You'll want this Cartoon Network-inspired clothing
Branden Collins pays homage to Adventure Time and Regular Show with this new apparel.
During my almost four years at Cartoon Network, I was involved with more aspects of the design and production process than I'd ever imaged I would be. Executing a vastly diverse range of projects; everything from product design to posters, web, on-air and event installations.
I worked with an exceptional team of designers there and learned so much. It was a very rewarding experience. In early 2015, I started working on an idea for creating a series of custom apparel and accessories for the network, all produced by Print All Over Me.
I had done some personal projects with Print All Over Me before and love working with them, so I wanted to bring these two worlds together and really try to pull off something exceptional for everyone involved.
The process began with developing the concept for a shoot that would showcase a collection of apparel and accessories that really reflected the vibrant, sophisticated and playful aesthetic sensibility of the Cartoon Network brand.
I already had a handful of hand-drawn elements that I thought would work great for a collection and I knew I wanted to create a set and contract models for the shoot. Because the project was self-initiated, it was sort of up to me to make sure it was a priority. This was probably the most challenging part of the process because it required me really to step into the role of a producer or project manager, all while creating the design elements.
It's something I had done on a smaller scale through my own studio on independent projects, but never to this degree. In addition to creating the apparel and accessories, I also handmade the set elements and styled the models (one of which is my younger sister). Shoot day was a lot of fun and the kids really did a great job and were totally naturals at the whole modelling thing.
I had a lot of help with the final product from Brian Smith, who photographed the collection, as well as Candice House, the exceptionally talented Art Director over at CN. There are certainly things about the final result that I think could be improved, but I'm pretty happy with the results.
It really represents a culmination of all the skills & experiences I acquired while at Cartoon Network condensed into one final project. I'd ideally love to do more projects like this, where I could really explore creating a fully fleshed out experience, with hands in as many aspects of the creative direction as possible.
Words: Branden M. Collins
Like this? Read these!
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get top Black Friday deals sent straight to your inbox: Sign up now!
We curate the best offers on creative kit and give our expert recommendations to save you time this Black Friday. Upgrade your setup for less with Creative Bloq.
The Creative Bloq team is made up of a group of design fans, and has changed and evolved since Creative Bloq began back in 2012. The current website team consists of eight full-time members of staff: Editor Georgia Coggan, Deputy Editor Rosie Hilder, Ecommerce Editor Beren Neale, Senior News Editor Daniel Piper, Editor, Digital Art and 3D Ian Dean, Tech Reviews Editor Erlingur Einarsson and Ecommerce Writer Beth Nicholls and Staff Writer Natalie Fear, as well as a roster of freelancers from around the world. The 3D World and ImagineFX magazine teams also pitch in, ensuring that content from 3D World and ImagineFX is represented on Creative Bloq.
Related articles
- "Communicating flavour is a delicate art": how to succeed in food and drink branding
- First Impressions: freelance illustrator Marie-Alice Harel loves "the freedom" her work offers
- New York was recreated on a virtual set for the Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn movie Daddio, and nobody knew
- 2D art of the week: Deborah Saez