(no subject)

[kirkcudbright]

For the UK bike trip, I bought a fabric screen printing kit so I can make custom commemorative t-shirts (jackets, sweatshirts, underwear, whatever). Once the screen is made, it can be applied to anything.

The map image is based on a CIA map from the University of Texas, cleaned up and silhouetted in Photoshop, then Live Traced in Illustrator. For the chain, I disassembled and scanned a link plate from a dead chain, then laboriously traced over it in Illustrator, scaled it down, and created a scatter brush with the appropriate spacing. Laid down the path, and applied the brush for the inner plates, then copied the path and offset the start point for the outer plates. Then Expand Appearance to turn the brush images into individual link objects, and tweaked and prodded individual links until they laid properly. But it worked.

The route in the image vaguely approxmiates the route we'll be travelling. In particular, the long gentle curve through the Midlands indicates a lack of firm plans.

The green in the image vaguely approximates the color of the ink I picked up. The kit came with black, red, and yellow, but those didn't seem appropriate to England's green and pleasant land.

So, questions for the artistic types, because I can no longer look at this objectively.

• Does the design work for you? Does it need text (possibly on a different screen, to print in a different color), e.g. "Three Legs Across Britain"?
• Does the color work for you? That's easier to adjust than the screen, but I'm hesitant to buy more inks for a very short print run project.
• Any other thoughts?

Comments

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

i like it.

i'd suggest "three legs, four wheels". you can tell it's britain by looking :)

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Usually, when I think of green and England, I think of "British Racing Green" which is a bit darker. But that green looks fine.

Could you add something to mark the start and end of the trip (flags? bicycle wheels? sprockets? ???)

How about adding a small bicycle and rider to the chain around Liverpool?

If you silk screen the design will the details of the chain links get lost?

[solarbird]

Could you add something to mark the start and end of the trip (flags? bicycle wheels? sprockets? ???)
If you put a little stick-figure biker on bike on the bottom left, like they're about to start riding up the chain, that'd accomplish that goal, I think.

I think as it is it'd make a marvelous patch, tho' I agree some mildly abstract text might be good. I don't understand [Unknown site tag]'s suggestion, but it's the right kind of thing.

[kirkcudbright.livejournal.com]

The reference to "three legs" is that my cycle buddy Dan is an amputee (who I met while we were biking across the US).

[kirkcudbright.livejournal.com]

I've never done silk screen before, but the kit includes the chemicals to photo transfer the design to the screen. If it doesn't work , I can thicken the lines of the chain.

[frobzwiththingz.livejournal.com]

I like it as is. If all the details will show up on a shirt, it needs nothing else.

[doctordidj.livejournal.com]

I love the design, and the chain looks great. The color you've chosen looks like Kelly Green to me, and I associate it with Ireland, particularly when focusing on the British Isles ... I have no idea if Brits will think there's a political message in this choice of color, but I mention it just in case.

Great idea!

[tcb.livejournal.com]

I really like it as is.. it's simple and elegant. if you wanted to have text, maybe you could have it on the back of the shirt? or have the design on the back and text on the front, maybe something small like where a breast pocket would be..

I can't help but notice the color is close to FTP-green ;)

[klingonlandlady.livejournal.com]

I also like it as-is. I'd be tempted to add an international Ped-figure on a bicycle, in white, on the large area of green in the southeast... but I'd have to see it to know if that'd make it look too crowded. Assuming the chain reads ok when printed, that says it all.

looks great!

[(Anonymous)]

Paul,
Funny how the simplest designs take the most time. Go with it and your gut. I am in need of a design for my next trek so lets talk. Also the Ireland E2E Ride I will do before I leave for my around the world jaunt will be in need of some shirts also.
PS saw Andy in England two weeks ago he is well. He spent that day enteraining my girl friend I went to England with, LOL while I was in meetings, the rogue! Found her asleep in our hotel room at 6 pm! turns out he is quite the ladies man after all! He is heading to north Africa to put up cell towers but I will see him again when I go to Belfast next month
cheers
Dan