Latest tip from the Art Life Collective forum

Actually, it's not so new, but something I just found digging through the posts on the Art Life Collective, forum from one of our custom T-shirt gurus.

Just about every graphic artist out there, myself included, heavily relies on some form of raster based software for post production. Photoshop has always been my weapon of choice -- not detracting from some of the other programs, I'm sure they work fine, it's just what I learned on.

While PS is a great program by its self, the great thing -- one of several -- about it is that it so readily accepts plugins, scripts and other customizations.

dr1sean2 posted this link on the Art Life Collective forum. Definately worth checking out:

"When you get sick of photoshops awesome leaf brush and other natural selections, check out www.imageafter.com for all kinds of great textures, brushes, and other types of photos."

Of course, I still draw alot of my stuff on paper, especially since, outside the digital realm, my real strength is pen and ink. However, I have found that, often by scanning my stuff into Photoshop, I have a whole new list of creative options available. Sometimes the work lives just as I drew it, but in digitized format to both preserve it and so I can move it around on the Internet. Though, again, with a few filters and tweaking in the Adjust Image menu, I get something much more to my liking.

If you follow some of my previous posts, you know my feelings about the arguments over whether digital work is actually art when compared to paper or canvas -- physical -- creations. I still don't like that the argument is even going on, but think it's especially silly and inane since I work in both and don't see either as mutually exclusive.

Latest tip from the Art Life Collective forum

Actually, it's not so new, but something I just found digging through the posts on the Art Life Collective, forum from one of our custom T-shirt gurus.

Just about every graphic artist out there, myself included, heavily relies on some form of raster based software for post production. Photoshop has always been my weapon of choice -- not detracting from some of the other programs, I'm sure they work fine, it's just what I learned on.

While PS is a great program by its self, the great thing -- one of several -- about it is that it so readily accepts plugins, scripts and other customizations.

dr1sean2 posted this link on the Art Life Collective forum. Definately worth checking out:

"When you get sick of photoshops awesome leaf brush and other natural selections, check out www.imageafter.com for all kinds of great textures, brushes, and other types of photos."

Of course, I still draw alot of my stuff on paper, especially since, outside the digital realm, my real strength is pen and ink. However, I have found that, often by scanning my stuff into Photoshop, I have a whole new list of creative options available. Sometimes the work lives just as I drew it, but in digitized format to both preserve it and so I can move it around on the Internet. Though, again, with a few filters and tweaking in the Adjust Image menu, I get something much more to my liking.

If you follow some of my previous posts, you know my feelings about the arguments over whether digital work is actually art when compared to paper or canvas -- physical -- creations. I still don't like that the argument is even going on, but think it's especially silly and inane since I work in both and don't see either as mutually exclusive.

Art Life Collective breaks the 400 barrier

Art Life Collective continues going strong. We now have more than 400 designs on the site and, at least at last count, 94 custom t-shirt designers on the site.

All and all, things continue to move along well. We have also seen an increase in sales, especially for those of you who are out there promoting your shirts, both online and in public. The online resources seem to be our best outlet for getting designs sold. We have been randomly promoting different designs in different markets to see what works best. So far, hitting classifieds in big cities plus artists posting in places where their specific work will be well received works best.

Also, Art Life Collective contributors need to continue to mention their work in places such as their blogs and Myspace and similar places. I have also found some forums where you are talking about your work. We are doing what we can to promote the site, but all of our artists need to do the same. The more attention you draw to your work the more it will sell. Also, if you have posted links on our site to your other work, any attention you bring to your page on ALC will also direct traffic to your other work. It's a win-win for everyone.

As for the site, as everyone has noticed, we have the first part of the on-site search engine up and running and it appears to be working without problems. We are now putting together coding to search artwork by title, keywords, etc. When we get that part up and going, our artists will need to add descriptive key words to each piece so it will show up in the search window.

The Art Life Collective forum is also turning out to be a big success. Thanks to everyone who is taking part. We especially appreciate the feedback we are getting about the site and the business, especially with regards to what color shirts you want added to the list of options for our customers and features we need to ad to the site.

Keep up the good work.

Art Life Collective gets notice on USA TODAY blog

Both Art Life Collective and our t-shirt designers got some notice this week on a USA Today blog on pop culture. It speaks well of both the site and our artists.
The site, Popcandy, gives mention of www.artlifecollective.com in an entry on shirt companies that acutally work with artists, not leach off their work. The part about ALC is towards the end of the column

It's great to be recognized this way.

Art Life Collective shirt designer search engine up

Brief update today, but it's big news for the custom t-shirt site. Art Life Collective now has the first phase of our search engine up and running. So far, it lets people search by artists or pull from a list of shirt artists we have on the site.

Next up, a key word search for the gallery. To do this, we will, once we have the code in place, need all of our artists to add keyword descriptions to their work. The search engine is currently accessible from the Artists Page, but is also in the gallery and other sections.

Also, we have a growing popularity in double-sided shirts, but our customers are not always aware there are two sides. The most popular of these designs is the Juggernaut, Bitch shirt, which has the Juggernaut art on the front and the entertainment logo on the back. Artis are encouraged to make note in their shirt title that it is double sided. Notificaton of such designs does appear on the order page, but not all of our customers are taking note, so lets give them a little help.

On a positive note, we are selling more shirts now. Blair has had to spend the past couple of days turning and burning to keep up with orders. That's great news for ALC and speaks well of the work our contributors are sending in. Keep it up.

Three more t-shirt designers join Art Life Collective

Sorry about the absense of postings, both here and on the Art Life Collective forum. I have not had much time to do anything on the custom t-shirt front since my newspaper is moving into a new building, and, as managing editor, a hefty chunck of the responsibility for keeping things running smoothly on the news front for the past week -- and next few days -- falls to me.

Things are going well at Art Life Collective, including the addition of several new artists.
Check out Ava E. Berlin's work:
http://artlifecollective.com/shop/index.php?main_page=detail&products_id=1646&page=1&cat_id=233

Again, little time or energy to blog today, just wanted to touch base. Also, one thing to note, we are going to post something at ALC about shipping turnaround times, not because we are having problems, but just to keep things orderly. It does take a couple of days, especially lately because of the popularity of several of our artists' designs -- especially the Juggernaut, Bitch shirt -- to get the images on the shirt and then get them out the door.

Also, we are still coding for a search engine. As Art Life Collective approaches 100 artists and 400 pieces of t-shirt designs, this has become a necessity and is right now our No. 1 priority.

GorillaSushi latest to join Art Life Collective

Art Life Collective has added yet another custom t-shirt designer to our roster. Welcome Jason Phillips. His GorillaSushi design absolutely rocks.

On another note, I know, I know, we promised a breakbeat session for Labor Day weekend on shoutcast station WALC, the audio outlet for Art Life Collective. Blair was supposed to spin live -- a treat. He, as Disco Super Chocolate, along with the guys from Aranji (Kudos Richmond) and my other brother, Chris, are some of the best DJs around. My iPizzle is full of thier stuff. Much better than most of what I can buy.

Unfortunately, logic broke down or we screwed our karma somehow and could not get the live feed to work. Blair thinks he has the problem licked, so expect great things in the future. I highly recommend recording his sets.

Juggernaut t-shirt still a big seller

It looks like Edward Ferrusquia has struck gold with his Juggernaut, Bitch t-shirt. It also highlights a tactic for shirt designers, not just the t-shirt artists at Art Life Collective, but anyone who is selling their work online. Find some popular, especially underground, theme and capitalize on it. Artists can do this, sell some of their product - always a good thing, and draw attention to their other work. Smart.

The Juggernaut shirts have sold so well, they have set records across the board for ALC, so we know this works. They are also bringing in people who are buying other shirts from other artists. So ALC t-shirt designers, take note on what works.

Also, notice Ferrusquia's bio and other info on the site. Art Life Collective exists to promote artists, for free -- heck, we even pay them to do it when their shirts sell -- so use the resources we are giving you guys.

Helpful hint: It also makes sense to promote your work on as many sites as possible, either in blogs, Myspace, Craigslist, etc. Just make sure you follow their terms of use policy and don't cause ALC or yourself any problems.

Juggernaut, Bitch shirt comes to Art Life Collective

Ok, we have been kicking around with our artist on how to sell their designer t-shirts.
Here are several posts from our forum on what we are trying to do. While we at Art Life Collective work very hard to promote the site -- not to mention keeping it maintained and running -- the best way for everyone involved is to help out.
Here are a list of suggestions from myself and one of the other forum administrators posted on the site.

If you have any questions whether or not it works,
http://artlifecollective.com/shop/index.php?main_page=detail&products_id=1388&zenid=53e6755d300fd250b719bdbbfa1aa66f&page=1&cat_id=95

After a little promotional efforts, that Juggernaut, Bitch design is our hottest seller right now.

So, here are the suggestions:
From Jules:
"My personal plan involves heavily masked manipulation, shameless eye batting, and total ridiculousness.

Get the word out over and over again... any way you can.

Post updates and pictures about shirts in blogs/on web pages (which reminds me...) - start a MySpace page, a LiveJournal page and blog about your experiences as a T-Shirt designer, a Social Networking page, link, link, link and link again to ALC through your other websites/webventures - people DO click on them.
Put links in the signature lines for all forum sites you belong to.

Send out "Glory to You" emails, begging to be forwarded to recipient’s friends and family. Send them out often (I write the stupidest emails just so that I can have the chance to email all my friends, imagine that).
AND YES. I beg. I don't care. I also use guilt tactics too. Shameless.

Upload new designs on a regular basis, and let people know - set a personal goal of uploading 1 new design every X weeks which gives you the chance to remind those around you of ALC, while providing new content consistently. If you have paid attention to the Shameless Self Promotion Threads, Mr. E has done this since joining the forums - a model which I applaud loudly. I watch for his posts about new shirts now.

Encourage other artists you know to join ALC. Now you have another member who knows you, who can promote your shirts as well as theirs. I have two buddies who joined and whenever I speak about ALC to other people, I always recommend looking at their designs as well as mine. I also prod the two of them to upload new content because I am fascinated about the work they bring to the table. Support your artist friends because they support you
(FUZZY!!).

Get a few of your own shirts printed and wear them out. Bring it up in conversation. Talk about the site. Talk about your designs. Get some cool shirts from other artists you like. Use their shirts to bring up your shirts.

Buy your own shirts and give them as gifts (birthdays, holidays, just because).

Design shirts for a specific event/specific group of people and let everyone know about them. Example: You are a member of Car Club (yes I am tailoring this for you right here.... Wink ) who meets regularly. Design shirts you think they would buy. Ask for suggestions... in the process you are rewarded with a new design that may sell to others perusing the site. If you meet with a group of women every Friday night, maybe they would enjoy knowing you designed something in celebration of that (which they will most likely find amusing and purchase as a group)... and there you go, another new design you can email/blog/promote to everyone else too. Tailor it and then promote it.

I also have similar plans of promotion that involve World Domination and Iron Fisted Persuasion. I will share those as they are birthed."


And, from me:
"And folks, don't forget about free classified programs like Craig's list and the like. I know I have seen a few ALC ads there, but we can always use more ... just make sure you follow their terms of use rules.

I agree with Jules about wearing a few of your shirts out in public, especially in places where the audience will be receptive to your particular work.

While I hope I can sell a few of my designs, I'm much more interested in generating general customer interest in the site. We have a bunch of designs that I think will go over well in Birmingham. Next time I head to the skate park or the Five Points South near UAB, I will be wearing an ALC shirt, either one of my designs or one of several others I have my eye on the site.

So far, the method of being seen in the shirts and getting them out there in the public eye has really worked. A couple of weeks ago, I did a one-off design for an employee who was leaving -- the shirt featured a local crazy one of our photogs just happened to catch. Amanda wore the shirt for a couple of days before she left and people have been going nuts around here to get similar stuff. And remember, this is Talladega. If we are getting this kind of response here, think what exposure in larger markets can do.

Also, you can't beat a grassroots, word-of-mouth method for promoting your work, especially online. Think we will call that the snakes-on-a-plane effect. No joke, the more your link and talk about it online, the more attention you will get. Check out some of the forums specifically for artists to share ideas and talk about your work.

Of course, we are working in similar ways, just shy of world domination, to bring customers to ALC, but the two are by no means mutually exclusive. The more people see your work or hear about it, the more it will sell."

Hope this helps.