I was asked to create an illustration to be used as a tshirt graphic for a certain fabulous persons birthday, that just so happened to coincide with the amazing astrological event that happened April 8th, 2024- oh you know, just a birthday on the solar eclipse!
I was beyond excited to work on this project! After a bit of back and forth with font ideas, we ditched the text-heavy concept and went for something more personal—a custom illustration based on a profile photo of the birthday boy himself. By cleverly weaving the sun into the design, we created a unique, astrological-themed t-shirt that truly captured the essence of the moment.
TSHIRT DESIGN
Birthday / Eclipse
Used Papi Illustrator once again to design this little gem, loved this side profile photo, and just did a super simple illustration – tried to nail all the little details of the face with simple strokes. Two color, Black and Pantone 393U for that yellow in the sun, printed on grey BELLA+CANVAS® shirts.
THE EVENT
Though the sky was pretty cloudy here in Western NY, we still got to experience the surreal effect of the solar eclipse. As the moon slipped in front of the sun, the world around us turned eerie—think Shadows of Mordor eerie. Slowly, darkness crept over everything, and it felt like we were about to be engulfed by the Void.
And just when we thought the world was swallowed whole—like Harry ferkin Potter dispelling the Dementors from the skies, daylight burst back onto the horizon, illuminating the sky once more.
It was one of those moments where nature felt truly magical. And, of course, we were all geared up in our eclipse-themed shirts to celebrate both the solar spectacle and the amazing human at the center of the day’s festivities.
By the end of the day, we celebrated more than just a birthday—we celebrated the universe and the beauty of shared experiences. This project was a reminder that creativity, much like the cosmos, is endless. And hey, it doesn’t hurt when you get to combine geeky fun with a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.
