Branded Tees are obviously something which serve a dual purpose, advertising the brand at the same time as being the latest addition to the brand design portfolio. It’s important for it to be a good design in its own right though, not just an easy way to add to the range. I always felt Daft Laddie wasn’t the kind of brand that needed to big itself up, instead I preferred to let the artwork do the talking. But I was persuaded differently not long after I started and the logo design was the result. Firstly in Navy on a beige tee, later Yellow on Navy. I went for Claret & Amber on a white tee with the dual purpose of having these duffel bags produced. Not enough demand for the bags to warrant a run on their own so I combined the print run with the tees in order to make it cost effective.
This hashtag logo would seem simple enough but the glut of photies proves the old adage of never taking things for granted. I found a font called Chiller which I immediately liked for this purpose, copy & paste in an email to my printer though was not the best practice. I took it for granted the font would turn out the way I sent it but as it turns out the text was corrupted in the email and I didn’t find out until the first lot were printed. The second lot were closer but still not right, third lot still not 100% until eventually I asked to see what I had sent and we found out what the problem was. Finally at the 4th attempt we got what I was after.
The Brick Wall idea came from a chance comment from my daughter Amber. I was struggling to decide on the best way to restart after our winter break, which is always the case year after year. Basically I find it’s difficult to engage with customers again following a break so want to announce our return with something of a bang. Amber suggested something simple but striking, drew a circle with DL inside it, suggested a wall behind it with the letters painted on in grafitti style and this is the result.
Brush Strokes design was initially intended for use on the Motherwell Amateurs jersey but the potential to use the design as an addition to the range was always apparent.
Dukla GK was again aimed at the Apparel side for use with the Dukla jersey with the added bonus of being a stand out design on its own merit again. This was produced in short sleeved, long sleeved and Sweatshirt format to test the waters further on items outwith standard T-shirts. Have to say with limited success but it opened a few minds as to the possibilities I believe.
