Re: But you didn't have to throw me out

saved

Re: But you didn't have to throw me out

Why does the can have the recycle arrows on him? Oh, I know. Because you had an idea (barely). And you had to fit it in the rules somehow. So you randomly placed the recycle arrows where they wouldn't be!

kylemittskus wrote:Why does the can have the recycle arrows on him? Oh, I know. Because you had an idea (barely). And you had to fit it in the rules somehow. So you randomly placed the recycle arrows where they wouldn't be!

Actually, the recycle arrows are on the can to indicate that he was supposed to be recycled instead of being in the trash. I could have very easily included a recycling bin in the design, or had him holding up a recycling sign, but I wanted to create the feeling that he is alone and sad in the trash can and I think that the idea for the design comes across extremely clearly this way. I didn't realize I would take heat for following the rules. I know it's a knee jerk reflex for you to leave a critical comment, but I think this time it is particularly unwarranted.

ramyb wrote:Actually, the recycle arrows are on the can to indicate that he was supposed to be recycled instead of being in the trash. I could have very easily included a recycling bin in the design, or had him holding up a recycling sign, but I wanted to create the feeling that he is alone and sad in the trash can and I think that the idea for the design comes across extremely clearly this way. I didn't realize I would take heat for following the rules. I know it's a knee jerk reflex for you to leave a critical comment, but I think this time it is particularly unwarranted.

Not to mention that most recyclable items have the arrows on them somewhere, perhaps the maker of this can decided to put it on the front?

samonosuke880 wrote:Not to mention that most recyclable items have the arrows on them somewhere, perhaps the maker of this can decided to put it on the front?

Very good point. If you look at many items, including cans, the recycling logo will be present somewhere to remind folks to recycle, and not just throw something in the trash.

Ramy, the design is very well done. I like that there is a simplicity, but it lets the few powerful details (like the expression on the can's 'face') stand out.

samonosuke880 wrote:Not to mention that most recyclable items have the arrows on them somewhere, perhaps the maker of this can decided to put it on the front?

I don't think it IS on the front - running up the side of the can there's a bit of a name/logo, which I think makes that the "front" as far as a maker's printing is concerned. So the arrows would be printed on the side (inasmuch as you can talk about the "side" of something circular), which just also happens to be the can's face.

When I lived in Israel in 1992, where recycling was completely unavailable, this is exactly how I felt every time I threw away a can.

ramyb wrote:I didn't realize I would take heat for following the rules.

Oh Ramy, you take heat around here for breathing. Doesn't mean it's warranted. Or logical. Or rational. Anyway, I saw the same thing as aerc712: I grew up in a state with a bottle deposit and the information about how much the deposit was, in which state, is always located next to a recycle sign. Well, at least by the time I started drinking soda from cans/bottles, there was a recycle sign. In fact, I am currently drinking soda from a can and there's a recycle sign on it.


Anyway, back to my original thought about the design:
This captures the feeling of alienation, of feeling trapped in a place where one doesn't belong, powerless to escape. One of the major theoretical frameworks in psychology says that there are three basic psychological needs (for humans, not cans!): autonomy, the ability to influence what happens in one's life and have those events be related to one's sense of self; competence, a feeling of being good or useful at what one does; and relatedness, the sense of being part of connected to or interacting with others.

Some of the greatest human despair, IMHO, arises when all three of these basic psychological needs are denied. Some of my very favorite shirts capture the feeling of desiring relatedness, wanting to be part of something, but not being able to control the reaction of others (jasnecko's Odd Bear Out, tjost's Just a Little Paint). This design captures that sense of alienation and despair that results from being alone, having one's purpose thwarted through no action of one's own, and being unable to do anything about it. I love the emotion and story captured in a fairly simple narrative frame.

Aside from the psychological analysis of a soda can... I've had a lot of moments over the past year when I've felt like that can. I identify with its despair. A design that can make a human identify with a soda can is touching upon something fundamental to the human experience, IMHO.

Re: But you didn't have to throw me out

Two words: Titty prison.

On the females not only will the can be in the bin but it'll be crushed. It's like no one thinks about placement.

mrwednesday wrote:Two words: Titty prison.

On the females not only will the can be in the bin but it'll be crushed. It's like no one thinks about placement.

I don't quite think it'd be that bad on a female. That's something I've commented on for other designs and in general I am careful with shirts with designs because of my proportions, and I don't see this design fitting women that poorly.

Re: But you didn't have to throw me out

I love it and I want it to win! I have to have this shirt. Great Job

Re: But you didn't have to throw me out

Just a reminder that critiques and comments should be focused on the design and not the artist.

ThunderThighs wrote:Just a reminder that critiques and comments should be focused on the design and not the artist.

That certainly took long enough.
Also, I had a critique of the shirt in my diatribe. No fair!

j5 wrote:That certainly took long enough.
Also, I had a critique of the shirt in my diatribe. No fair!

Some people don't appreciate my editing. Feel free to repost the critique part of your previous post.

ThunderThighs wrote:Some people don't appreciate my editing. Feel free to repost the critique part of your previous post.

I don't remember what it was....LOL.

+1