Inspiration and Development
Introduction - A Love Letter to my OCAD Journey
M8D Collection is inspired by my experiences through OCAD and life. Majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Entrepreneurship, I looked to put everything learned and taught into my own thesis passion project, Where after designing so many clothes for others I wanted to do it my way.
I decided on Mood Collection to be an extension of my freelance design service brand Mood designs
First Brainstorm
With no clear direction yet for Mood Collections. My first brainstorms were the redesign of my fathers favourite clothing design tweet this, making a piece to stand against police brutality and my signature design
Why do it myself and not use places like Shopify?
After I created my initial designs, I looked into on-demand t-shirt programs such as Shoplify which allowed me to avoid storing or paying for products upfront. However, the issue with such programs is that everything is mass-produced and the designs are too rigid and lack uniqueness. I did not want my design to blend in with the crowd. As committed as I was to this project, I decided to purchase machines and products and produce them myself.
Material Testing and Durability
"Here are the results of my first tests on cotton t-shirts with vinyl printing. As you can see, the black tee on the bottom right shows some wear and tear after I wore and washed it multiple times until the infinity symbol fell off. I was testing the durability of the print and the t-shirt material."
The Idea and My Signature
The brand name "Mood" is highly versatile and it offers endless possibilities for clothing design and vision. As the sole controller of the brand, I am excited about the prospect of creating unique and customizable designs in addition to the regular sale designs.
The concept of NFT's and The brand M8D
Although the NFT market did not succeed, one valuable lesson from that trend was that people enjoy feeling unique and being part of a community. With the versatility of the "Mood" brand, buyers are able to tailor my designs to their preferences. They can have their own "Mood" that accurately represents their personality and brand.
Illustration - The Balance Mascot
Balance the signature of M8D
What I have learned from brands like Bathing Ape, OVO, and Play is that they have a unique mascot character or signature. For example, "Mood" is a mascot designed based on a Chinese sculpture of a half-demon, half-Buddha. Like the sculpture, we can be peaceful and quiet; however, at times, we must assert ourselves and wake up that beast within us. This balance and harmony are what "m8d" represents.
M8D Hand sign
I designed a hand gesture for members to showcase their affiliation with the brand on social media.
The Goal of M8D and Creating Community
My brand has three main goals. Firstly, to spread uplifting messages that inspire others. Secondly, to encourage people to strive to be the best version of themselves. Finally, to find your tribe.
To achieve these goals, I have created a versatile logo, a mascot, and unique designs. I believe that these elements will help me build a community of people who share my beliefs and values.
My ultimate aim is to create something that is more than just clothing. I want to create a positive movement that connects people and promotes our common beliefs. I am excited about the possibilities and can't wait to see where this journey takes me.
First Promotion Video and Website Breakdown Coming Soon 2024
What To expect January 2024?
- Full launch and Purchasable Tops
- Teaser Promo Video
- Custom + Tutorial
- Completed Process Breakdown