What Makes a Cool T-Shirt

[joannekwan]

Recently a guy I've been working with for a while is trying to start a Kickstarter campaign for his graphic novel. One of the reward tiers is a T-shirt. I originally proposed designs using the character's silhouettes set against a special mark they each have but due to time constraints I was not able to render them all out. He decided to go with the straight logo right smack dab on the chest. It leaves something to be desired to say the least. I mean it's serviceable, I could see it on like freebie shirts. I don't see it as something people would pay money for though.

So my question to you all is— what kind of designs do you like to see on shirts and would pay money for?

Feel free to share any of your favorite shirts as well!

I figure this thread could be helpful to anyone wanting to design shirts for their series and other merchandise they could sell.

---

Here are some of my favorite graphic tees from my wardrobe.

[Michelle]

I like designs that are like... undercover nerdy. As in, if someone is a fan of the property, they'll recognize it on the clothing, but to everyone else it just looks like a cool design. My partner has some Dragon Age scarves that random people always compliment him on just 'cause they think they look cool, they have no idea it's from a video game.

I think of shirt designs in the same way as original character prints; I don't wanna hang up a print of someone else's OC just standing around posing, but if the overall picture is cool, I don't care if I don't know the character. :T So yeah, to sport someone's comic title/logo slapped on a shirt would make me feel more like I was wearing a billboard ad than a piece to an outfit. I wanna be fashionable dangit!

[KoreanTacos]

Apparently Marilyn Monroe dressed as a "gangsta" is pretty popular with the kids today...

For me in general I like humorous clothing. I feel if it makes me giggle it might make someone else giggle too.

[Devika]

Pretty much what @Michelle said, on both the undercover nerdy and the billboard ad. I like being able to wear it just like that, without having to be at a con to not feel oddly singled out xD Sleek designs that look nice in and by themselves are big pluses.

On the topic of logos... I went into a clothing store the other day and the employee was like "HELLO here, have a [lollipop brand]! We have a [lollipop brand]promotion, here's the collection!" And showed me the clothes. Most prominently, a neon pink shirt with a massive [lollipop brand] logo on it. And I just thought... Why would I pay for advertising for you? It just felt SO backwards.

But thanks for the lollipop.

[Rogerson]

if you want to know What Makes a Cool T-Shirt? check it out RafTshirt.com

[lunaartemisasama]

I love t-shirts with designs from cities or cultures where I have been or not... (my guilty pleasure lol).
Also the ones with cool illustrations.