t-shirt tales

learning from my previous business endeavours

tuesday 12th march 2024

In 2014 I set up what you might generously call a streetwear brand. I was excited about all the Photoshop and Illustrator skills I'd learned at University and wanted to turn my hand to a graphics-based business.

My first 'designs' were posterized versions of photos I'd taken the previous summer. I stylised them to emphasize the textures of trees and buildings at different scales. There was no story, layering or overarching theme.

It wasn't long before I woke up with a new concept. I thought that my clothing 'line' should be based on famous landmarks. I was inspired by the original grunge Einstein t-shirt by Hype before making my Statue of Liberty graphic, modelled below by my friend Shane.

I sold a grand total of 6 t-shirts to my friends and 8 on my eBay store. Whilst I didn't set London Fashion Week alight, I did learn a few valuable lessons. I've noted some principles below to help guide me on my board game development journey.

1. don't rush through the product development process

I made too many bang-average designs. I raced at break-neck speed just so I'd have something to sell, never once stopping to consider whether or not I could sell them. I would have been better off slowing down to think about my aim and audience BEFORE spending £300 on stock, most of which would end up under my bed for the next 6 years.

2. be more honest

I tried too hard to hide behind a brand that wasn't established. I never once genuinely shared who I was or what I was up to. I looked to Palace and Golf too much and thought that by acting like these brands I would automatically follow in their footsteps.

3. stop worrying about everyone stealing your idea!

I've learned that any kind of design process will take you on a meandering journey past your original idea and into territory unknown. There is definitely a case to be made for protecting an idea. However, I now think that intellectual property worries shouldn't come before you've implemented anything!

thanks for reading

Michael

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