This custom illustration really tested our skills. The client wanted the words "LAX" "2010" to come out of the webbing of the lacrosse stick. I started the graphic by drawing the lacrosse stick head. Then I created a grid, spent hours getting the curves of the lines right so that the end image would have the correct weave. Once I had the grid together, I created a brush in Illustrator to mimic rope. (Industrious as I am, I later found out that a "rope" bruch existed in Illustrator). After the weave was complete, I added a layer with the type. I chose a thick, block type, with a mininum of curves, no serifs and sized that type to fit inside the lacrosse head. With the type on a different layer, I began to cut the "letters" out of the rope weave. When that was done, I went back and started adding new "rope" to the design. The part that tested our skills was making the letters look as though they where woven out of the webbing and not just floated in air.
I then set the type for the back of the shirt.
With all of that done, i added in the colors (pink was a color the client wanted). The shirt printed base white, black, hot pink and then highlight white on a safety orange shirt. The back printed white.
The really cool thing about this project, is that the client, Del Val Girls Lacrosse sells these shirts as a Fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting the Trenton Arch Girls Lacrosse Program. It really is nice way to help out others.
We had this shirt for sale at the Open House, sold a bunch. All of them have been sold out. I am still be asked for more...will have to talk to the client.
John