There will always be someone who stands out in a crowd of designers at a t-shirt competition site. Today I’d like to honour a designer who has designed 12 t-shirt designs for Springleap.com, and counting. Here’s to TokyoGoGo!

Awesome talent and dedication pays off big time at Springleap.com!

Crop Pixels: his latest winning design at Springleap.com

The story behind this design goes like this: “*Crop Circles* gone retro! Was just playing around with a circles vs squares theme and this materialized, was quite stok’d that it all seems to fit together so well, with crop circles being made by aliens and then using the space invaders symbol for the alternate squares.”

TokyoGoGo isn’t only a talented illustrator, he’s also a really cool guy. We had the pleasure of meeting him at our headquarters in Cape Town recently. He originally comes from Durban, South Africa and studied Graphic Design, but his greatest love is for commercial illustration.

He says the following about his illustration style : “My work focuses mainly around strong concepts teamed with a cartoon/developed personal style. Often combining contradictory scenarios, objects, or people.”

TokyoGoGo’s avatar is an example of his distinct illustration style which amazingly is carried through all of his work. It’s easy to see which designs are his, they really stand out!

This is me in my personal favourite TokyoGoGo tee design. It’s called Russian Dolls are sneaky…and they sure are cute too!

Here’s what they’re all about: “I’m pretty sure everyone has seen those rad wooden Russian dolls that hide inside each other and when you unpack them they just keep coming!!!! So yeah i thought of those things and wondered how i could draw them in a different way… and added the subtle twist of how sneaky they really are…”

Check out his profile here

There’s a lot more coming from this awesome guy, so keep your eyes peeled for TokyoGoGo’s promising designs! Buy them all if you like!

So now it’s time for you to say something…Tell us who your favourite Springleap.com designer is, and why?

I look forward to your comments.
Loko

I have often wondered what makes a tattoo design a tattoo design*…and with that being said, what makes a *t-shirt design a t-shirt design. I watch tons of tattoo shows and I often find myself gravitating towards anything tattoo related on the web. I decided to use this passion to actually answer my own question. Veteran tattoo artist Corey Miller once said in Season 1 of the hit TLC show LA Ink that not everything someone envisions for their tattoo is actually tattooable. I recall a guy bringing in an intricate design to Corey and Corey then decided to make it more of a tattoo than a t-shirt design. By no means does this mean that tattoos aren’t detailed or realistic but he acknowledges what points of a sketch make for good vs. a great tattoo.

Kore Flatmo is one of thee most amazing tattooist I have seen, his fine lines, black and grey, and portraits are just so incredibly realistic that you often wonder how the hell someone could do that with a vibrating needle and some ink. I have seen some of his work and man it’s not hard to see why he has the reputation he has. See this one he did some time ago of the late Sharon Tate (remember her; she was the pregnant actress who was murdered by the Charles Manson crew).

See it here along with some other work of Kore’s:

That portrait is just amazing!

I realized t-shirt designs and tattoos have a common bond aside from the fact that both are art. Tattoo’s and t-shirt designs both stand as a symbol of the person’s individuality. Both hold meaning for that person, both is a reflection.

At the end of the day art is art and art is a form of expression no matter which way you look at it. T-shirt designs vs. tattoo designs shouldn’t even be compared.

Tattoo artist Nikko has the most amazing ability to do the most bright and colourful portraits, see below

Cheech :)

Bob Tyrell is another veteran tattoo artist see the collaboration between him and Nikko

I think this is just the awesomeness

Amazing hey? T-shirt designs should in theory be better than tattoo’s however I think the t-shirt design guys should draw some inspiration from these guys…I would love a t-shirt design of Nikko’s, Bob’s, Kore’s, Corey, and Kat’s. There are just so many tattoo artists to name that are awesome and the same goes for our t-shirt designers on Springleap.com. They are all talented and have their own style; I must admit though I love Tu’s stuff, he is really awesome

Is there anyone you would like to introduce me to? I am always on the look out for new awesome artists, and artists in any form. If you haven’t yet check out my blog on Michael Hussar then click here , he is just out of this world!

The Fabulous- Mark Jenkins

My way of thanking t-shirt bloggers is to write spunky Springleap.com blogs about them. Today I write about Mark Jenkins, web-designer and blogger, just because his fabulous! His website The Lucky Strike encapsulates his portfolio of a wide range of distinct awesome inititiatives. Fatseagull t-shirt blog being one of them, however my ultimate favourite is UkStreetArt both will be my subsequent focus.

Boyd Hill

The UkStreetArt is said to be a highly respected destination for all UK related street art, graffiti, prints, exhibitions, exclusive artist interviews and so much more… With out of this world pieces of artwork the UkStreetArt crew aims to provide a destination to find out about everything going on in UK galleries, on its streets and anywhere else in the world that its wealth of talented artists might have passed through. This initiative is just amazing and I am just mind blown by the unbelievable talent I’ve seen on the site. The art pieces are aesthetically brilliant and I love it to bits. See for yourself, the WOW artworks!!!

UkStreetArt on Flickr
Sarf London Art

Sepr

Winter Portrait

Snik

Sarf London Art

Sublime!!! Really awesome hey!!! I found the UK Street Art interview with Rough really quite interesting on the site and this guys work is just amazing!!!

The site procliams that “Rough is one of the biggest and best from the UK scene. He’s been in the game for nearly 25 years now and has worked with some big name clients including Redbull and Nike.” The Uk Street Art crew spoke to Rough about his skills, art, designs… Check out the full Rough Interview here. I really love this graffiti piece by Rough!!!

In terms of the art world ukstreetart.co.uk Mark says the folling:

“I founded and designed Uk Street Art, modifying an existing template using the Wordpress blogging engine. I run ukstreetart.co.uk with members of the Fublo Collective.”
Born in 2008, UK Street Art is the main resource for UK related street art and graffiti news. UKSA is ranked highly on Google and provides a wealth of information for anyone wanting to keep up to date with the scene.

In terms of t-shirt fashion fatseagull.com Mark says the following:

“I founded and designed Fat Seagull, modifying an existing template using the Wordpress blogging engine. I run fatseagull.com with members of the Fublo Collective.”
Born in 2007, Fat Seagull is the ‘one stop shop for streetwear tshirt heads’ covering news, reviews and competitions from the major names and smaller, lesser-known t-shirt brands.
The idea came about as I have a large collection of t-shirts which comes from my love of everything to do with the design and graphics which enables the t-shirt to become a personal statement by it’s owner.

Mark Jenkins can be found on Twitter click here to visit him.

So as you can see Mark is just awesome and has really outdone himself with these awesome initiatives!!! I love what he does and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Keep up the great work buddy!!!

If you have any comments or suggestions, drop me a line in the comment box.

Designed by Natali Ballotto
Marketed by Carina Carreiro
Boksburg High School

The Fat Seagull is one of the most comprehensive and up to date t-shirt blogs on the net. Featuring only the best in t-shirt design, fresh collections of streetwear tees and the trendiest t-shirt trends around.

Based in London Springleap.com chatted to web designer and blogger extraordinare Mark Jenkins about his hectic lifestyle on and offline.

Mark currently runs 3 websites, works part time and freelances (crazy- but worth it, he says)!

If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want to have with you?
“I’d need my laptop (with a never ending battery add-on), a constant supply of Fab ice lollies and if, by that time they had wireless internet on remote islands…I’d have to go for that.”

Clearly this oke is addicted to the net! With an impressive portfolio of over 9 websites I’m surprised that he gets out at all!

Click here to take a look at his portfolio.

Lets take a little peak into how he landed himself online.

How did you arrive at this destination in life?
“I studied Graphic Design at college and then Illustration and Graphic Design at university.

After a bit of travelling I was given a really good opportunity to start a web design role at a small startup called Neuxpower.

The interview was interesting, as I’d just got back from Thailand and was a little jetlagged! I turned up and instantly told them “Are you sure you have the right person here? I did illustration at university?” - luckily, I still managed to get the job though , without them I would never have got into the industry and I am truly greatful for that!

Following that job, I moved to work for Time Out London. I’m lucky enough to be working for a global brand which is recognised as a fantastic source for information on going out in your city. I am currently still there doing two days a week and freelancing for other companies for the rest of the week.”

Seems luck has been on Mark’s side! Juggling all those responsibilities I wonder how he manages to stay on track. So what exactly gets Mr Jenkins ticking?

You’re a busy guy! What inspires you?
“I’m constantly inspired by things I read and see every day, namely blogs, feeds and newspapers.

“I am totally engrossed in social media and am really interested in the ways in which it can be used to connect people effectively.”

“I’m inspired by pretty much anything that’s visually arresting.”

Visually arresting…sounds like he has a taste hard to live up to. Lets see which “Springleap.com” tee made the cut…

What’s your favourite Springleap.com t-shirt?
“I’m a big fan of the “Aviator” design”

Congrats Fragment he likes it!

Although it may be hard to believe, Mark still finds time to get his groove on! There’s always time to party right?!

What is craziest thing you’ve done in the past 3 weeks?
“Some would say giving up my full time job in the recession, but I’d probably say that it’s more likely drinking too much. Though, I’ve calmed down a bit now, honest.” :P

What’s a typical day in the life of Mark Jenkins like?
“I usually wake up around 9am. Then it’s breakfast time. Shower, then either working from home, or work at Time Out. In between that I can usually be found tracking events on Twitter, Blogs, Facebook and various online newspapers alongside preparing designs, coding, setting up new Wordpress blogs, fixing problems, installing and upgrading plugins, eating lunch (at various times), a bit of online shopping. Home time, then either is the pub, forgetting to eat dinner and proceeding to go home drunk at 9pm. Or sometimes a gig, club, gallery. I live quite a varied life and don’t really plan too much out, spur of the moment is much more appealing to me. Bed usually comes around 1am. Then it’s time to do it all over again.”

Sounds like the life!

Have you ever been to South Africa?
“Not yet, but I really should visit. Anyone out there willing to pay for my flight?!”

If there is anyone one out there, who would like to lend a brother some moola to visit SA, please say so below. Lol.

Connect with Mark on twitter, username: markjenkins
Join his Facebook group: The Fat Seagull

Thanks Mark for letting us in on your busy life!
Springleap.com loves what you’re doing, SO KEEP IT UP!
All the best from us here at HQ!