T-shirt Design

Scenario: You are a graphic designer working for a graphic design studio. The account executive has recently received a project to design a t-shirt for an organization.

The client has asked that the t-shirt be created using 2 colors and be a typographic solution. The account executive would like to see 3 different creative approaches. The account executive will then sign off on one of the designs to show to the client for approval.

Once the creative approach has been determined you will then produce a tight comprehensive design.The client has asked that all digital files be delivered for printing purposes.You will work with your art director on research, idea exploration, and concept development.

You will submit thumbnails to the art director, who will then choose 3 concepts to develop into 3 tight roughs. Once the roughs have been approved by the art director, the client will select one for the final comp.

In order to make sure that the job is scheduled appropriately, prints correctly and all electronic files are configured correctly you will be in close contact with the production manager. The final comprehensive design of the menu will need to simulate the final printed menu as closely as possible.

The client has asked that all of the digital files be delivered at the completion of the project.

Client: SFCC Graphic Design Club

Production Notes...

Copy:

The design must contain the following:

  • Spokane Falls Community College or SFCC
  • Graphic Design Club
  • 2006


Target Audience: College students and/or members of the design community.


Objective:

This T-Shirt should promote the Club and the Graphic Design Program yet be wearable by the general public. This T-Shirt can be abstract yet should promote the concept of graphic design in our society. This shirt will be sold on campus and to raise funds for the Graphic Design Club.


Some suggestions are:

Typographic Design, Portrait of Historical Design Figure, Portray design movements (Bauhaus, art deco, post-modern, etc.) or Something radical, something cool.

Budget: Client has the budget to print 2 colors.


Student Examples   2005   2006     2007

View the project deadlines.

Step 1: Meet with your projects instructor.

  1. Go to the T-shirt Project Page and collect the project information:
  2. Print out a copy of the sign-off sheet
  3. Attend meetings (classes) with the projects instructor, who will be your account executive for this project.
Step 2: Meet with your process instructor.
  1. Go to the T-Shirt process page and collect the process information:
  2. Attend meetings (classes) with the process instructor, who will be your art director for this project.
Step 3: Meet with your technology instructor.
  1. Go to the T-Shirt technology page and collect the tech information:
  2. Attend meetings (classes) with the technology instructor, who will be your production manager for this project.
  3. Determine prerequisite skills necessary to complete the project.
  4. Complete project exercises
Step 4: Complete project research.
  1. Define the target audience.
  2. Define the client need.
  3. Collect examples of t-shirt designs.
Step 5: Develop thumbnails
  1. Create three different concepts for the t-shirt design.
  2. Sketch the t-shirt design in thumbnail form.
  3. Verify that your work meets thumbnail criteria.
  4. Submit thumbnails to the art director for sign off / approval.
Step 6: Develop rough layouts.
  1. Develop roughs from thumbnails which were approved by the art director.
  2. Rough layouts will be half the size of the final t-shirt design and communicate more detail than the thumbnails.
  3. Verify that your work meets roughs criteria.
  4. Submit roughs to the art director for sign off / approval.
Step 7: Submit rough layouts to the client.
  1. After the art director approves your roughs, meet with the client and present your designs.
  2. The client will sign off and approve the design to be taken to final stage.
Step 8: Meet with the production manager.
  1. Determine the skills and steps needed to produce your design (digital strategy).
  2. Discuss your digital strategy with the production manager.
  3. Ask the production manager about any issues you are unsure of.
  4. When it is clear that you understand how to produce your design correctly and efficiently, the production manager will sign off / approve your strategy.
Step 9: Produce the digital comp.
  1. Create all vector images using Illustrator.
  2. Assemble text and images.
  3. Conform to standard pre press criteria for all file preparation and type formatting.
  4. Make backup copies of all files after each work session.
  5. Print a black and white laser proof and check for correctness and accuracy.
  6. Have "Digital Comp/Peer Review" of your color digital comp.
  7. Make appropriate revisions.
  8. Print color separations and check for correctness.
  9. Make appropriate revisions.
  10. Create a PDF version of the final design.
  11. Create an EPS version of the final design.
  12. Copy all final documents to the server folder(s) specified by the client and production manager.
  13. Make an appointment with your art director for sign off / approval.
Step 10: Verify correct file preparation with your lab instructor.
  1. Have a "TECHNOLOGY PEER REVIEW" of your project files before meeting a lab instructor
  2. Make an appointment with your lab instructor to sign off on the following:
    • hand in studio (lab) time sheet
    • show back up filing system
    • discuss file organization and naming conventions
    • discuss learning strategies
  3. Verify:
    • Correct vector file preparation.
    • Correct font choices and styles.
    • Correct color usage.
  4. Print out and complete the print preparation checklist.
  5. Submit the completed checklist to your lab instructor for approval/ sign-off.
Step 11: Submit final comp to the client for sign off / approval.
  1. Project should be linked up to the roster page provided.
  2. Project should presented using the html template provided.
  3. Client should receive all digital documents and a composite pdf file on the server as specified by the client.
Step 12: Fill out self-assessments: