Do you have the right design for your merchandise?

The design is probably the most important element to your swag, after all it’s what makes it yours! The key to a good design is to keep it relevant to your goals! Check out the examples below to make sure you have the right swag for the job!

Do you want to spread the word?

Keep away from obscure references or pictures. If you have an inside joke save it for a different audience. Your design should have mass appeal while you’re getting acquainted with your audience.

A great example is the New Relic t-shirt. New Relic sends out these tees to incentivize potential users to sign up for a free trial. The message is relevant to their audience, data nerds, without being too targeted or limiting. On the back they keep it real with their logo.  So if you’re targeting a large and varied audience keep the message generic, but relevant.

Do you want to reward customers and fans?

Now is the time to create that unique message or design. Let customers know they’re in the group and have joined the club. You have to be special to “get it”.

Jeanine Frost has this down to a science. Check out the simple “Chapter 21″ design. We have no idea what it means, and that’s what makes it so powerful.  We aren’t cool enough to know, but there’s a whole group of people out there who does.

Now go get started and make sure you’re swag is saying the right things about you!  Need more design help?  Check out the Design ideas and don’ts on the resources pages.