December 20, 2009
We interview t-shirt designer Alex Mitchell.
TM: I see you’re also a teenage entrepreneur. What have been the challenges you’ve faced as a ‘teenpreneur’ and how did you overcome them?
TM: What was your first “big break” as a t-shirt designer?
AM: I’ve honestly never had a huge break out design, but when the local bands first started showing interest in working with me about three years ago is when the ball got rolling.
TM: Out of all of the t-shirts you’ve designed, which one’s your favorite?
AM: Probably a more recent design I did for the band Farewell To False Love. I just kind of went nuts with random shapes, photos, and textures. That design was also printed on a vinyl banner for the band’s backdrop.
TM: So what’s the idea behind your “artist name goes here” and “Bandname” shirts? How do you go about producing those shirts?
AM: In all honesty, those are both shirts that were not picked up by the original clients. The “band name” shirt is one I did two years ago when I found that pixelated-looking subway font. I just repeated it and blew it up at the bottom by selecting individual blocks of the font and placing them randomly. Splatter brushes helped a lot as well. As for the wolf shirt, the original client wanted a wolf. Thus, wolf! I took a photo a stuffed wolf head, cut it out of the background, and halftoned it. The entire shirt only consists of the text or the wolf head used in different ways.
TM: Which artists have served as an inspiration and been an influence to you?
AM: I remember there was a designer around when I first started called “Revere Design”. I almost worshipped the guy and his work. He motivated me to do the work I’ve been doing. Since I’ve branched out I discovered the work of Sons Of Nero, Go Media, and Kyle Crawford. David Carson, a graphic design veteran in my book, has inspired me more than anyone.
TM: What are some helpful tips you can give to other t-shirt designers out there?
AM: Do what’s cool to you, but don’t block out everything else. Accepting work from clients that you may think is a bit “off” will only broaden your horizons. I love metal, but that’s not stopped me from designing for pop-punk bands and hip-hop artists alike. Also something any designer will tell you: do not sell yourself short! Charge what you need to charge to compensate for your work and time.
For more info, check out Alex Mitchell’s site, October Promotional Design.
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