Designing a graphic tee offers a creative outlet for artists to craft original artwork that utilizes a T-shirt as their canvas. Creating your own masterpiece is all about being creative as possible with techniques that make your design stand out. Establishing your style is the best way to get recognized and make yourself unique amongst other artists. Like any design, check out the specs, brainstorm ideas, experiment with styles, then refine your style.
Getting Started on Your Design
When it comes to creating the digital artwork for a T Shirt consider size, resolution, and a few different techniques. Many T Shirt designers prefer to use Photoshop or Illustrator, depending on the technique and styles. If its Illustrator resolution doesn't apply, but when using Photoshop it's suggested that you design in color mode RGB 8-bit, with resolution 300 DPI. The suggested t-shirt design sizes are as follows: standard (17.5' x 19'), oversized (19' x 25') or All-over (40' x 35'). Next you want to want to decide what color T-shirt you want your design to be printed on. Though you can always change your mind after you make the design, sometimes its nice to start with a colored canvas. Now that you're ready to start it is up to you to come with originality and creativity to help your graphic tee win.
Here are T Shirt Design Techniques to Guide You
Master a T-shirt design concept, theme and idea: If your design is led by a concept, idea or theme, make sure that it tells viewers something
Abstract: An abstract design is a collection of shapes or lines that do not represent anything physical. Not an easy task to combine different elements to create something alluring
Composition: The layout of all the elements, from line, subjects and texture
Style: Through time you will develop your own distinct drawing style. Try to be original
Depth: the perceived distance from foreground to background. You can create depth with variable sizes and perspective lines
Color: Finding an awesome color combination to make your T-shirt stand out is key. Experiment with monochromic, contrasts, and lighting
Line, Shape and Texture: Direction of lines convey mood. Shapes need to be placed on a properly on a canvas. Texture is the surface quality of an object
Movement: Being able to portray movement through your design. Action lines, or capturing a object in motion
Balance: Making objects equal weight, to balance out a design through using symmetrical or asymmetrical balance
For a more in-depth Guide on How to Design T-shirt for Design By Humans, visit our DBH 101