Geek Shirts HQ Designer Unlocked: Thomas Ketchen Interview

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Geek Shirts — No Comments ↓

Welcome to another in Geek Shirts HQ Designer Unlocked series This week we have the popular designer known as TeeKetch.

By the way Teeketch "Steamboat Link T-Shirt" is the feature shirt of Shirt Punch today, June 5, 2012. You can buy the HERE

Can you start by giving some background about yourself? Where you are from? What is your background? How did you get into design?

Well my background isn't very exciting actually. I am just a guy who has always loved to draw and create and such and have found an outlet for that. I have been fortunate to find similar and like minded people to myself to help out along the way and for that I am grateful. Where I'm from is the Boston area of Massachusetts.

As far as getting into design I started in high school as I went to a technical school so half of my high school career was spent doing traditional academics while the other half was spent learning a trade and for me that was graphic design.

Pocket Companion

Where did you get the name Teeketch?

TeeKetch basically just came from my name. I never thought about it in terms of like "haha tee as in tee shirt." But I guess if people want to think I am that clever I will take it haha.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

For me it's probably mostly video games. I am a huge gamer and games are what I love and grew up with. Also Saturday morning cartoons. So if you are into art and design inspired by games or cartoons than you will probably be able to find something you like in my collection.

Castle Town Orchestra

When you create a new t shirt design, what is sort of process do you follow?

My process is weird I guess. I don't really think much about it. I generally will just think "hey that could be neat" and then I will just go right into sketching. I tend not to flesh ideas out much before drawing anything. So first it would be thumbnails of a few different layouts to get a composition I like.

Second would then be the character/line work. This is a big focus for me as it is my strongest point being an illustrator. After the line work is done it is on to choosing a palette and filling in which colors> will go where. That's about that.

Looking at your own portfolio what is your favourite design and why?

I would probably say my favorite designs would have to be my design "Don't go alone" which can be purchased here.

It is my favorite probably because it has been my most successful. It is also a combination of two of my favorite things ever haha.

Don't Go Alone

What current projects are you working on now? And can we get a exclusive peek?

I am currently working on a bunch of new designs. I am constantly rotating between them all, like a turn table. But one of my newest designs is actually part of a small series of designs so you can peek at that here where I have included an image showing a little of my process.

sonic process 1024x442 Geek Shirts HQ Designer Unlocked: Thomas Ketchen Interview

Who are your favourite designers?

Some of my favorite designers I have actually had the privilege to get to know a bit. Those folks would be CoD Designs, InkOne art, Bamboota, Drawsgood, ZeroBriant as well as a slue of others.

Do you try to convey any message in your designs?

I try and reach back to things myself and people like me love. Maybe a long lost cartoon or video game franchise that at one time was so loved but has since been lost to the sea of time.

So basically nostalgia is huge for me. Reinventing/re-imagining things in a new light. Putting my own spin on things and trying to make them fresh and new for people to enjoy. That is the message and the feeling I am trying to put into my work.

Women Or Star Trek? Which Do you prefer?

Women. I like my stars of the war variety personally.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Who knows. As those who know me understand I don't really plan things. I would love to be working on designs still as well as my own graphic novel but as far as concrete plans I really don't have any.

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What other interests and hobbies do you have when you’re not designing?

I'm a geek through and through so when I'm not designing I am reading comics, watching movies or playing video games with my friends.

Who do you blame for the current recession?

I have no business talking about any of this stuff right now. I will only say a lot of not so smart people making a lot of not so smart decisions.

Anyone you want to give a shout out to?

Yes I would like to give a shout out to my brother Josh who can be found on the web both musically and design wise at these locations. Facebook: JoshuaKetchen and Facebook: CreativeOutpouring respectively.

I would also like to shout out InkOne Art and CoD Designs for helping me so much with fleshing things out and getting the best designs possible.

Check them out here: inkOneart and CoDdesigns respectively.

Lastly Everyone in the RBC design group for accepting me in and helping me grow as an artist, much respect.

Where is the best place to find your designs and buy some of your shirts? And of course get in contact with you?

The best way to get in touch with me about any commission illustrations or freelance work is through email at tketchen@gmail.com

Any other websites that feature your designs?

Just check in on my facebook page to stay up to date on any features I may have at any other sites.

One last question, are you ever going to design a Firefly shirt as I am a massive fan?