Designer Robots

An adventure in tshirt design by Dane Lyons.

[tshirtio]

Kettlebell tshirt design v1

I really like the first cut of this design. I think it could work. I'll try adding 'Path of most resistance' to it and see how that feels.

[tshirtio]

Kettlebell tshirt design v0

After thinking more about the screenprinting method, I want to take another cut at the workout tshirt design. This time I'm going to get rid of all the fluff and just do a basic kettlebell shape with a lightning bolt on it.

[tshirtio]

Make something tshirt design v2

This is a pretty basic design. I'll probably throw out a few more variations but this could be a design I use for screenprinting this weekend.

[tshirtio]

I'm going to start screenprinting tshirts

I just got back my first order from Zazzle and the results aren't exactly great. The tshirt quality is average, the paint is poor, the distressed portion of the design didn't come out great and there is an odd white border around the design. I'm not saying Zazzle is all bad. I'm sure I'll find ways to work within their constraints to produce quality tshirts.

But now I need to find another method to produce some of the designs I have in mind and I think screenprinting is the way to go. @mainwilk found an intensive course on screenprinting this weekend with Hilary Williams. I'm going to attend that and hopefully I'll be producing my own tees by early next week.

[tshirtio]

Make something tshirt design v1

This is my first cut at the saw design. It's super basic. The length is undersized to make it appear more compact and the teeth are oversized to create a more distinguished shape.

[tshirtio]

Make something tshirt design v0

I'm going to design a tshirt for makers. I'll probably add the text 'MAKE SOMETHING' to go along with the design.

Shape ideas:

1) Hammer - This is a pretty classic shape for builders. I'd probably go with a mallet or an anvil hammer instead of a claw hammer.

2) Saw - Another classic shape. If done well this could look even better than a hammer.

3) Scissors - More of a DIY shape...I probably wont go in that direction.

4) Wrench - I like the idea of adding a wrench but to me this is more of a device designed to assemble rather than create so I'll probably stick with something more along the lines of a saw.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt photo

I just took this photo to serve as the background for tshirt.io. I really like the colors, the depth and the texture.

[tshirtio]

Keep Calm Fad

I promise to never design a tshirt based on the insanely annoying 'keep calm and carry on' fad. I just don't get why people like that stuff.

[tshirtio]

Perfect tshirt posponed

Unfortunately, I haven't had enough time to promote the upcoming perfect tshirt tool. We haven't received enough submissions to make it work so I'm postponing until Jan 1st.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt design v5

Cleaned up the pinchers, heart and feet then made the robot a dark yellow against a charcoal background. This definitely feels better to me than the color heavy version.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt design v4

Now I'm going in the direction of a single color design that cuts out some of the shapes to make better use of negative space. I still feel like this isn't great but I like it a lot better than the cartoon direction.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt design v3

I have to say that I really don't like this path. I'm headed in this cartoony direction and that really isn't my style. I wouldn't wear a cartoon robot tshirt. I need to go into a direction that is more implicit and forces you to use your imagination rather than a high fidelity cartoon direction.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt design v2

I sketched the robot. He feels a little better to me. The arms feel less imposing and I like the feet better. Looks like he is turning into a scared robot.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt design v1

Wireframe of a robot with imposing pincher arms, a sad face, a tank top with a heart and chicken legs.

[tshirtio]

Robot tshirt design v0

I've been putting this off long enough. I just need to get in there and design a wearable robot. It's tough...I keep starting robot designs that I end up scrapping for a variety of reasons.

[tshirtio]

Designing a robot to model tshirts

I need to design an actual robot I can take around with me and model tshirts. The reasoning behind this is pretty simple...I'm bored with the typical tshirt model photos. You either get the typical person wearing the shirt standing against a white bg looking unnaturally happy. Or you get a shot of the tshirt laying limp on a white floor.

I want my tshirts to go on adventures. I don't exactly look the part, @mainwilk is a busy bee and actual models are expensive. So the next best bet is to build a robot.

Here are my requirements:

1) The robot needs to be light weight. I'm not lugging 200 lbs of metal around SF!

2) The robot needs to be able to be stowed away in a closet. Otherwise he may scare away guests.

3) The robot must have character by conveying some form of emotion. Ideally determination but sad, 'cute', happy, lost, curious, confused...could also work.

4) The robot must be durable. I'm not going with some cardboard device that's going to fall apart in 2 days.

5) The robot needs to have a great name.

Right now I'm thinking about using grey pvc pipe for the body, arms and legs. I have no idea what I'll use for the head, hands and feet.

[tshirtio]

Bad apple tshirt design v3

I thought about just going with the wireframey look but I tried giving the bad apple a fill and this looks better so I think I'll go with it.