Illustration for Canadian Punk band
This design was created in Photoshop and features hidden Easter eggs referencing the bands lyrics, adding an interactive element resonating with the band’s audience. The final illustration blends visual storytelling with their music to create a unique, collectible piece of merchandise.
Merch artwork has to sell, not just look good
Band merchandise is a revenue line, so the artwork is judged on whether someone buys and wears it. This illustration was drawn for the garment first — considered at print size, limited to a palette that screen-prints cleanly, and composed to look right on a body rather than flat on a screen — then adapted afterwards for the digital posts selling it.
Designing for the final medium rather than the mockup is the whole job. The same principle runs through my graphic design and print work. Merchandise artwork also has to work on a stall in bad light and on a product page at thumbnail size, which are opposite problems. Designing for both at once is what keeps the print selling long after the tour has finished.