Profile for geoffbrady - Rejection -> Dejection

geoffbrady aka Stephen Broughton is a 24.16 year old boy, has been a member since October 3, 2007, has scored 504 submissions, giving an average score of 3.39.

URL: http://geoffbrady.net

Jun 10 '08 by geoffbrady

31 Comments

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Rejection -> Dejection

Well, Lonely Vinyl was rejected. I'm rather upset about that. I thought it stood a decent chance in the submission round; and failing that it might have made a few of those that scored it smile - even if they didn't want it printed.

The two reasons were peculiar. The first was that the judges thought it was too simplistic; and recommended I used the critique system. The design had gone through the mill on that front twice, until no-one made any further recommendations and suggested I should submit.

The second reason was that it was mostly text. I don't buy that. Threadless approves text-only shirts via its slogans system; so why not text with an image? The image is integral to the pun. I had put the slogan (minus the image, of course) through the slogan system, which proved unpopular: it just doesn't work.

I don't think it's a bad t-shirt: it might not be top notch (so please do comment on the critique, which is still running) but I thought it deserved to be put through its paces. Where do I go from here?

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 10:56am

They do approve designs that consist of mainly text, but the text has to be worked as a design element, not like just placing a font.

Examples:

Never could get the hang of Thursdays 2.0 - Threadless, Best T-shirts Ever

Some Things Take Time - Threadless, Best T-shirts Ever

Rock With Your Horns High - Threadless, Best T-shirts Ever

(last one's mine)

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 10:58am

I suggest you don't get discouraged, keep trying and use every design to improve, use them as a step to your next piece. It's hard to please the Threadless audience, but there are some that manage to do it consistently.

Torakamikaze on Jun 10 '08 at 10:59am

i think the fact that the slogan proved unpopular shouldve been an indication that it wasn't the strongest idea to begin with.

just try something new and keep at it. sometimes you just gotta scrap things

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 11:08am

Well, I'm afraid I don't agree with you Torakamikaze... I had some very good feedback from those that commented in the critique process. And I understand, againstbound, about the inclusion of text, I just don't think it's fair. Why have slogans if such bold text is such a Threadless taboo? It feels as though if I had just moved the text within the record design it would have gone through... why?

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 11:19am

And apologies if I'm starting to establish myself as a moaner, but is there much difference between my design and something like

Everyone Poops - Threadless, Best T-shirts Ever

martiandrivein on Jun 10 '08 at 11:22am

There is a difference because the text is a pop culture reference. The image is both political and satirical whereas your image is just static. Granted, the text isn't handled beautifully, but that also explains why it was printed over 2 years ago. Something like that wouldn't have a chance today.

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 11:25am

You had very good feeback from how many people? Even if you get 100 great comments that doesn't ensure you a great score, much less a print, and people liking a design not always speaks about the quality of it, but about their own taste.

Torakamikaze on Jun 10 '08 at 11:25am

keep in mind a handful of people in the critique forum is quite pale in comparison to the 2000 that will be voting on it. The problem with the critique forum is that most people just say 'good job!' and just move on... never actually giving a legitimate critique, thus giving the designer this false sense that their design is going to do really well when pushed into the running.

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 11:45am

But on the other hand, everyone could vote "5" for a t-shirt - because it is very well done - but would not buy it because they know they wouldn't wear it. I know I have. It should be about taste. Sure my t-shirt isn't as fancy or as arty as most of the others, but I'm confident people would buy and wear mine.

martiandrivein on Jun 10 '08 at 11:46am

some may, but I can guarantee you they are more likely to shop at Spencers, hot topic, or Urban outfitters, than Threadless.

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 11:47am

That's pretty subjective, you know? It seems natural that you will like your own design, but I think threadless has a much better idea than us of what sells.

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 11:48am

That should be irrelevant, in my opinion.

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 11:49am

Well yes... but as far as I know, they are rather objective with their submissions until the point when voting has finished. At that point it is they that choose which t-shirts to print.

martiandrivein on Jun 10 '08 at 11:51am

haha how is that irrelevant? Threadless is the one making the shirt. Sure, they could put it up for voting, but knowing that the majority of their audience wouldn't buy it/it would drop in the voting stage, they save you the embarrassment. Don't let it discourage you. Keep trying and learning. my first 4 designs were declined, and I've had quite a few drop early, but it doesn't keep me from keepin on.

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 11:52am

Yes, beacuse they know what sells, and they also have quality standards.

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 11:59am

If I have understood Threadless' mission and raison d'etre, it prints the designs created by its community that prove popular amongst those in that community. I said that it's irrelevant since I don't see why t-shirts similar to those in these shops should be immediately ruled out.

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 12:04pm

I think you're overdefending that design.You know what I do when I get a crappy score on a design that I put a lot of work into? I start working on a new one and try to improve myself every time. And not to be harsh but I really doubt your design would have got a good score.

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 12:09pm

I really don't care about the score. I feel that the score doesn't have much bearing at all on the success of the design. There are plenty of t-shirts that I would have readily bought that do not surpass the '2' mark - and furthermore, some of these have gone to print.

I am more interested in how many people would buy the tee should it go to print.

canadianbeaver on Jun 10 '08 at 12:11pm

The design was not good enough to get on to round one.

I have been up to bat over 80 times and I still get dropped at 24 hours sometimes.

Chin up and try something else.

Move on.

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 12:13pm

Yeah, but it's not getting to bat that's so disappointing! I wouldn't mind being dropped after 24 hours - at least I would have known it really wasn't popular.

canadianbeaver on Jun 10 '08 at 12:13pm

Print the thing yourself and sell it on the corner if you want to find out.

Who wants a donut?

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 12:15pm

Before I'd do that, I'd do some market research you know... like putting the design in front of people and seeing whether they like it. :P

shadowboy on Jun 10 '08 at 12:19pm

Don't work yourself up too much over this. Threadless has reviewed thousands and thousands of designs... they have a pretty good idea what will work.

I think it's a clever idea, but perhaps there is a better way to execute it. I know that isn't much help, but you have a choice: either revamp the idea or drop it and move on.

ISABOA on Jun 10 '08 at 12:21pm

self rationalization wastes so much of our precious lives

move on and you will be better for it

geoffbrady on Jun 10 '08 at 12:24pm

Well thanks for your encouragement :) It does need a revamp (again!) but the critique system isn't really helping much. If anyone has any ideas...

againstbound on Jun 10 '08 at 12:28pm

The critique is deeply flawed, it can help sometimes, and mostly let you figure out details but it won't develop your idea for you. You need a solid idea of what you want and what direction you want it to go since the start, and also the necessary skills to execute it.

ISABOA on Jun 10 '08 at 12:29pm

see my point is don't revamp it - put that time and effort into something new

don't be hindered by failure - let it fall to the ground and keep walking

plus the vinyl t-shirt has been done over and over - so in order to get a shirt like this printed it needs to be earthshatteringly awesome - and your design is not even a tremor

also - do not take it personally - most everyone here has dozens and dozens of dead designs we have left behind to be buried in the sands of time

shadowboy on Jun 10 '08 at 12:31pm

The critique system will only get you random suggestions from a handful of folks who know what they're talking about, and a universe of clueless yahoos.

If you'd rather not just move on, I would suggest completely rethinking it. Take the same concept a wholely different direction. You may have to push your own limits here.

shadowboy on Jun 10 '08 at 12:32pm

ISA is wise.

You are not the first to feel dejected.

Malcolm Man on Jun 10 '08 at 12:38pm

Shadow boy is right. During the critique process I keep an eye out for people I know and respect as artists. I take the rest of the comments for what they are: just random opinions.

In the end you gotta make the call as to what you think the best decision is for any particular design.