The beginning of a new year necessitated the design for a new internal HelloComputer tshirt. I, Lauren Waller, new to the company and lucky enough to be given the task, thought I would share my experience of this endeavour with you all.

The process took quite a lot longer than I  anticipated due to HelloComputer’s unyielding pursuit for perfection – something which was frustrating at times but which I learned to appreciate and adapt to. Being constantly pushed to improve and craft resulted in not only a better design but also enhanced my skills and techniques.

The initial idea behind the design began with a close look at the HelloComputer identity, with particular focus on the concept “making computers more human,” which all at HelloComputer strive to achieve. I came up with a design aimed at fusing the digital and natural world. As a novice in the department of tshirt-design, after many consultations and reference examples, I realized that the design was conceptually over-complicated and perhaps slightly awkward as a tshirt print. See the initial design below…

So…I started over and together with the Simon S, Simon M and Mark T, decided to simplify the initial idea of fusing digital and human elements. We rather gave the HelloComputer mascot, Hal, a more subtle human element by creating a super cool, little computer, dude, with sunglasses and a bit of attitude. Crafting, crafting and more crafting, and the design was finally approved. They are in process of being printed as we speak, in very bright and metallic colours! Its gonna be epic.

All in all, a challenging, but totally radical experience.