November 24, 2009 by Jimmy Hendricks
Artistic Hub creates interactive photo and design contest applications to engage customers and fans.
Our applications are white labeled and fully branded for brands, bands and media outlets. We believe in simple and fun campaigns as a way to communicate with fans while increasing revenue and driving customer participation. We work with clients like Sports Illustrated Kids, Active.com, Ihoops (a NBA, NCAA collaboration), Monster Cable and Tapatio Hot Sauce.
For more information visit: Artistic Hub or read our case studies:
Sports Illustrated Kids T-Shirt Design Contest -> 500+ designs and 790,000 impressions the first month
Eteamz.com Sports Photo Contest – > 1,000,000+ monthly impressions and avg. engagement of 8:09 per user
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
November 11, 2008 by michelle
“Be different, learn the rules- then break them and always work harder than the guy next to you!” – Ryan
This week’s winning design is called “Retro Gasp” by Ryan Seaman. We love this design and hope you do too! We think it will be a nice addition to the Collar Free collection.
ABOUT RYAN:
- Name: Ryan Seaman (DESIGNByRDS)
- School/Grad year: The Art Institute of California – San Diego 2005
- Company: Corporate- Viejas Casino | Freelance www.designbyrds.com
- What was the inspiration for this design? Retro, kick-back to the 80’s and fun colors.
- Where do you gain most of your inspiration from? Old magazines, book stores, ffffound.com, seasons, everyday situations and observations.
- Do you have a favorite artist/designer? I really admire Joshua Davis because of his originality, also: http://www.plastickid.dk, http://www.emilkozak.com, http://www.asidestudio.co.uk/, http://www.ngdesign.it/ng8/root.html, honestly, I could go on and on.
- What’s your favorite medium? Paint, textures, pencil, acrylic ink, t-shirts, posters, old-dirty-worn items.
- If you could have lunch with 3 people from the past or the present, who would it be? Wayne Gretzky, Joshua Davis & Winston Churchill
- Most played music on your itunes? Minus the Bear, Slightly Stoopid, Unset, Atmosphere, Cash…
- What do you do in your spare time? Mostly design but I like to play hockey, hang out with my black labs Bubba and Gump, see movies, golf…
- What’s something you’re passionate about? Definitely design. I want to be the best I can be at it and I feel I’ll only achieve that if I’m working harder than the next guy.
- What’s your favorite saying? An artist is someone who produces things that people don’t need to have but that he – for some reason – thinks it would be a good idea to give them. – Andy Warhol
- Favorite book? Anything by Dean Koontz
- Who would you LOVE to see wearing your shirt? Shepard Fairey
- MAC or PC? Mac all the way.
- What places in your hometown do you frequent? North Park bookstores, Sunset Cliffs, SouthBeach O.B.
Ryan’s shirt will be in pre-sale later this week, so keep your eye out for it. In the meantime show Ryan some love on his profile and let him know what you think of his work.
-Collar Free team
Posted in Michelle Mellem | Tagged retro gasp, ryan seaman, winner, winning design, women | Leave a Comment »
November 10, 2008 by melaniewilliams
Our famous “Momentum” t-shirt is finally complete. Apparently printing over the shoulder of a t-shirt is harder than we thought and caused our screen printers to order special printing boards, create a new test process… blah, blah, blah and they are done! This is printed on our super-soft cotton/poly blend shirt and Derek Bischoff’s design is organic and powerful with colors that pop. We love it and we know you will too. See how the design goes to the back:
Available NOW for $27 and FREE Shipping! Shop Now.
This design is featured on Please Dress Me as the shirt of the day! Go to their site, become a fan and enter to win Momentum for FREE!
Derek Bischoff also designed the cool t-shirt: “Emperor” which has also been very popular.
$27 - Support Derek and shop 
ABOUT DEREK:
“I recently graduated from Monmouth University and my inspiration for this design came from a project that I created for one of my classes. I really wanted to create a fun design for a shirt. The organic concept had a feeling of movement…it continued to grow, which is why I titled it “Momentum.” In my spare time I like to hang out with my friends and family. I played competitive sports since I was 5 years old, which includes playing college football for the last 5 years. I’m a very passionate person and the thing I’m most passionate about is my family, they mean the world to me. I have a few things I try to live by everyday: don’t take anything for granted, and whatever it is you’re doing you should enjoy it and make the most of it. I think it’s important to laugh and just enjoy life. I would love to see any famous musician or actor wearing one of my shirts, but I’ll be happy when I see my little brother rockin’ it.” – Derek
I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work with designers from all over the world. What a great project with a great heart.
Posted in Melanie Williams | Tagged Collar Free, cool t-shirt, derek bischoff, emperor, momentum, please dress me, support independent artists | Leave a Comment »
October 20, 2008 by Jimmy Hendricks
Mix, Mingle and Make Industry Connections at the October FOCUS Networking Mixer
When: Wednesday, October 22, 7:00pm
Where: Collar Free – 3611 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104 – map
Network with other fashion industry professionals and hear firsthand success stories from local fashion entrepreneurs.
- Pat & Jimmy – Collar Free
- Vanessa – Jiva Activewear
- Liz – ABBL Swimwear
- Nichole – Bagonia Handbags
This event connects all segments of the industry, including designers, stylists, manufacturers, photographers, marketers, e-tailers, boutique owners, fashion students, and entrepreneurs.
Please rsvp to: rsvp@fgifocus.org
A $5 donation is requested at the door to cover web costs, food and drinks. Cash only please.
See you on the 22nd!
www.fgifocus.org
Posted in Jimmy Hendricks, Patrick Dillon | Tagged Events, FGI, Marketing | Leave a Comment »
October 8, 2008 by melaniewilliams
Congratulations Shawn Conn
Your “The Tree of Life ” was our winning design!
Shawn is the first to get our $200 cash prize! Smells like…. Victory.
Learn how WE promote YOU on CollarFree.com.
NOW IN STOCK:
Pre-Sale Shirts! Buy ‘em now and save $5!
What’s New?!
| Keeping Politics Positive: Design Competition Winners! |
| Congratulations to our 2 winners of $250 cash, 20 t-shirts + 10% of sales! Both Tee’s are available for purchase NOW, so support your candidate and these great artists by picking up a few for you and your friends. |
| “Country First” by Derrick Castle
Pre-Sale: $15 BUY NOW |
|
“Words of Hope” by Aaron Gilmore
Pre-Sale: $15 BUY NOW
|
|
| Really, we are all winners here… |
|
We Will be selling the 2 winning shirts on Collar Free, but you can still get all of our other products on our Zazzle on-demand store!
So really, ALL of our designers have the opportunity to make some cash and see their designs around town.
|
|
Some of our most popular products on Zazzle:
|
Click SHOP NOW to see ALL of our products on zazzle!
 |
Vote for Erin! |
|
Our own Erin Trask is on the cover of a magazine! Well, almost…. She needs your help! A trendy San Diego Magazine called ‘944′ is having a contest to find a local beauty to feature in their magazine! Girls with the most votes will have photos inside, but ones with the most votes and positive comments will be chosen for the cover!
Click HERE to vote for Erin and leave her a comment! (You do have to register, but it only takes a second and she’s worth it! 
|
|
|
Collar Free In the News: Articles about Us!
San Diego Business Jounal: “Novel Ideas: Crashing In on the Campaign” Read Article
Aevan Arts: “Interviiiiiewing and Feeling Better” Read Article
| Collar Free in Boutiques! |
| You can now find Collar Free T-Shirts in the following boutiques: |
 |
Material
2910 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
phone: 619.255.3190
hours: 11-8 daily
www.domaterial.com |
Collar Free Blogs:
 |
Design Fix: Your daily dose of design, art and culture.
Be More Productive as a Designer:
“Don’t let this be YOU! Here are a few simple tips to improve your productivity as a designer. “ READ MORE |
 |
Branding is in the Details By Patrick Dillon
A Core Message :
“The struggle to find one’s core message is sometimes a difficult task for many companies. For Collar Free, as a lifestyle brand, we’ve gone through many ideas.” READ MORE |
 |
Life of a Founder By Jimmy Hendricks
Connect.org – Springboard :
“Today I would like to share our best program we have found to launch your business and highly increase the probability for success.” READ MORE |
ATTN: Designers
We are now offering a $200 CASH PRIZE paid up-front for all winning tees on Collar Free.com! This means you get $200 cash, plus your name printed on every t-shirt, a unique hang tag with info about you, 5 free shirts for your biggest fans, a press-release sent to your local/school newspaper and a royalty payment for every shirt sold! There is no better time to design t-shirts! Start Designing.
Toys for Tots T-Shirt Design Competition COMING SOON!  |
|
Is that enough alliteration for you? Collar Free has teamed up with Toys for Tots to create some sweet tees for a cause. Toys for Tots is a non-profit organization, collecting toys to be distributed to needy children in the community during Christmas time. We are excited to invite our designers to create a t-shirt design for the company inspired by their message.
Winners will receive $300 cash and a goodie bag with gifts donated from Quicksilver and Collar Free. We will post updates about this contest in our blog as well as in an email to all of our designers later this week.
|
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
September 29, 2008 by Jimmy Hendricks
We will be participating in a great event to support the Keep a Breast foundation this thursday at J Bar in San Diego.
MojoPages Heart-y Party
MojoPages is proud to announce the 2nd installment in our never-ending series of San Diego Community Parties. In collaboration with Fit Athletic, the MojoPages Heart-y Party will support the Keep-a-Breast Foundation and is sure to be tons of fun for our VIP Local Gurus, MojoPages members and guests experiencing Mojo for the first time.
Taking place Thursday, Oct. 2nd at the beautiful Hotel Solamar’s rooftop J Bar, attendees will enjoy:
- Happy Hour drink specials thru 9pm
- Delicious apps and specialty Mojo cocktails
- Relaxing massages by Blue Star Body Lounge
- Real-life mermaid in the rooftop pool
- Barbara-Lee Edwards of Channel 8 as our guest Master of Ceremonies
- Collarfree.com T-shirts for sale, with proceeds to benefit Keep-a-Breast
- Live entertainment
And Local Gurus will enjoy a private mixology course at J-six Restaurant which commences at 6:30 pm.
This is one of San Diego’s hottest spots and it’s a perfect place for Mojo’ers to network, mix and mingle with friends and neighbors. J-Bar is a little smaller than the W, so be sure to RSVP because space is limited!
RSVP NOW and get your Mojo on!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
435 6th Avenue,
San Diego, CA
Posted in Jimmy Hendricks | Tagged Events, Marketing, MojoPages | 1 Comment »
September 24, 2008 by Jimmy Hendricks
Collar Free is proud to support a new local brewery to San Diego. Airdale Brewing was started by a good friend Tony Clarke. Tony, a recently retired Naval Aviator, has been an avid homebrewer for a while now. Recently inspired by the amazing craft beer culture in San Diego he decided to make this his new career.
This Friday, guests to “3611″ will get a free taste of these great two new mircobrews:
The Wheat Beer.
The Strong Pale Ale.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged launch 3611 airdale beer party | Leave a Comment »
September 24, 2008 by melaniewilliams
CONGRATULATIONS Scott Sampaio aka “ssampaio”
“Wave “ was our winning design!
Tell Scott what you think: Leave a Comment
ALSO, Congratulations to Last Week’s Winner:
“Whoo-Said” by Leah Schroeder
Both will be available for pre-sale next week!
Monday we will choose a new winner for women so go and vote for your favorite t-shirts!
Pre-Sale Shirts! Buy them while we’re still in production and save $5!
What’s New @ Collar Free!
Collar Free and Zazzle try dating!
 |
Can’t wait for your political Shirt?! Collar Free’s Political designs are now available on our Zazzle on demand store!
Our Obama and McCain T-shirts have been so popular that people can’t wait to get their hands on them. We have uploaded all of the political designs in voting onto Zazzle.com for on demand printing. We love their work so much that we also offer the designs on bags, buttons, stickers and mugs! Support independent artists and your presidential candidate and gear up today! |
| We are always trying to find a way to benefit all of our artists, and not just the ones that win the Collar Free competitions. This is a great opportunity for all of our designers to make some cash and produce original products. Here are some of the t-shirts available: |
Collar Free In the News: Articles about Us!
TShirtReview.com (click to read)
 |
If you’re in San Diego on Friday, September 26th please join us and a few (200) of our local friends. There will be live music performances (our street scene encore), and a free beer by Airdale Brewing Co. The showroom will be open for shopping. Doors open at 8 pm.
Location: 3611 30th St. San Diego, CA 92101 |
  |
Live music by Zank
(and more!)
zankmusic.com
Taste some of our great local beer from Airdale Brewing Co.
|
|
|
Collar Free Blogs:
 |
Erin’s Rack: Fashion, Life and the things that help us survive both.
Fashion Week San Diego is back on! :
“It was announced yesterday that Fashion Week SD is still happening on it’s originally scheduled dates, only condensed into four days. “ READ MORE |
 |
Design Fix: Your daily dose of design, art and culture.
Temecula Valley Film and Music Festival:
“I am proud to announce that there was 3 films from the San Diego State Film Dept in this year’s film festival.” READ MORE |
 |
Branding is in the Details By Patrick Dillon
Raising Your Blood Pressure:
“Last night I found out how I react to a fight or flight syndrome.” READ MORE |
 |
Life of a Founder By Jimmy Hendricks
Support Independent Artists Campaign:
“One of the biggest questions we’ve had as a company is ‘how can all our artists benefit, not just the winners?’” READ MORE |
 |
Rockin’ Collar Free!
We want to see how YOU wear Collar Free! Send us a photo of you rockin’ one of our t-shirts and we will post it in our album. We want to see all of the different ways you wear our tees and the artists love the support too!
Check out our photos on MySpace, Facebook and Flickr. |
|
Become a Collar Free Affiliate: Promote Collar Free and earn cash!
If you are interested in becoming one of our affiliates, click HERE to sign up.
___________
Follow us on Twitter!
___________
Design Tips:
Get your political t-shirt in soon! Voting ends @ Collar Free on October 6th. Even if you don’t win the Collar Free contest, we are posting all of our political t-shirts up on Zazzle.com available for sale. This means you can still make some cash and get your name out there! Check out the products for sale and download the template today!
 |
Looking for a full time creative position with a great company? Check out Keva Design Agency!
They work nationwide within the creative industry, placing graphic designers, apparel designers, copywriters, creative directors etc. Full time and freelance gigs available.
We love them and we know you will too. |
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
