Sayings On Shirts
Having strictly text on your shirts is anathema. You shouldn't do it.
At least, that's what I think. Their are some exceptions, and today was one of them.
People just generally aren't that witty, or relevant, or shocking when they make their shirts. It's generally just stupid. I was on the unfortunate end of one of these shirts, given to me by an aunt or uncle for Christmas. In plain black text, it says, "I have decided to put myself in charge."
Now, this is a bad text-only shirt. First off, what does it mean? Where is th econtext? If you know me, I'm a laid-back kind of guy. Or timid, depending on your point of view. Second, in charge of what? Where's the context? I mean, it makes me look stupid, to be honest - it shows that I am so lackluster, so spineless, that to even suggest that I take charge of a situation is ludicrous. Third, the text is too small, merely covering up . Now, this is meant for a casual passerby on the street. They simply won't have time if they're passing me by to read that.
The best t-shirt should read like the best bumper sticker. And unfortunately, bumper stickers reached their humour apex with "Shit happens." They simply do not work in any way, shape, or regard.
That being said, their are exceptions, like the shirt I saw today.
While walking to get comics, I saw a young black male wearing a t-shirt with a distinctive text saying, "I'm not a rapper."
Bam! Now that's a shirt! It's got a context - the confrontation and attempted destruction of the myth of the black male who is automatically a rapper or entertainer or free-styler or MC or whatever. It's simple - four words. You can't go over five words, and five syllables would be good. Thirdly, it was big, taking up nearlyl the whole shirt, clearly visible, simple. Fourthly, it establishes what I presume to be his character (I never talked to the guy.) It establishes that he cares deeply about race relations, that he knows what affects them, and he's willing to make a statement on them. Or that he thought the shirt was cool. Fourthly, it was brightly lit, with a nice yellow. It was what text shirts should be.
That is all.
At least, that's what I think. Their are some exceptions, and today was one of them.
People just generally aren't that witty, or relevant, or shocking when they make their shirts. It's generally just stupid. I was on the unfortunate end of one of these shirts, given to me by an aunt or uncle for Christmas. In plain black text, it says, "I have decided to put myself in charge."
Now, this is a bad text-only shirt. First off, what does it mean? Where is th econtext? If you know me, I'm a laid-back kind of guy. Or timid, depending on your point of view. Second, in charge of what? Where's the context? I mean, it makes me look stupid, to be honest - it shows that I am so lackluster, so spineless, that to even suggest that I take charge of a situation is ludicrous. Third, the text is too small, merely covering up . Now, this is meant for a casual passerby on the street. They simply won't have time if they're passing me by to read that.
The best t-shirt should read like the best bumper sticker. And unfortunately, bumper stickers reached their humour apex with "Shit happens." They simply do not work in any way, shape, or regard.
That being said, their are exceptions, like the shirt I saw today.
While walking to get comics, I saw a young black male wearing a t-shirt with a distinctive text saying, "I'm not a rapper."
Bam! Now that's a shirt! It's got a context - the confrontation and attempted destruction of the myth of the black male who is automatically a rapper or entertainer or free-styler or MC or whatever. It's simple - four words. You can't go over five words, and five syllables would be good. Thirdly, it was big, taking up nearlyl the whole shirt, clearly visible, simple. Fourthly, it establishes what I presume to be his character (I never talked to the guy.) It establishes that he cares deeply about race relations, that he knows what affects them, and he's willing to make a statement on them. Or that he thought the shirt was cool. Fourthly, it was brightly lit, with a nice yellow. It was what text shirts should be.
That is all.
posted by Marshall McMahon at 11:33 PM
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