GameGirl

Based on the love of gaming and turning them into awesome apparel, VideoGameTees is a website that has been around since December 2007. I recently received the opportunity of talking with Gary Harrod, one of the partners from the site. With its ambitious designs and creativity they have done a wonderful job in the video game apparel world, and in my opinion will continue to do so for many years to come.

Ladyluck: First and foremost, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule and for giving me the opportunity to interview you. My first question is an obvious one. What is your title?

Gary: We don't really have titles! VGT is a part time collaboration between friends and we are all equal partners with regards to the work and effort that goes into running the business.

Ladyluck: How did you get your position? Do you have previous graphic experience?

Gary: It's a long and very uninteresting story about how we came together as a group! However I have a long background in design and most of it related to video games in some way. Working on magazines, strategy guides, websites, branding and packaging for most of the major players in the industry.

Ladyluck: How do you come up with your designs?

Gary: Almost all my ideas appear during the time I spend playing the games. Shapes, badges, logos, scenery, place names. I look for innocuous scrawl that goes beyond its original scope and catches your eye. The "Cake is a Lie" writing on the walls in Portal for example.
 
Ladyluck: What is your process?

Gary: I don't have a process as each shirt happens in different ways. Whether the idea can be realized using the vinyl transfer process we use to make the shirts (vector artwork with two or three colors) is the key factor. If it fulfills the manufacturing requirements then it's a simple construction of the image in illustrator with the individual colors separated as layers. Obviously I need to consider this when I am surfing for ideas!

Ladyluck: How long have you been with the company?

Gary: VGT has will be 2 years old very soon!

Ladyluck: Do you have a favorite design?

Gary: If it makes it onto the site then I need to like it a lot! I always ask myself the same question for each shirt I create. Would I wear it? If not then I cannot expect other gamers to wear it either. Let alone spend money on it! The Daily Training shirt took a few attempts to turn the face from a polygon 3D visual into a flat two color image yet still look familiar. I am pleased with how that one turned out.

Ladyluck: If I wanted to work for VideoGameTees, what would I do?

Gary: Anyone who has a good idea that can be made using our production methods and stand up to our intense scrutiny has a chance of getting a shirt sold on the site. Be warned though: we are a fussy lot! We've had a lot of ideas but not a single one has made it past our entry requirements!

Ladyluck: Will VideoGameTees ever expand into other areas such as key chains or other accessories?

Gary: I never say never but with so much work required to create the shirts it's hard to find any spare time to diversify further.

Ladyluck: How do your graphics and ideas become tees? How many of your designs have actually been used?

Gary: I would say only 20% of my ideas have made it onto the site. I have a lot of designs that got voted down. Mostly be me before anyone else even sees then.

Ladyluck: Do you have any suggestions for those trying to get into the gaming apparel business?

Gary: Don't do it? Seriously though, had I not been presented with an opportunity to collaborate with friends in a unique way then it's extremely unlikely that VGT would have gotten off the ground.

Ladyluck: How long has the company been around?

Gary: Almost 2 years now.

Ladyluck: What is the goal of VideoGameTees?

Gary: To pay for my retirement. Long way to go though...

Ladyluck: How many people work here?

Gary: Four wonderful souls contribute the machine that is VGT.

Ladyluck: What is your favorite console?

Gary: Xbox 360 pwns all.

Ladyluck: What is your favorite video game?

Gary: There will never be just one, but I'm currently enjoying Batman: Arkham Asylum and Professor Layton's new adventure on the DS.

Ladyluck: What are you playing at the moment?

Gary: About 60% through Batman. Seriously good game.

Ladyluck: What systems do you own?

Gary: I've got everything that exists except a PS3. Working on magazines got me access to almost all the hardware ever made. Saturn, Dreamcast, Wonderswan, NeoGeo CD, Virtual Boy... List goes on.

Ladyluck: What games are you looking forward to?

Gary: Modern Warfare 2 is top of the list right now. Silent Hill on Wii is also peaking my interest despite the fact that I hate using the nunchuk. I'll be giving Starcraft 2, Magna Carta 2, Borderlands and a ton of others a spin also.

Ladyluck: Thanks for your time, and good luck to all of you at VideoGameTees.

To check out more of their designs, go to VideoGameTees.