So I’ve pretty much gotten an opportunity dropped in my lap about starting my own studio. Cheap space to have, large enough to work and possibly live in, and donated equipment. The only qualms I’m having right now is my business model for doing this. I want to have intergration of the Internet, selling and possibly design submission, but I don’t know how I want to accomplish this while still having a physical presence where I’m going to be.

Another issues is that I hate gimmicky shirts. Absolutely hate, but will people buy creative artistic shirts/prints versus gimmicky stupid crap.

The equipment ranges from large screens (like, 4’x6’) to regular sized ones, all i have to do it a bit of restore work and buy supplies to get it all working.

I’m working on figuring out the costs and such, another part is figuring that out so I can get a loan or a Kickstarter project going.

What do any of you guys think? Anyone want to contribute ideas and designs?

Now what about clients and connections? Do you know people that can help you out? What about friends from your college?

I've seen a good number of studios in Brooklyn; it's a tough economy. But I give you props for trying to build a business on your own rather than sit on your ass. My best suggestion (not a graphic designer btw) would find SOMETHING, no matter how stupid, that would differentiate you between thousands of other studios. Seems obvious, but I hope you can work with someone else to bounce ideas off of.

Were in the world are you?

I saw this on your fb genk but I didn't really know what to say but I'll give whatever help that a dude out in nowhere Australia can provide.

Get designs from local artists Local means you can actually meet the people you're working with. Internet submitted designs means you're going to have to sort through a boat load of cat designs to get to one thats worth it.

Not necessarily! Use crowdsourcing! Allow people to submit, but then make a list of submissions and have people up/down vote them.

Then every x days/weeks/etc, take the top y submissions and make them into shirts!

Edit: If you really wanted to take risk out of the equation, take the top 10 shirts from that process, and start another vote. Except this vote acts more like kickstarter. People select a shirt or shirts that they really want, and basically they agree to pay for the shirt if you end up making it. Then whatever shirts gets the most selections, are made. The rest re-enter the general selection pool.

I think people will buy creative/artistic shirts. This guy >> [url]www.ogreshop.com[/url] is starting to do really well out here in southern California.
You can do it! I believe in you!!!

I guess, but it's a great opportunity to meet local artists. Just putting designs up for voting doesnt really make it any different from threadless.

GENK
USE LOCAL DESIGNERS
ITLL CREATE A NICE NETWORK FOR YOU

Where does genk live again? Local might not be a very good idea for him.

this^^^

Minnesota.

my point exactly

actually, I know a couple of local people that are interested in being able to use it. Along with that, most of the people I know that went to school with me are in the state (for now).

I'm trying to figure out what kind of rewards to offer on kickstarter... looking at these for the levels: Any, $25, $50, $100, $250 and up
auugh, I need ideas...

Shirts signed by the artist? Top payer gets a shirt of their design?