If you want to use these images in your client projects, then it’s good to ask the owner of the photo, but most times you can get away with it if you are manipulating it beyond comparison, which is what we are planning to do. For the sake of this tutorial, it’s just learning. Now some may ask about copyright laws and whatnot.

I just searched Google Images for this one. It helps a lot if you find an image that’s fairly large – preferably over 1500 pixels. For the sake of this tutorial let’s stick to photos. For those who can’t draw, search the Internet for a stock photo. Once you have an idea, start sketching around. Get out your sketchbook or open up Firefox. Think of an original concept and go with it. If you want to sell shirts however, skulls are so trendy right now it might make you some cash. You might be tempted to use skulls or other typical dark imagery, but you really should try to come up with something new. But I find that quite a few just want something “dark” and “scary.” So that’s what we’ll give them. Or if this is a personal project, what YOU want. Let’s get on with the tutorial! First, open up Photoshop and Illustrator, as you’ll be using both. This tutorial was made using a vector pack available at Go Media. You can do a Google search for “vector packs” or “stock vector art” and you’ll find some resources that will give you just the effects you are looking for. It’s a quick and easy way to get that cool look without actually doing a lot of custom work.

But what most t-shirt designers are doing these days is using stock design elements and clip art. How do you make all those flourishes, splatters, and other design elements? Some do it by hand and draw their own flourishes, wings, skulls, etc. This aesthetic can look ultra lame if done badly, but hella cool if done right. Why? Don’t ask me, but I’m sure it’s got something to do with the recent rise of popular screamo, metalcore, and hardcore bands into the mainstream. This tutorial takes you through creating a t-shirt design using vector graphics.Įverything you see in Hot Topic or Pac Sun these days features some combination of skulls, flourishes, splatters, and miscellaneous grunge effects. Grunge effects are very popular with today’s apparel designers.

Adobe illustrator to design t shirt