Tee-Shirt Design Help

[Killasandra]

Well my boyfriend has started this one-man band-like thing, and he's really into it so me and my friend decided to make some merch, namely tee-shirts, for his birthday. So this is what I've come up with so far. I want to get what feedback I can before I go farther. I've been thinking im going to watercolor the tentacles in such a way that it drips down, but that's just my idea, if you have any ideas I'd love to hear as well as any crits you can offer.

Thanks in advance =D

[MiniGoth]

things to think about for tee shirts.

Printing cost: black and white is less than gradients, is less than color - the more colors, the pricier the shirt is going to be.

Is there something unique about the design? There's nothing 'wrong' with this idea, but I don't see anything different about it than a random graphic from the mall. What is going to make someone want THIS shirt?

Does it represent the band? Again, I don't see a whole lot about this design that's notable in terms of design.

What sort of music does he make?

[Killasandra]

MiniGoth:

Thank you

Well we have the cost worked out and everything so we're good there. It's not going to be a real colorful shirt, the skull is staying white and the tentacles are going to be a red/purple-y mixture as of now. Also, I still have to add his title so that will add some character to it due to the font I'm going to be using.

We weren't really going to make a whole clothing line, it's kinna a personal project for a select few people.

Yeah, I see what you mean, I'm just not sure how to make it more personal, per say.

Hmmmm well he is doing screamo/death metal-esque music so I was going for a more morbid, grotesque look

[MiniGoth]

What about creating an image based on one of his songs?

[Killasandra]

Well that's the thing, he hasn't added vocals yet, and he refuses to show me the lyrics to surprise me....and we need to get the design in soon. :/

I suppose I could weasel them from him some way or other.

[MiniGoth]

...hm. Or even a 'caricature' of the man himself playing the instrument - with devil horns, or a tail, or tentacles...

An' the band name in there somewhere, maybe.

Tough nut to crack without much info, fer sure.

[Killasandra]

Hmmmm yes, that could work actually, I like that idea.

Im putting the band name in there, no matter what design I use, I just haven't gotten it into this one yet because I'm still working on it. The name is Deadnoble by the way.

Yeah, I'm going to try and get some lyrics from him so that will probably help.

[MiniGoth]

Ooooooh - there are some possibilities with the name! Rotting kings and such...

You have the chops to make something REALLY cool, don't settle for the generic 'death metal' thing - own it!

[Killasandra]

Yeah, you're right, im going to try and do something more creative hehe, thanks you've been really helpful, all inspiring and whatnot

[MiniGoth]

Anytime .

[Killasandra]

OH! I forgot about this...like as a thread XD And I just remembered it. Since I colored the picture in question I think it would be best if I showed you guys, eh? so hear you guy, crit away.

OH again, this is gonna be a design. But only a tote-bag design for me and my friend, I'm working on another for the tee-shirts, a more meaningful one if I can manage it

[MiniGoth]

If you can get a reasonably priced reproduction on a canvas bag, I bet that would have an audience.

[Killasandra]

Thank you! We do actually, my friend found a site that does them for a set price, and we're only doing two at the moment so it's affordable.