Top Daily Tees of 2011
The daily (or near-daily) tee market isn’t one I cover here often, as I use my other site, TeeMagnet, to direct people to those sites already. But as the year comes to a close, it’s always fun to reflect back on some of the most successful pieces of the year. Although there are a lot of sites currently in the genre (and a few that ended their run as daily tee sites this year), I’ll only be addressing the largest sites that have successfully posted new designs all year (this year’s debuting sites may make next year’s list).
As usual, this is just my personal opinion of the three best and most interesting designs each site offered (not sales or popularity). If I’ve missed an awesome print, let me know in the comments!
TeeFury
Temple of the Dead by jublin (November 11th, 2011)
The travel poster style of the art helps the viewer to see the world of Zelda with fresh eyes.
G Crest by jimiyo (March 7th, 2011)
This detail-rich illustration touches on a lot of elements within the Potter mythology, and (though the series is intended for kids) does it with a very grown up heraldic style.
Dead Control Collector by Mr Rocks (aka Blair Sayer) (April 13th, 2011)
Any gamer can relate to the concept, and the drawing itself is impeccable.
Shirt.Woot
The Cheese is a Liederkranz by bassanimation (April 19th, 2011)
Brilliant use of both sides of the shirt, and Portal fans will enjoy the lab rat joke.
The Toast Roger by thatrobert (September 12th, 2011)
It’s not often that I’m so charmed by something so cute, but the pairing of the marshmallow and cross-sticks with the uneven trees in back really speaks to me.
Fresh Ideas by Esther Aarts (February 15th, 2011)
Amazing style applied to a fun concept- if only good ideas really were this easy to find!
Ript Apparel
Lionos by Bamboota (May 24th, 2011)
Saturday morning cartoons and breakfast cereal are a naturally delicious combination.
Danger Zone by Ian Leino (August 11th, 2011)
I don’t even watch Archer and I’d still wear this shirt, that’s how tight the design is.
Beam Me Up by Diana Sprinkle (September 1st, 2011)
This concept makes such perfect sense it’s hard to believe it didn’t already exist!
Qwertee
Rise of the Purebloods by khallion
Generally t-shirts use art nouveau style on pretty, happy things, so it’s interesting to see it applied to evil.
Fast Friends by MeganLara
To non-gamers, it’s just a cute animal shirt… but Sonic fans know its real value.
Portalmon by Fanboy30
Sometimes mashups can feel a bit forced, but this one is completely natural and effortless.
Stupid Hurts Us
Wolf Mask by Alex Turnbull
The simple style of this shirt is almost primal, I love it.
Samurainoceros by kAt Philbin
Generous detail fleshes out this amusingly wacky concept.
Long Kiss Goodnight by D4N13L
For far away it’s just a skull, but up close you see it’s all made of kisses.
For reference, here’s last year’s group: Top Daily Tees of 2010.
