This is a concept for the Threadless Loves "Pre Loved" Challenge.

This design was inspired by a junk yard that I used to go to. There's something about walking through a junk yard and seeing all the different cars in various states of decay. I often find myself wondering where they have been, what roads have they traveled, did a family own it, a little old lady, what happened that they are now here rotting away… forgotten, abandoned.

I love old cars because they have so much more character than new ones do. They wear their dings and dents and scratches and faded paint like badges of honor. This shirt is dedicated to all the forgotten cars out there that once upon a time were someones pride and joy.

As always, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

I used a combination of photograph (manipulated with live trace) and vector for the weeds and distressed rays.

Final total = 6 colors.

This is the same as V1, just showing placement. The idea is that the design wold wrap around from the front of the shirt to the back on the right hand side.

Awesome design, I like it a lot. I would buy it, but I'm not sure other people will appreciate it without the design conveying what you described under V1.

Perhaps put more focus on the car and/or give it more character. I know the style is completely different, but you could even personify it. Really emphasize the dings, scratches, and dents like you described.

By the way I love the radial dirt design in the background. Very cool. : )

Thanks. The car is still a work in progress. I wanted the whole thing to have a mixed media/collage type feel so I don't want to over simplify the live trace effect on the car, but I do agree that it needs a little more emphasis on the distressed aspects.

great design! u've hit it with the colors.. i wud submit

Wow! I love it! I will say to sub it!
Thanks for your comment, i hope you will give me other feedback in future.

Cool placement. Those nice particle light rays could use a different color, golds might help seperate the 3 levels of imagry. Your foreground grass is very intense, hiding the car in the mid-range, enhance car shadows adding darkness for more influence, and lighter earth toned particles will give it a crisp look, making it easy to read.

others please check out my critique
Burnin' Love

think the splatter texture should be more random.....don't like the sunburst layout of it at the mo

otherwise lovely

would appreciate your comments

the 2 white grass strokes in front of the car are disturbing me :) you don't really see if they are part of the grass or part of the car. I'll keep it saperate: grass green, car black and white.

Interesting design. I think the white lines of grass are a bit out of place. I agree with Hagnii that you'll need to explain your design in the comments on submission. To improve it, i suggest adding just a hint of colour (in Photoshop "Colorize") to the car. Currently it still has an "unloved" feel and maybe a hint of red or something could lift it a bit?

Could you perhaps vote on my design, Castles of Sand if you haven't already? And keep an eye out for my new design in the submissions, for the Preloved competition?

Thanks! :)

Thanks for all the comments everybody. The car is indeed still a work in progress, and the more I look at the grass the less happy I am with it so I'll be revisiting it we well. II prefer to do all my designs for t-shirts in Illustrator only because I feel I have more control over the number of colors being used.

V2 should be up early this week.

Also, my other design is currently pending approval for voting, so if you get a chance, check it out. just a fun little jab at Emo kids for the Pre-Loved" contest.

Someone Loved Them Once

Thanks

Nice design! The only thing that comes to mind is that it would be interesting, though maybe bad looking, if beams were coming out of the headlights. Otherwise, submit.

If you don't mind, would you look at my Panda?

nice design, great concept
i agree you could emphasize the "distressed" aspect of the car a little more
but i like the color and the placement

if you get a chance can you comment on mine thanks

Round 2 really. Made some adjustments to the grass and also added some grass behind the bug. Also spent some time "distressing" the car a little more. I still have a little more work I'd like to do with it, but thought I'd post up and try and get some more feedback.

Also thinking of changing the name to "loved bug".

Any and all comments are appreciated.

I digg it man but maybe try to experiment with different colored shits while at the same time keeping the grass green (obviously)?
I think a navy shirt would look sick with this print. Other than that, it looks good to me...

Not sure about those rays. I'd take those out and create a horizon just above the left headlights and go across. See that crease there...for some reason it looks like it. U got alot going on with the VW and the grass already.

I like the idea tho man.

hmmm...wait. I've been looking it for the past 10 mins now, and I think i quite like it. The rays kinda work giving it that distressed feel you're after. Great placement. I say submit it

haha, I was just here staring at it thinking that no rays and some grass defining a horizon might be a good idea. haha

hehe...maybe try it? never know man. =D

i think that this was ready on v1, now its more detailed, but still.. submit it.. dont change it

can u pls help me out

Submit :)

This is a really cool design. I think its of a standard where you could submit it as it is now. Pakpandir raises an interesting point-- I'd be curious to see it without the rays but with some breezy stretched out clouds instead. The rays say 'action!' but the vibe I think would be best is 'chill...'

If you've got the time, it'd be great if you could score my first submission.

OK, on to V3 or 4 or whatever this is at this point. hahaha

It seemed the one thing that was bothering folks was grungy the sun burst and the more I read the comments and looked at the shirt the more I started to not like them myself. However, without something behind the bug the shirt just felt empty. So, in keeping with the "chill" feeling of the shirt, I decided to add a tree behind the bug.

So, what do you think?

Wow, nice improvement.
Not only did you get rid of the sun shape, but you added the tree that look really great! I think you're ready to submit!

Does the tree actually continue on the back of the shirt?

Can you vote for my design?

The tree and the back end of the car and the grass will wrap around to the back of the shirt, yes. I just want to get the design itself ironed out first then I'll post up a final image showing both the front and back.

Thanks.

this turned out to be a lot different from a starting grungy t shirt.. it was beautiful before, now i think this has a great chance to be printed. congrats, i think this is it, if threadless doesnt print this, can u print few urself, i wud like to buy 1.

actually, you're about the 10th person to tell me that. :D

I've got a few connections with silk screeners in the Chicagoland area so I may go ahead and do a few of these if the design doesn't get printed. I really want one for myself.

Of course. This is such an obvious answer to the "pre-loved". Who didn't once love an old VW. Great idea and execution. Sub it.

This is the last day for scoring and commenting on a submission of mine. Would you be so kind as to score and comment Window Seat?

i like it, but i think you should add some action or a different color point, like a sun or an animal

thanks for the comment.
im really digging this...
i feel like the bug needs to fit in a little better with the rest of the design, and the only thought i have for that is to tone down the white. it makes it seem separate.
can you try making the white a lighter if not similar green as the background shirt itself?

also, noobie question for ya, how do you post a link to your own critique like you did on mine? does it have to do with the a href stuff?

i agree with mrmikes about the white - maybe try a light shade of green instead and possibly even make the brown of the bug a dark shade of green (although that might be a step too far)
absolutely love the tree in the background and the weeds in front of the car - so well integrated, they look fantastic.
so yeah, bar some very slight colour issues with the bug, i think this is awesome!

yoiu know what, i might actually take all of that back. just looked again and suddenly really like the way the bug stands out in it;s different colours. apologies if i've now confused you more than i've confused myself!

no doubt this is the best v. till now!

i'd leave the background for now, its perfect. work more details on the VW car :) colors..

oh hey, i assume this is gonna b for VW pre-love...is it unrealistic to add sort of a sunshine/ray..with VW logo shadow on it? i dont know man...sorry if im blabbering..got to reduce these coffee hhehe :)

thanks for ur support forsingha!

No logos allowed for this contest. The only reason I actually went in this direction is because I'm a die hard VW fan so when the contest came up there was really no question what I was going to do. :D

The original design had some grungy sun rays in the background but the general consensus was that they didn't flow properly with the feel of the shirt. That's where the tree came in.

Currently it is 6 colors so in theory, I could add two more and see how it looks. Maybe a bluish grey in the car and an additional shade of green in the grass.

Thanks for the comments everybody, keep 'em coming.

Thanks for all the input everybody, I think it's really helping the design evolve.

OK, so I added two additional colors bringing the total up to 8 now. I made the tree and the grass behind the car (as well as a few strands in front of it) a darker green - I feel the more saturated green matches the value of the colors in the car nicely actually. I also added some slate blue accents to the car. Not a lot, but enough to add a little more depth to it I think.

Thoughts?

Oh, and the "white" isn't actually white, it's 15% black. so it won't be super stark.

unique style...don't change a thing...:)
critique mine:
http://www.threadless.com/critique/47100/My_Pre_Loved_Cup_of_Coffee
thanks!

this is great
its got a nice balance to it
i'd say submit it

if you get a chance could you critique mine?
http://www.threadless.com/critique/47652/Space_Hand

submit! i want it!

I love it! Submit!

Crit me?http://www.threadless.com/critique/46450/It_s_a_beautiful_judgment_day

Can't think of anything to add so a submit tick from me! :)

hmm, on the contrary to wht i said in ur v4, u sure did a lot by making lil changes to the trees n grass! haha, never thought such subtle touch make visible difference.

i wont comment much on the car color now, but perhaps u should smoothen it up a bit? the lines..im unsure if making the beetle solid would be too much or b a great effect against the fade background? :) sorry...my comment's vague :(

This is definitely better than the other versions. I think its ready to be submitted. Great work.

Could you please vote for my design

Sub dude, it's perfect.

I'm liking it dood. It works well. its great. I believe its ready for submission!

it looks great, i really like the slightly dark whites, i agree with just about everyone here, submit this!

check mine out?

damn it, a friend of mine now has me second guessing myself. I hate that.

It was suggested that the right side of the shirt seemed a little empty and that the design may "end too abruptly". So, I added two additional trees and a couple of birds in an attempt to give the piece a bit more depth.

What do you think? Am I over thinking it?

Thanks

Wow! I like it as it is! I think it has a very good chance.

Love the texture. If you want to give it some depth, make the trees you want to appear further away a lighter shade. Something that fades in with the green of the shirt.

I agree with the comment above, fading the trees that are further away will definitely add more interest. other than that, its a good shirt. $5 from me.

Hmm, I actually like the last version better with the single large tree (although I think it'd look cool with the birds thrown into the 'empty space'). If you keep this version, I agree with everyone else- fade the smaller trees to start to blend with the shirt color.

Great design! :)

Also, I really appreciated your critiques on my shirt and i have a new one up. If you get the time =):

http://www.threadless.com/critique/47687/Vinyl_Beauty

I also updated the one you commented on.
Thanks!

hmm..i was quite happy with the negative spaces on the previous version. Quite like the birds tho. not sure about the 2 trees.

Just put up v2. Can you please comment on me clouds pls? hehe. Thanks mate. Terra Micro

OK, trees gone, but birds stay. I kinda like 'em.

Thoughts?

Thanks for all the feedback everybody, it's greatly appreciated.

i kinda liked them two but my main problem with them i think was that they were the same, to me that one area seems a bit empty now perhaps a different type of tree? or something else to fill the space.. idk but people seem to like it with out so maybe not idk

also, have a look at mine :) id appreciate any suggestions you got :) critique

Man you're good! i love it... i say submit!
and for the "Someone Loved Them Once" it's super cool man but still waiting for an approval. But i tell you this that is a great work and definitely get $5 from me! :D

Please tell me when it has approved ;)

Thx for your comment on my design

Thanks for your crit... Love this style of illustration I think its perfect as it is there is in my opinion nothing else you can do to improve this. I say submit, i'll definitely score you 5!!

Thanks guys. I'm thinking this is the one as well. Going to give it until the end of the day and then make my final decission, so if anyone else has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Again, thanks for all the input, I don't think any good design can be developed in a bubble.

COOL! i like it. Definitely a $5 from me. I'm glad you didnt add the 2 other trees. The negative space helps the design breathe. Its great stuff

Ya, really great. Submit it for sure

If you have a sec, do you mind checking mine out?

this is a real unique style and i love it! the birds are a yes for me! good luck!!

check out my 1st sub: space camp, its the last day to vote!

What are you waiting for? submit it!
I uploaded a new version, if you want, have a look

http://www.threadless.com/critique/47324/OPS_Crash

Cheers

Thats it! Submit! Good luck!

dversdzn, the background is now smoother n neat! now tht the trees r gone.

i'd still the final touches lies on the car..u can maintain 2 tones..say grey n blue? isnt tht the classic cali look? used to own one of 'em hehe..

btw, i've made some changes to 'singha', care for a crit?

OK, so this is the last version before I push it into the running. I've wrapped the graphic around to the back of the shirt and made some minor adjustments to the color and line work of the car.

I think it's ready.

Any last thoughts? :D

I really like this, but didn't they say not to use the VW?

they said no logos.

Oooooo i Really really like this. I would probably wear this, if not my bf would. its ready to submit.

thanks for the comments

It's been submitted for approval so fingers crossed. Thanks again everybody for all the input.

If you have a chance I'd appreciate a vote for these two:
Someone Loved Them Once
and
Loved Bug

Hey man all the best! I'll keep an eye on it for sure. Can you please comment on my work again. Your feedback is very valuable =D Terra Micro

great stuff!, i'm sure this will make it!

ah the tree and birds are gorgeous! i like it better without the burst.
I submitted a new version with your ideas in mind. please critique again!
Moonlit Lovebirds

and this one
Fly Over Me

hello.
i love this one as it is but i have one little concern.

i just joined yesterday so i read the starting pack. i went back to check but...

"Design Is Too Large For Print
A submission will be declined if it’s too large for traditional printing and also not suitable
for belt printing. Common oversights with placement include designing across the tee
from edge to edge, carrying a design over a seam onto the sleeves or off the top of the
shoulder. We love larger format prints, but a design meant for regular screen printing
should be constrained to a 15" x 20" (38cm x 50cm) area."

i thought this might be a problem! i hope not tho... it looks great as it is.

dversdzn yup! Fingers crossed dude! Like the way it wraps arnd the t. Keep us posted whn it's up for scoring!

btw I'd value ur vote/comments on my genie ;)

looks good, be sure to update when its up for scoring

No Way Dude you can't have a VW car its against the rules!!!

Only kidding I've been copping the above remarks all week see my VW design here hope you don't cop the same - nice design BTW I'll be sure to check it out when its up and running!

Submit!
Your last version it´s definitily the best one.
It´s a great idea to combinated photo b/w with this kind of green.
Good luck!

If you´re sitting in front of computer, check mine design please