World Cup Shirt/Design Project

[cjdmadcow]

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy....have you nailed it with the England shirt 
I was convinced you were going to go with a white shirt and quite honestly, white doesn't suit my current body shape, nor most of my friends! The red is iconic over here and is so much more user-friendly than a white one.
 
Quite honestly, I think you've nailed the entire group. I love the Uruguay shirt, the Costa Rica one is fantastic and the Italy one is beautifully simple.
 
I can see a few dollars headed your way in the New Year.
 
Great work, again.
 
Edit: After another viewing, I think my Italian friends are going to be a bit pissed off that their shirt doesn't have any gold stars on it, unlike the England one, as they are not shy in reminding me how many times they've won the WC. But then again, a pissed off Italian fan is not a bad thing!

 

[Cellar-Door]

Can't wait for Group G (US obviously but also the black stars of Ghana) So far I'd say the ones I like the best are Cameroon, Japan and Uruguay.
Only one I'm not crazy about is  Australia.

 

[dirtynine]

Thanks again for checking it out, guys.  Australia and Mexico have proved the most contentious so far; Cameroon might be the most universally enjoyed, I think.  I'll probably write up a post-mortem after the 32 are up and address some of the feedback that has come up.   The next group, E (Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras) is one of my favorites, front to back.  Monday. 
 
cjdmadcow - I had a yellow/gold color in the Italy design until close to the end.  FIGC uses it in their shield, for both stars and other elements.  The design evolved and made it the odd color out. (Plus England was getting a better version of gold anyway.)  And no, I don't mind the odd pissed off Italian either! 

 

[dirtynine]

Based on a few suggestions (from here and elsewhere), I'm skipping ahead to group G today, then back to E, F & H to end the week.  I'll link when it's live.

 

[Bosoxen]

Cameroon, Japan and Uruguay.

 
That's how I would rank them, as well. But I think I might put England slightly ahead of Uruguay.

 

[Joe D Reid]

 
cjdmadcow - I had a yellow/gold color in the Italy design until close to the end.  FIGC uses it in their shield, for both stars and other elements.  The design evolved and made it the odd color out. (Plus England was getting a better version of gold anyway.)  And no, I don't mind the odd pissed off Italian either! 

One of the problems you must have faced with Italy is that their actual shirt is pretty much already a minimalist design. They sometimes go crazy with fabrics, but at the end of the day it's a plain blue shirt with the flag inside a basic shield. That's tough to improve on in the context of a project that starts with solid-color shirts and a basic shield. 

 

[Bosoxen]

One of the problems you must have faced with Italy is that their actual shirt is pretty much already a minimalist design. They sometimes go crazy with fabrics, but at the end of the day it's a plain blue shirt with the flag inside a basic shield. That's tough to improve on in the context of a project that starts with solid-color shirts and a basic shield. 

 
Not sure I buy that. A lot of national team shirts basically consist of just a shield over the left breast but he's doing just fine with them.

 

[dirtynine]

Group G is up. Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA.

 

[mascho]

Damn.  Germany is my favorite yet I think. Really like all four.  

 

[DJnVa]

I like it. I'm ordering an US jersey.
 
And then a German one to wear once the knockout round starts. 

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Germany is outstanding in it's elegance, and at the other end, as you say for the USA, "There’s no mistaking this shirt’s intentions"

 

[SydneySox]

Good feedback, Syd - I added the glove motif at the end of the process; without, the shirt was ok but missing something.  Not certain I nailed it either TBH. The outsider thing definitely applies.  Rugby vs Rugby League, I hear you; didn't realize the former term excluded the latter.  Are there symbols of the soccer team specifically that people wouldn't cringe at?  "Soccerroos" seemed kind of punchy and "punny" already.  I get the sense that Aussies are kind of casual about their soccer, and are maybe more willing to treat it in a lighthearted manner - hence the gloves. 

 
Sure, I get it, wasn't trying to be too critical. It's a great project and your summary was good but once it starts to get specific breaks down a little.
 
Soccer's really taking on the big boys at the moment, to the point where you don't even call it soccer much these days. The A-League is getting pretty big, especially in Sydney and Melbourne where they're effectively creating two-team rivalries in each city (maybe not as much in Melbourne) and the Sydney v Melbourne Victory game is pretty spiteful. The fact we've been in the last two world cups, with another one coming, is also a big deal. We should consistently be winning a spot in the Asia group and that is big news.
 
Also I know we're good for a laugh but we're not totally light-hearted... if we had a shirt in your great collection people would want it to be serious, not a crocodile dundee throwback, which is a lot of the jokes we still get (and laugh at, but cringe at). Those gloves and the 'socceroos' term are pretty much of that era too. And make no mistake - 'Socceroos is terrible', there's no doubt.
 
I'm not sure how much you need things to be 'different' but for seriousness - we have the kangaroo and the emu on our national crest. Not sure if you know why they were picked (most Australians don't) but those two animals can't physically take a backwards step. Just an idea.
 
But yeah, football in this country is moving forward; a good shirt that really captures the football ethos would probably match that, putting the old-school boxing kangaroo, socceroos stuff in the past.

 

[RhaegarTharen]

The project is getting some love on Brand New today, which is very cool.  
 
 
Right now they're group by group - it helps even out the numbers a little bit.  Once all 32 are out, I will probably set up some kind of mix&match system if I can make my web commerce software do it. 

 
Just wanted to check if you're still planning on opening up a mix&match system later on or not.  And if so, will previous shirts (non 32 nations) be included, for those of us who missed these before now and would be interested in ordering?  I'm likely picking up a US and a Germany shirt anyways, but would be interested in getting one of the Gadsden ones as well as another USMNT shirt as a gift.  

 

[Zomp]

The Ghana one is my new favorite.

 

[saintnick912]

Not sure which eCommerce platform you're on, but some that I've worked with have had an option to set up a coupon code that can only be applied if 4+ of a set of SKU are in the cart.  That sort of setup could work for a mix-match set, but again idk what platform he's on and it's likely not one I've worked with (I'm a dinosaur).
 
Great shirts btw.

 

[dirtynine]

 
...we have the kangaroo and the emu on our national crest. Not sure if you know why they were picked (most Australians don't) but those two animals can't physically take a backwards step. Just an idea.

 
Syd, I love your entire post - but this part is just plain awesome.  I didn't know that back story.  At some point (early spring) I'll probably add a little coda to this project, with a few new designs and odds and ends (like the Iceland shirt from the example post, maybe a few other countries too.)  I may have to look at spinning up a second Aussie design with these components.  That's a great, great story.  I really appreciate the background on the football scene down there. 
 

 
 
Just wanted to check if you're still planning on opening up a mix&match system later on or not. 

 
I definitely am - just need to work out the back-end details after all 32 teams are out. 
 

 
 
Not sure which eCommerce platform you're on, but some that I've worked with have had an option to set up a coupon code that can only be applied if 4+ of a set of SKU are in the cart.

 
I'm using SquareSpace Commerce, and it's been pretty solid but coupons and mix/match options are somewhat limited compared to other carts I've used.  I might have to get creative. 

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Wait, is the Iceland shirt available too? I don't see that on Clean Sheet. I'd love one of those.

 

[dirtynine]

Not yet.  But I've had a few requests, so I think it'll end up getting made after I square away the 32 Cup teams. 

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Awesome, I'll definitely be getting one.

 

[Schnerres]

The german shirt looks good, it looks realistic, because football shirts don´t come with much of a painting. I know it is hard to do those and you´re doing a great job here.
 
If i would order any design for my team, it would have to be as simple as possible.
Thoughts on group G: german shirt looks good, because of pure and simple style, but why only one star?
Portugal looks like it is Ronaldos shirt. What is featured in other teams shirts (a team being formed by 11 parts) is absolutely ridiculed here. How could another player wear a shirt with a huge "7" on it?
Ghana looks good with that design coming across the chest. As they are called "Black Stars", i would have liked a try for more stars.
USA looks absolutely weird. Too many designs mixed. There´s the horizontal linings, the diagonal blue box with the stars, then the blue shield with the star above...it is just too much for me. As said before, i prefer a football shirt to be simple and i know it is hard to create some designs. And i know US fans will still love it

 

[dirtynine]

The german shirt looks good, it looks realistic, because football shirts don´t come with much of a painting. I know it is hard to do those and you´re doing a great job here.
 
If i would order any design for my team, it would have to be as simple as possible.
Thoughts on group G: german shirt looks good, because of pure and simple style, but why only one star?
Portugal looks like it is Ronaldos shirt. What is featured in other teams shirts (a team being formed by 11 parts) is absolutely ridiculed here. How could another player wear a shirt with a huge "7" on it?
Ghana looks good with that design coming across the chest. As they are called "Black Stars", i would have liked a try for more stars.
USA looks absolutely weird. Too many designs mixed. There´s the horizontal linings, the diagonal blue box with the stars, then the blue shield with the star above...it is just too much for me. As said before, i prefer a football shirt to be simple and i know it is hard to create some designs. And i know US fans will still love it

 
Thanks!  Yeah the shirts started to fall into one of two camps - either somewhat minimal, or a bit fun and over the top.  The US design trends over towards latter camp, for sure.   As far as Portugal, the "7" thing was a bit of a happy coincidence with the design; I may have been better off not mentioning it as it wasn't originally a part of why I designed the sash in that way.  I just liked that the convergence was there; though no team is going to be relying on one player more than Portugal, I certainly don't mean to slight the full squad with that small observation.
 
I am definitely working in a muddy area between t-shirts (which are generally somewhat open, in terms of the range of designs you'll see) and soccer jerseys (which have a specific visual language).  That's been one of the fun parts of doing this.  

 

[JayMags71]

I've loved everything up to this point. However I'm in agreement with Schnerres about the U.S. shirt. It's a bit too much of a muchness.

 

[dirtynine]

I hear you guys and I'm owning the over-the-topness of the USA shirt.  This is my fourth US-inspired shirt design; I will do something subtle/refined at some point.
 
Also, Group E (Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras) is now live.  

 

[DJnVa]

Really like Switzerland and Ecuador.
 
I wish you were my Secret Santa.

 

[dirtynine]

Thanks DD.  I'm sending out Xmas "coming soon" cards to all orderers (since the shirts won't be ready by 12/25); I'm hoping that works for those who are getting them as presents.  
 
If anyone's interested, the most popular shirts by sales have been 1. USA, 2. Spain, 3. England, 4. Australia. 

 

[Joe D Reid]

That Ecuador shirt is boss. I have no connection whatsoever to the country and I still want one.

 

[Zomp]

Thanks DD.  I'm sending out Xmas "coming soon" cards to all orderers (since the shirts won't be ready by 12/25); I'm hoping that works for those who are getting them as presents.  
 
If anyone's interested, the most popular shirts by sales have been 1. USA, 2. Spain, 3. England, 4. Australia. 

 
Ha!  Suck it, Syd!

 

[mascho]

Man, I really, really like France.  I love the "field of fleur-de-lis" concept.  

 

[Bosoxen]

Hot damn, that Ecuador shirt is off the charts! I may have to look at that and the Cameroon shirt closely side-by-side to decide if it's my new favorite.
 

 
Ha!  Suck it, Syd!

 
I feel vindicated that Mexico is not up there. Then again, maybe it's a function of the fact that you fucking gringos hate us, for some reason.

 

[dirtynine]

I've sold a few Mexicos, but nothing staggering.  The US shirt was always going to be #1, but I find Spain at #2 kind of unexpected.  Of the 8 teams left (groups F & H), only Argentina is really a huge international name.  I'll be curious to see how they do. 

 

[Zomp]

Hot damn, that Ecuador shirt is off the charts! I may have to look at that and the Cameroon shirt closely side-by-side to decide if it's my new favorite.
 
 
I feel vindicated that Mexico is not up there. Then again, maybe it's a function of the fact that you fucking gringos hate us, for some reason.

 
I told a friend of mine on facebook that I love the Mexico design and would probably get one...if it wasn't for fucking Mexico.

 

[Bosoxen]

 
I told a friend of mine on facebook that I love the Mexico design and would probably get one...if it wasn't for fucking Mexico.

 
That's it. You're on the list, pal.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Switzerland and Ecuador are AWESOME! Very excited to see what you have in store for Argentina (obelisco??).

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I'll echo the love for the Swiss shirt. 
 
Hoping you nail Belgium so I can buy one.

 

[dirtynine]

I hope I haven't raised the stakes to high here!  The Argentina and Belgium designs are relatively straightforward, without too much "extra" stuff.  Hopefully that's a good thing; we will see. 

 

[Easy Ed Cota]

I got the card in the mail for the Spain shirt, it looks great and my buddy will be thrilled. Agree with the above sentiment about Ecuador and Cameroon and I'll probably end up getting Cameroon.
 
I was browsing through the site again and I had somehow missed the old US designs. The Pasadena shirt is exactly what I am looking for. 

 

[dirtynine]

Glad to hear!  We're essentially sold out of Pasadenas, but a new run is coming in the near future.  
 
Also, Group F (Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria) is now live. 

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Another GREAT group. Iran, in particular, stands out!

 

[Zososoxfan]

I like the Argentina shirt! I have some minor quibbles with your design, but that's why it's your project. In fact, I may go back and revisit some of the other shirts I maybe didn't like as much on first view and reassess them, since I think the project makes more sense to me now. Although I will say I like the creative designs a lot (e.g. Switzerland). The rest of the group is solid as well.

 

[Zomp]

dirtynine, apologies if this has been asked but how do the shirts run? Big, small, true?  Do they shrink?

 

[Merkle's Boner]

Also regarding sizes, is it possible to buy kid's sizes? Love the Argentina and the vertical stripes. One of my boys will wear the US horizontal stripes, one will wear Argentina vertical, and I will have England I think. Awesome job dirtynine.

 

[dirtynine]

Hey guys - thanks again. I've been loving the feedback, the encouraging stuff and the critical angles.

Zomp - we use American Apparel stock, and the World Cup designs will all use their cotton Jersey T (model #2001). They are true, with perhaps a very slight taper towards the bottom. I recommend if possible that folks visit an American Apparel retail store and try on a 2001 t - if you find a size you like it'll match up exactly with our sizes.

MB - offering kids, and ladies, sizes is something we're working up to, but this first run will be men's/unisex S through XXL. I may have to do it soon though, if only to sell an England and an Argentina to the same family!

 

[Merkle's Boner]

Hey guys - thanks again. I've been loving the feedback, the encouraging stuff and the critical angles.
Zomp - we use American Apparel stock, and the World Cup designs will all use their cotton Jersey T (model #2001). They are true, with perhaps a very slight taper towards the bottom. I recommend if possible that folks visit an American Apparel retail store and try on a 2001 t - if you find a size you like it'll match up exactly with our sizes.
MB - offering kids, and ladies, sizes is something we're working up to, but this first run will be men's/unisex S through XXL. I may have to do it soon though, if only to sell an England and an Argentina to the same family!

The old man is an Anglo-Argentine. The Falklands mess was a tricky time in our family.

 

[dirtynine]

Rounding out the field, Group H (Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic) is now up.  Thanks for reading (and ordering), everybody. I'll definitely have a bit of final follow-up after Christmas.  

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

*coughcough*Icelandcough
 
These are great. I appreciate all the work you've put in.

 

[dirtynine]

*coughcough*Icelandcough
 
These are great. I appreciate all the work you've put in.

 
It's definitely coming. Sometime after Christmas I'll post a look back at the project and maybe a few final designs that just barely missed the cut (definitely Iceland, possibly one or more of Romania, Ukraine, New Zealand, Burkina Faso)

 

[JayMags71]

Ireland, please?

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

Scotland.

 

[dirtynine]

I actually have a Scotland design in draft stages. Ireland I need to think about.  Maybe I need to do a British Isles / Home Countries series sometime soon. 

 

[ForceAtHome]

I think Belgium is the star of Group H. Great looking shirt.