchicago.com/blog/
I think basically, with regards to submitting to things like this, you just have to read the fine print and understand whether -- as Julie said -- you're signing away most, if not all, of the rights to your design. That being said, I do like what Threadless is doing here -- they've got some great designs going on. If you're interested in starting your own line like Katie suggested, it might be a good way to gauge interest for your work, using Threadless as a basic marketing platform and shouldering the costs of making/storing/shipping the product.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this site before, very cool t-shirt designs!
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with threadless and it's policies, winners get $500 cash and a certain percentage of how much the t-shirt actually sells overall. The only negative aspect in my opinion is that once the design wins, threadless gains all rights to the design.
ReplyDeletei like this stuff. a few friends and i are interested in starting something like this.
ReplyDeleteGreat website. I like Shanna's advice about being careful with the original design.
ReplyDeletethere is a threadless down the street from me, on broadway, and I like the idea of the company, but I actually agree with Shanna, I'm kind of weary of their company. Reminds me of Zack and his presentation about his own tshirt designs!
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of the design community is really important. It then becomes a place for a diverse group of designers come together and share ideas.
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