MGoShirt Alert - FINAL VOTE
This is the final voting portion of the 2009 MGoShirt Alert, a design project that will enable MgoBlog readers to vote for an upcoming design in the new MGoBlogStore.
July 2, 1863. June 6, 1944. November 22, 1969.
Throughout the course of mankind, there have been days where the choices of men alter the course of destiny forever. Today, gentlemen, is one of those days. After weeks of preparation and voting, success and failure, flotsam and jetsam, we have come to this day. Today we'll vote on the winner of the 2009 MGoShirt Alert.
I will once again go over the scoring that was used to determine the four finalists. As you all know, each of the fifteen entries were open to voting by the MGoCommunity to determine its success, rated on a scale of five stars to one star, with five being the most successful and one being the least. With that being said, each five-star vote was awarded five points, four-stars were given four points, three stars got three points, etc. All points for each shirt were then added up to a grand total, and that total was divided by the number of voters for each particular poll to determine the shirt's final average score. Obviously, a perfect average score would have been 5.00, with the lowest possible score being 0.00. No design received either.
Yesterday I did a final count on all shirts and re-did the math for one last consideration, and then ranked all fifteen designs according to their overall average score. It is, then, with great pride that I reveal the finalists:
1. MASCOTS
Final Score: 4.31.
To my disbelief, yesterday's shirt recieved the highest overall score. There was legimitate concern about possible legality issues, and although we may have to make some minor tweaks to the design should it prove the winner, I am proud to say that I think we're okay on that front. I will admit that I did not expect the reception it received yesterday, but am nonetheless grateful.
2. THE DESMOND
Final Score: 4.03
Ah yes, our good friend Mr. Howard, the first Heisman trophy in Ann Arbor since the legend of Tom Harmon. There were many debates about tweaking this shirt, the text, the typeface, the foot, etc... but all in all this was our first consensus 'winner' of the entire contest. Certainly wearable by the exclusive MGoBlogger or the broad UM fan base, it's got undeniable mass appeal.
3. BRIAN'S AVATAR
Final Score: 4.02
Another late addition to the contest, this was the last design I did, after someone suggested it on an earlier entry. Modeled directly from Brian's own screen icon on the Blog, this shirt also raised suspicions of possible Imperial entanglements, and in fact WAS red-flagged and pulled for use of the Block M. You can't blame us here-- it's a Michigan web site and we're smart enough not to bite that hand. You'll notice the design has been tweaked from its original, now using a sans-serif and less exclusive "M" in the background of the design. We're officially good to go.
4. THE WOODSON
Final Score: 3.50
Charles Woodson, the man who put the swagger back into Michigan. I really enjoyed creating this shirt as well, and tried to let the design speak for itself. There were debates about this one as well, concerning the off-center alignment, the shadow of the Heisman, the silhouette of Woodson, etc. But make no mistake-- people were talking, and the shirt was well-received. (Dude, you really can't see the Heisman here??)
So we've made it to the Downtown Athetlic Club and we have our final contest finalists. Voting will start now and will remain open for the entire weekend, with a final post announcing the winner on Monday. Gentlemen, it's time to vote:
pollcode.com free polls |
WHAT DESIGN SHOULD WIN THE 2009 MGOSHIRT ALERT? |
"MASCOTS" "THE DESMOND" "BRIAN'S AVATAR" "THE WOODSON" |
For the sake of authenticity, I thought you all might enjoy seeing how the rest of the shirts stacked up. Final scoring beneath the four finalists, ranked from highest to lowest, are as follows:
SCORE, followed by DESIGN
3.47 - SHIRT 11 – THE RETRO (Great news, sis!)
3.20 - SHIRT 01 – THE FORCIER
3.08 - SHIRT 05 – OL’ 98
2.84 - SHIRT 10 – THE NEW NEW MATH
2.82 - SHIRT 02 – SLOT NINJA
2.82 - SHIRT 04 – FAT CHARLIE
2.72 - SHIRT 09 – FORCIER/TACOPANTS
2.67 - SHIRT 13 – CHE ROD
2.20 - SHIRT 06 – QUIERO TACOPANTS
2.05 - SHIRT 08 – BARWIS HELL
2.01 - SHIRT 03 – THE PACK/THE WOLF
There you have it, people. I would like to again thank everyone for taking part, for sharing their thoughts and reactions, for the kind words and appreciation, and for just helping build up anticipation day in and day out. And I'll see you Monday when we unveil the final winner of-- THE 2009 MGOSHIRT ALERT!
August 28th, 2009 at 8:50 AM ^
Is each shirt the final product? For example, let's say I like "strike a pose" but would only vote for it if it were in maize? Sorry, don't mean to complicate things but wanted to be sure.
Anyway, I really like them all, well done Six Zero.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:43 AM ^
I second this question, though I believe it has been said in previous posts that we should vote on the design, and expect there to be two version (maize and blue).
Can we get a confirmation?
August 29th, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^
Maybe Brian could set up a site to pre-order the Ts. Based on the response, he could determine if multiple Ts are viable, etc.
Site could require credit card # to ensure folks are ready to plunk down the $$.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:08 AM ^
I have got to go with the mascots shirt, that is the best one to me.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:50 AM ^
How can you go against the "strike a pose"?
August 28th, 2009 at 11:09 AM ^
I don't understand the love for the Mascot shirt. It's the only one on the list that I wouldn't buy at all.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:22 PM ^
I too like the mascot shirt well enough, but would never buy it.
I will however buy Strike a Pose without thinking twice.
Is someone spamming the vote? I don't get the love for the mascots shirt.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:56 PM ^
this is turning into "vote-for-the-worst.com"
August 28th, 2009 at 2:55 PM ^
It's not a bad shirt - but there is no way in hell I am going to wear that shirt anywhere. If I see any of y'all wearing that shirt, I will be embarassed for you.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:11 AM ^
Gun to my head, I say "Strike a Pose," but I would buy any of these.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:12 AM ^
Well done Six Zero. You brought some enjoyment to the painful month before the college football season!
"I like 'em all."
August 28th, 2009 at 9:12 AM ^
A tip of the cap for your valuable public service!
August 28th, 2009 at 9:15 AM ^
Regardless of the winner I think the top 3 three shirts should be produced assuming its cost effective. I went with the mascots. Brian's shirt was a close second.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:20 AM ^
on the mascots.
great job all around, but simple is best.
just the plain woodson or the desmond without a caption.
(is a block "M" subject to copyright?)
August 28th, 2009 at 11:32 AM ^
IMO the most important factor for these shirts is mass appeal. Desmond and Woodson showed that best. I like all the shirts but I really want to see The Desmond in the MGoStore.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:26 AM ^
My favorite going in here was the MGoBlog one, but man, that different M really hurts the look more than I would have expected.
Now I have the unenviable decision of choosing between Desmond, the childhood great in whose presence my fandom was ushered in, or a wolverine ontop of a pile of mascot carcasses. You don't make this easy Six.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
I didn't even notice the different M design in the avatar shirt.
It doesn't look nearly as cool now, but I suppose copyright being what it is there's no way to avoid it.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:47 AM ^
Love the Mascots. Graphics are professional (better than some of the others) and the shirt is timeless.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:54 AM ^
Is there anyway to produce the top two? I ask because I feel there are going to be groups that either want a serious or funny shirt, and honestly these top four are all more than worthy. It'd be a shame for more than half these to go down the disposal...
August 28th, 2009 at 9:55 AM ^
I want each of these shirts! Would buy all of these shirts! Please don't ration my MGoStyle.
- Take the caption off the Desmond. The pose says it all.
- Try putting the wings on the helmet in both the Desmond & Woodson. Like the number, I think it would be a nice detail.
I'd also like to see the designs that never made it into the contest...would be a great post for next week!
August 28th, 2009 at 12:21 PM ^
I also think that all four should be available. The voting is close enough that some people would buy all of them and some people would buy more than one.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:56 AM ^
Six Zero, I think the Desmond and the Woodson designs need to be revised to put the winged helmets on. Is this even possible? If that could happen, then I would vote for these to be the top 2.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
The winged helmets are a no go, just like the block M.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:13 AM ^
This has been stated, re-stated, brought up again, clarified, re-hashed, then talked about some more... No block M's, winged helmets, likenesses etc...
August 28th, 2009 at 10:14 AM ^
I like it a lot, especially since it is simple. I'm not sure that a winged helmet would help or not (it might look great), but I like the idea that the simpler the better.
I think that people will know whats going on without more detail. If they don't, (to steal a line from Zirbel) those people aren't true Michigan fans.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:05 AM ^
Can't register a vote because the poll site is blocked by my company's firewall (friggin' Nazis).
I would wear the mascots shirt and be the hero of my tailgate.
Outstanding effort all around, Six.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:07 AM ^
Six Zero, you have a talent. Thank you for sharing that talent with this community and taking the time to do all of this work. I truly hope that everyone ends up buying these shirts and displaying them at games to make your hardwork worth while for you. Thanks again.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
Slot Ninja is still my favorite shirt.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
I just think this is the most innovative design and the one I'd wear without question. Very subtle, very cool.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
I would buy all of these shirts... cant we just add them all to the mgostore?
August 28th, 2009 at 11:30 AM ^
Completely agree with this. Out of the four I would definitaley buy The Desmond, Woodson, and maybe the MGoBlog avatar. I vote that we keep them all. In doing so I'm sure Brian would make quite a profit also.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:21 AM ^
A. The winged helmet, like the Block M, is a guarded property of the University and the last thing we want to do is create any friction with the athletic department and this blog. Of course the player shirts looked more exclusive with them, but as long as they're maize and blue I think it still connects.
B. Each of these are pending final approval of the print shop and could be tweaked and/or altered as see fit. Also, I've pretty much given Brian final say on this entire project-- he's my editor, so to speak-- so if he might, say 'change the font,' then I'll accommodate him. Otherwise I have no active plans to change any of them-- if I did you'd see them in this post.
C. Thanks for the compliments... I kinda feel guilty when people would say 'nice work' about these, because it's hard for me to really consider these designs 'work.' This whole project was such a marriage of 2 things that I am very passionate about-- UM football and graphic design/illustration. And it's always a learning experience to do work for a very large audience and gauge the various reactions.
D. Yes, at some point I'll show off some of the other designs that didn't make the cut. The Cone shirt, the Minor Rage, the JoePa/Yoda shirt (yes, JoePa/Yoda), etc.
E. Current plan is one shirt into the store. Demand more!!
August 28th, 2009 at 10:35 AM ^
Assuming the mascot shirt wins, any chance of adding the schools left off: Illinois & Northwestern? I don't know if Indiana has a mascot, but if so, maybe add them too?
August 28th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
If it did, the thing would look like Lil Red from Nebraska. We already have Purdue Pete for our conference hydrocephalac - no need for another.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^
OSU OSU OSU OSU!
Edit: Oh come on! I'm referring to the OSU shirt yet to be unveiled. Negger please...
August 28th, 2009 at 6:39 PM ^
Since you brought up showing other shirts, is there or will there be a "Denard Robinson is made of dilithium" shirt?
August 28th, 2009 at 10:19 AM ^
In for the Mascot Massacre shirt. Although in all honesty, I would probably buy a bunch of these.
Heck of a good job Six Zero
August 28th, 2009 at 11:35 AM ^
Back - "Should I do it.. Should I not? Fuck It."
The mascot shirt is a little tacky. I've seen the same concept down here in SEC country. There will be a stupid Gator or Tiger on top of a bunch of the other mascots with something like 'king of the hill.'
The Desmond is original.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:49 AM ^
IMO....please please make all four available. true genius cannot be suppressed!
August 28th, 2009 at 12:12 PM ^
I would buy one, two and four. Good work
August 28th, 2009 at 12:36 PM ^
huh. number one is the only one out of the final four that i wouldn't wear.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^
As said before, that style has been done other places. The other three are all top-notch. I personally vote for Desmond.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:18 PM ^
got my vote, though I also like the "Mascots" one!!
August 28th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^
sorry but the unverified voracity shirt just screams "i sit in my basement and blog all day!"
August 28th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
You can have a job and still blog all day (or at least READ blogs). Basement absolutely not required.
Hell, everybody here knows that getting fired for blogging too much can open fabulous new career paths.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:16 AM ^
Damn, I don't have a basement! (Neither does Brian.)
August 28th, 2009 at 2:21 PM ^
To be fair to each entrant, all of the designs should be re-posted in a single post (front page?) and ranked by the readership-at-large. Reason being, it was hard to know on Day 1 where exactly to base one's grading scale. Comparing them to each other, side-by side, might provide the most accurate measure of public approval.
Also, I suspect that not everyone visiting this site 1) visits regularly or 2) reads every diary. Unless they have jobs, in which case they're pretty much checking in all day, every day.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:48 PM ^
I voted for the mascots one but for the record if I really had the full range of choices I would have voted for the Forcier Star Wars one.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:52 PM ^
Is it wrong to really want a corrected version of TACOPANTS?
August 28th, 2009 at 3:04 PM ^
I hope strike a pose will still be made if the mascot shirt wins!!
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