Tutorial 6: Threadless

Threadless

The focus of this community is that boys and girls from all over the place can submit their t-shirt designs and other people can vote/ rate them. If the public vote is high enough then the t-shirts are then created.

The services provided:
-send in t-shirt designs
-t-shirts rated
-t-shirts created/sold if they are rated high enough

This site is very interactive with new t-shirt designs being added each day as well as people rating them.

People can contribute to this website by either emailing their designs to threadless using their basic template or by taking photos and sending them in.

People contribute to this community because:
-they can see different t-shirt designs
-rate t-shirt designs
-individuals want to be noticed for their work
-support friends and family
-interested in fashion design

These are some of the comments added on this boys t-shirt design which is described as: 3 color oversize print on sand

****** on Feb 24 '09
I might die if this doesn't get printed. I can't remember the last time I wanted a shirt this much.

****** on Feb 24 '09
This is well done. I usually dislike busy chaos on shirts...now I know why...yours has a source. The wing disintegrating into space is awesome.

****** on Feb 24 '09
There is nothing wrong with this shirt. It is awesome. Print Print. Really cool, I would love to now what you think of my design.

The potential ethical issue that may arise in the threadless community is if someone designs a t-shirt that is very similar to someone elses t-shirt and gets credit for it.

The benefits of this online community over a traditional notion of community is that girls and guys all over the world can submit their t-shirt designs. It is a way of putting t-shirt designs out there even if you do live in a small isolated area where you couldn't normally present your t-shirt designs. Because it is online they also have the ability to connect with people of similar interest as the designer may not know anyone within their community who has similar taste.

This community lacks interaction with who the buyers are of their t-shirt designs. The designer can get feedback about their t-shirts but it isn't face to face like it would be in a traditional community.