It\'s a an undead bee dragging it\'s feet across a dying flower.

Very cool idea, and beautiful execution. Not so sure about the ultra-pale yellow background, though... particularly since the flower's petals nearly disappear into it.



Q: Is that supposed to be the sun in the background? Or the moon?

i like how the flower center is a graveyard. the petals on the flower look more like a sea anemone or something, maybe work on those to get it more wilty and botanical looking. Also, and it's sort of a minor thing, but the human skeleton doesnt seem right on a beast with out bones (i.e., insects have an exoskeleton). this does remind me of the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, so maybe you can work out something funny with that?

I see the point about the petals disappearing. I was going for that impression because I wanted the viewer to first think it was simply a graveyard, then with a closer look, realize it is a flower. What colors would you suggest? I'll give them a try.



As for the Sun/Moon...it is whatever you want it to be. Bee's fly in the day, but the iconic image of a zombie is at night. So I left it ambiguous.



As for the point of the human bones in a creature with an exoskeleton, that was purely a art choice since that reads "zombie" easier to me. My fear was a broken up exoskeleton wouldn't register. Do others feel the ribs and spine are a bad idea?



I will start on the first revision and post it in the near future.



Thanks all for the feedback so far.

I like the ribs and spine. They're subtle, and kind of essential to that general zombie archetype. I like also the "Oh wait, it's a flower!" idea but I wish the graveyard part was more obvious. I think people would identify the flower before the graveyard.



Also, maybe the same yellow-on-pale-yellow idea but on some darker color? Yellow says "bee" but does not say "zombie" and maybe a darker color scheme would make the yellow of the bee pop more. Just an idea.



Oo, I really like the sickly yellow of the bee, too. Wherever you go with this, good luck! =)

The 'human bones' don't bother me at all. Sure, it's scientifically inaccurate... but doing it accurately wouldn't convey the idea that it's a Zombee.



I wouldn't mind seeing the Zombee and the center of the flower much larger, and sacrificing some petal length to make it possible. That would make the Zombee's body details more visible, and help make the graveyard easier to discern.



As for the background color... maybe a medium-dark blue? Something that could be either day or night, to maintain the ambiguity of the sun/moon. (The current pale yellow background kind of ruins that, since it has to be daytime.) And as Peppermont mentioned, a darker background would also make the Zombee 'pop' much better.

So I made a few of the changes suggested to me. First, I adjusted the wilted petals to look more dried up as well as shorter, to allow more room for the Zombee and Graves. I also adjusted the shirt and Petal color. Rather than switching to dark blue (which looked too much like Night time) I went with Army Green. Seemed to go well with the ambiguous nature of the moon/sun and went well with the notion of a dead flower. I also played a bit with the placement of the image on the shirt.



Thoughts? Suggestions?

Much better! The petals definitely look wilted and dried up now, which helps reinforce the whole 'dead' theme. Plus, the increased size really helps us see the details on the Zombee (like the empty eye socket, which wasn't nearly clear enough at the smaller size).



Two minor quibbles: (1) The petals almost disappear into the background (although not quite as much as in V1). Just a bit more contrast might help. (2) I dislike the off-center placement. I generally always prefer T-shirt designs to be placed dead center, unless there's some good contextual reason to do otherwise (which there rarely is). On the other hand, maybe that's just me.

I am having difficulty with the petals because I am trying to go with that concept of first noticing the graveyard, then realizing it is a flower by having the center of the flower pop out more than the petals. But perhaps that concept is flawed. I would love more opinions on that.



I will also drop it in the center of the shirt and see how that looks.



What of the graveyard/flower center? I fear it might be too subtle still and people might miss the fact that it is a graveyard. Any thoughts on that?

Love the zombee. It's great.



It would be nice if the petals popped a bit more, but not too much, I like that they are faded into the background. I didn't notice the the center of the flower was a graveyard until I read a critique. Perhaps it is too subtle, but great idea.



I disagree with the dead center placement. I love it when designs are not in the expected location, adds to the visual interest of the shirt.



http://www.threadless.com/critique/13821/designers_get_no_love

the colors and flower are much better in this version but you could tell he was standing on a flower/graveyard easier in V1. i think bheara's right, the petals need to be just a bit brighter to seperate from the background. or maybe outlined like the bee, cause he has really thick outlines and nothing else does.

Here is the latest. Kicked up the brightness/contrast of the petals a smidge. I also rearranged the graves some, and added a little shadow and texture to them. Lastly, I tried the placement of the image in the center of the shirt. Which looks mo betta...center or off center/low?

So does no comments mean it has reached it's peak and nothing else can be done to improve something that is already perfect? Or does this just mean I am all alone in this crazy world? I am so perplexed.

Ok, I have 2 "submit this" results and no comments/suggestions. So I guess it's time to submit it as an official submission.



Going once....going twice....

this great, if it wins i would buy it, but make sure its different color variants i would like to see this in black!

I might be able to do some color variants. Which placement on the shirt do you prefer? Center or bottom/off-center?

I saw something with this ides, totally different design. Was that you too? This one kicks so much more ass.

Nope, that wasn't me. But I am glad to hear this one kicks mo ass! Any thoughts on image placement on the shirt? I don't want to officially submit this until a position for the graphic is clearly decided.

Centre

Graphic is now front and center on the shirt. I also tossed in a color variant as requested.

lol, cute

That's great!! I personally like the purple better.

great stuff, this now truly cool! just centre it a little and its DONE! good work

Centered image in 3 tasty flavors!

WEY! thats it, i personally would say this ready for submition ! good job dude.

Perfection!



Please check out my designs.

Nice! I shall submit this into the official running. Thanks for all the feedback!

Maybe I am getting too obsessive here, but I made one more change. I made the image larger to fill up more of the shirt.



Good? Bad? Lemme know! If it works, then I will submit THIS version into the running.

i think its wholesome as it is..submit

So I am having a hell of a time trying to decide on the size and placement. So I thought I would let the people of Threadless decide!



Big and Center

Classic placement that shows off the artwork well.



Medium and Center

Same as above but with a lil more wiggle room.



Small and Center

Perhaps a large image doesn't best represent a Bee. This size and placement allows for the image to be seen even if a button shirt or jacket is over top.



Small and Top Right

I thought about how sometimes flowers are pinned to a person's shirt. Which is the inspiration of this placement. That and the idea of a Bee on your shoulder about to sting you.



Small and Bottom Right

Similar to above, but more from the bee's perspective...flower level if you will. It would be low, small, and sneak up on you.

medium and center!

Seconding medium and center.

Big and Center

Center seems to be the theme of the day. No love for off center.

Definitely big and center, the artwork is way too cool and detailed for anything but prime placement.

That's 2 for Big/Center and two for Med/Center. It's neck 'n neck!



And apparently one person hates em all and thinks I shouldn't submit.....bummer.

...with fries to go

For a dollar more, you can make a meal deal out of it. It's the better value.



The people I have shown this to in person all like Medium or Big. So my choices have been widdled down from 5 to 2. A much easier decision for me to make.



Hmmmm....big...med...big...med...



Time for me to flip a coin.

This is the final version I am submitting. Thanks everyone for the feedback. I appreciate it.

ill be looking for it

I'll be looking for it!

Very nice! I would buy it any day!



Clueless:

http://www.threadless.com/critique/15489/Clueless

It's officially submitted and ready for voting!



http://www.threadless.com/submission/152998/Zombee