First off, thanks for all your comments on my FRISK tee! It's doing pretty well and the comments are all very positive. (If you haven't scored it yet check it out here!)

So this tee had a really interesting process behind it. The idea for the tee (or rather, the game, since I actually considered making this game long before I put the idea on a shirt) came to me after reading all these crazy stories about people getting frisked at airports in the US. It kind of makes me glad I don't live there anymore...

Anyhow, when I finally decided to put the design together I asked my roommates for ideas for names of countries, and we ended up sitting around our computers for the rest of the evening giggling as we came up with these ridiculous names. We were running through online lists of countries, anatomy charts, and even used a rhyming dictionary at one point. It was an awesome and fun creative process. Once I had about 60 names I started mapping them all out on a sketch of a body. Unfortunately I had to cut out a lot of countries because there wasn't any space left!

As it is, we probably missed a load of pun opportunities with the body (there were a lot we couldn't do because you only see the front of the body in the design, too).

So.... I'm holding a contest. For the next few days, I'd like you guys to try to come up with more awesome body part/country names. There's no limit to the number you can post on this blog. The poster of the best name gets a free shirt (you can pick it out on Threadless and send me the link, your size, address, etc, and I'll have it shipped to you)

GO!

One of the things that is really unique about the community here at Threadless is the positivity. I've been an active member on probably a dozen different forums, and in most there's a really strong sense of elitism. Although you'll find that mentality anywhere, it's especially strong in communities revolving around the Arts. Threadless is different in that it's a very positive and encouraging place to submit artwork. But it seems that this might be doing more to hinder than encourage artists.

I think a lot of people (online and off) have an inflated perception of their artistic abilities, thanks in part to well-meaning friends and family who've told them all their life that they're creative and highly talented prodigies. Most of them have been fooled, and in actuality are creating pretty bad stuff. Some of these have the the right combination of willingness, ability, and drive to get to the point of being a successful artist, but they won't achieve that goal without anyone pointing out their flaws.

Going through my own submissions here on Threadless, I really wish someone had pointed out how terrible my stuff was. The thing for me (and possibly many others) was that the pen-and-paper stuff I was doing at the time (about 6 years ago now) was actually pretty decent, but I had no idea of how to transfer my skills to a digital form. Just getting stuff out there digitally and onto a public forum was a thrill, so I was had no inkling of how crappy the submissions really were... And no one told me!

Interestingly enough, it wasn't until joining other Art forums and posting my work that I began getting a lot of harsh critiques. It hurt my pride, sure, but it also drove me to improve.

The last thing I want, of course, is for Threadless to become another elitist art snob community. There are already loads out there people can join. BUT, I think everyone would benefit from a little more honest critiquing. Are the colors hideous? Is the placement all wrong? Is the linework terrible? Does it simply suck as a tee design? Say so. And if it's a 5$, why? What is the artist doing right? Of course, most winning artists here understand their craft pretty well, but with specific commendation (and the occasional critique), they can grow too.

So let's grow some thicker skin and, in turn, not be afraid to say what we're all thinking. It will only serve to create better artists, or filter out the ones that ought to be pursuing something else.

PS - I'm not sure if a blog like this has been posted recently already. If so, point me in that direction and I'll let this one die.

So I live in China and I'm ordering a bunch of stuff for myself and friends here. I read the FAQ on this so I know it goes via DHL and is passed on to the local postal carrier once it enters the country, but I'm still unclear on how to get the address written out on the shipping form.

I'm sending the staff an email about it, but since this is the first time I've shipped anything from the states to my door here in China, I was wondering if anyone here has done it? Do you usually write it in Chinese characters or Pinyin? Anyone?

So I'm working on a sub now that's turning out to be a pretty involved process, going a lot further than the usual (step 1, do a few sketches, step 2, illustrate digitally). It's interesting to me that since Threadless now prints using sublimation, the sky's the limit as far as art goes. Just curious what are some of the more involved processes you guys have gone through to put together a submission.

Howdy folks. Been a looooong time since I posted here (almost 2 years I think...) but I thought I'd drop in and offer my services.

Allow me to explain:

A few months ago I moved to China, where I now live, working with local companies to get things produced for my clothing line back in the states. It's been an adjustment but I'm having a blast. (I've actually chronicled a few of my adventures here if you're interested in seeing life on the other side of the globe: http://vimeo.com/lintyfresh)

Anyhow, my time here has gotten me in touch with a LOT of cool production facilities, places that can do postcards, business cards, calendars, bags, stickers, pins, etc etc etc. As you'd imagine, the prices are great, and surprisingly the minimums aren't too high.

The reason I'm mentioning all this is that if you're like me, you're constantly designing stuff and itching to turn it into something tangible. In the US and UK, this is usually a pricey endeavor, unless you want to go with a cheap quality product. But with my help, you can really push the envelope on stuff, and with a little investment, create awesome new products.

Just by way of example, business cards. If you want to get high-quality, thick stock, satin finish cards, you'll probably end up using someone like 4by6.com, who'll charge you $75 for 250. I can get the same amount done for about $15. Even after shipping, it's a huge savings.

I've also found a local tailor and have started exporting custom coats to the US and other countries. In other words, you design the coat from scratch and they make it. The base price for a custom wool coat, made to your measurements, is $60. It's awesome.

Anyways, if you're interested in trying any of this stuff out, let me know. I'm itching to work with actual artists rather than big companies because it's a lot more fun for me, and I think a lot of the stuff I see on your Flickr's would be awesome made into real items.

Check my blog (http://www.lintyfreshblog.com) or flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gameyy/) for some examples of stuff I've made so far here, and feel free to email me. The email I've set up for China export stuff is:

Chinadoesitcheaper(at)gmail.com

Just want to let everyone on here know that the following design was stolen from work I did for my own tshirt company:


http://www.threadless.com/submission/147258/In_Dreams

You can find the original design on my site here:


http://lintyfresh.bigcartel.com/product/comin-soon-the-most-fantastic-things

All I'm asking is that if you've scored the design please go back and give it a 0. I'd also like to petition to remove this user:

http://www.threadless.com/profile/655733/Than_They_Appear

They apparently have a record of stealing designs. Obviously this sort of thing is inevitable in the industry, but when people like this are caught, the heaviest penalties should apply. Your support is much appreciated!

Also, huge thanks to those of you who emailed me about this.

Some of you may remember that awhile back I was tossing around the idea of starting up my own site where I printed shirts [that weren't good enough for this site] I designed. It started with me printing Once Upon a War, which actually fared pretty well.

Anyhow, I've decided to forge ahead with my printing of shirts, continuing with Nuclear Moonlight. You can now get them from my new online store, Linty Fresh!

So if either of those shirts, uh... tickled your fancy... then you might want to check it out. Oh, and I've also gotten into this weird habit of finding images from old B-movies and putting captions to them. I figured I'd post a few here.






Aighty, that's all.

-gameyy

-gameyy

So there's been a lot of talk about the "Revolution"... I guess I haven't been paying attention, because I'm totally unaware of what it is, exactly. Anyone?

-gameyy

I am crazy about this design. It's even my wallpaper. Kinda reminds me of "The Things You Love", but so. much. better.

-gameyy