The T-Shirt Has a Voice: A USF Upward Bound Project

We're featured on THEME Magazine's HomePage

2009-06-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

Much love to JOHN LEE from THEME Magazine for featuring us on the THEME Blog. AMAZING!!! Check us out:
http://www.thememagazine.com/blog/the-t-shirt-has-a-voice/

"Behind the Scenes" - Professional Photo Shoot w/ the young designers

2009-06-07T21:53:00.001-07:00

Hi again!!!

Following the 'launch' on the 23rd, the kids and I got together last weekend and met up with a friend of mine...Melanie Duerkopp. She's an amazing photographer that offered to do a professional photo shoot for the kids. Before the shoot, I compiled a list of shots that we would need to showcase each young designer. In addition, I designed a storyboard for a promotional video that will document the major steps we took to complete the project.

See below for some "behind the scenes" photos of the actual photo shoot. Melanie just sent me the 400+ photos to sift through...so look forward to a sneak peak coming your way soon!

it was a great day!

Big UPS to Melanie.
Check out more of her work at: http://melanieduerkopp.com/

-steph

Now in Stores

2009-06-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody,

It has been a busy few weeks for us all - so I apologize for not posting these images up sooner. The May 23rd launch was a HIT and I was sooo proud to see the young folks do their thang! The window displays looked amazing! Big UPS to the TRUE and FTC gang for making everything come together last minute. Enjoy the pics below from the May 23rd launch. Go buy shirts too!

Love my kids!
-steph

janine flyer

2009-05-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT - come by TRUE and FTC on May 23rd to pick up a shirt

2009-05-14T03:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody,

It's Steph...the class teacher. It's about 4am on May 14th and I'm EXTREMELY BLESSED to finally announce the BIG t-shirt launch day for this project (May 23rd). The young designers have worked extremely hard to ILLUSTRATE their 'voice' on the blank cotton canvases. Watching their ideas develop has been the most REWARDING aspect of the entire project.

To give you a quick background, this class started as a dream. Literally...a dream! Last Fall I had an idea that I could provide a forum for high school kids to design something BIG. I've always believed in young minds. The creativity that flows from within is truly amazing. They just need the medium...the guidance...the inspiration...the tools. Since I graduated from USF, I've been fortunate to interact with a bunch of creative people here in San Francisco. One of them is my boyfriend/pal/business partner...the art director of FTC. One night i asked him if he could help this 'dream' come to life by connecting me with the owners of TRUE and FTC. I immediately wrote a project proposal to Janice (the director of the Upward Bound program) and the store owners. A few weeks later, I received the green light and an EXTREMELY supportive 'YES' to make this thing happen.

January 10th was our first Saturday class. Since then, we've met almost every Saturday from 9am-12pm. We've had great days and not so great days. We've hit creative blocks, had brainstorming sessions, had field trips, research days, sketch days, production days, and days where we've spent hours learning some of the most complicated tools in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (the industry standard design software). This project has been in the works for about 5 months now, and it is FINALLY TIME to showcase what has been created.

PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT THE KIDS AND THEIR DESIGNS.
The young designers will be available to answer any questions and to discuss their designs on Saturday, May 23rd (11-12pm at TRUE/12-1pm at FTC). Tshirts will be on sale until they are SOLD OUT - so if you can't come on the 23rd, please drop by and pick one up. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to the kids and the Upward Bound program.

HAVE PUBLiCITY CONNECTS? - Let me know!!!!
stephanie@skim-works.com

BIG THANKS AND LOVE TO THE FOLKS OF FTC AND TRUE!
Michael Brown, Josh Bruner, Ivan Rodriguez (TRUE)
Kent Uyehara, Graham Jeong, Ando, Brian, Sabrina (FTC)

peace and love
-steph

2009-05-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

Initial Online Flyer Design

2009-05-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

2009-05-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

Jose 415

2009-05-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

2009-05-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

my final version O~O... click for better quality :)

FIELD TRIP PART 2: Interview with Skate Pro, Jack Curtin

2009-04-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

A former art-school classmate of mine and now pro-skater, Jack Curtin, came down to Union Square this morning to share his experiences as a pro skater and rider for FTC, DGK, LRG, and G-shock. He showed us a few examples of shirts he designed himself as well as a few of his recent magazine ads. Check out his latest feature in the April/May '09 issue of Complex (the one with Kanye West's silver face on it).

The students learned lots about how Jack got started in the skate industry AND what life is like now, as he travels the world doing what he loves and knows best. His words of wisdom inspired the crew to use school as a tool to progress beyond everyone else. He also encouraged the group to be creative, follow your dreams, travel as much as possible to learn about the world, to be appreciative for whatever you have, and to WORK HARD for what you want. His early career started in Jakarta, Indonesia in his early teens. With determination, practice, and an unyielding stream of motivation, he currently resides in San Francisco - living life to it's fullest.

Thanks JACK!

LUNCH TIME

FIELD TRIP PART 1: Window display examples

2009-04-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today we went downtown to peep window displays and how vinyl lettering is used to elaborate on the theme of the visuals. We later talked about how we can start to plan for the window displays for their own shirts (launching end of May).

Un-edited Final Human Self Destruction

2009-04-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

This is the design that I presented to TRUE. There will be some revisions later on.

Final Design

2009-04-18T10:55:00.001-07:00

"Summer Maddness"

FTC 2009

2009-04-18T10:53:00.001-07:00

Here is the design I posted. I still need to make some adjustments.

Almost Final Design

2009-04-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my almost final design. I will be touching up the font type.

Presentation

2009-04-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

When I was presenting my t-shirt idea to TRUE, I knew what my basic idea that I wanted to describe was, but I wasn't sure how I was going to get my concept from my mind out and on paper. Initially, I was very worried about how I would get the people at TRUE to visualize my idea because all that I had to show was the outline of my design and I felt that I had to paint a picture in their minds.

experience presenting

2009-04-18T09:22:00.002-07:00

When I presented 2 weeks ago, i felt confident before presenting.

2009-04-18T09:22:00.001-07:00

My experience at TRUE was some in the range of excitement and nervousness. I am always nervous before some kind of some presentation. Other than that I had plenty of fun talking about my designs and watching my peers present their designs as well.

2009-04-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

My experience at true felt really cool. i never had a bunch of people listen to my idea and agree with some of our concepts. i felt like they were really impressed with what we did. I liked it so much that ima keep designing, even if i don't give my designs to stores.

2009-04-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

When we were presenting our designs, I was a bit nervous because I didn’t feel completely ready. I thought I did okay. I got my messages across, which was the most important thing. For future presentations, I’ll be more prepared and less nervous. I think everyone is on edge about who will be chosen, but I appreciate this experience and will not soon forget it.

During my time in this class, I have learned a lot about the world of making and distributing t-shirts. I learned about the time and patience that goes into it, why it’s important to be passionate about your ideas and having a meaning. I have had the most fun doing this and learning more things about the business. I'm glad to be apart of this.

2009-04-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

I think this experiance of presenting our ideas in front of people who make up their store. The ideas that they have created, also the empire that they have created. It was fun presenting in front of everyone.

Presentation Day

2009-04-05T21:28:00.001-07:00

concept

2009-04-04T01:04:00.000-07:00

joshua canas

tittle: graffiti is not a vandalism

concept: Graffiti is not always a vandalism, a lot of times its suppose to be art. i made an imitation of gir, but in a graffiti type of way. his whole body has to do with graffiti, from markers to spray cans. but i primarily chose a robot because its said that robots will take over the future and even then graffiti will still be popular.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

2009-03-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody,

Please TYPE and EMAIL me the info. below (no later than Friday at 11pm). If you can, please send it SOONER :) ALSO - please bring any sketches so we can show your process.

CONCEPT BOARD

1. Your name
2. Concept title
3. Concept description

- Describe your concept: "My concept is about..."
- Where did you get your inspiration from: "The inspiration for the design came from..."
- Describe your design
- Describe the purpose behind your design choices: colors, shapes, etc.

4. Why did you create this design for the store (FTC/TRUE)?

Call/email me if you have questions: skimworks@gmail.com OR stephanie@skim-works.com

Great work today!

thx,
Steph

SneekPeek - Digi Sketches

2009-03-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

Take a quick peek at a few screenshots of the digi sketches that have evolved so far. Scroll back into the ARCHIVES to get an introduction to the design concept directly from the designer. The class will be polishing these designs up shortly. We lost a few contributors due to other school and SAT testing obligations. Enjoy the snipits below:

Photos from class so far

2009-03-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

I finally had a chance to download some digi pics I've taken of the class so far. Here's a sample of what you guys look like when you are working sooo hard :)

2009-03-14T11:46:00.001-07:00

I chose this design for FTC because I think that skaters love for skating is deeper than it appears to be. Therefore, the skate board is wrapped around the heart. The heart ventricles are blue as well as the veins and the heart is red.

summer madness

2009-03-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

"Summer Madness" was inspired by the song composed by Kool and The Gang. I liked the concept because it connects with music and makes you feel good. If you know the song, you'll probably connect with the meaning more.

I also like the idea because summer time is coming up, and everybody loves the summer.

& I had to put SFTC* in it because I have to incorporate my other inspirations, such as this beautiful city, and the company FTC.

I want to get the writing down better, get the patterns tighter and really make it look clean.

Thanks Stephanie and Graham

Self Destrucion

2009-03-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

I'm Matthew and my T-Shirt design is based on the idea that our actions as humans will eventually backfire and cause the destructive downfall of the human race and the world. In the final version of the t-shirt I plan to fill the gun through the use of font with various environmental and economical issues which we face in our daily lives.

challenges and successes

2009-03-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

my challenge was that I wasn't focusing on my topic. I would get off topic. But my success was that I went crazy in 415. I have an idea of how I am going to show how 415 in unique.

2009-03-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

This concept was thought of because I wanted to show that the San Francisco Embarcadero was one of the starting places of Skateboarding. That it was and still is called the Mecca of Skateboarding. To show the Embarcadero with the famous Brick Pattern.

Concept: Stages of Life Through a Phoenix

2009-03-07T11:31:00.001-08:00

My name is Luis and my concept is stages through life. My message is that everyone is at different stages of life and I want to protray this through the life of a Phoenix. I decided to use a Phonix because the life of a Phoenix is eternal so are our lives. Another way this can be interpreted is that when we fall we just rise from our ahes and start anew.

concept:Tribute to graffiti

2009-03-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

My name is Josh and my concept is mostly a tribute to graffiti. I wanted to show graffiti more than just being a taboo that certain people do. If you research real good you'll notice that different ethnicities practice graffiti and its just more than a vandalism but its real art. I chose a robot from the tv show"Invader Zim" but gave it my own twist. The robot shows that even in future generations(which its said that robots will take over the world)graffiti will still be practiced.

concept: individuality & bay area

2009-03-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

My name is Jose from Upward Bound. The concept of my project is individuality in the bay area. I chose this concept because I want to send a message to everyone around the bay that San Francisco is unique, we are different from others. I decided to use the San Serif font because it is more modern. Above are some sketches of my ideas.

NEW Deadlines - PLEASE READ

2009-03-07T01:50:00.001-08:00

Hey Everybody,

I revised our deadlines. Please READ the latest document (below). The two major revisions that you absolutely NEED to know are:

1) APRIL 11 - No Class due to EASTER weekend
2) APRIL 18 - We WILL be meeting on this day
3) MAY 23 - New LAST DAY - (I extended the class one more week to ensure we have enough time to complete this project)

See doc. below. I'll hand out printed versions in class and will REPOST the syllabus on the right column below.

UB TshirtProj Syllabus REVISED

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Tshirt Template - HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

2009-02-28T11:57:00.001-08:00

Please sketch your designs in the template I gave you in class. See below for the original file if you need to print more. Also, please bring your CONCEPT description. We will be sending this off to FTC and TRUE.

DUE: March 14th
(Those going on the retreat can bring theirs in on the 21st)

Tshirt Template White

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

2009-02-27T23:13:00.000-08:00

Learning Photoshop and Illustrator has helped me put the image that I envisioned in my head to put it as a image so I can make it a design. I was making a design That i was thinking of because I was bored and i came up with this. Since I am making 300 shirts I wanted to make a name brand that was original so my friend and I came up with City Kid as you can see on the design.

photoshop

2009-02-27T22:46:00.000-08:00

I would never of guessed you could do such things with photoshop and illustrator. I 100% finish my design on paper but i see how i can make it better on photoshop or even illustrator. I hope the colors i choose can brighten up my design.

2009-02-27T22:02:00.000-08:00

I had fun with photoshop. I already knew some techniques but i also learned a few new tricks. i have never used illustrator before and it seems like fun to play around with it. messing around with the coloring will be fun as i get to use different shades of blue within my picture. can't wait to learn more about both programs on sat. :)

2009-02-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

THIS IS JUST SOMETHING I WAS MESSING AROUND WITH. I WANT TO MESH A PICTURE OF THE BRIDGE ON THE LETTERING..
I THOUGHT IT'D BE SOMETHING ELSE JUST IN CASE THE WHEEL IDEA DOESN'T WORK OUT..
STILL WORKING ON THAT SAXOPHONE ALSO.. BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT FONT STILL..

LAST WEEKENDS' CLASS: LEARNING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO PROGRAMS REALLY HELPED ME BECAUSE I ONLY KNEW HOW TO USE PHOTOSHOP.. I DIDN'T KNOW THE EXACT NAMES OF CERTAIN TOOLS BUT I KNEW HOW TO FIGURE STUFF OUT.
I THINK I MAY WANT TO USE ILLISTRATOR FOR THE SAXOPHONE BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD LOOK CLEANER. AND MOST LIKELY USE PHOTOSHOP FOR THE FTC DESIGN..

[JANINE]

Links to more PHOTOSHOP and ILLUSTRATOR tutorials

2009-02-23T00:38:00.000-08:00

Check out these links for TONS of online and video tutorials on how to create some pretty cool effects with your designs. I will help each one of you, but you may be able to find some ideas in the links below.

PHOTOSHOP

Handout
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/tutorials/graphics/photoshop7/handout.pdf

Cool Effects
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/10/adobe-photoshop-tutorials-best-of/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/01/12/hand-picked-photoshop-tutorials/

ILLUSTRATOR

Handout
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/tutorials/graphics/illustratorcs2/handout.pdf

Cool Effects
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/02/05/illustrator-tutorials-best-of/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/10/08/adobe-illustrator-tutorials-best-of-part-2/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/04/50-excellent-adobe-illustrator-video-tutorials/

http://www.noupe.com/illustrator/30-adobe-illustrator-tutorials-matering-your-tools-and-options.html

Photoshop and Illustrator Review

2009-02-23T00:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a copy of the packet we went through on Saturday regarding the difference between PHOTOSHOP (using bitmap graphics) and ILLUSTRATOR (using vector graphics). Feel free to hit me up with any questions. I know the lesson was a mouthful, but the information you learned will truly help you determine what software program you will need to execute your designs.

Basic Photoshop and Illustrator Document

Publish at Scribd or explore others: How-To & DIY Manuals magazine photoshop

2009-02-21T00:22:00.001-08:00

My Design is The word Mecca With the Embarcadero Bricks in the actual lettering. That it tells how the San Francisco Embarcadero was famous for the Skating and Skate legends that used as one of the Starting places in the West Coast. I have taken pictures of the bricks.

Here is my design

2009-02-20T21:34:00.001-08:00

Here it is. It's not much but now I need to add windows and people in the windows on the ramps, also at the bottom right it looks kind of empty I want to put fisherman's wharf there but I don't know how if someone can help with that would be great. I hope to see all of you Saturday.

My shirt design

2009-02-20T20:48:00.001-08:00

I have actually almost finished my sketch of the shirt I just need put a little more detail, and I got my design done. The design is the city of San Francisco as a skate park, for the colors I would like for the shirt is very simple. I would want the design on silk-screened as an old picture like it was a picture taken a long time ago. Symbolizing that San Francisco was meant to be a fun skate park. So in simple words in black and white. Also on the t-shirt I would want on the back a big FTC logo made up of the names of important people in FTC and also the names of our t-shirt group.

What I feel about this class!

2009-02-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

I think it is a great experience I'm having loads of fun. I like that people can help each other out with things and get help when needed. Also having such a great teacher helps us out and just be happy and kind it's nice to go to the program to express our idea and just have fun.

2009-02-20T19:40:00.000-08:00

This week was kinda hard for me. thinking of symbolism for my drawings were hard. Today, though, it came to me. I am sticking with he idea of phases of life but in a different way. Throughout the week i have been talking more with a girl i like, and i remembered that her favorite mythological creature is the Phoenix. I took the idea of how the phoenix dies and then is reborn from its own ashes. To me this has a greater symbolism than my puny acorn to an oak tree. This design can symbolize that even after the times in our life which we suffer we can still grow anew with more experience. Another way it can be interpreted is that life still goes on, when someone dies, someone else is born.

FTC - Graham James' work just got posted on Kanye West's blog

2009-02-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hey crew,

JUST A LIL INSPIRATION

Remember the art director from FTC....Graham?

I just got a text from my boy in NY that his work was posted on Kanye West's blog. Pretty major. Check it out!!! This can be you guys...so WORK HARD and you'll be amazed at what opportunities open your way.

Check out the blog.

latest..

2009-02-13T23:13:00.000-08:00

2009-02-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

Throughout the week, I've been trying to sketch ambigrams like the one above. I've been experiencing alot of new things; new ideas that catches people's attention.

2009-02-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

Well i have had a lot of ideas filter through my head and still trying to figure out what to use. One of my biggest frustrations is trying to get the Swastika and monk together and its just really hard not to make offensive. I have a couple of more ideas im working on like tweaking with some pictures and fonts.

2009-02-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

I made this pic I thought it would be cool I made it for fun

2009-02-13T21:08:00.000-08:00

Throughout the week i have only been able to create two ideas for my t-shirt. One is where it is during the night and the lights are on in the farm house. Outside is lit by the crescent moon where they lay scythes next to a grown corn field. In the stars have the saying "Reap what you Sow". My other design has a hoe and a pitch fork crossed by the handle. this one does not have any saying at the moment.

2009-02-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

Come on people. Post some more images

2009-02-09T21:26:00.001-08:00

The t-shirt that I would like to create would be something like the past Embarcadero on the bottom then the future Embarcadero on the top. Something like a skater doing a trick it being a mirror on the bottom. Not exactly sure on how it is going to go yet

2009-02-07T07:53:00.001-08:00

I am having a little trouble deciding what to choose. I thought of doing the anatomy of a skater and FDC as the adrenal. Or The eqyptian God Anubis jug wheter or not the skaters are worthy to continue skating in the beyond.

2009-02-07T00:11:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been working on this saxophone image with "summer madness" coming out of the instrument. The song is by Kool and the Gang, and I've always loved it. I wanted it to be some crazy colors because the song is sharp and high pitched, and everything is thrown together nicely. It makes me think of colors mixing and complimenting each other.

Also for the FTC desgin, I want to find a way to make the wheels look like there spinning on the tee.. and maybe look 3D.c

2009-02-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

I want my shirt to have a strong message but with cool graphics on the shirt. My ideas leans more towards True and i have a couple of ideas such as grabbing different graffiti materials and making them more cartoon looking and build the san francisco outline( the buildings that you see when you enter the bay bridge) behind the golden gate bridge.

some what like this but at a different angle and a closer view.

My T-shirt

2009-02-06T22:18:00.000-08:00

I want my T-shirt to have a Buddhist monk on the front wearing a swastika which is a Buddhist symbol for peace. Many people associate the swastika with Nazis when the truth is its origin is thousands of years old. By putting an image of a monk wearing a swastika instead of just having a swastika takes away from the initial disgust and creates a more intrigued feeling. I want people to look at the shirt and wonder why the monk is wearing a swastika and maybe have a caption along the lines of "Same symboldiffrent message".

2009-02-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

i want to make a t-shirt where is give off the message to do your own thing and not to listen to what other people say. so while people go see a fortune teller to see their future i want to give the message that no one can tell them their future only they can make their own choices. I want to make a shirt that shows four tarot cards that one can use to write their own future.

2009-02-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

I want to create a shirt that educates and inspires other to learn about their culture.
I want my shirt to have idols that are not recognized for their talent. (i.e. Frida Kahlo, The Brown Berets, The Black Panther Party, etc.) For my t-shirt designs, I like black and white pictures. I also prefer cursive fonts. I like to play with colors to see what colors can come together.

My Shirt envision

2009-02-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

The selected idea is one with the city being an entire skate park but the city is in a graffiti styled feeling. Also I was thinking of ways to make the the F.T.C. logo to explode on the shirt to have splatters of paint some how form FTC.

JD's Take

2009-02-02T23:54:00.000-08:00

I'm really impressed with this class and the work you all are doing. I can hardly wait to see when you all really get down to business. Thanks Steph for the awesome exposure you've provided. This Saturday is our Portfolio Day. I hope you've made arrangements to dismiss early so that the students can attend the last half of this quarterly session.

2009-01-31T11:25:00.000-08:00

First draft of skateboard design. more possibilities awaits...

2009-01-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

I chose this picture because people like to represent Frisco.

2009-01-31T10:54:00.000-08:00

The reason i chose this picture is b/c they are west coast legends. Another thing is that they show individualism. they both got their own personality.

2009-01-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

I chose this image because when you turn it around you read something else. this is called ambigram. Right now it says "Death", but when you turn it it says "Life".

2009-01-31T09:09:00.001-08:00

My experience at true was cool. i felt at completely different vibe at true than ftc. I felt like i could bond more with true than ftc. i could picture my self working for true more than ftc.

FTC and True Experiences

2009-01-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

I liked FTC because there was a basic concept in the Store, which was Skateboarding. Even though there was a little of biking. I like the different Deck designs because each board was unique. I think when people skateboard it gives them a unique character. Also for True the I see the T shirts like decks because each T shirts has a meaning behind it or it has a rad design. That they take there time to make awesome shirts. I have two Ideas for shirts first is a pic of the Embarcadero with a skater, but I am still adding to that. Also the second idea I am in the process of thing not sure yet.

2009-01-31T01:16:00.000-08:00

As soon as we left FTC I thought of a design with skateboard wheels spelling out FTC. I thought this would be cool once its all on paper, theres alot of ways I could mess with it.

For my second design, I want to do neffertiti, with high contrast and very fine details. I love this picture. Her profile is a signture of beauty, and grace. I tried to do this with my screen myself but the fine lines didn't turn out, it looked good, but i really wanted the detail.

2009-01-31T00:52:00.000-08:00

Going to the stores, I didn't really know what to expect because I've never had that experience of talking to the people behind the stores and designs. I really appreciated this opportunity because it's kind of hard to come by for an everyday browser. I thought it was interesting how different the stores where. They have different groups of people they market to and make sure they market to. But they also make sure there's something for everyone. Its also cool how they find ways to put themselves out there on t-shirts, even if they dont sell. That shows me that you can definitely still be yourself and take a risk, or just do it because you believe in it. Thanks to TRUE and FTC for all the advice and future help.

2009-01-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

Well First i wanna say that my experience was very uplifting. Many new ideas came to mind as well as sayings. I like TRUE more mainly because their line is more open to different kids of art. I like to have more of a variety and TRUE has that kind of style. Almost every piece has some kind of message that can relates to different people, which i think is pretty cool.

Well my two ideas are based of my interests. My first is interest is tarot cards. Normally we see people wanting to know their future so my idea is that we have a tarot card with the message "Write Your Own Future" somewhere on the shirt. It doesn't have to be just one card, there can be many cards while one stands out.

My second idea came from the bill that President Obama just signed. That we are all should get paid the same amount for the same amount of work. The Taoism sign on the front with the word "Equality" somewhere on the shirt.

SAKABOO

2009-01-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

A preview of what’s to come out soon...This is a great picture because it shows huge music icons all in one. You can only imagine what a powerful band they would be if they could link up. ..i don’t need to say much…it speaks for its self...

Photos from our visit to TRUE and FTC

2009-01-26T16:07:00.001-08:00

This past Saturday, the crew and I visited TRUE and FTC to learn more about the history of the stores, the design submission process, and the general flow of how their creative groups select which shirts to stack on their shelves. Supplying tons of examples, we walked away with a greater respect and knowledge for the business and design selection process. Enjoy the photos below.

Much LOVE to Michael, Josh, Ivan, and Hiro from TRUE for making our first visit a tremendous learning experience. You definitely painted a clear and REAL picture for us as we pump through this project.

Much LOVE to Ando, Kent, and Graham from FTC for showing us the ropes of the skate culture and how various elements of music and art are interwoven with the t-shirt graphics as well.

PEEP the PICS.

TO THE CREW: Feel free to download the pics and re-add them to your individual posts as you respond to this week's assignments. Email me if you need help downloading them and adding them to your own posts.

The History of the T-Shirt

2009-01-24T19:55:00.001-08:00

Watch the slides from today's lesson about the history of the t-shirt.

Homework # 1

2009-01-24T00:44:00.000-08:00

Some of my Inspirations would be just the thing that I interact with like Video Games. I like video games because of the detail put into the video games. I also am interested by Upper Playground because their art gives you a new perspective on things that they have drawn. Like Michael Jordan Famous Dunk they had a drawing from an Ariel view. Life just inspires me because of the different things that can happen at one time.

2009-01-23T20:08:00.001-08:00

I seem to have different taste in clothing than most people, rummaging through my closet and draws I noticed that I have many Averix sweaters. I found around 6 sweaters ranging from light wear to heavy wear. I don't really like jackets, sometimes they are too heavy. For Christmas my aunt gave me this nice looking sweater, white background and a black skull right in the front. I talked to my cousin and told him of an idea for a sweater. Same style, like the one my aunt gave me, but in the teeth would be the name of his band he liked the idea and pictured it. I like this desgin becuase it is simple and shows what kind of band he is in. I just don't really care what i wear as long as i wear something, if it looks nice then it would be a bonus.

2009-01-22T10:03:00.000-08:00

At my school we now have project week for a week and a half. I'm in this group called "Propagate the Propaganda" and we're screening things and printing on paper and t-shirts. This is my second time being in this project week. We're not doing the same things at Upward Bound but the process is very similar.

This is my screen from last year. I really liked doing this design, it was the most demanded last year, but i didn't print enough. This will always be my favorite. Before I have to get rid of it, I'm going to make a few more tees..

-janine cook

Obama Obama!!!

2009-01-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

Last week I told you this class idea blossomed from the thousands of Obama shirts that blew up after the Nov. 4th election a few months ago. Here are a few pics of some Obama shirts that will be featured in a book coming out shortly. Click here to see more pics.

Fabric shopping in Hong Kong

2009-01-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

I have been in HK for the past 5 days fabric shopping for FTC clothing and meeting with my clothing manufacturers. It is really crowded, the Chinese Lunar New Year is just around the corner and there are so many Red and Gold items to signify the coming of the New Year. Photos to come! Going to Japan on Sunday! Hope you guys are doing well out in SF!!!
-Graham

Links to check out

2009-01-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

Peep these links to check out some of the latest trends. As you think about your designs...make SURE you keep it REAL with YOURSELF! It's not always about trends. Sometimes you can create those trends. We'll talk more later. I'll also post more on our first INTRO class we had last Saturday.

I am SUPER excited to guide you ALL through a successful project. You guys are gonna kill it!!!

Here are the links:

http://hypebeast.com

http://highsnobiety.com

I am gathering a list of links for the column on the right. Email me or post links and I'll make sure I add them to the list too.

-S

Write up #1

2009-01-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

There is not only one clothing brand that I like. When I buy shirt I look for a interesting design. there is one shirt that I know that I like where it has half the Japanese flag of the sun, with soldiers holding up boom boxes. I Like it because it has a nice orange color with a simple design. I like that it is uncommon since it shows war and music to things that can't be really pictured together unless they're dreaming. I like that shirts can express many thoughts and ideas that people have. If everyone made a shirt people could see that there is many people with similar ideas.

Resistance

2009-01-11T19:49:00.001-08:00

I thought of FTC when i saw this because I'm a skater myself. Skating has been pictured as a crime, for destruction of property. Since the company has gone through the whole skate scene I believe that they will understand this and find it funny. There was also a point where skateboarding was a once sign of resistance. Which I thought of graffiti another sign of resistance.

2009-01-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

3rdesign.net

Test Post

2009-01-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to designing T-Shirts

Chyea Boy!!!!

2009-01-10T10:51:00.001-08:00

HAHA I'm excited about this class because I've have thought of designs before for shirts. I want to see how it is to do shirt design, it'll be one more thing to help me in succeeding in Business for college.

2009-01-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

heeeeeeeey.

new experiance

2009-01-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

When I was told about the new class Upward Bound was offering, I was excited to be involved in a design class because that’s a career I’m thinking about.

2009-01-10T10:47:00.001-08:00

HIHI EVERYONE!!!!
Can;t wait for this class to start designing!!!

2009-01-10T10:46:00.002-08:00

I was sleepy but now I'm feeling a little more awake

day 1

2009-01-10T10:46:00.001-08:00

I am ready to make some crackin T-shirts yo!!

2009-01-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

This class is awsome I can't wait to get started