needs moar usage
2009 MGoShirt Alert
Gentlemen (and ladies), the 2009 Michigan football season is less than a MONTH away. You have very little time to prepare the gameday menu, to put a new coat of lacquer on the beer pong table, or to spend quality time with your wife before she loses you every Saturday for the next three odd months. You’re also going to need something to wear… and that’s where I come in.
It’s time for the...
That’s right folks—Because all of you demanded it, Brian is now rolling out the MGoBlog apparel in a brand new store. And… wait for it… That’s not all— we’re even going to ask YOU to decide on a shirt or two that will be featured in this 2009 line!
Over the next three weeks I’ll be unveiling a new shirt design every day from Monday to Friday. Each will rejoice in the glory of Michigan football, and by necessity, none will actually say Michigan football. For each shirt design we’ll be asking readers to ‘score’ each shirt on a scale of ***** (5 stars, Chad Henne) to * (1 star, Cobrani Mixon), based on the following criteria:
1. Visual Quality: Regardless of the message or joke, does the shirt look good? Certainly I’ll be doing my part to create aesthetically pleasing and professional designs, but the best design should be something that everyone is happy with.
2. Character/Humor: Assuming the shirt is funny… how funny is it? Does the joke work, or does it miss its mark? If the shirt is NOT meant to be humorous, then what IS it attempting to be? And is it successful in that regard?
3. Michigan Pride: How well does the shirt represent the glory and honor of Michigan football? Our various enemies are always looking for new ways to ridicule the block M and tear us down, and we’re certainly not going to give them any extra ammunition.
4. Mass Appeal: There is an inevitable culture here at MgoBlog, and for many reasons it is why you visit this site and not another random Michigan blog. So that’s great—Tacopants and Muppets are the order of business around here. But what happens when your Uncle Joe, also a loyal M fan, sees the shirt? Or perhaps the blue hair three rows behind you? Will the general UM fan base get the shirt’s message, and does it matter anyway?
5. Marketability: Most importantly, is this shirt something you would wear, or even more appropriately, something you would BUY?? A design can be hilarious or interesting to look at, but if it’s not going to sell it’s really not what we’re looking for. We’re looking for something that all of you will be willing to spend your hard-earned money on and wear with pride on gameday.
Each day for the next three weeks, starting Monday, will see the release of a new t-shirt design by yours truly. We’ll allow the judging of each to last for a limited time and then tabulate the results to see which designs the MgoBlog community has chosen as their favorites. The top selection will then be made available for future purchase during the 2009 season.
2009 MgoShirt Alert is all about celebrating the culture of Michigan Football, and everyone is encouraged to take part. When all is said and done I hope to see everyone wearing the gear we’ve created at MGoBlog. Look for the first design tomorrow. GO BLUE!!
August 8th, 2009 at 8:52 AM | 
I straddle
I straddle
August 8th, 2009 at 1:10 PM |
You're participating, aren't
You're participating, aren't
You're participating, aren't you?
not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user
August 8th, 2009 at 1:33 PM |
no
no
i don't think there is anyone participating other than Six Zero. They are all his designs, and we vote on our favorites.
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong ....
-yvgeni
August 8th, 2009 at 11:04 AM |
MGoSuspense
MGoSuspense
MGoSuspense.. is in effect. man can't we just see all of the design altogether and not wait 3 weeks for it?! kiddin'.
Go Go Gadget Flow
August 8th, 2009 at 11:04 AM |
shirt idea
shirt idea
How about:
"Tennessee Football: They Caught The Baptist"
August 8th, 2009 at 11:10 AM |
Just a thought, but what is
Just a thought, but what is
Just a thought, but what is the turn around on shirts? If the selection is announced a week before the first game, can everybody get it in time?
August 8th, 2009 at 11:17 AM |
I am looking forward to
I am looking forward to
I am looking forward to seeing what Six Zero has in mind. I always wanted to see a shirt with the evolution of man on the front, with a Michigan o-lineman as the last one (each person getting more upright like the usual evolution of man, but then becoming less upright, bigger and evolving to a big, nasty lineman in a 3-point-stance). I don't know how to make it look like a Michigan lineman without running into trademark issues (maybe just a hint of a winged helmet or something), but I thought it would be a cool. An mgoblog-ism could be added to the back.
"People who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either being made."
August 8th, 2009 at 2:08 PM |
It wouldn't really make sense but...
It wouldn't really make sense but...
If the start of the evolutionary chain began w/ a Cro-magnen type, wearing an OSU uniform, it would be better, I think.
not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user
August 8th, 2009 at 2:23 PM |
Solid idea...how 'bout this
Solid idea...how 'bout this
Evolution of man as you normally see it with an additional figure in silhouette...Desmond Striking the pose. I'll pre-order that shirt.
August 8th, 2009 at 4:53 PM |
Oh Hail Yes!!!
Oh Hail Yes!!!
I'm sold I'll buy this one, twice! On a white t-shirt.
"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" --Alfred Lord Tennyson/ John Sheridan B5
&n
August 8th, 2009 at 4:59 PM |
That's gold, Jerry! Gold!
That's gold, Jerry! Gold!
That's gold, Jerry! Gold!
eenie meenie miney mo, catch a WR by his toe. if he scores six, let him go
August 8th, 2009 at 8:14 PM |
sweet!
sweet!
MCalibur, mind sharing a link to that desmond pic? man that looks awesome.
Go Go Gadget Flow
August 8th, 2009 at 8:23 PM |
link to pic
link to pic
August 9th, 2009 at 1:31 AM |
Similar style
Similar style
I think this would look good (w/o the background) on a shirt.
Are copyright issues the reason we can't have anything like this?
Image obviously from mgovideo.com
August 9th, 2009 at 7:02 PM |
Great Illustration!!
Great Illustration!!
Very nice stuff-- hand-scoped or LiveTrace?
The problem here is two things:
Number one, your design, while firmly rooted in awesomeness, infringes on the property of the U of M. Twice. The block M and the winged helmet are OUT. We can't use 'em. Especially when you're putting it on a shirt to sell for your own profit. I'm not a true expert here, but the last thing we want to do is piss off the mothership. Plus there's even some consideration as to whether or not Desmond would have a right to the money earned as a result of said T-shirt. (Not to say there's not ways to get around this, but that's another story).
Number two is the fine array of colors you used. I might be wrong but I counted somewhere between 12 to 14 separate hues in this graphic-- so screen printing is out. That would force Brian to pursue photographic reproduction, which would raise the price of each shirt, perhaps more than he can ask for. All told I've tried to keep each design as single color on a colored shirt, unless otherwise accounted for with the management.
Still, great art-- I'm definitely a fan!
August 10th, 2009 at 12:06 AM |
oh, no, no...
oh, no, no...
No way I can or will take credit for that. Praise be to a person referring to themselves as VFO5; I found the image using Google->Images. I was just using it as reference to the concept. Apparently the piece was done using vector rendering, whatever the hell that is, with Adobe Illustrator. I put the link up above but here it is again:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vfo5/2227115983/
I was thinking of having everything in silhouette to avoid all the jazz (legal, cost, complexity, etc) you're referring to. Both the 'Evolution of Man' and 'The Pose' are images identifiable unto themselves; silhouettes shouldn't diminish the punch line at all. For a little more pop/depth/definition, the outline of the left leg and football could be 'no printed" (if that's a phrase). So Maize shirt, blue ink, no-print outlines for definition where needed.
Bummer if we can't pull it off though. Would things change if the shirts were sold at cost (no profit? Duh, that's not the point of the store but, I just want a kick ass shirt. Maybe put reference on it to MGOBLOG or the store so it works as advertising thus making it worth your/Brian's while? Hell just the word of mouth at tailgates would probably make it worth it without explicit reference to the site (nice shirt, where'd you get it?...)
Whatever, looking forward to what you've got for us to see.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:21 AM |
Hats!
Hats!
Hey, what about hats?
You always need a hat in the sunshine of M stadium!
Argument fallacy ad hominem: Attacking a characteristic of the source rather than addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:25 AM |
Sizes
Sizes
Will they be available in kids/youth/toddler sizes?
"I'm not a scratch golfer. I don't know how to bowl. I can't read the stock market. Heck, I have a hard time remembering my wife's cell phone number. But I can call 'Flip Right Double X Jet 36 Counter Naked Waggle at 7 X Quarter' in my sleep." Jon Gruden
August 8th, 2009 at 11:44 AM |
I hope Barwis doesn't sue you guys
I hope Barwis doesn't sue you guys
if you don't compensate him for the use of his name. At least give him some Wolf Chow or something. I finally bought a "Worst State Ever" shirt because they had them in 3x and I can wear it on my drive to AA from Atlanta for the Western Michigan game.
August 8th, 2009 at 11:51 AM |
Instead of the wolf chow, he
Instead of the wolf chow, he
Instead of the wolf chow, he would prefer whole cattle because he doesnt believe in processed foods. Preferably bulls, he wants a fair fight.
August 8th, 2009 at 12:44 PM |
3X?
are you Greg Skrepenak?
3X?
are you Greg Skrepenak?
3X?
are you Greg Skrepenak?
No question, Jim.
August 8th, 2009 at 1:39 PM |
Damn, I love that name.
Damn, I love that name.
I always thought we should phase out "Offensive Linemen" and call them all Skrepenaks.
August 8th, 2009 at 2:21 PM |
Agreed. I loved Skrepenak
Agreed. I loved Skrepenak
Agreed. I loved Skrepenak back in the day. Dude was GIGANTIC back then....not sure how he compares to the present day Jake Long type monster LT.
No question, Jim.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:48 PM |
Actually
Actually
No, I'm 6'5 320 and if you've ever met Greg S, he was way bigger than that.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:24 PM |
Size matters
Size matters
He was 6'6" and 320. You're right in there with him.
Wasting away in Ohio, a Wolverine in a sea of red and grey
August 8th, 2009 at 11:46 AM |
designs
designs
Do you already have 21 designs planned out or are you looking for people to send you ideas?
August 8th, 2009 at 1:44 PM |
Weekdays only
Weekdays only
So it'll be 15 designs.
August 8th, 2009 at 1:55 PM |
+1 for the mathematics skillz
+1 for the mathematics skillz
+1 for the mathematics skillz
Stay thirsty my friends
August 8th, 2009 at 1:58 PM |
I r smart
I r smart
I r smart
August 8th, 2009 at 1:29 PM |
capitalism ftw.
capitalism ftw.
nm.
...the Canadians make up for it with their emotion and classic ice-dancing skill.
August 8th, 2009 at 1:40 PM |
So many shirt-related posts.
So many shirt-related posts.
So many shirt-related posts. I propose a name change to H&Mgoblog.
Ann Arbor: now the permanent home of the Little Brown Jug
67-22-3 all-time
August 8th, 2009 at 2:01 PM |
Open Submissions
Open Submissions
This is great. I look forward to seeing Six Zero's designs, especially considering some of the work he's shown on the blog in the past.
In addition, I would like to see a contest that's open to the MGoBlog community as a whole. I know we have a lot of creative, funny and talented people amongst the readership. I, for one, would love to take part in a t-shirt (or other) design contest with you all.
August 8th, 2009 at 5:28 PM |
I'm looking forward to more daily content...
I'm looking forward to more daily content...
but it's going to be a bit more difficult to rate the shirts without any idea what upcoming designs will look like.
Maybe we can get Promote RichRod to play the role of the law school professor and curve the results at the end?
August 8th, 2009 at 5:28 PM |
Although you can never front on a shirt with Desmond on it
Although you can never front on a shirt with Desmond on it
I would prefer something with Denard Robinson or Gallon.
A picture of either athlete running.
The phrase "He's so fast he makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez."
"Coach, if you need one yard, I'll get you three yards. If you need five yards, I'll get you three yards." -Leroy Hoard
August 9th, 2009 at 1:19 AM |
Yeah pretty much this. This
Yeah pretty much this. This
Yeah pretty much this. This isn't really a contest, nothing is "won"... I'm not seeing why all of the designs can't just be made.
When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing. -- Bo Schembechler
August 9th, 2009 at 8:29 AM |
"coat of lacquer"
"coat of lacquer"
Before you put the extr coat of lacquer/polyeurethane on that Beer Pong table, make sure you sand it 1st...I made that mistake 2 years ago. The miserable weather for the '07 OSU game bubbled up my extra coat and it made for more some extra work to get it back prime condition :)
B
August 9th, 2009 at 10:49 AM |
Three Wolverine Moon
Three Wolverine Moon
Can someone make a Three Wolf Moon Barwis shirt, or a Three Wolverine Moon shirt?
August 9th, 2009 at 9:14 PM |
Any chance there could be a
Any chance there could be a
Any chance there could be a design submitted that might be liked by our female counterparts?
Unfortunately all my ideas are probably offensive:
The leaders and breast
The breast and brightest
is it too corny to envision :
to the victors go the spoils
August 10th, 2009 at 10:07 AM |
I thought we were going to
I thought we were going to
I thought we were going to have a contest where we submitted designs to be chosen! This sucks!
"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
August 11th, 2009 at 4:08 PM |
So there I was watching Ella Enchanted
So there I was watching Ella Enchanted
and reading mgoblog.
Clicked on the MGOSTORE. Selected my shirt, my size, my quantity.
Then the Man say I can only use my credit card, not paypal. This would require I get up -- right during the part where Ella sings Queen and true love is revealed.
I don't think so.
So I'll have no shirt. Accept Paypal!
I'm gonna do this World Series of Poker style.
I am straddling the first shirt... 5 stars.
-yvgeni
http://nothingisilluminated.com