I was reading an article the other day about how much American work compared to other countries - it was pretty depressing. Then I started thinking about what we sacrifice in the race to get ahead. Sometimes I feel like I have become a slave to my standard of living. It seems like the happiest people I know, are th poorest people I know. I'm not saying they are happy because they are poor, or that being poor is awesome. I am saying that they are happy in spite of being poor. They seem to be able to focus on what they have, as opposed to obsessing about what they don't have. Anyway, I came up with this shirt based on that train of thought- hope you like it. In the meantime, I'll be in my cubicle, dreaming about all the great crap I could buy with the prize money if I win.

Oh here is the article where I got the text for the background:
http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0728-02.htm

wow!

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I like your message, but I'm not sure that is coming through in your design. How do we get all that from a paper doll on a popsickle stick?

I would have to agree with Sunshine.
Once you explain it, it works; alone, not so much.

I'm not implying that all of that comes through in the design, it was just my train of thought that lead me to it. The design just represents the cookie-cutter nature of some careers, and peoples willingness to submit to mediocrity.

Thanks for all the feedback

Great explanation and design! 5

It seems to remind me of a blue man group music video for some reason...

i'd like this if he were walking off a cliff...

i like how the businessman is being shafted. deep.

I love it! Awesome concept, cool illistration. $5.

is the text the background on the shirt? i can't tell...if it, is it isn't showing up well on my screen...and cool concept.

No, the text is just some background reading material. You can visit the link to read the article if you like - basically just saying that we Americans are getting screwed as far as vacation days go.

I think I would almost like it more with the text on the background... fading in and out or something...

it should be bigger on the shirt.

It's just another uptight American with a stick up his ass, right ?

I think the thing that works the best for me here are the colours. Really good choices here man!

The idea is a bit vague without the explanation, but I get it and would wear this so a 4 from me! The guy is really well done too.

A good antidote to the frankly evil 'Perfect Living Plan' submitted a couple of weeks ago, but the design doesn't sufficiently illustrate your point. Walking off a cliff was a decent idea.

YAY awesome - good choice w/ style, placement & colours! $5

So true!

i love this.

like a lot-ly.

but yeah, i wouldn't get it if you didn't explain it. i wouldn't expect other people to get it.

i'd still buy it though.

i like it, but make it more obvious its a popsicle stick. put a joke on it or something.

I like the anti 9-5 cookie cutter lifestyle message. I think that's clear enough. The details you explained can't be expected to be conveyed on a t-shirt. But, I think this design is missing something. If maybe there were several of these people interacting or something. Or maybe some of the poor people don't have popsicle sticks up their butts?

I actually did try to put a joke on the popsicle stick, I also tried wood grain, but both just seemed to be more confusing - I couldn't think of anything else. Mostly I just wanted to to keep it simple - it's more my style.

I can definitely see why someone would be a little confused after reading my intro - I kind of rambled a bit, but that was just what was on my mind at the time.

I don't think I could pull this look off, but I love the concept of this design.

I'm still giving it a 5 =]

cool =]

Its a little bland

that is what makes it geniousss.

Awe shucks it weren't nuthin'

I really do like the message. Recently I decided that I wasn't going to college, and that instead, I was going to become a missionary. None of my friends support that because I have always had good grades, and everyone always thought I would be rich. I think with a bit more work the design could convey the message without having to actually have the message to explain it.

Its not that it rocks to have money, it just sucks ass not to. And even if you do have money you're made to feel like you should have more... you can't win really..

fantastic consept... and even though the text backround isnt going to be on the shirt if it was (which you probably cant do because you didnt right the article) i think it would be B.A. if the whol shirt was that text everywhere and then the "puppet" business man on top of it all...

I hope I don't sound like I am complaining or being self-righteous. I have been very fortunate in my life, I have a great family and a good job that i enjoy (most of the time). So I consider myself very blessed, sometimes I just find it hard to focus on my priorities because of the demands of work. It's probably a pipe-dream, but I wish we could work less, and spend more time with our family and friends.

[response from the crowd] "Yeah, screw THE MAN!"

i think i'm anti popsicle stick but pro text background

$5 we're just like the ants, maaan

This is cool...

awesome

still a wanker