We recently held a super exciting t-shirt design competition that was open to all Art and Design students graduating this summer. To enter, each new grad just needed to submit a design they felt would look awesome on a t-shirt – it could be something they had already created or a completely new piece of artwork, it was that simple!
We had an incredible response, with well over a hundred entries (see some of our favourites here). And boy were we impressed! We wish we could print every single one, but only one new grad can be the winner of the £3,500 career launching prize package. Keep your eyes peeled, as next week we will be announcing the lucky winner and the two runners up. If you would like to find out more about our lovely judges, check out this post. Anyway, we have managed to narrow it down to eight finalists, and here they are!
We’ve created a little profile on each finalist, just so we could get to know them a little better. Here are our first four (in no particular order) and the next four will be posted early next week!
What advice would you give to your first term, first year self?
Take as much time as you can to experiment with different medias and
techniques to find your signature style. This is what will make your
work individual and stand out. It’s not an easy journey, there will be
some of your work you don’t like, but each creative block, each
problem you encounter, will help you progress and improve your
illustration. Just enjoy it, work hard, and the results will be
rewarding.
The inspiration behind my t-shirt design entry came from…
Mystical subject matter is something I’ve always been drawn too. The
piece is called “Ambition”, it shows a unicorn in front of a starry
night sky. The project was inspired by portraying each of the seven
heavenly virtues.
My signature style is…
My work can be described as delicate ink work, mixed with elements of
fantasy and surrealism. In terms of technique, I like to concentrate
on detail, paying special attention to fine pointillism and line work
using fine liner and indian ink.
This summer, I plan to…
Begin a brand new collection of colourful all over print designs! I am
also excited about putting a team together for a photo shoot, it would
be wonderful to see the Violent Delight Apparel vision finally coming
together.
A blog I’m loving at the moment, is –
www.niallgrant.tumblr.com
To see more of Anna’s work click here, or check out her blog www.violentdelightapparel.tumblr.com
Uni is now over, it feels… free and weird. I’m excited.
What advice would you give to your first term, first year self?
I would tell him him to try grapes because I thought I didn’t like them around that time and I would also tell him to just go crazy and experiment with his work because University is a great time for that.
The inspiration behind my t-shirt design entry came from…
researching runes and glyphs for a comic book. I came up with this collection of bold graphic gestures as a stand alone piece stemming from that.
A blog I’m loving at the moment, is – www.consumeconsume.com
When I have a moment spare I love to… go skateboarding.
In five years I’d like to be… making more things than I make now!
To see more of Dom’s work, check out his website www.dominickesterton.com or blog
Uni is now over, it feels…
Exciting and daunting. In equal measure.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be…
A chef or an engineer.
What advice would you give to your first term, first year self?
Ride your bike more. Do a lot more self initiated work, less uni briefs.
The inspiration behind my t-shirt design entry came from…
Weirdly it came from a project I was working on, involved in a global music collective.
A designer I’m loving at the moment, is –
A guy called Matt Luckhurst, really playful fun work.
In five years I’d like to be…
A professional cyclist….or more realistically I’d just like to be doing work that helps people.
To see more of Josh’s work, check out his website www.joshuaelliff.co.uk
Uni is now over, it feels…
Like a combination of fear, dread and utter excitement. I don’t know what will happen in the coming months but I feel re-affirmed in my ability as an illustrator and just cant wait to get out there and draw!
The inspiration behind my t-shirt design entry came from…
My love of food, bold fashion, and incredibly sassy women!
An item of clothing I can’t live without, would be…
My mustard coloured cardigan, seems to just fit with everything and it’s a beautiful colour.
An artist or designer I am loving at the moment, would be…
Mel Stringer (www.melstringerart.tumblr.com). Her work is just amazing.
In five years I’d like to be…
Creating something beautiful that people really enjoy. I just want to make people smile with my work really!
To see more of Emma’s work, check out her website www.emmainky.tumblr.com
Icon Printing are a custom clothing company based in Shoreditch. For more an instant quote, please visit our website. Call on: 0207 183 8431
instant quote, please visit our website. Call on: 0207 183 8431