As a part-time hobby I design artwork for tshirts for a whole range of amazing clients.
Usually they send me a drawing or a screen-dump of something they’d like to see printed on a Tshirt. Unfortunately some I have to reject because of ‘Intellectual Property‘ laws, or it’s a blatant ripoff. Satirical pieces I have done, but more often I redesign an idea into something completely new.
Some people might take offense to words in some of my tshirt designs. Maybe they grew up in an era where sexual thoughts and offensive language were not made public let alone printed on tshirts. Or on a coffee mug. Or on leggings.
At the very least I look at client ideas, and think to myself: “If I was to reject your idea because I don’t like the message, or the lifestyle it promotes, or how some religious zealots may react, what am I really saying? That I am putting others’ beliefs above my client’s gender or life-choice? That someone else runs my business? That I can or will only do artwork with the approval of ALL the people in my life? Of course not, that would be silly. No, I won’t do that.“
So occasionally I design a few tshirts that are going to offend a few people. Well, that’s easy: Don’t look. If you see the tshirt in the street, talk to that person – they paid for it. Or turn away. It’s like watching TV: If the channel is showing something you don’t like, change the channel.
To date nobody has complained or commented on my artwork – yet by publishing this, they may now.
When a client or a follower wants a design, I show them three examples of my design of their idea. Because they are rarely on commission, I show them how to purchase online via Redbubble.com. It’s really easy, you can pick from a whole lot of different colors, tshirt styles, and other merchandise you might like to see it on.
Checkout the following merchandise designed for various friends over the last ten years.
If you like any of them, you should be wearing them. Don’t let anyone stop you from being what you were born and who you are. Each image links back to my redbubble tshirt gallery where you can choose which best suits you.
PostScript: I finally designed an unusual request from a few years ago earlier this week. It’s actually nothing new, but they wanted to see how I would approach the design. Yes, the client is a lesbian – get over it. I know them, they are a beautiful person, and their lifestyle has no impact on you or me. In her words … “Even if you were my type, you’ll never know. Those that are my type, often know before I do.” That’s how all relationships should be. Look out for this tshirt-design, it will be online very soon … and I imagine it will be more popular than the ones above!
Creativity & Artwork of Stephen Mitchell 
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