When did you start designing t-shirts? How did you get into it?
Back in July 2007. I needed the extra cash because I was going to get married in December 2007. So I looked for freelance jobs in craigslist of all places. Then I saw an ad for t-shirt design, applied for it and got the job. I realized that there was a demand so I started to just do t-shirt design. I quit my job last February 08 and haven’t looked backed since.
Do you mostly do commissioned pieces, contest submissions, your own t-shirt lines, or what?
I started out with commissioned pieces but I knew of all the contest sites even before that. Never really had the guts to join because I thought I sucked haha. When I joined and won on DBH, it gave me more confidence to do contests. So nowadays, I make sure I submit regularly on DBH and Threadless. My own t-shirt line is something I’d like to do down the road. I think the best path would be to create a following from fans and being on the contests sites can help do that.
What are your sources of inspiration? Are you influenced by specific artists or movements?
Website-wise there’s tons out there. I get inspiration from all things design and art related. Regular visits to notcot.org, joshspear.com, ffffound.com is like coffee in the morning. I also love the works by artists on emptees.com and it’s really helped me push myself to get better.
As an influence, I’m a big fan of the DADA movement and their “nihilistic attitude towards the traditional expectations of artists and writers”. I always try to go beyond the usual when it comes to my t-shirt designs. Stylistically, I can relate to the abstract expressionists who’s art is about spontaneity and movement. I’d like to think my work is never static. I respect how artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Warhol, and the new guys like Banksy and Shepard Fairey have changed at how we look at art.
Where can your online presence be found?
AJ’s online portfolio
Design by Humans
Threadless
Emptees
Behance
Coroflot
AJ’s other online portfolio
Where are your t-shirts available online?
Design by Humans
Thriving Ink
Any advice for aspiring t-shirt designers?
1. Keep at it and try to develop your own style. It’s the only way to stand above the crowd.
2. Join contests to get your name out there
3. Join emptees. You learn a lot from other designers and a lot of clients can find you there.
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