*Trend Report 2013*
Well we are past half way through 2013 and it’s time to reflect on the good times, the awesome times and the weird and wonderful moments so far. We’ve seen some amazing graphic tees come through and with the adding of the Collectives trends are appearing like beads of sweat on a hot July evening in California.
So let’s see if my previous trend forecast was at least close "(Previous trend report from me)":http://www.designbyhumans.com/forum/dbh-news/1151177/2012-round-up-2013-emerging-trends/
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"RAINBOW TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=rainbows
Now in my last report I said more color so I’m taking this as the same thing. I don’t know whether it’s because of the double rainbow meme of last year or a love for rainbows in general but they definitely came full force in 2013. Rainbows in space, rainbows at the beach, painted rainbows, eyes bleeding rainbows. You name it we had it. Rainbows are pretty so I say bring on more. More color in abundance, I win that round.
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"WOLF TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/wolf-t-shirts/
Now I don’t want to say that Game of Thrones is responsible for this one but a lot of these wolf designs look like Direwolves. I didn’t predict the wolf invasion but I did watch the show. As a fan I am happy to see wolves on tees but as a fan of the UK soccer team The Wolves also, I am even happier. Wolves FTW!
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"PANDA TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/panda-t-shirts/
Those cute and cuddle bears have exploded onto our chests and I saw that one coming a mile off. We have a plethora of awesome panda tee here. We have seen loads of cool fun panda tees, but also some with strong messages. The panda is cute but remember they are endangered too! Don’t just wear the tee, support the cause.
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"POP CULTURE TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/pop-t-shirts/
Pop Culture is always around in the T-shirt world and in recent years it has exploded with many nerdy TV show/movie/gamer tees appearing. Design By Humans isn’t usually a place renowned for pop culture tees but the Collectives have seen a rise in the genre. A good concept and a fun new approach will always make for a great pop culture tee that will stand the test of time.
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"CAT TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/cat-t-shirts/
Lions, Tigers and Leopards have always been popular but in 2013 we saw a surge in these and domestic cat tees. The internet loves our feline friends and it looks like the Design By Humans community does too. We had a range of funny tees and roaring good art tees too.
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"TATTOO TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/tattoo-t-shirts/
Tattoos are always on trend and this year we saw a rise in tattoo style art. Iconic traditional pieces and some more elaborate twists on this art style. I see this as a growing area of the Design By Humans catalog.
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"COMIC TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/comic-t-shirts/
I predicted this area as a trend. While we did get some winners in this category there wasn’t as big a trend as I had predicted. Always a cool style and as far as I am concerned always welcome at Design By Humans.
*NEW & EMERGING TRENDS*
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"FLORAL TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/skull-cross-bones-flower-shirt/14565/
Florals are on trend and I am not sure if it’s a summer trend or a longer lasting trend. Flowers and natural elements mixed with darker icons are making the rounds in the T-shirt world. A unique balance is required to pull this kind of tee off.
![]()
"WHIMSICAL TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=WHIMSICAL
People seem to want their tee to tell a story, have a meaning or display a character with a playful back-story. With the explosion of “good feeling” typographical pieces on the internet people seem to want their fashion to also have a deeper more thought provoking message. “Everything will be OK” is the general message but I also like the move towards representing iconic literary figures or homage’s to books or stories. Get your whimsy on!
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"PHOTO-REAL TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=photo+real
This area has always had a place in the T-shirt world but this year Photo-real came back with a vengeance. Nostalgia and instagram combined on a T-shirt. Iconic portraits, beach scenes, sexy people and fun concepts through photography are all on trend. This is a long term trend and not one I see going away. I also think mixing photography with hand draw elements is on the rise and something I really like.
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"HUMOROUS TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/funny-t-shirts/
Humorous tees are very prevalent in mainstream fashion but clever humor with a twist seems to be trending. Not your average joke tees these are more sophisticated and often require a second look. Maybe related to certain community they are almost inside jokes. Tongue in cheek, cheeky, naughty, edgy and fun. This style of tee isn’t instantly laugh out loud but more subtle nodding smile in appreciation.
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"DARK ART TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=dark
The dark arts are growing and I don’t mean in a Harry Potter way. I mean art centered a round death and darkness is making a come back. Dark art icons are all over fashion items right now, some subtle and some verging on offensive. Here at Design By Humans we never want offensive but a peek into the dark underbelly of fashion never did us any harm. Skulls have mass appeal but these tees are a little more edgy than just skulls.
Obviously if you use one of these themes you do not get an automatic print but it’s a good starting point for inspiration. I’ll add to it too. Please post any ideas you may have. If you want to see a designer attempt a certain design idea, post it here. Bring the trend setting art folks!
Exciting times.
*wotto*
"RAINBOW TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=rainbows
Now in my last report I said more color so I’m taking this as the same thing. I don’t know whether it’s because of the double rainbow meme of last year or a love for rainbows in general but they definitely came full force in 2013. Rainbows in space, rainbows at the beach, painted rainbows, eyes bleeding rainbows. You name it we had it. Rainbows are pretty so I say bring on more. More color in abundance, I win that round.
"WOLF TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/wolf-t-shirts/
Now I don’t want to say that Game of Thrones is responsible for this one but a lot of these wolf designs look like Direwolves. I didn’t predict the wolf invasion but I did watch the show. As a fan I am happy to see wolves on tees but as a fan of the UK soccer team The Wolves also, I am even happier. Wolves FTW!
"PANDA TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/panda-t-shirts/
Those cute and cuddle bears have exploded onto our chests and I saw that one coming a mile off. We have a plethora of awesome panda tee here. We have seen loads of cool fun panda tees, but also some with strong messages. The panda is cute but remember they are endangered too! Don’t just wear the tee, support the cause.
"POP CULTURE TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/pop-t-shirts/
Pop Culture is always around in the T-shirt world and in recent years it has exploded with many nerdy TV show/movie/gamer tees appearing. Design By Humans isn’t usually a place renowned for pop culture tees but the Collectives have seen a rise in the genre. A good concept and a fun new approach will always make for a great pop culture tee that will stand the test of time.
"CAT TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/cat-t-shirts/
Lions, Tigers and Leopards have always been popular but in 2013 we saw a surge in these and domestic cat tees. The internet loves our feline friends and it looks like the Design By Humans community does too. We had a range of funny tees and roaring good art tees too.
"TATTOO TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/tattoo-t-shirts/
Tattoos are always on trend and this year we saw a rise in tattoo style art. Iconic traditional pieces and some more elaborate twists on this art style. I see this as a growing area of the Design By Humans catalog.
"COMIC TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/comic-t-shirts/
I predicted this area as a trend. While we did get some winners in this category there wasn’t as big a trend as I had predicted. Always a cool style and as far as I am concerned always welcome at Design By Humans.
*NEW & EMERGING TRENDS*
"FLORAL TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/skull-cross-bones-flower-shirt/14565/
Florals are on trend and I am not sure if it’s a summer trend or a longer lasting trend. Flowers and natural elements mixed with darker icons are making the rounds in the T-shirt world. A unique balance is required to pull this kind of tee off.
"WHIMSICAL TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=WHIMSICAL
People seem to want their tee to tell a story, have a meaning or display a character with a playful back-story. With the explosion of “good feeling” typographical pieces on the internet people seem to want their fashion to also have a deeper more thought provoking message. “Everything will be OK” is the general message but I also like the move towards representing iconic literary figures or homage’s to books or stories. Get your whimsy on!
"PHOTO-REAL TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=photo+real
This area has always had a place in the T-shirt world but this year Photo-real came back with a vengeance. Nostalgia and instagram combined on a T-shirt. Iconic portraits, beach scenes, sexy people and fun concepts through photography are all on trend. This is a long term trend and not one I see going away. I also think mixing photography with hand draw elements is on the rise and something I really like.
"HUMOROUS TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/funny-t-shirts/
Humorous tees are very prevalent in mainstream fashion but clever humor with a twist seems to be trending. Not your average joke tees these are more sophisticated and often require a second look. Maybe related to certain community they are almost inside jokes. Tongue in cheek, cheeky, naughty, edgy and fun. This style of tee isn’t instantly laugh out loud but more subtle nodding smile in appreciation.
"DARK ART TEES":http://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/?q=dark
The dark arts are growing and I don’t mean in a Harry Potter way. I mean art centered a round death and darkness is making a come back. Dark art icons are all over fashion items right now, some subtle and some verging on offensive. Here at Design By Humans we never want offensive but a peek into the dark underbelly of fashion never did us any harm. Skulls have mass appeal but these tees are a little more edgy than just skulls.
Obviously if you use one of these themes you do not get an automatic print but it’s a good starting point for inspiration. I’ll add to it too. Please post any ideas you may have. If you want to see a designer attempt a certain design idea, post it here. Bring the trend setting art folks!
Exciting times.
*wotto*