Templates

Useful resources of templates: 

Vector templates

This site listed a whole list of resources:

http://outlawdesignblog.com/2008/09/t-shirt-templates-free-and-paid-blank-t-shirt-templates/

-http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=extensionDetail&extid=1045478
This one is for Adobe Illustrator

This is good for a basic template that doesn't intrude upon the design. May be a little too simplistic to gain a realistic idea of how the t-shirt will look.

-http://gopurifyyourself.deviantart.com/art/TShirt-vector-template-V2-0-54925943

This contained an illustrator and photoshop version

This design is a vector of a more realistic sitting t-shirt, showing the creases and folds of a shirt, May be useful for a more realistic mock-up of a design.

Another site:

http://www.gomediazine.com/freebies/tshirt-template-freebie/

This included a side view of the t-shirt with separated layers.

This may be useful if I decide to make a design that wraps around the side of the shirt.

Inspiration and ideas

I have been searching around the net and found quite a lot of sites that sell unique and quirky t-shirts. The sites vary in structure and I'll do a short analysis of each I list here.

Sites that you can submit designs:
http://www.threadless.com/

Threadless is one of the most popular t-shirt websites on the net, and one of my personally favourite sites for purchasing t-shirts. The designs are all unique and quirky, with a range of themes from animals, music, humor, typography and more. Threadless is a community based system, where designs can be uploaded by anyone and they are "scored" by the public. Designs that are most popular are turned into t-shirts and the designer receives money, merchandise and further money if the design is re-printed. The site has its own blog that has interviews with artists and competitions, this self advertising.

I picked some designs that I feel incorporate an illustrative quality, featuring animals and/or a clever meaning. These are the sorts of designs I aspire to create:

 
 



 http://en.lafraise.com/ is a French version of Threadless and operates in a similar fashion.

Cafepress.com
Cafepress is another user based website, it operates by facilitating designers to printing on products and selling them to customers. Designers upload their designs, cafepress displays them on mock t-shirts and other products and will print and post the product when purchased. They take a commission for the sale.

Other sites that feature pop-cultured themed t-shirts:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/
http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Homepage.jsp
http://www.designbyhumans.com/
http://www.camiseteria.com/default.aspx
http://shirt.woot.com/?utm_expid=31924516-4&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.visualswirl.com%2Finspiration%2Fcustom-tshirt-website-designs%2F
http://www.snorgtees.com/index.php
http://www.teefury.com/
http://t-shirtmagazineonline.com/

First Post!

Hi there,

My name is April and I am a 3rd Year Natural History Student from the University of Newcastle.This is the first post related to my self-directed study course, in which I am using a blog as my journal for the subject. Watch this space for my process of completing a project from start to finish. 

Here is something along the lines of my Project Outline:

Creative Aim:

My creative aim is to create a set of t-shirt designs that explore the practical application of natural history illustration. I intend to develop my own style of t-shirt designs that combine illustrative techniques with quirky popular culture references.  I am interested in developing my own unique style in this genre.  I intend to learn what is required in the process of creating designs for print.

Industry Relevant aim:

The illustration industry is diverse, incorporating imagination and skill while also exploring many facets of practicality. As an illustrator I am trying to find niche markets in which to inject my unique natural history illustration skills. In my project I want to research the t-shirt design industry, design processes and final print requirements. It is relevant for me to understand the means of creating designs and learning how to produce a final product to market professionally.

ta-dah!

So basically I'll be using this as a journal to research and answer a lot of questions I have about t-shirt design, post current trends and inspiration, as well as the development of my own ideas and any meetings with supervisors or clients I have.

And so the process begins!


My next post will be a collection of useful websites and inspiration.

For now I give you this:

[ Sonic t-shirt design]