FARRELL PROJECT Pt. 1
T-SHIRT DESIGN
THE PROMPT
Ms. Allison Farrell approached me with a request for a custom t-shirt design to honor her father’s original slogan:
“The tiger who does not prowl is a potential rug.” – Charlie Farrell, circa 1979
She envisioned a bold, modern, and edgy design — something distinct that could also be adapted across various products like stickers, koozies, and hats. In addition, she wanted the aesthetic to feel tactical and aligned with law enforcement and military themes, reflecting her family’s long-standing history in both fields.
BRAINSTORMING
If you’re not familiar with my portfolio and have seen me mention my LLB, it refers to my “Little Black Book” — a personal collection of sketches, concepts, notes, and brainstorming sessions that fuel my creative process.
In my LLB (pictured below), I outlined the key objectives for the design and began developing a range of ideas, including typography concepts and potential design styles. From this brainstorming process, I created four distinct visual directions. To support and refine my creative approach, I used Adobe Firefly to explore inspiration for design techniques and color palettes.
Another essential tool in my design process is Procreate, which I use as my virtual sketchbook. Using it, I developed four distinct design concepts that aligned with Allison’s vision while also leaving room for exploration and flexibility. I let her know I’d be happy to create additional sketches if none of the initial options fully captured what she was looking for.
SEE THE THREE MAIN T-SHIRT DESIGNS BELOW
FINAL DESIGN
After some thoughtful deliberation, we agreed that Design #3 (Procreate Sketches) best resonated with her father's generation. It struck the perfect balance — bold, patriotic, and undeniably evocative of bravery. Allison especially loved the version where the quote was placed within the flag, with the citation positioned below the tiger and flag illustration.
But the project didn’t stop there — Allison wanted to expand the vision! We decided to incorporate koozie designs into the mix.
Farrell Project – Part 2 (Coozies) coming soon!