OYU designer Mike Ng is on hand to give you his expert advice to get you started in T-shirt design or improve your skills.
T-shirt design is becoming one of the most popular outlets for creatives. Whether you're an illustrator, graphic designer or typographer, the thought of having your design on a T-shirt is a pretty cool concept.
However, the process can be a daunting thought. Thankfully, Mike Ng of SOYU T-shirt designs has taken time out of his busy scheduele to bring you 10 pro tips for T-shirt design.
01. Take your time and explore your concept
Sketch it out, go for a walk, create a few variations, have something to eat, do a full brainstorming process. Then sleep on it. And do it over again. If it comes to you straight away, great. But explore other options just in case.
02. Imagine the design on a shirt
Having worked on both print and web over the years. I know the vast difference between design on screen and a printed piece. Don't be afraid to mock it up on a photo of a model, print it out if necessary and place it on an actual tee, and of course create your artwork at actual size.
03. Detail is king but keep things simple
Everyone appreciates great drawing ability and attention to detail. There is nothing better than seeing a really well executed masterpiece on a tee, that you can study for hours.
But equally, some of the most classic designs have been the simplest and get the message across through their simplest form. Anywhere in the middle and you may struggle to deliver a successful design.
04. Consider your market
This is an important one. Are you designing for male or female, young or old? At the end of the day you're designing a product that you want people to wear. Like a good marketeer would do, write down the exact person you want to attract to your design – who they are, what they like, what other brands they like and go from there.
05. Keep your humour subtle
If you're going for a humorous designs you don't want it coming across as a cheap and low-cost joke shirt. Even the most successful loud and in your face designs have subtle humour.
I'm generally not a fan of 99 per cent of humorous tees, but done correctly it can turn heads! I'm digging Brad McGinty's designs at the moment because he has a good balance.
