I know where I'm going and where I want to be. I'm having a hard time deciding how to get there. I want my brand to be like Element, Nixon, Volcom etc.... I just am not sure what direction to go with design. Element just has their logo all the time in different textures or colors and I really dig that but then there's other companies that mix it up and I dig that too. I guess it's all up to me really but I just wanted some feedback other than what I've already said! Below are some examples of what I mean. I guess I'm just wondering if just pushing your logo and name in everyones face works for most or have more abstract designs but still with your name in the design on it is better. Or a little of both?
I want my brand to be like Element, Nixon, Volcom etc....
Derek ~
All three are established brands with recognizable marks – so they can get away with selling a whole line of shirts with just their logo treated differently. Unless you've already got a huge following, you'll probably want to stick with designs that incorporate your logo versus ones that are solely composed of your logo.
Agree with Rhonda 100%. You need to start with catchy designs that sell. With your logo incorporated after time the public will start to recognise the logo or name thus warranting designs of just that. Until them, unless the name is just amazing your sales will more than likely be light.
Dont let the name be the main element of the design either or this will negate all the above.
on the other side of the above arguments the brands were not huge name brands at one time. take element for example, i remember when element had like 2 shirt designs in different colors. they have been pretty much the same thing since day one. simply a logo and name on a shirt and that has worked for them. its not about comprmising what you want to do to make your line succesful. its about doing what element did and using your marketing and your knowledge of the industry and demographic that you are going to cater to to make the most of your time and efforts. if you wnat to do your logo and name and thats it on every shirt you make, i say go for it. it can work and it has in the past.
I like your logo if you opt for just your logo it will take a lot of marketing and time to build it up into something big, but it can be done... Good Luck.
Brands like Element and Volcum put a lot of money into getting their logos in front of their target market. They sponser surf, skate, FMX, and snow contest as well as individual athletes that put stickers on their boards and wear clothing with their logos. They give out free stuff all over the place. You can't see a photo or video of a pro contest or athlete without seeing their logos plastured everywhere. Kids see Kelly Slater wearing a shirt with the logo and they have to get one too, so they can be like him.
These companies are giant money engines that were started with large chunks of money from the get go. I would think that it would be hard to replicate one without similar resources.
Companies such as Element are not t-shirt companies. Those companies have huge followings in the skateboarding world. Kids are wearing Element, Nixon, Hurley, Zero and everything else because of the team that represents the company. They want people to know that they either skate or pretend to skate, so they want people to see a big Element across their chest. Unless you have some serious cash and want to play with those companies by establishing teams and an entire line of products, it is going to be very difficult to market t-shirts to the so called X-treme market. People in skateboarding, surfing, motocross, etc. are very concious of what is a hot label and what is not. I am not saying that you can't market to that crowed and be successful, I am just saying that you are picking a very saturated market and it will be tough.
Also, most of these companies do not start out very small. They usually have some pretty large backing. Element used to be a failed company called Underworld Element that restablished themselves as Element and with some backing and great marketing they made the amazing company they have today. They started with a team and boards, not shirts.
your best bet it to work your line around a common theme. Stay within the confines of that theme. Find out who you want to be your customer base as far as age etc. Tailor it to fit what they are into now. BOOM!!
the guys you named are known for more than just shirts and caps.
just my educated .02 worth
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All this creative energy spent crafting art that will eventually be washing someones car
I realize that those companies have a lot more going for them than I do, but I don't think that I can't be as good as they are. I'm looking into getting a skateboard/snowboard/motor cross team together. It's not gonna happen over night but I'll make it happen. I might be small now but I won't be forever.
I also would like to add that I will probably be sponsoring a skateboarding contest this summer so that will help me and I will take a few of the winners and start a team.
I realize that those companies have a lot more going for them than I do, but I don't think that I can't be as good as they are. I'm looking into getting a skateboard/snowboard/motor cross team together. It's not gonna happen over night but I'll make it happen. I might be small now but I won't be forever.
That's the attitude you have to have. If I was you, instead of focusing on getting a whole skateboard, snowboard, motocross team established, I would focus on who is your target market going to be. Skaters are not wearing what motocross guys are wearing and snowboarders have their own companies as well. Pick one of the three and put your energy into that. Instead of having your friend who is a really good skater or the local bad *** snowboarder representing your product, invest some time and capital into getting a large name be your sole team rider and then work from there. No one cares about your friend or the local guy. I have been involved in the skateboard industry for many, many years and believe me, you can get some big named guys representing your product with little capital. You don't even have to worry so much about what t-shirt to put your design on...yada yada. I am wearing a large skate company shirt right now that is just a FOTL. Many of them I know for a fact use Anvil as well. Your main focus will have to be on Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. Lots of stickers, bargaining for adds in magz and getting your rider noticed with your name all over him. Have fun.
Last edited by dfalk; June 11th, 2007 at 02:19 PM.
Your main focus will have to be on Marketing, Marketing, Marketing.
Especially in the market that you're going after I think that's true - your logo looks good, and you know where you want to be - so you're half way there already - just keep going!
don't know what to do as far as designs 
Re: don't know what to do as far as designs 
