In no way comment on the current election, I promise.

Just a goofy idea that I thought was chucklesome.

haha, i like the sketch. maybe a crowd in front of the podium and dramatic shadows from a spotlight for contrast?

You could use the spot light to cast sinister shadows on your back(fore)ground muppets.

bahaha. good one, my main man!

Its a shame, you should of got this done sooner its basically the only reason I've put dont submit because its not going to be relevant for another 4 years.

WAT?!

Politics isn't just relevant every 4 years, Phil.

This is NOT a design about the US election.

I just think it has a better chance at being printed on an election, people are alot more fired up at that point because people feel that they can make a genuine difference.

I just dont think people will be all that interested in political tee's after an election unless its printed within a few weeks (when the politician has given us time to be disappointed).

This is great but it's possible you are going to have copyright issues unless you make that muppet facing us look a lot less like Bert

hehe fath! im feeling this! and i think its pretty timeless....this kinda thing is ALWAYS relevant

Yeah I wouldnt worry at all about the relevance of it... as long as there are politicians it'll be relevant

I just think it has a better chance at being printed on an election, people are alot more fired up at that point because people feel that they can make a genuine difference.

*cough*8 million Bush shirts have been printed in the last 8 years*cough*

Bush was a highly controversial character, and the puppet government analogy could easily be made, if Obama gets elected it will be harder because there's genuine hope that he's different.

I think you're wrong stubby - If I had had this idea in 3 years time it would still be relevent - simply because it is a play on the time-old accusation that politicians could be puppet figures.

On My Honor was printed by Threadless in December 2007. It was really popular then and is sold out now.

Whilst I value you feedback and accept that it might have been more apt to go up for voting during the nomination/election process, I think you're really wide of the mark in assuming that people only care about poplitical things during an election.

I wouldn't do an idea if I though it would be irrelevant in a few months.

We have an election in Britain in May 2009 by the way.

I wouldn't want a realistic accociation to be made with any specific person/candidate/president. This is any and every politician/public speaker. This is not a metaphor - it is just silliness.

Are you going to put a crowd in front of them?

Aaron - you're right about bert-a-like. I'll change him up a bit. This was just a quick doodle to make the concept clear.

Honestly - I don't think the crowd will be necessary. If the foreground is executed alright.

I'll see how it goes Tim. It might benefit from a background, but a crowd might give it too much context and make it too loaded. (i.e. US Flag/slogans/ethnicity of people) sometimes ambiguity is best.

This is great, suggestions would be crowds, perhaps a bunch of microphones in front, and certainly less recognisable muppets.

Great work as usual!

Dont worry about the crowd dude...usually in shots taken from this angle a few spotlights & camera flashes are enough to wash out any visible crowd & will do enough to imply there is one there. Less is more.

Yeah - cheers man

We have an election in may? man I'm out of the loop.

Please color this !

It doesn't need a crowd, just some photo flashes and microphones would be good I think.

Fantastic!

CLASSIC FATHEED!

I think that Statler and Waldorf should be atleast faintly seen in the upper corner balcony seats, ha.

Nah, no crowd needed, good points on not wanting to overload.

great idea fatheed, i'll keep an eye on where you go with this, i'm, sure it'll be another great one :)

I dig the hell out of this!

I think you're fine on the bert-like front personally, without his very noticeable unibrow, this looks very little like bert.

New version pencilled. I know it looks more like Bert than ever, but I can't help myself!

reminds me of my favorite episode of Angel

Great concept. Unfortunately I think you'll always come up against the copyright problem, as I have before!

Comment on mine?
http://www.threadless.com/critique/31094/Funkynatomy

well, it is possible to avoid copyright because a likeness is not essential for the concept.

Absolutely! If Bert was giving his lines while stood with his back to us, that would work. You could still see the headphones and the script could be seen over his shoulder.

What about changing "Bert's" nose? You've already changed the hair and given him two eyebrows, I think the nose is the last thing giving off the Bert vibe.

Good call, Khol. I'll proably do something with his nose.

GONZO'S NOSE!

Hahaha. Yes.

Maybe make the colors you use slightly different from Bert, I think that'd make it harder to give you copyright grief.

Impatient to see the design done ! :)

Looking fantastic!

Coloured! With a temporary make-shift distress effect.

Brett suggested making this bit the back of the tee and having the front of the podium and the politician/speaker on the front, kinda looking mundane. I thought that was a good direction.

i like that idea too

if you're going to do a front back shirt, i think you should try and make the raised arm pole more concealed.

I've thought about that, and I think I'd keep it just as inconspicuous - even show the furry hand holding it, so that it intrigues.

another neat concept from you! I think you need to make the colors stronger and submit it right after :)
Print machine is already waiting for this ;)

awsome! And I like the idea of completely conspicuous muppet action on the front as well, to draw people into the peice

this is great. can't wait to see the next version.

all hail to fatheed, i don't know if you're finished yet but this is looking wicked as it is, if i saw this alone i'd prob buy it. although i do like the front and back suggestions

keep up the good work sir :)

What if you put a small puppet behind his head
to control his index finger?

loving this one...I would like to see a little more energy in it...manic muppet style antics...not so calm, but still clearly in control...

in regard to a front back concept...I like it, but something that bugs me about hidden concept (front/back, glow in the dark, UV) is that the image is often unappealing to look at on its own

Great idea - and it's more of a fatheed joke shirt than a political one. No way is this going to be any less appealing now the election is over. Print

New version

Cool.

I like both the version with and without colours, but I think I prefer the coloured one, only without the scratch effect.

I was thinking about the thing with putting this on the back and the mundane politician on the front. Couldn't it be interesting to put this on the front and the mundane politician on the back? Letting the puppeteer puppets get the main focus on the shirt.

The drawing is great! And the fact that he looks like Bert is nice, since he doesn't look enough like hi to be him, so to speak.

Would you mind having a look at mine?:
http://www.threadless.com/critique/31233/How_to_Make_Faces

Another good suggestion! This crit has been up there with the most helpful of crits.

Cheers jens

the colors seem a little flat IMO and the distressing takes away from the brilliance of the concept

That's YOUR distress effect you're talking about, LBB!

:)

I think I'll ditch the vintage thing.

Version 6 is better. The color is more vibrant and the characters pop out more.

return the love?
http://www.threadless.com/profile/828844/toopersent/critiques

I would go with version 6 as well, the colours are much better.

Could you check out mine?
http://www.threadless.com/critique/31119/little_beluga_s_big_spout

lose the distress effect

Could you check mine out???
Meet me at 9pm at the Railway Station ;-)

lol

I like the vintage thing a lot! and the idea even more!..

this is badass, i would totally buy it
i think i like version 3 though the most, i like the brushed look of it, i think it makes them look fuzzy

brilliant idea as well as a sweet process...im leaning more towards the full colour one, much more vibrant and gives characters more meaning but vintage look works to. your choice dude but solid effort

be a pal? lol http://www.threadless.com/critique/31375/the_inlaws_are_coming

version 6

i also like version 6

Yeah, go with version 6, you muppet.

I agree, V6

I Looooove it like this.

Front and Back Edition.

winner

Yeah, you'll be getting money for this one.

done. submit! :D

Thank you to everyone who offered their opinions and suggestions.

IT IS NOW SUBMITTED HERE!

Funny -- I just watched the Manchurian Candidate this week. I like that Bert is the "red queen" behind the entire operation.

so cool

Haha, cool concept! gotta love Bert!

Wanna check mine out?

WOOW...i think it's a winner...really...amazing! i'm usually a little picky but this is awsome...good luck ;)

watch mine, and be picky x)
http://www.threadless.com/critique/36304/Nice_Robot

great use of critique for the win!

you should give up on this design, it'll never go anywhere

R U CRAZY ^ bsweber???????????

too cluttered at the back. kill off one of the puppeteers imo
otherwise this shirt is pretty cool, wouldnt buy it tho

hey cool design :D.. and congrats for the win :D

salk820 on Feb 02 '09
R U CRAZY ^ bsweber???????????


hahahahahaha

very cool

submit this. It will win 2009 Bestee awards.

Congrats
Crit mine here

I really like the idea, but i've never been fond of shirts with front-back designs working in tandem.

Crit me? http://www.threadless.com/critique/36558/Imperial_Walker

i like how you can see some of the green hand sticking out

If you could put George bush's face on the politician I would buy it in a heart beat.

You know nothing about life in general. Please stop talking.

o you can put a sign on the podium saying vote for me or something.. maybe a bit to much though

Oh you get it now? I don't think you do.

Please submit this, I want to buy it so badly!

it's been printed Leadboy