Threadless

Cart Status
0 items
Cart Actions
view cart
Show search options
chobee
chobee aka Josh Borgschulte is a 28.66 year old boy, has been a member since November 1, 2005, has scored 2,037 submissions, giving an average score of 0.72, helping 12 designs get printed.
URL: http://joribo.com
AIM: joshborgschulte
Type, text, and words in designs
I have seen quite a few comments on t-shirt designs concerning complaints for type on tees. I can understand the complaints if the type is absolutely not necessary (example). But when the design needs the written message, a lot of people start warning them that they're going to get "hate comments" about their usage of type (example).

My question is why? Why, in this community is type so easily reviled on tees? Typography is beautiful and should be allowed to flourish in any design setting. Especially when it is well kerned, aligned, and utilizes the appropriate typeface.

So I'd like to know your opinions? Do you like type on the regular shirt submissions? If so/not, why?

discord
discord on Jul 19 '06 at 3:31pm
i don't see why 'the color of the beast' needs any typographical explanation. it's right there in the 666 swatch!



anyway.. i agree with your statement - it has to be used appropriately. generally, i think a lot of images already convey a message without having text next to it.



so i guess i like typography when [a] there's no design; [b] the typography IS the design.
chobee
chobee on Jul 19 '06 at 3:48pm
So, you generally don't care for typography alongside an illustration or say, a photo (outside of threadless, of course)?
chobee
chobee on Jul 20 '06 at 7:31am
Favorite fonts or type designers anyone?
discord
discord on Jul 20 '06 at 8:17am
maybe i should have said.. part of the design.



if someone made the scene from kill bill.. where the girl is under the bed, and she says 'whimper' and it is in the shape of 'breath' or whatever, then that would be ok. because the typography is part of the design. in the case of 'color of the beast' it was merely under.. serving no artistic purpose. however, i'm more inclined to say that i'd rather not have type on a tee, unless it's smashing, because the design should be able to speak for itself. typography is just the cherry on top. case in point: http://www.threadless.com/submission/84267/Norm_Al



i love to see typography used well. but it really does make or break the design. :]
chobee
chobee on Jul 20 '06 at 12:35pm
good explanation.
Skyiscool
Skyiscool on Jul 20 '06 at 12:36pm
I'm a big fan of text everywhere. I like letters.
lovesushi
lovesushi on Jul 21 '06 at 7:54am
I'm glad to see this being discussed. I've only been a threadless member for about 8 months and I'm starting to get wise to some of the common complaints. I also don't like text if there's no point to it's usage, but when it's well executed it can really add something. It's the whole reason I bought My Dearest Friend for a friend!
chobee
chobee on Jul 21 '06 at 3:39pm
that's a good reason to buy that shirt, sushi. haha
You must be logged in to leave a comment.

My gallery photos

I haven't submitted any photos. I guess I don't want free money.

My designs

→ All of my designs