Premium Streetwear » Jing

First step to being good is knowing you suck

Jing — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:00:00 +0000

When I first started in graphic design I met this guy who wanted me to do a logo for him. At the age of 23 my ego was bigger than that of an ignorant 21 year old (the pinnacle age of ignorance of ones ability). I was honest and admitted to myself that I haven't done many logos before and the the ones I have done wasn't very good. But I'm not the young 22 anymore, I have six months of experience now! Plus I would put all my energy and ability into it so it will be awesome.

After several days I came up with many concepts and I had one that was particularly clever and I was quite proud of my awesome skills. I have pulled it off! When I gleefully presented to him the concepts, he politely told me that it all sucked. And I politely told him to F off, well I wasn't so polite.

My work sucked so much it didn't take long even with my testosterone enhance delusion of my ability to realize that it really did suck. No matter who you are and what you do, when you start at something you will suck! According to Malcolm Gladwell in Outlier all masters in their industry took 10,000 hours of practice to get to where they are. And all greats will agree. Watch the interview with Ira Glass below and you'll fully understand.

Often I work with graphic designers who due to the lack of experience produces something that is not the greatest. Not that they don't have the ability or the potential, just because they lack experience, the idiosyncrasy of communicating visually. I would tell them the weak areas and some would get offended. I would feel bad but then I would get offended myself, I would think "How arrogant to think you can achieve greatness with so little sweat and dues, it is a disrespect for all the greats who have dedicated decades of their life into designing."

For those that end up becoming great in their field, they all have to put in the hours. There are no shortcuts. For myself I have not gotten to 10,000 hours yet, I have gone a long way from my early days but I am excited to see what kind of work I will be producing once I hit the 10,000 hours mark and join the club of the elites.

2010 is the year Ed Hardy officially dies

Jing — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:00:00 +0000

2010 is the year Ed Hardy officially dies. I've heard a lot from people in the industry that Ed Hardy is ugly and that it's too busy and so forth. It's easy to hate on Ed Hardy but the truth is that the aesthetics are not inherently awful. Yes, some of them were and they especially were hideous when the brand sold out and tried to milk the trend as much as it could.

People in the fashion industry hate Ed Hardy and it's rumored that people who are into tattoos do not wear the brand. But it was a craze, and Christian Audiger made a lot of money it from it. More money than he made from Von Dutch. The fact is that they over sold it, they licensed everything out. Like a pyramid scheme the last to enter will be the big losers.

Being in the industry I know a lot about Ed Hardy that the consumers don't know. They just see their pieces everywhere and thinks it's cool. Now they are starting to clue in and the sales of anything Ed Hardy have dropped. The stores to whom I've spoken have not ordered anything Ed Hardy for spring and are desperately trying to get rid of the current inventory.

In addition if you look at the new Ed Hardy designs you'll notice that the style have changed. And the logo has changed too. It is usually not a good sign when a brand changes his style and logo. Very few lines are able to reposition themselves successfully and when you are such a well known brand and is so strongly associated with something it'll be impossible for you to change.

Whatever happens, though, there is no denying that Christian Augdier is a great marketer.
Check out a photo of myself and him at the Project show, one of the most read post.

The Old New Trend: Vintage

Jing — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000

I read that the inspiration for the current flannel craze originated from thrifty hipsters getting their shirts for cheap from second hand stores. Now all the lines are going after that has been and washed up look. Even though the "vintage and distressed" look has always been in vogue, you will see a lot more in the upcoming seasons, especially since the recession has put a lot more emphasis back on used and worn-out clothing.

The whole hipster scene has dramatically influenced fashion. This style is about being chill and looking cheap, but it is completely contradicted by the cost of some of these "vintage" shirts. It isn't cheap to look "cheap." The amount of effort and the process that goes into producing a shirt that looks old is actually one that ends up costing a lot.

Click here to check out my listing of the top 7 trends of the coming season.

The Bay Olympic Collection is on point!

Jing — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:17:00 +0000

I finally checked out the Bay on Queen Street yesterday. Haven't been in this place for maybe a decade? Wow, that's a long time!

I remember when I was a kid and crossing that Eaton Centre tunnel to enter the bay and go through all the cool stuff I can't afford. I remember going there 5-6 times just to buy a pair of Hush Puppies.

Always I was finally there again, was told they are trying to move upscale. They picked up some high end brands like Desigual, great detailing! Other stuff was pretty much expected.

What caught my attention was the Canadian Olympic collection from HBC. From the commercials I thought the design of the shirts were kind of neat but thought that the collection wouldn't be good, you know, it is the Bay after all. Their reputation for picking up good brands aren't that good. And their reputation for design is non existent. But have to say I really like the collection, well half of it anyways. I was surprised that they did all these pieces without "Canada" or "Olympics" splattered all over it. I mean I'm sure they paid quite a penny for the rights. But they have these nice parkas with just a tiny patch on it.
As well they got these nice classic knitted sweaters as well as flannel shirts. From the look of it it doesn't have anything to do with the Olympics then you realize that these are classic Candiana designs. Kudos to them.

But of course they have to have these stupid tees with Canuk all over it. Unlike the other items I will not be linking to it because you shouldn't be buying it!!
Want more Canada stuff in time for the Olympics? Check out the Canada Basketball shirts I designed. Proceeds goes to our athletes.