compete-tee-tion

The Drummer by Maxim Cyr (Recycledwax) is my pick of the week, using a nice mix of realism and cartoon to create the scene. Thick halftones form the raccoon and his garbage can drum kit, feeling a bit like newsprint and creating a punk rock feel. The pink doodles reinforce this and add visual interest, as well as giving the raccoon some personality. Although his face doesn't reveal much, the scribbles around him dynamic and interesting.



Good Morning Friend by Bwana Spoons is the first of this week's Selects, and a pretty rad choice. It's a two-sided design, and one in which each side has equal weight and merit. One side represents day, the other night, and both are executed with a loose, sixties kind of cartoon flair. Definitely enjoyable, though I would caution tall folks to take a good look at the product pics before buying- the print, starting at the bottom seam as it does, comes up pretty short on taller folks.

In Excelsis by Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is another Select this week, with such an interesting style (especially in comparison to the rest of the catalog) that you can't help but be intrigued. A closer look reveals that those geometric shapes seems to be forming letters (and probably words as well, though I can't make it out). And that right there is a rad concept, taking letters into abstraction. It's a subtle, classy composition, and one I think I'd really enjoy wearing.



Reach for the Light by Tang Yau Hoong is one of those cases where I feel like the voters didn't get what they voted for. It's a skilled illustration, don't get me wrong, but it's also kind of... forgettable. The silver foil that was voted on seems to me to be what gave the design life and interest. While the artwork is good, there is nothing inherent in it that draws my eye, captures my imagination, or makes me want to look more than once. I think an impressive printing, like the suggested silver foil, would have gone a long way towards correcting that.

A Coat of Techni-Color by Nicholas Tassone (band-it) stands out in a big way. Although the elements are all pretty trendy right now (astronauts, bright colors, geometry), the arrangement feels totally new and delightfully oddball. Color oozes from each astronaut's jetpack like an oil slick, reflecting psychedelically within itself. Since these guys are space explorers, the blue blocks on the ground become the surface of a crazy, distant planet, completely unlike what we expect. Although the art is kind of horizontal for a t-shirt like this, it still works pretty well since the blue ground fades into the shirt nicely.



The Apple Shaving Accident by Jun-Bin Chen (ben chen) is the answer to a question you've probably never asked: What would happen if an apple cut itself shaving? But while the joke is a little clunky, I think the execution makes it a success. That dropped jaw on the apple is hilarious, with a facial expression that cleaves together the emotions of shock and pain. There's a nice detail in the red halftones, which imply to me that this apple isn't fully grown, perhaps shaving for the first time. Not for me, but a good example of how the right finishing can make a winner of even a so-so concept.

Long Journey by Enkel Dika (buko) is a nicely polished piece, with a soft, watercolor style that fits this oceanic scene well. What keeps me from really digging it, though, is the deja vu I got from it. For whatever reason (I'm guessing the fact that a lot of similarly styled pieces have been being put out) I was briefly convinced that this was a reprint. I think the reason it felt so much like a retread is the fact that there's not really anything new or unique here, conceptually. These are elements that a lot of people have drawn together in a lot of ways previously, and for me this rendition lacks the freshness that would give me the impulse to buy it. It's good art, but I don't think it qualifies as truly unique art, and that's what I look for in shirts.



Zombie Nomz by Ken Marshall (kennybanzai) walks the line between cute and hardcore, with a kitten blissfully clawing a zombie to bits. That mix of horror and humor gives it a lot of appeal, particularly in the way the intestines almost feel like yarn as the cat rips into them. What sells me, though, is the color palette- I'm always a sucker for a purple shirt, and these tan, pink and teal shades look great on it. While I think the shape of the art is perhaps not totally ideal for the medium, it's also not a deal-breaker. Overall, this is rad.

Paint a picture, it'll take longer by Erica Strandberg is, to me, an excellent slogan. It reinterprets an old phrase in a way that makes you question worth. Is the defining element of a painting that it takes longer than a photograph? It might be to some photographers, giving this tee a built-in audience among cheeky camera buffs as well as those who think good things take time. Also, I'm loving the text treatment, which frames the "paint a picture" text, glorifying it, while the "it'll take longer" hangs below like a warning. Good stuff!

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: threadless

Uneetee's newest winner is StereoType by Paddyroo, a boombox built with musical lettering. The feeling here is very 70s inspired, both in the color palette and font used. While I think the design might have benefited from some greater variety in letterforms (maybe to distinguish between materials), the choice to give it that seventies vibe is a great one. It increases the originality and makes this a design that says more about its wearer than "I like puns." I'd rate this as one of my favorite Uneetee designs ever, very nice work.

Uneetee chooses winners from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners receive $1500, with the chance to earn more through reprints.

Labels: uneetee

Townshipfunk by Peachbeach has a totally unique look, feeling like a crazy geometric emissary from the future. The strong angles and pastel-leaning palette suggest art deco, but it's all used in a more chaotic way, like the architectural doodlings of someone with no depth perception. The strangeness works, and my mind immediately began to dream up what sort of culture would build a spaceship this way. Imagine aliens that say "Take me to your protractor."

Hands Down by Oiseau comes very close to telling a story, with one skeletal hand reaching towards another. The simplicity is appealing, in that it gives the piece a certain amount of boldness, but in the end there's not enough to it to capture my imagination or involve me in the scene in any way. The white splatter in the background is a good step in that direction (it adds an environment and motion), but I feel like more is needed.



Still by jnoon is this week's head-scratcher for me. It's not a bad design, but it's one where I'm a bit confused about who the target audience would be. It feels a bit like the Virgin Mary in profile (the sun halo influences that thought) and altered with a bit of line and distressing. Emotionally, it doesn't suggest anything to me- I see nothing of the girl's character and the embellishments confuse me rather than add. I feel like I'm missing something with this one.

Ciclessa by dolceQ was for sure my favorite this week- there's something very cool about this pale figure peering out from a dark background. The dashed background suggests both driving rain and the dirtied film of an old black and white movie, both of which add to the feeling of suspense and drama. Some flourishes and a butterfly also inhabit that dark background, interesting and implying that some of the girl's tattoos have escaped from her skin. Interesting, unique work.

Design By Humans is an on-going t-shirt design contest that prints new shirts every weekday. Prints are chosen from the shirts submitted by and voted on by DBH members. Shirt of the Day winners receive $500 cash and $250 DBH credit. Shirt of the Week winners get $1000 cash. Shirt of the Month gets $1500 cash and $250 credit. Winners also have an opportunity to earn residuals through the Rockstar Awards Program.

Labels: design by humans

Big changes are afoot over at Allmightys- they've switched from themed contests to an on-going contest with a monthly winner. The themed contests might return every now and then, but the focus of the site is now on the on-going contest- that means no more deadlines and that every winner will now receive the Gold prize of €2 per shirt sold.

Read more details on this change here.

Labels: allmightys

Hold on to your hats, because this week's Shirt.Woot derby has a theme with potential: Fake Band T-Shirts. Let's hope everyone participating is inspired to try something fresh and creative with this one. Here's how Woot sums it up:

If obscure band t-shirts are a universal badge of cool, what about t-shirts for bands that don't even exist? This week, conjure up some merch for an imaginary band, or solo artist, or a tour of multiple bands, or music festival, etc. Any style, any era (like our old Genghis Khan tour shirt), any place (including other planets or dimensions). To be clear: we're looking for fake bands you made up, not fake bands from movies or TV shows. As always, the prohibition on using the intellectual property of other people remains in full effect.

It's your responsibility to make sure your "fake band" doesn't already exist. Search the artists at Allmusic and Myspace Music. If it comes up clear in both, it's probably OK unless we see evidence to the contrary.

Text is permitted.

Labels: derby, shirt.woot

I don't post much about La Fraise, due almost entirely to how gutting it was to see them print awesome shirts that we in the US had no way of getting our hands on. Thankfully, as of a couple of weeks ago, that has all changed- La Fraise now ships to North America! As such, expect to see more posts about La Fraise here in the future :)

I'm definitely digging some of their recent releases. Farandole by Aphte has that artist's awesomely character-packed work, applied to a parade of creatures. The strange shape of the piece is interesting, and successful in moving the eye around (though I do wish it extended more towards the bottom of the tee). At any rate, all the unique drawings make this very rewarding to look at.

Do I look nice now by wyel88 is a great example of the text-based work La Fraise puts out. This is top-notch stuff, with a phrase anyone who has ever had long hair can relate to, and styled letters that reinforce the theme with humor and good looks.

Winners at La Fraise earn 1000€ when their work is chosen to print. Three to four designs are chosen weekly.

Labels: la fraise

Flat Fight by Meg Hunt (actionpact) was a natural choice for shirt of the week- it has such a unique look and style that it stands out from the rest of the catalog in a big way. In this piece, beauty is found in pattern, texture and complexity. The lion feels like a patchwork toy, with serious eyes and a determined mindset. The tiger is all mischief, a playful guy made of notebook paper. As a whole it's so complex as to seem abstract at first, but since even the abstraction is beautiful I don't consider that a negative.



Pizza: The edible pie chart by Brandon Lilly works reasonably well as a slogan- aside from the fact that a pie is more correctly the food equivalent of a pie chart. But while the slogan itself is imperfect, the styling saves it. The visual cues come straight off a typical pizza box, so it makes an immediate impression that will appeal to pizza lovers.

Burgertee by Panayiotis Terzis is the first of this week's Selects, a crazy creature made out of a burger. I suspect that enjoyment of this hinges largely on one's capacity to embrace weirdness, as it's kind of disconcerting to look at. For me, the eyes kind of kill the appeal- they're so soulless and unincorporated to the piece. Between the cube teeth and blue meat, the design leaves me feeling uncomfortable more than amused.



ISSO-11 by Prate is this week's other Select, making Threadless history by being their first v-neck. I love v-necks, so the fact that Threadless finally has one made me happy. I have to say, though, that I'm wondering why that choice was made on this design. The shirt's pointed collar doesn't interact with the design in any interesting way, if anything it makes the circle below it look more awkward, in my opinion. Anyway. I like the map-like vibe of the artwork, though I have concerns that it might be too small and detail-heavy to make an impact when worn.

Nature's Battle by Enkel Dika (buko) centers on a really rad concept, using a fight between two birds to simulate the classic yin yang symbol. What is problematic for me is the execution. I like the wildness of the birds, that part is dead-on. But what throws me off is how imperfect the yin yang appears- strangely, both dots of the symbol seem to be in the wrong place, at the thin end rather than the thick portion. In a design that exists to mimic a known symbol, that feels like an odd oversight.



Fighting Crime Doesn't Pay by Stef McFeters (mezo) is another where I'm digging the idea but not really into the shirt itself. The issue is that (largely because of that tall light post) it looks awkwardly placed, like a design made without this medium in mind. This is too bad, because there are some nice touches in the art (Human Torch in the garbage can is hilarious). The style is successful in making the characters feel like bizzaro-world heroes, but also makes them look pretty unathletic. Overall I'd deem it better as a print than a tee, and probably most ideal as a magazine illustration.

Crack! by Joshua Kemble is dramatic. There are few things as terrifying than the idea of being in the vast expanse of space, in trouble, and totally beyond the reach of help. The illustration does a good job of conveying this, with sweat beginning to bead on the man's forehead. But, even moreso than the previous shirt, this looks really weird on a tee. You're essentially wearing an astronaut's face so it lands (at best) on your gut or (at worst) just above your groin. That is not only unattractive, it's freaking weird. As such, it's an odd choice for printing. Surely there were some options that were more appropriate to the medium?



Dandy Lions by Kristen Howdeshell (KristenKC) is, like DBH's DeerTree, not the most original concept in the world. But, also like DeerTree, I'd rank it as one of the best renditions of its chosen theme that I've seen, so I'm glad to see the print. The variety is a big part of what makes this special, with each lion having a unique mane type and character expressed in each facial expression. Some lions are curious, proud, grumpy, or cute, but they're all different which makes you want to keep looking. Good stuff.

White as a Sheet by Anwar Rafiee (HAHA.sg) is an optical illusion, attempting to make it look like the illustrated girl is hiding underneath the white fabric of the tee. The problem I always have with shirts like this is that they don't look realistic enough in real life to be amusing. I think a failed optical illusion has a way of looking cheap, and unfortunately unless production on tees like this gets stepped up to a higher level (ie, using manipulation of fabric instead of printed halftones) that's just how it will be. 2D and 3D look very different, which means that as interesting as this design might have looked in voting, the reality won't ever match it. Why bother with this kind of illusion at all?

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: threadless

The newest winner at Uneetee is Poetik Mechanik by charaspower. It's sometimes difficult to make a robot design that feels unique, but this one does a great job of it. The mixture of human and mechanical elements help to make this a character you empathize with, sharing his journey in contemplating this world. Color palette is a big plus, with bright shades that almost seem to glow. Not a shirt I'd wear, but very solid work.

Uneetee chooses winners from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners receive $1500, with the chance to earn more through reprints.

Labels: uneetee

This crop of new releases had a lot of competition, but Believe in Inertia by aliadotony is my pick for shirt of the week. I love the way he's built shapes around the photo that take it to the edge of abstraction, so that elements of the face begin to read more as shapes than as features. The infusion of both pattern and chaos (the scribble ball) keeps the composition from feeling secure, as does the angle of the piece. I'm also liking the choice of a tweaked CMYK palette- by using more pastel shades, this design is prevented from feeling like a product of a dwindling t-shirt trend.



Flash Back by ProperDirtz is definitely trend-heavy, using triangles, wildlife and lightning to form this bold design. The result is something that feels a bit like a well-designed tee from a metal concert, very focused on bigness and making an impact. The grey tones have the feeling of metal, with red and blue highlighting the art. I don't think it's a shirt I would wear (it's too heavy metal looking for my tastes), but I have a ton of respect for the artwork.

Sorrow Skies by wolfesclothing is the kind of work I love to see, because it feels like a frame out of a story. This dramatic bear takes up half the shirt, pain in his empty eyes and hand-drawn texture fleshing out his character. Is he mourning his bird or his own inability to fly when he stares into the sky? The questions and implications get my imagination running and give the story more power.



Stereo Type _ V2 by kakolak plays to my interests, because I like seeing a text tee design done in an attractive and unique way. The abstract elements play off the shapes of the lettering, which looks rad and furnishes the piece with some motion. That said, there's a huge gender disparity in how this printed- the female version is massive, and becomes more dynamic because of how well it fills the shirt. In comparison, the male version feels stunted, with the word "type" awkwardly floating on the abdomen.

DeerTree by vintagedesignman might not be a new idea, but it's so solidly executed that it's hard to find anything to really complain about. This is simplicity done well, with clean shapes and a nice wood texture that explain the concept perfectly. There's attention to detail shown in the overlapping of the leaves, which helps the design not feel too easy. The placement, though, might be the design's strongest asset- the choice to center the antlers and let the body of the deer curve around the side of the tee is bold and really makes this tee stand out from the crowd of similar work. Nice choices all around.

Design By Humans is an on-going t-shirt design contest that prints new shirts every weekday. Prints are chosen from the shirts submitted by and voted on by DBH members. Shirt of the Day winners receive $500 cash and $250 DBH credit. Shirt of the Week winners get $1000 cash. Shirt of the Month gets $1500 cash and $250 credit. Winners also have an opportunity to earn residuals through the Rockstar Awards Program.

Labels: design by humans

I'm definitely a fan of the latest winner at Full Metal T-Shirt, Deep Space by Richard Anderson. What I really appreciate is that, despite (or maybe in part because of?) the strangeness of the piece, it is simultaneously kind of adorable. The rounded forms, near-symmetry and pastel palette make claims at cuteness, even as the subject matter of bones and blood tells a different story. Definitely a great piece.

FMT chooses a new winner weekly, with that designer earning $100 cash, $100 credit, and $5 cash for each shirt or print sold in the first year. For the theme-inspired, they also have a monthly contest with the same prize- for June, the theme is Misunderstood Monsters.

Labels: full metal t-shirt

SwishSwosh is a new British competition aimed at creating some great t-shirt and hoodie designs. They state that they "want the most eye catching, jaw dropping design that you can create."

As this is an on-going monthly competition, there doesn't appear to be a fixed deadline. For this contest, the first place winner will earn £1,100 and .50p per t-shirt sold (up to £250). There are also 2nd through 10th place prizes available, and those designers will earn £101 and .50p per t-shirt sold (up to £250).

Labels: swishswosh

Old Man and the Sea by Jared Stumpenhorst gets my nod for shirt of the week because it's so impressively done in both art and production. The swirls that cover the tee are a nice, artistic stand-in for the chaos of the ocean, conveying choppiness in a way that makes you want to keep looking. The character work is interesting, with the main guy looking a bit like a giant evil bird. That sounds off-putting, but instead I find it intriguing, and it leads me to try to imagine what kind of a world this shirt is describing.



Industrial Nature by Jan Kallwejt is the first of this week's Selects, an immediately eye-catching design. The colors pop from the gold tee, and your eyes naturally want to follow the roots as the fall right off the seam of the shirt. I'm not sure I really understand the concept (is half of the tree mechanical?) but it doesn't really matter in terms of enjoying the art. There are some neat elements, like the way the tree is built of circles, that seem built for exploring.

Krayis by Loy Valera is a tough one to review for me, because I don't really understand what the goal of the piece was. To me, the result is uncomfortable, hinging on disproportionate features. Between the one giant eye and the grotesquely huge mouth, it kind of gives me the willies. Is that the goal? I have no idea. But it strikes me as an odd choice because the rest of it is done in a way that feels more traditionally attractive. For instance, I love the canvass-y texture of the browns, and the watercolor-looking shades of the lighter colors.



A Banana Slipping on a Banana Peel by Andy Gonsalves (andyg) really appeals to me. The concept is very clever, kind of a nice revenge on this prank-ish fruit. But the art itself is the driving force behind the tee, with an amazing classic cartoon style that is high on fun and expression. Crazy-looking wobbly eyes and splayed limbs paint a picture of this guy just moments before impact, shadow hanging on the ground in anticipation of a huge crash. You can't look away!

Introduction to Molecular Bonding by Andy Pitts (everything) is very much a college shirt. Truthfully, that's what irritates me about it- I can just picture the sort likely to wear it (many of whom, frankly, I doubt would have been able to spot what it represents without the helpful caption). But it's kind of a jerk move to hate on shirt for its perceived audience, so I do have to admit that it is nicely put together. The concept is solid, and the detail of labeling the cups was very smart. It's not for me, but it should find a very substantial market.



Instant Pool Party by Curtis E. Angeline (curtisE) is a neat play on the idea of instant photos, imagining them as a portal to the world they've captured. Where it gets a bit weird is that it feels more like a Polaroid print ad than a t-shirt concept- the shape is odd, and makes the chest look incredibly crowded while everything else is empty. Another point of contention is the choice to use solid colors for all the people- it feels cheap to me, like an advertising piece (iPod ads came to mind) instead of something wearable. The art is well-constructed, I'm just not crazy about some of the choices that were made.

Bear Market by Chris Thornley (Raid71) is a gloriously oddball approach to one of the stock market terms we're used to hearing bandied about. I love the realism of the bear, and his self-satisfied look- he could be another contestant on Supermarket Sweep, surrounded by a rain of Wonder Bread circles. While the massive teal circle is, uh, pretty huge, it works well on the tee because it balances out the visual heft of the bear. Pretty rad, and it's a big plus that I've never seen a shirt like it before.



The best kept secret is the one you don't know about by Sheik Robinson is a reasonably clever statement, but it's flaw is that it's neither particularly thought-provoking or funny- my reaction was "Duh." The treatment is capable (it reminded me of blacked out sections of letters, as in classified documents), but doesn't elevate the so-so slogan to anything more interesting.

Face by olivier fritsch gomez (marisolivier) is an idea that had a lot of potential, and the way the hairline is done is very successful. What disappoints me, though, is the face itself. It's just so... bland. Compare this to the similarly constructed tee Keith the Quiet at Linty Fresh- while Face's simplicity doesn't seem to broadcast much character, Keith's is brimming with it (even if you ignore the ice cream and tongue that make this design a bit more complex). It's disappointing that the art doesn't live up to the concept.

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: threadless

Design By Humans is back with a new installment of their Music Series, and this time the band is Incubus. I have to be honest- this is the first group they've worked with that I've actually listened to, so I'm pretty excited about it! Even better, since Brandon Boyd is an artist, we can probably count on some nice picks resulting from this competition.

Enter before July 5th, 2009 for your chance to win. One Band Pick will win $800 cash, $250 DBH store credit, and an Incubus merchandise pack (must include logo/branding). One People's Choice will win $800 cash, $250 DBH store credit, and an Incubus merchandise pack. One DBH Pick will win $800 cash, $250 DBH store credit, and an Incubus merchandise pack (no logo/branding allowed). Additionally, one of the winners will receive a pair of Incubus tickets and will get a print of their design signed by the band.

Labels: design by humans, incubus

Threadless's latest Loves competition is the biggest one yet- teaming up with sponsor Volkswagen, they're giving away a pre-loved car! Tying in with the big prize, the theme for this contest is Pre-Loved.

One US designer will win a Volkswagen Certified Pre-Loved vehicle, $2000 cash, and a $500 Threadless gift certificate. One international designer will win $3000 cash, a $500 gift certificate, and a 12 Club subscription. All entries must be in before July 15th, 2009 to be eligible to win.

Labels: loves threadless, pre-loved, threadless

Electrik by UVSoaked plays s perfectly to my interests (lightning! deep sea diver!) that I couldn't pass it up for shirt of the week. But this piece is so nicely done that I think even those without that basic enjoyment of the concept will find a lot to enjoy. There's a cool tone of discovery to the piece, as though the diver uncovered something truly amazing on the ocean floor. I'm also digging the coloring, as the strong highlights help emphasize the environment of the scene.



What is your profession? by kaloyster is the kind of humor that used to be rare at DBH, but has thankfully been becoming more common. The reason it works so well is that it's more than a great pun, it's also an interesting and well-stylized illustration. It feels a bit like the kind of work you'd expect to see in the pages of a quality magazine. The shape of it, though, is perfect for the shirt (on the men's version, at least)- it fills the tee nicely and the most important bits are all high on the chest for easy viewing. Good stuff.

Where the clouds came out by the_jcw first caught my eye with color. What's interesting is that despite 7 ink colors, it still looks so light. The emphasis is on line, texture and layering instead of solid blocks of color, and the result is that the design has the feeling of clouds. At the center of it all is this awesome sun-dragon-ish creature, expelling wind instead of flames. I think that in terms of unique summer tees, you'd be hard-pressed to find one that stands out more than this.



A Little Birdie Told Me by emory kind of throws me off, just because it's not what I expect from DBH. It employs one ink color and a font in pursuit of a joke, which creates a look I'd associate more with Etsy. Which isn't to say it's a bad shirt, exactly- I'd probably wear the design (though I'd prefer a different color selection). It's just an interesting choice. At any rate, my favorite bit of this piece is the contrast between the font and the bird. It adds to the humor because it gives the bird's speech such a sophisticated, human feeling.

Onmyoji by xiaobaosg appears to be about a little Asian lady attacking a giant skeleton. The aspect I like is that there's a story starting to be told. But for me, it's lacking a crucial element and that prevents me from becoming involved in the scene. The characters just plain don't appeal to me- the woman is defined purely by her clothes, as her face reads blank. The skeleton is large, but doesn't read as particularly threatening. It's a strange composition, especially since the human doesn't even seem to be looking at the skeleton. Are they really interacting at all? The individual elements are all well-drawn, I just feel that as a whole the piece doesn't function well.

Design By Humans is an on-going t-shirt design contest that prints new shirts every weekday. Prints are chosen from the shirts submitted by and voted on by DBH members. Shirt of the Day winners receive $500 cash and $250 DBH credit. Shirt of the Week winners get $1000 cash. Shirt of the Month gets $1500 cash and $250 credit. Winners also have an opportunity to earn residuals through the Rockstar Awards Program.

Labels: design by humans

ShirtFight's latest winner is probably their best shirt so far. Carry On by Mathiole makes a good first impression, with it's side placement and gold foil. The suited man sends a clear message- this is a guy who takes music very seriously. And his headlessness makes for an intriguing design, while also rendering the character anonymous. The only thing I'm a bit iffy about is the text, which states "Carry the good music on." The phrasing seems kind of bizarre to me.

The current theme is The Ultimate Summer Tee. Enter before June 18th, 2009 for your chance at the $500 prize.

Labels: shirtfight

Teextile, a player in the shirt-a-day t-shirt world, is expanding into themed competitions. For their first theme, Teextile is going with All-Over Prints as the subject matter.

Any new all-over prints at the site are automatically entered to win. All-over week will be held July 6th through July 12th. One shirt designer will win a Wacon Intous 4 Tablet for the best all-over print of the week. All designs printed at Teextile earn $2-$4 per shirt sold (varying based on sale price).

Labels: teextile

If you're a newcomer to the t-shirt design contest world, then ShirtFight's 10 Tips to Winning T-shirt Design Contest Sites is not to be missed. It's a great introduction to some of the tricks longtime entrants have learned to use in pursuit of a print.

Even for people to whom competition is old hat, this list might be worth a look. It's a nice refresher course in how to appeal to voters, and it is interesting to get this information stated from the perspective of someone who owns and runs a contest site.

Labels: shirtfight, tips

Uneetee's Summer Sale is on now, but it will only last until June 14th. There are some really rad shirts in the catalog (I'm partial to The Robotanist), and this is a great time to get them on the cheap.

Labels: sale, uneetee

Baron VonFunburger's Haunted Castle Cavalcade by Mitch Ansara (spacesick) was an easy pick for shirt of the week. And that's not a knock on the other tees, just evidence of how completely in line with my interests this design is. In a great twist on the tired food-with-faces concept, it depicts fast food as monsters in a weird alternate universe menu. Each character is fun and unique (Wereburger got the biggest laugh from me), and taken together it makes you imagine all kinds of stories about this awesome place.



War and Peace by Atip Samosorn (atip) is a very clever concept, morphing guns to doves in classic Escher style. From far away, it makes a good impression as an abstract piece, just appearing to be a chunky gradient. But close up, it kind of falls apart for me- which is a problem, since this is where the concept should shine. The problem I'm having is that the bird really doesn't look like a dove. At all. The gun is pretty dead-on, I just wish the other half had benefited from the same amount of attention.

Murphy's Law by Alvaro Arteaga (alvarejo) illustrates a heck of an unlucky day for one poor sailor- as he escapes in a row boat, his ship is uncerimoniously destroyed by three feuding monsters. Of course, that's the silver lining to this predicament, as they are too distracted by fighting each other to chase down his escaping boat. While the action and drama of the scene is amazing, I think that the textures of the piece become the real star. Between the scales on the dragon, the slick tentacles of the squid and the light twinkling on the water, the scene feels very real and so does the danger.



Sees the Day by Evan Ferstenfeld and Enkel Dika (FRICKINAWESOME) flips all your conventional tee expectations- literally. Instead of a typical sunset theme, the tree is firmly rooted upside-down in the sky. The animals interact with the tree interestingly, with a giraffe stepping on a cloud to reach its leaves and a snake coiled around a branch. Capping off the design are a trio of proper gentlemen, using clouds as umbrellas and floating closer to inspect the scene. It's fun and surreal. But the sunset's vivid color is what really catches my eye, and combined with the leaves falling those fading oranges make it feel like this unlikely tree is only fated to last a little bit longer, all the more beautiful because it won't last.

I Overcomplicate Things by Frank Chimero is the first of this week's Selects, imagining the mind as a kind of Rube Goldberg device. The concept is funny and easy to relate to- who knows where ideas really come from? I'm digging the retro color scheme as well, which feels fresh, fast and classic. While all the negative space on the shirt makes it look a bit empty for my tastes, it's still a very wearable and original piece.



Solar System by Christopher David Ryan is the second of this week's Selects, and while it's very trend-heavy (the type style, colored gradient, and space theme) it also looks pretty fantastic. For me, the greatest strength of the piece is in the type work- all the connections between the letters create interesting shapes, almost feeling like an abstract design within the design. Although I wish it felt more experimental or exciting (which is what I have come to expect from Selects), this is definitely wearable and attractive.

Solar Power by William Chua and Chow hon lam (xiaobaosg) melds a classic Japanese style with a surreal concept. Part of why this works is because it plays off the associations we have with historic Asia, a place that for many people is more influenced by myth and legend than fact. The sun that looms in the distance becomes a nearby fire to light a pipe with, and for a giant a tree is just fodder for a torch. It's the gorgeous fades, though, that catch my attention- I love the realistic gradient burn of the sun, and the way the mountains seem to disappear behind the fog.



YGB by Inbal Zubalsky centers on a great idea, displaying that just as sun and, uh, air make trees, so do yellow and blue make green. But while I love the concept, I also feel that the artwork isn't at the same level. And that's not a knock on simplicity, which I think often makes for great shirts. My issue is that I feel that when you go very simple in execution, you can't skimp on the attention to detail. When I look at this, simple as it is, the flaws pop right out at me. For instance, the fact that the tree's eyes aren't centered above his smile, and the way the sun's smile appears to be crooked.

I'm really awesome at being humble by Julie Lee is this week's TypeTee, and boasts a very nice slogan. Which is why I can't understand why this execution was chosen- it really doesn't seem to add anything to the phrase, opting instead to put all the text in the same font with center spacing. It doesn't feel particularly humble or flashy, and is very forgettable-looking. This is disappointing since the slogan had so many options to work with- for instance, the text "I'm really awesome" could have been huge, with the "at being humble" could have been in much smaller or less contrasting type. Such a missed opportunity.

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: threadless

The Summer Heatwave sale had another surprise- shirt designs chosen by the Alumni! I love the concept of it, although the particular shirts chosen aren't on my shopping list this time. Part of me wonders if it might have been a more interesting selection if individual Alumni were given the opportunity to choose designs, without making it another group decision as most Threadless print choices are. At any rate, I'm hoping something like this will emerge as a recurring Threadless tradition!



Lickety Split by Steven Silverwood is an intriguing Alumni pick, dissecting one cat with the lightning tongue of another. I'm a big fan of the bold, cartoon style (the cat's face up top has a ton of character, especially in those eyes). That said, I'm kind of bored by the CMYK palette. There's been so much of that on shirts in the last year that it doesn't feel exciting or interesting. From an Alumni pick, I was hoping for something that was more of a departure from what's been done (though the actual lines of the piece fit that bill well, at least). I kind of did a double-take on the product pic- the men's example looks way crooked (the girl's looks fine, which makes me think it's just one shirt printed oddly instead of a choice by the artist). It's confusing, though, and seems like an odd lapse in attention to detail.



Refresh Your Ego by Evert Kok (kidloko) has amazing style, using a cut paper technique to spell out a phrase. The soft shadow gradients give depth to the design, and the details are gorgeous (I love the switch to lowercase cursive for "your" and the easter egg of the butterflies and hearts). The one element I'm not so crazy about, unfortunately, is a big one- the phrase itself. It's just kind of an odd phrase, simultaneously preachy and difficult to penetrate. Does it just mean have less ego? What would refreshing it do? Still, I'm hoping this guy is tapped to do some Type Tees because his work is exquisite.

Golden Afternoon by Gavin Rampling (Gar0) is another text-based design, this time made out of flowers. And the style is killer, formed from what I believe is photography and line drawings. The result is exotic, feeling like a relic of the sixties created in a style that is all modern. Again, though, because the focus is on text, wearers have to enjoy both the phrase and the execution- and I suspect that a lot of people will react as I did, admiring the look but unwilling to wear something promoting that message.

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: sale, threadless

the immortal coil by Andreas_Mohacsy is my favorite tee of the week, rising to the top over several strong contenders. It just succeeds on so many levels, from color (red, turquoise and grey set a surreal, exciting tone) to shape (it sits so nicely on the human form) to texture (especially in the background). This is t-shirt design at its best, and I can't wait to be wearing it.



Tesselate by thenewforgery is a really tight, interesting take on collage. It forms the image of this fellow out of other photographs of the era. It's intriguing to look at, and the colors and shapes encourage you to explore all the pieces. My only criticism is with what the images collectively form- because of the prominence given to this guy, you'd assume he's a notable figure or some kind of bizarro Lincoln. I suspect the shirt would be more successful if it formed something easier to identify with than an anonymous bearded guy.

Masters of the Universe by robsoul is a well-executed and funny approach to fantasy, showing a unicorn slaying a dragon. The unicorn's all-white purity stands in contrast to the string-y red lines of the dragon, painting them into their respective corners of good and evil. The stars twinkling in the background are a nice touch, adding some extra epicness by transforming the fight into a space battle. I think that if I was a bigger fan of fantasy, I'd be all over this one.



cornerstone by beecombs is a personal favorite of mine, and one I've been rooting for since it made an appearance in the Jimiyo Picks conversation in the DBH forums. I think what attracts me to this is how surprising it was- if the concept were just explained to me, I wouldn't imagine liking the shirt. But ever since I've laid eyes on this design, I've enjoyed the way the textures play off each other, becoming abstract in the way they're cut off. And best of all is the way it fills the tee, feeling a bit like a high art striped shirt.

Hair and Antlers by csj89 has the feeling of graffiti overflowing from the walls and into reality. It's an effect created by interspersing realistic drawings with bold cartoon graphics, and it definitely results in a cool final product. Color is another strong point, using a tweaked CMYK palette that pops right off the Lead tee.

Design By Humans is an on-going t-shirt design contest that prints new shirts every weekday. Prints are chosen from the shirts submitted by and voted on by DBH members. Shirt of the Day winners receive $500 cash and $250 DBH credit. Shirt of the Week winners get $1000 cash. Shirt of the Month gets $1500 cash and $250 credit. Winners also have an opportunity to earn residuals through the Rockstar Awards Program.

Labels: design by humans

Alligator's favorite morning leisure is floating just below the surface of the water, lying in holes in warm weather... Show your love to this crocodilian with Morning 'Gator! T-shirt from Amorphia Apparel (available in women's size)! It's the only tee shirt that show the genius-and-calm side of this killer-looking species... Read more in A T-shirt about Alligator's Morning Leisure

Tee Invaders is the latest addition to the t-shirt contest world, having officially launched today. The site is taking a bit of a different tactic in its approach, giving interested parties three ways to win.

1) The ongoing monthly contest awards $350 cash to winners of their on-going design contest. Number of monthly winners will vary.

2) Each week, a curated tee will be sold, earning the designer $1 per shirt sold. Contact Wotto regarding this opportunity, as these designs will be selected by him rather than from the design contest.

3) Customers get their shot at a prize too- each month, a Golden Ticket will randomly be placed in someone's order. The ticket is redeemable for a great prize, like this month's iPod Touch.

Labels: tee invaders

This Threadless sale included a very awesome treat- three new tees selected by staff members! It's always cool to see underscored entries have their day in the sun, and I'm excited that they've picked three designs that are so varied. Dare I hope that this will now happen during every sale?



Untitled by the bad lab (tesco) is by far my favorite of the staff picks. The simplicity of the style is bold and refreshing, and in its spareness it seems to suggest that a back to basics approach is the ultimate solution to blocked creativity. Part of the attraction is that this is the only entry of the three that I scored- which brought with it the sad realization that, even though I was among those who didn't properly spot this design's greatness, my low-ish vote still somehow managed to be above the average score it logged. Ouch!



Windmill Warrior by Josh Eacret (whirzle1) is an eye-catching design, but the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw it was recognition- I remembered it from TeeFury a couple of months ago. And honestly, that made me that much more happy with the print- I think it says great things about Threadless that they were willing to overlook a previous print in light of the fact that they took so much longer than the suggested 90 day wait to decide. And as far as the design itself goes, I love the concept of taking such a wildly modern approach to a design about classic literature. The layering of colors is really rad-looking and effective.

Abstract Stars Map by Marcin Przybys is my least favorite of the three, but not really due to the quality of art. The technical abstraction is interesting, and very successful in creating depth. What kills the appeal for me, though, is the way it looks on the shirt- it really just looks plopped in the center to me. What I think would have been more successful is to make the print huge, spanning from seam to seam and absorbing the shirt instead of being framed by it. Granted, though, that would be a very different shirt...

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: sale, threadless

Goodjoe is ushering in their first contest with a nonprofit partner, teaming up with Sacred Heart Community Service to create awareness for The Center on Poverty. They're asking designers to work with the theme "challenging the ideologies that perpetuate poverty."

Enter before June 28th, 2009 for your chance to win $100 cash and $200 in Goodjoe store credit. Additionally, you'll be named as the sponsor of one student to the 2009 Academic Summer Day Camp (tuition is $860).

Labels: goodjoe

Uneetee's latest winner is Old School Dance by fistofartist, which I have to admit I feel like I don't really get. It's just cassettes, right? If they're meant to be doing something I don't see it. I've tried to see more (the one up front kind of looks like a dress, maybe?) but I don't think it stands up to scrutiny. At any rate, the 2 for $17 deal they're offering on the design is a neat promotion.

Uneetee chooses winners from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners receive $1500, with the chance to earn more through reprints.

Labels: uneetee

I have to give props to That Old Movie Magic by Travis Gentry. What appeals to me is how, conceptually, it mirrors the experience of a movie- when the lights go out, everything becomes even more engrossing and enveloping. In daylight the tee has a very tight illustration of a projector, and that alone is very wearable. But in the dark, the projector hums to life and displays classic genre scenes common to so much of great cinema. While I'm disappointed with the placement (I think the original submission was more dramatic), this is still a pretty rad tee.



Golden Rule by Sam Friedman is the first of this week's Selects, taking a delightfully chaotic approach to text. This wild collection of letter, texture, and bold color is eyecatching, and puts a new spin on an old phrase. Because the treatment is so unconventional, I think it heightens the question of what you would do, versus what you should do. For once you're forced to consider the phrase rather than just parrot it without thought. It also fills the tee nicely, making it very wearable.

Shoulders by Reed B Thatcher is this week's Type Tee, and while it's a cool concept (explicitly labeling the shoulders and their uses) I'm really disappointed by the way the shirt came out. An understated approach isn't inherently bad, but it does require that, since there are fewer distractions, everything be as precise as possible. And when I look at the images for this product, what leaps out at me is that the labels on those shoulders are not even close to being at the same height. It looks weird and lazy.



Rainforests by Yeoh Guan Hong (yeohgh) is one of the strongest artistic concepts I've seen at Threadless, interweaving landscape and umbrella. I think what draws me to this piece is the way it explains the warm tones of tropical birds, using the umbrella metaphor to reference the rainforest's canopy. You can imagine a whole world existing there, just out of eyesight, beneath that protective ceiling of leaves and branches. The gradual shift from heat to chilly blues is a perfect fit for the watercolor style, and I'm appreciating the way the shirt becomes part of the image.

Beauty before Death by Alice X. Zhang and Enkel Dika (silverqe) paints Medusa as a natural, exotic beauty, framed by her predatory mane even as she gazes, guiltlessly, at the viewer. It's dramatic and enticing, hinting at danger without revealing motive or emotion. Part of the appeal here is in the coloring, which grants the snakes a vivid existence while the woman's face hangs cold and lifeless behind it. For all their flaws, those snakes are living life to its fullest while Medusa herself fades away hiding her fangs. Intriguing stuff.



HEARTLESS by Juan Carlos Bueno (ounom) transforms characters from The Wizard of Oz into a gang of criminals, with the Tin Man leading the charge as an organ thief. Part of why it's appealing is because of the dual meaning of heart- sure, he's missing the organ, but he's also missing the emotion. It's a killer idea, though I do wonder if a few opportunities might have been missed- some small clue to the cowardice of the lion or the idiocy of the Scarecrow might have finished off the piece nicely. Maybe it's just leaving room for sequels?

Favela by Sabina Iglesias Arvide (wabi sabi) takes a typically chaotic-looking scene and makes it peaceful and serene by dropping the city to a solid black silhouette. It is all highlighted by a gradient sunrise, giving the impression that the city is about to burst to life. The height of the buildings create an unnatural canyon, which is a neat allusion. I don't find the design to be quite unique-feeling enough to merit a purchase, but it's pretty wearable and good looking regardless.



The Apple by Tang Yau Hoong is a textural smorgasbord that works on two levels. It feels like a cool twist on the idea of a worm hiding in an apple- this time it's a snake, and he's hiding in the peel. I also like the design from a more folklore-ish perspective, evoking the story of the snake offering fruit from the tree of knowledge. The apple may be delicious, but it comes at a price. The sharp, abrupt angles of the colors is a nice match for the rough texturing and that adds to the sense of danger.

2012: Disclosure by Thomas De Santis is a great-looking Select... and even better, it is backed by a great story. In part, it's a collaboration featuring drawings by 36 artists. The result is surprisingly cohesive, feeling like the oddness and possibility of space brought into one small area. It's a tee that looks awesome when worn because the shape of the art is such a nice fit for the shape of the tee. Awesome stuff.

Threadless prints new shirts every week, chosen from the designs submitted by and voted on by site members. Winners get $2000 cash and $500 in Threadless credit, with the possibility to earn more through Bestee awards, poster prints, and reprints.

Labels: threadless

Threadless's Summer Heatwave Sale is officially on! Check it out for great shirts at prices as low as $5.

Labels: sale, threadless