[jboitcet]

What is a good t-shirt design?
On the forum, I read variations of this statement a lot:
But if it's a good t-shirt design ... then ... <fill in the blank>.

These are my questions:
What is a good t-shirt design?

What are it's parts?

Or are people just winging it, hoping to stumble across that good design?

Or do you have a formula like good television, or good movie blockbusters do?

Is it good design because people speak well of it?

Is it good design because it's marketed well?

Is it good design because people buy it?

I want to read your own personal views and experience.

 

[tonygraystone]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

i design t shirts i want to ware, it comes down to personal taste, and, if that apeals to others then it is a 'good design' i suppose

marketing is a BIG factor, i see terrible shirts marketed well all the time with success, and, ive stumbled accross the best shirts ive ever seen on some obscure websites ran by an enthusiasts doing little (if any) buisness at all.

 

[Unik Ink]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Here is a good summary of the principles of design. These were the first things I learned in my art studies. The principles apply to all artforms. Of course in the fashion business, there are different trends that come and go, so a knowledge of your target audience and what they like is also a major factor.

 

[letmerun2008]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

I like T-shirts different from others, popular trend sometime is not my choice. I want to make money from it by starting from unique design

 

[Leatherneck]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

i design t shirts i want to ware, it comes down to personal taste, and, if that apeals to others then it is a 'good design' i suppose

marketing is a BIG factor, i see terrible shirts marketed well all the time with success, and, ive stumbled accross the best shirts ive ever seen on some obscure websites ran by an enthusiasts doing little (if any) buisness at all.

I would agree with this. It's more about personal taste. Marketing as actually a HUGE factor. I concentrate on the type shirts that when I see them I say to myself "WOW". I then trust in that design to sell. There is no secret to designing, to me it's more about believing in your product and successful marketing of it. One of the things I do is to wear my designs around town. When people ask me where I got it then I tell them I am owner / operator of my business and have the ability to produce one for them if they wished. Sometimes I'll get a small sale just by that type of visual marketing. To me successful marketing is the "good design".

 

[tolga]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Design creating customer value is good design. Dersign is very important factor effecting the purchasing decision of the customer. We can find many other factor related to it. Price. accessibility quality of product.....up to our brain storming..

I dont know what is good design. I think the targeted customer should know it better than all of us.

 

[gothicaleigh]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Answering that is like trying to answer "What is good art?"

From a marketing perspective, a good design is simply the one that sells.
From a design perspective, a good T is aesthetically pleasing or provokes an expected response.
etc.

 

[JandSbodysurfing]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

It's good when you say it's good. It's done when you say it's done. A good design is an extension of yourself.

 

[darenisdopeee]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

There is not just 1 good design. Everyone has different styles and taste. not everyone is going to like what you make. But there is going to be people that do like it. So just design what you like. Theres bound to be people in this world that have the same style as you. Dont try to be like everyone else. Be creative.

 

[zagadka]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Here is a good summary of the principles of design. These were the first things I learned in my art studies. The principles apply to all artforms. Of course in the fashion business, there are different trends that come and go, so a knowledge of your target audience and what they like is also a major factor.

you beat me to it!

size, shape, placement, color, use of space/ negative space are all factors on what is technically "good" design. there is somewhat of a science to it.

the general public likes things that are balanced and symmetrical because it feels safe + stable.

marketing does have a lot to do with it. I think Ed Hardy designs are absolute garbage, but for some reason people love them and have to have them.

 

[Wringer Tee]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

To me, good design is that thrill I get when I know a design is done. When I stand up from the computer, step back a few paces and look at the image and still get a tingle. To me, good design is when I ask a stranger about their shirt or spend money on a shirt when I know I should buy gas. I quess good design is a personal thing.

A profitable shirt, a design purchased by many, is more about marketing.

 

[TripleT]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

A design on a t-shirt can meet all the principles of design (which are important) and still be boring.

A good design is a design that you want to look at.

 

[Girlzndollz]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Which way are they qualifying as good? Principles of design, or "good" because they make money? Sometimes the two actually meet...

Really, tho, this is kind of like the 64K dollar question.

Prinicipally good design that is your soul's creation may be beautiful to you, and appeal to a small number of folks, it could be the gold mine you dreamed of and you could blow up sky high with your quality designs and your loyal fans will hang on every new product.

If you mean good designs because they make money - that is more likely by following current fashion trends and as the "new" comes in, hoping to recognize it and ride the wave as long as possible -and- get rid of the "old" in time - before it is over and you are left with unwanted inventory....

Quality or quantity... depends how it is seen... and of course, the best of both worlds is a combo of the two.

 

[tolga]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Quality or quantity... depends how it is seen... and of course, the best of both worlds is a combo of the two.

Lets make it qual-quantee

 

[Girlzndollz]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

Lets make it qual-quantee

That's great!

 

[Matto]

Re: "Good T-Shirt Design?"

To me, good design is that thrill I get when I know a design is done. When I stand up from the computer, step back a few paces and look at the image and still get a tingle. To me, good design is when I ask a stranger about their shirt or spend money on a shirt when I know I should buy gas. I quess good design is a personal thing.

A profitable shirt, a design purchased by many, is more about marketing.

I would have to agree with Wringer. For me it is the same and even better when I place it in an odd location on the shirt and it grabs my senses cuz it is odd.

 

[smolik75]

Because I see clothing design the same way as I see art, it is all about meaning. What is the story behind the art? Why does your shirt show what it does? Once you have your "story" figured out, applying technical aspects is much easier.

If the story behind your design is something wild, then you might want to add lots of colors and odd placements. If it's something simple, treat your design as such.

 

[Julius]

MAKE IT ORIGINAL! here is my very first design. the "EMO" thing is very popular where I am at or at least making fun of it is. This is not self promotional just an example. Thanks... this was just the begining i cleaned it up before printing... but you get the idea.

 

[Matto]

MAKE IT ORIGINAL! here is my very first design. the "EMO" thing is very popular where I am at or at least making fun of it is. This is not self promotional just an example. Thanks... this was just the begining i cleaned it up before printing... but you get the idea.

ROLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shopaholic12]

i think it's really important to be aware of what's in fashion right now, especially if you're targeting the younger crowd