Zazzle stuff I've been up to...

[capri0mni]

So, the last time I ranted here about a new design for Chemerigons, I was working out my wrath at the whole phenomenon on "awareness" ribbons... Thanks to input from chasingrainbows, I settled on this one (finished the shirt last Friday, I think):

Not your fashion statement by Chimerigons
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And here's the copy I wrote to go with it:

(quote)
Message, in multi-colored hand lettering: reads: "My LIFE is NOT your Fashion Statement." The 'O' in 'NOT' is formed from a red prohibition sign over a dotted line silhouette of an "awareness ribbon." Discarded awareness ribbons, in a variety of colors, are scattered around the words.

It's human nature to want to show support for loved ones and friends. But for those of us on the receiving end, that "concern" can feel stifling and patronizing -- especially when its expression takes the form of a mass-produced pin that someone can stick on their lapel and forget about.

This shirt can help remind those around you that the best way to show support is to stop making statements and start listening.

This design is also available on a mug.
(unquote)

I was happy with the design, but the subject matter was not happy-making.

Well, it turns out that that night, Zazzle had a sale on mugs (unbeknownst to me), and I got a message in my box alerting me to the fact that someone had bought my Plot bunnies mug. That cheered me up. And it reminded me that my original focus was going to be creativity-and-writing based designs, so, on the 5th, 6th, and 7th, I switched gears and made a bunch of stuff.

Can't Sleep. by Chimerigons
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(also put that arrangement [without words] on a mousepad)

Flights of Fancy by Chimerigons
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(also put that on a mug [left- and right-handed versions], a coaster [not sure if I like that], a mousepad, and apron -- and I made a slightly different design for black / dark shirts -- put color in the "whites" of the creature's eyes so s/he doesn't look horrifying, and changed the color of the text)

and:

Make a Nice Day by Chimerigons
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(Also put that on: a tee-shirt, a mousepad, an apron, a button (badge) and a refrigerator magnet)

Then, all day yesterday and today, I've squinting at my computer monitor working on this (this is one-quarter full size):


Caption:
A unicorn-like creature with a single paintbrush in the center of its forehead, massive scissor-like jaws, and tail with a giant, sewing needle barb. Its hind legs are living calligraphy pens, and its front legs are living pencils. Its "horn" and body are dripping with several colors of bright, thick paint.

The black outlines were drawn freehand in pencil and ballpoint pen. All color was added on the computer, using Printshop Photo Pro.
---
But I'm not sure what to do with it yet -- does it need "supporting" graphics (paint splat designs), a psuedo-Beastiary /Hitchhiker's Guide/Fieldbook entry text? that sort of thing...

Comments

[rob_t_firefly]

I really like that ribbons shirt.

One of these days, I will actually have a money or two with which I shall raid your shop.

[rob_t_firefly]

(sorry, hit tab too soon.)

"Make a nice day" is brilliant as well, and OMG the creatures!!!

[capri0mni]

"Make a nice day" has been an idea for a shirt, button, what-have-you that has been rattling around in my head for over 30 years now.

"Have a nice day" has always struck me as patronizing and wimpy -- and not nearly as much fun as making your own.

But back when I was 16, I didn't have a fancy computer (or a mug-printing shop) to be able to give the design the shiny justice it deserves.

And hee! That first creature just sort of came out -- I think it started with the beak. The Art Creature, I first dreamt up as a mascot for the LJ comm "Glarmaco," which jekesta started. But the only image I had was too low res, so I redrew it from scratch with modifications...

[capri0mni]

I really like that ribbons shirt.

Thanks. The ol' Internal Editor was kind of niggling at me, saying the design might be too busy, or it would be better if all the ribbons were "clean" and the same, except for color... You know, the same old stuff that bastard is always saying.

...with which I shall raid your shop

D'awww!

[spiralsheep]

I love the "NOT your fashion statement" t-shirt.

[capri0mni]

Oh, good -- q.v. my reply to rob_t_firefly.

Generally, I try to avoid sentence constructions that use negatives ("I am not afraid"), because the subconscious brain -- the part that needs the message -- just doesn't hear them ("I am afraid").

But the prohibition sign was such a tempting graphic element... And then, I realized that both "My life is not your fashion statement" and "My life is your fashion statement." got to the very heart of what's wrong with awareness ribbons (or wristbands, or teeshirts, or mail-in coupons from yogurt lids, or whatever the next trendy trend will be).

[spiralsheep]

::nods enthusiastic understanding::

[capri0mni]

It was such a deliecious moment when that particular lightbulb clicked on, and I could tell my Internal Editor (who'd been mumbling: "avoid nagatives, negagives undermine your message," for about an hour) to STFU.

I still had clenched-jaw/anger headache from putting so much attention on the subject matter when I was finished, though... Which is why I switched to "flights of fancy" and smiley faces...

[jesse_the_k]

The flights of fancy one is delightful. Can you do front + back? It would be delicious to have the words and a sprinkle of smaller flying chimerigons on the back, with the rest on the front.

The unicorn of creativity is lovely all on its own. I think adding a caption would just distract people from the message in the art.

[capri0mni]

Actually, the white flights of fancy one does have the design across the back -- at least, the "fantasy squadron" of witches, flying carpets, dragon riders and flying ships -- receding into the distance in a diagonal repeated pattern across the back.

I haven't figured out what the original creature would look like in flight, yet, much less drawn it... nor whether or not it should have a rider on its back, at that point...

Thanks for your input re: "Creativity Unicorn" ... That could be why I haven't be able to come up with any words for it.

It's too bad Zazzle doesn't allow for all over printing (yet), 'cause I think some of those day-glo paint splatters would be fun on the sleeves, and around the collar...