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Re: T-Shirt Review talks about SpringLeap

Eran — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:51:15 -0000

Hi Liz

Thanks for the mention regarding this review.

Firstly let me start off by saying that we believe it is in everybody and anybody's best interest to enter at springleap and that we have certain points of interest that set us apart from the pack.

Regarding the prize - the top prize every month is about US$1000 - that is $250 more than Design by Humans. In addition the winner gets a stack of other sponsored prizes, all the shirts of that month (worth several hundred dollars), as well as massive exposure and royalties.

The issue at hand with Alan - with all due respect as we perhaps need to be clearer - is that the model at springleap.com is not limited to a run of 108 units and that there is greater depth to the royalties and exposure.

Springleap.com is in it's infancy, making bold strides in a market where the big players have a 5-6 year lead on us. We are currently entirely self-funded and provide a completely different and new product.

Our first runs are only 108 units. Our aim is to grow that number exponentially so that the royalties skyrocket.

Part of the beauty of springleap is that we are building a catalogue of amazing designs that we will offer retailers around the world on almost any conceivable product ranging from beach towels to laptop covers. We intend to create a place where the designers are not only able to earn cash upfront, but in a sense, absorb all the risk of starting a new business on their behalf - selling their designs in a huge way while making them stacks of royalties over time as well as incredible exposure.

We are looking at rather allowing the designers to choose their t-shirt they win, and in point of fact where some artists have requested specific tees, we have provided.

Regarding exposure - firstly we are HUGE on creating exposure for artists. It's all well and dandy to win some cash but exposure is worth tenfold to a designer. Some of our designers have been on the radio, in the newspapers and magazines thanks to being a runner-up or winner. Some have also been approached for freelance work and we have opened many corporates to our designers with no cost as agents or involvement save providing introductions. In other cases where a corporate entity or business wanted some amazing shirt designs we have opened our catalog and hooked them up with the designer and produced the t-shirt. The designer would charge a freelance rate and there s the promise of more work.

The outer back of springleap t-shirts bears the username of the artist as well the title of the work - we are NOT Threadless or Almightees, Emptees and so forth. Our aim with this is to really expose the public at large to art in a gallery without walls - to remember the immense value that the creators of aesthetics and graphica have in their lives.

We don't want people to wear a brand name on the outside of the tee the value of a brand's product is that designer's talent - so for us, we are a brand that emphasizes the artist as a brand unto themselves.

We are - in a sense - picking up where Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement left off - exposing the average man to Art. Getting everyone involved. Very few people go to art galleries anymore, and while those galleries serve a fantastic purpose - the t-shirt is the most relevant canvas for our era.

We want people to go to shops looking for an artist's name - not just a brand-stamp.

To this end we also include a postcard with every springleap t-shirt. The front bears a high res image of the design on the tee and the back bears the picture of the artist, a short profile on them as well as a few thoughts they have about their design.

Each springleap t-shirt is also bundled with a monthly catalog as well as a well finished button-badge (beating the design or an element thereof) with a saftey pin so you can pin it to your cap, bag, jeans, cargos - well anywhere your heart desires!

Over time we will organically grow the prizes - we would love to be giving the biggest and baddest prizes on the net - but these things take time.

As for US$1000 - we haven't heard the winners complaining lately :)

With regards to our t-shirts themselves : the t-shirts are 165g combed cotton and a slim-cut fit. We have jst undergone a change in the cut creating lower necklines for ladies and adjusting the slimcut pattern for the men based on the feedback of the community and purchasers. The cotton of the shirts is manufactured specifically for us and the shirts are not stock tees.

We love criticism and comments - it helps us improve. So if you love us, hate us - whatever - please tell us why : we are evolving based on this feedback.

We have a long way to go but we also offer a very special and new platform for the empowerment and reward of talented, emerging and established artists.

Re: springleap

Eran — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:44:05 -0000

WOW Guys - Awesome punchy site! Great design and colours. Thanks for the mention.

Springleap prides themselves with a few unique traits regarding our garments -

1. Quality - all our t-shirts are made from 165g Combed Cotton on a high gague machine, meaning that they feel great to wear - they are all slim cut t-shirts
2. Not Tags - nothing to scratch and itch the skin
3. Brilliant plastisol and other techniques - we use one of the best silkscreeners in the industry who also do Quicksilver, Billabong, Iron Fist and 12 of the largest brands. The plastisol sits nice and light on the garment ensuring that it does not crack or feel uncomfortable
4. We put the name of the artist and the name of the artwork on the outside back of the garment - we figure t-shirts are like the ultimate walking talking art gallery - kind of a gallery without walls.
5. Every t-shirt comes with a cool catalog of the month as a postcard of the artist who designed the shirt and a supercool button badge with the design that is on the tee.
6. The artist gets to choose up to 7 colours to design with on the front of the t-shirt and we allow them to come up from the side seams, bottom, or any of the sides
7. This is a COMPLETELY community driven site - so we don't choose the winners - it's entirely decided by the votes.

We are new on the scene,but aim to really be up there with the best.

Re: Black Simpsons T-Shirt - Design Competitions Continue To Proliferate

Eran — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:32:29 -0000

Hey spork - can't say I agree with you at all - in actuality this is a parody of life in South Africa and is a HUGE seller for us with the African community in particular. I think that this is a real celebration of life in SA and how families get together in totally different ways because of their culture.

I think that it is important to remember that springleap has a VERY diverse community in terms of race and creed - perhaps for a non-South African I should break it down a bit as I can understand how it could be taken out of context.

The wire cars are a toy that is unanimously recognised in SA - they are sold right through-out South Africa and are a mark of the incredible wire-work that has become a thriving trade for many Africans - You should see the AMAZING toys and art that our country produces - it would BOGGLE your mind. These toys have turning wheels; are solid and their construction is very complex as they often have loads of moving parts. In South Africa, wire-work like this is a thriving trade for many people.

The horn that the "Lucy" character has is called a Vuvusela and makes a blaring loud noise - In South Africa no Soccer, Cricket or Rugby game is complete without this noise. It' like the HUGE foam "finger" gloves the guys have in the States - it's a trademark of our sport culture.

Instead of a cat and dog many indigenous people keep chickens and goats as pets ...

I think you can see where I am going with this - this is an awesome contextual example of how families of all cultures get together in all sorts of situations - political, economical, cultural - to enjoy life in their own special way often despite their circumstances. South Africa is an amazing place to experience. People of EVERY race, creed and culture eat, live, sleep and celebrate their lives together here like nowhere else.

So if you feel that enjoying life in whatever circumstance is racist... I guess we need to reconsider pulling the "racist" card so quickly.

Fact is - this is also about freedom of speech and springleap lets the community choose what gets made by highest vote - and this design won by a good margin. Our motto stands firm : T-shirts for the people, by the people and on the people.

To back up what Eric stated - getting your work approved on springleap is no simple - we have a number of people working on the approvals before they come to a final decision. In a situation like this we had a MASSIVE discussion before we let it through - and our community really supported our decision.

Re: Black Simpsons T-Shirt - Design Competitions Continue To Proliferate

Eran — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:14:48 -0000

Yes - well that is your opinion - and you are entitle to it - Fact is that your reaction is based on your opinion - a personal one that you are entitled to - on the other hand ours is based on empirical evidence of african people in particular buying and loving the shirt.

Waving and flailing the racism flag is very easy when it is based on an opinion.

Maybe you should come to South Africa - where we didn't have to wait until now for a chance at a black president - sorry buddy - but we are a patriotic nation with a PREDOMINANTLY African and Indian government and the birthplace of one of Nelson Mandela who is a hero in EVERY house in South Africa.

I am sorry you have such a jaundiced view. Please remember that you live IN THE STATES - it's impossible to judge a culture you have never been exposed to. We aren't European. We aren't British. We aren't Americentric. We are South African. Totally different and totally proud.

Here's a simple one for you to answer - Whites are a minority in South Africa by a long shot. If this was such a "oh-my-gosh-racist" t-shirt, why has there been no uproar in our local papers or on the site?

I think that one has to understand that all these matters are about perspective. Not emotional responses. Perspective that can only be commented within context and in perspective of living in a culture. It's like saying Chinese people are barbarians for eating snakes and insects.

Re: Black Simpsons T-Shirt - Design Competitions Continue To Proliferate

Eran — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:22:57 -0000

by the way - just to add some fuel to the fire - DO YOU KNOW THAT ONE OF OUR TOP DESIGN LABELS THAT IS WORKING WITH LEVI IS CALLED DARKIE AND USES A COMB AS THEIR LOGO! Oh Shock! Oh Horror. O running in the streets wildly waving your arms for the coming of the Lord.

It's called "SOCIALLY RELEVANT COMMENTARY" - you know about that First amendment thing?

Well this how people get to learn about cultures. Perhaps the best people to ask for commentary are South African people who can relate to the design?

At any rate - let me be clear on this in no uncertain terms : springleap has never, does not and will never condone the promotion of racism, violence, hate speech or harming of individuals in any manner.

peace out.

Re: Springleap is sprung …

Eran — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:36:04 -0000

Thanks Paul

It was awesome to chat with you this afternoon - really looking forward to the amazing growth we have ahead of us.

Go long - go strong