Zen Habits T-shirt Contest Finalists - FINALLY!!!

Israel Says:

February 29th, 2008, 22:17 pm

Cant you have more than a few? Like a line up?

Clay Collins | The Growing Life Says:

February 29th, 2008, 22:17 pm

Logo 10, or 9 are my faves.

Leo Says:

February 29th, 2008, 22:22 pm

Hi Israel … I’ll probably have 3-5 designs offered for sale. I guess I could do more, like 10-15, but that doesn’t seem very simplified to me. :)

Kelly Says:

February 29th, 2008, 22:42 pm

It was soooo hard to be able to vote for only one. These are all fantastic. You can’t go wrong!

:)
Kelly

Andrew Flusche Says:

February 29th, 2008, 22:48 pm

It looks like there’s some heated competition here. I’m not much of a t-shirt wearer, but I’ll buy one. Awesome!

Chris Austria Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:22 pm

Leo–#10 is dead on

7rin Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:30 pm

I’d g for #2 personally, but I agree that #10 is dead on for the site.

Crystal from www.jewelfaerie.com Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:33 pm

I love #7, but I think #6 is most appropriate, so that’s what I voted for!

Tina Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:39 pm

I vote six.

But 3, 7, and 10 really caught me too.

Torley Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:44 pm

#8 reminds me of My Neighbor Totoro! How can you wrong with a smile like that? :)

Ann Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:45 pm

I hope there will be some women sizes?! i voted for number 6

Gyutae Park Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:54 pm

I don’t know, I think the nature of your site warrants a very simple design. I like #9. Clean, simple, and catchy at the same time.

Tanya Quaife Says:

February 29th, 2008, 23:57 pm

I like the blue # 7. The art and the lowkey name placement is nice. Everything seems to be about branding with words these days. Name recognition is important, but I Iiked this shirt because it seems like it is less about the “brand” and more about the philsophy that is behind the brand; getting past the clutter, finding peace, and learning to float in a good way. But they are all fantastic in their own brilliant way.

Doc Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:01 am

I liked #3 best!

kevin Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:08 am

I made logo number 2 and thought that it represented the simlicity of the blog by being hand drawn and then scanned in. Drawing I feel is a very zen process. The cartoonishness of it also just seemed fun.

Cylithria Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:08 am

I really feel #10 is totally on the spot and yet all of them are outstanding!

Thomas Palmer Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:11 am

5 is genius, but I just had to vote for 10.

banji - LessonInLife.com Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:12 am

My vote goes for #7. The feather somehow grab my attention :)

Christoph Dollis Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:12 am

Three

Amy Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:24 am

I’ve never had a shirt from a blog before, but I’m eager to buy #3 or #7.

Well done, everyone!

Doug Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:27 am

Banji, that is shirt #6. Each shirt number has (below) written by it to signify that it represents the shirt below the text.

Suzanne Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:28 am

I vote for the feather #6 Love it

Leo Sebastian Says:

March 1st, 2008, 0:57 am

Out of all I think T-shirt No. 10 got the essence and expressed it so zenfully…

nXqd Says:

March 1st, 2008, 1:03 am

I love the design 4 ;) It looks simple and nice :)

Raphael Says:

March 1st, 2008, 1:20 am

10 is dead on. 6 has a catchy phrase. And hipster-ish people would wear 7. I almost think 3 is perfect in its simplicity, but there’s something about the font and that circle that I’m not liking. I say release two or three choices. (I’d wear #7 with some jeans to a bar, library, yoga class, coffee shop, etc.) Nice job on 1-10 to all of you who made them though!

Iris M. Gross Says:

March 1st, 2008, 1:23 am

Well, I know which ones I hate! #2 and #5 are God-awful and should never have been considered. #8 is just weird. I’m going to make my choice, though, and not tell. I probably wouldn’t wear any, regardless, since I don’t wear T-shirts, but it’s an interesting selection!

Elisha Says:

March 1st, 2008, 1:34 am

I like the design of logo #4 and #6. Very simple and nice and adorable to wear… ;)

Takuin Minamoto Says:

March 1st, 2008, 2:54 am

I went in for number 4.

Kelly Rigby Says:

March 1st, 2008, 3:12 am

I found it really hard to vote for one. I ended up going for number 6, but I’m still not sure whether I should have gone 10. I think both are equally fantastic.

So impressed with the entries. Will definitely buy one if there are girl sizes, and I think my hubby would look fab in one too.

:) Kelly

Angyl Says:

March 1st, 2008, 3:13 am

Amusing, the vote percentages right now correspond perfectly to my order of preference of the options. I feel so typical.

Marelisa Says:

March 1st, 2008, 3:18 am

They’re all great. If I had to pick just one I’d go with #6 (the feather).

Kaled Asmri Says:

March 1st, 2008, 3:35 am

No doubt, #6 is attractive. voted for it.

Sarah Says:

March 1st, 2008, 3:35 am

I really like #7 the best because of placement of design and the fact that shirts with a design *away* from the boobage is more flattering for many women….

So, yah, #7.

And, not to offend whoever did #3, but it doesn’t really look like rocks…it looks like…well…#2.

Rearden M at Extraordinaryblog.com Says:

March 1st, 2008, 4:08 am

Leo
Number 10 IS zen!
:-)

Korey Says:

March 1st, 2008, 4:11 am

#10 with the single stone rocks. Nicely done.

Patrick Says:

March 1st, 2008, 4:30 am

10 is also my favorite!

Sean Says:

March 1st, 2008, 4:46 am

It doesn’t look like #7, my favorite is going to win. I don’t suppose there will be a way to buy that shirt anyways is there? ;)

brothajohn Says:

March 1st, 2008, 5:06 am

LEO!!! many good designs, but a word of warning. #5 is a logo from a restaraunt here in Tokyo and may be a registered trademark.

As for my choice, I love #3 and #7, but I too have to give my big nod to #10, but hopefully it will be available in other colors. Not a big fan of brown

Brothajohn Says:

March 1st, 2008, 5:09 am

I hope that whoever the winner is that you will make most if not all of these logos available. I know less is more, but variety is the spice of life.

Cliches are cliches for a reason.

banji - LessonInLife.com Says:

March 1st, 2008, 5:09 am

Doug - Silly me :) thanx for the correction though

Brothajohn Says:

March 1st, 2008, 5:19 am

One more thing, are you going to have any baseball hats with these designs?

shelley leong Says:

March 1st, 2008, 5:54 am

It was also a toss between #6 and #10.

Boy, there are so many talented designers out there.

Matt @ Kurb Says:

March 1st, 2008, 6:30 am

I dont know if #10 is the best but i think its the best for “zen habits”.

Lily Says:

March 1st, 2008, 6:39 am

Some really good designs there. Number 6 got my vote with “Keep it Zen”. Number 10 would be my next choice.

Jeff B Says:

March 1st, 2008, 7:35 am

I like 6 and 10 but went with #10 as my favorite. Something about the rock in the pond look.

Good luck.

Will is GALVANIZD Says:

March 1st, 2008, 7:56 am

definitely #10! :) I feel it embodies simplicity and “zen”

Leo Says:

March 1st, 2008, 7:56 am

@Sean: I think No. 7 will make the top 3 — I will probably print shirts for the top 4-5 actually.

@Brothajohn: Not sure … but I’ll look into it!

Thank you, everyone, for voting! I appreciate all the feedback.

Mrs S | A pocketful of pixie dust Says:

March 1st, 2008, 8:29 am

That was hard! As i scrolled through I kept thinking - this one - on no this one - no this one! I settled on one but think you should do a few of them!

Stephanie Says:

March 1st, 2008, 9:26 am

I voted for # 10. It’s just perfect for this blog.

I have some constructive crits if anyone cares to hear. But overall they’re very nicely done!

#1 — I find the kerning messy for a logo design. Sometimes mixed kerning works, but not for logos. The letters are too close together on the second and third lines, making it feel cramped.

#2 is quite cute. It suits the friendliness of the blog’s tone, but doesn’t suit the blog’s design very well.

#3 I’m not really liking this font, or the balance between the white and teal graphics on a lighter teal shirt. The “Zen” pops too much compared to the habits, and for me, this blog is more about *habits* than zen.

#4 is too plain, and too tag-liney for my taste. Also, we don’t need to see the entire “http://” info EVER for a website. In fact, even the “www” is redundant these days. If there’s a .net address, people will know it’s a website. It’s best to keep the information simple.

#5 looks like a dance club poster. It’s cool, but totally not in the vibe of the blog, imho. Also I find it a little overcomplicated and hard to read.

#6 I like this one. no crits. This would have been my second choice, though again I admit I’m not that fond of the tagline idea for this site.

#7 Nice design, looks like a lot of the cool Ts out there. But again, it doesn’t fit with the site for me. I think once the swirly graphics trend dies, this shirt will lose its appeal. Also it’s the same font as #3; somehow it works better here. And I like how the “.net” is smaller and underneath the title.

#8 Cool idea. But the character does not look happy to me. It looks a little menacing.

#9 Not digging the illustrator brush, which looks very raw. I don’t think this brush is meant to be used at this scale. And the font — is that Hobo? There are very few applications in which Hobo works well. Not this not one of them.

#10 Ahhhh… This one suits the site to a T. Pardon the pun. Uses the rock design, but in a new way, and the color palette, font, and look and feel also relate well to the site. I get a sense of calm with the layout and colors. Great work!

Alex Says:

March 1st, 2008, 9:42 am

I can’t decide, there are some many great ones.

Mary Says:

March 1st, 2008, 9:44 am

I preferred number 3 but I also like number

Mary Says:

March 1st, 2008, 9:45 am

Number 1, that is. Before I hit the wrong key. :)

Deadlock Says:

March 1st, 2008, 9:54 am

Definitely #10

Thomas Palmer Says:

March 1st, 2008, 10:48 am

My design didn’t make it, but I think I’ll make a T-Shirt out of it anyways. In my opinion, my design is a close match with 10 and definitely blows some of the other designs out of the water.

T-Shirt: thomaspalmer.org/images/shirt_final.jpg
Mug: thomaspalmer.org/images/mug_final.jpg

Also, I’ll probably make the quote on the T-Shirt a little bigger like the Mug.

david sellers Says:

March 1st, 2008, 10:50 am

my preference is for #10 & #7

Tibi Puiu Says:

March 1st, 2008, 11:01 am

logo #10 looks awesome.

moonmom Says:

March 1st, 2008, 11:03 am

Hope some tshirts are more feminine in their cut — as an alternative to the boxy “man” tshirt. Love #7!

kitten Says:

March 1st, 2008, 11:37 am

I like both 1 and 4, but I voted for 1

Israel Says:

March 1st, 2008, 11:43 am

6, 7 , 10

Cecily T Says:

March 1st, 2008, 12:10 pm

Yeah, I’m with Sarah…the #7 design is nice b/c it’s not emblazoned across the chest. Speaking of designing for women, any chance of getting fitted girl Ts instead of loose and floppy square-style ones?

Alex Shalman Says:

March 1st, 2008, 12:11 pm

I voted 10, but 9 is also sweet.

Scot Herrick Says:

March 1st, 2008, 12:45 pm

I won’t say which one I voted for, but I have a suggestion: put .net after Zen Habits on the t-shirts (some have them, some don’t). dot net is needed because people will assume dot com…and get people to the wrong place.

Dan T Says:

March 1st, 2008, 12:52 pm

It was a tough choice between #10 and #6. I really like both of them.

I’d wear #7 if it didn’t have words on it.

Joseph Says:

March 1st, 2008, 12:55 pm

I choose 4, 6 and 7 :)

Christian Says:

March 1st, 2008, 13:40 pm

#8 is without a doubt the best. It summarizes the essence of why this site is here at all (at least I think that!): Our search for happiness. I get happy when I see that smiley and it is extremely simple. Love it!

Niels Says:

March 1st, 2008, 14:13 pm

Hi Leo,

I suggest resizing the images of the logo’s to their right sizes for the page, because now the images look raggedy.

With kind regards,
Niels

Maura Says:

March 1st, 2008, 15:30 pm

Personally I like your logo on this site… could improve with the stones in a few water ripples, similar to the garden in #10… if you could get a graphic desiger to photoshop in some water ripples. That is the essence of this site… the rocks a solid core making an impact on the water… a mind like water… simple elements of the earth…

So a combo of the front of #4, with elements of #10.

But I voted for #10.

Xtine Says:

March 1st, 2008, 15:45 pm

I think choosing gave me a headache. :x I was torn between 4, 6, and 10, but eventually chose 6.

dragonwell Says:

March 1st, 2008, 15:59 pm

Definitely #10

Wade Says:

March 1st, 2008, 16:00 pm

Two is freaking awesome!

MyBKK Says:

March 1st, 2008, 16:53 pm

#5 is a logo of Zen Department Store in Bangkok.

#10 looks perfect

JoZee Says:

March 1st, 2008, 17:19 pm

10,3,7…they’re all good. I like the cartoon letters with rocks, too. Make sure you have them in Women’s styles, too, with a more sculpted neckline. One thing I hate is that funky t-shirt neck. I can’t wait to get one…or ten:)

Richard Says:

March 1st, 2008, 17:24 pm

#10

moxie Says:

March 1st, 2008, 18:14 pm

i like so many!

Josh Says:

March 1st, 2008, 19:25 pm

I vote #2, I think it would like totally awesome on a nice thick white t-shirt.

Althea Jones Says:

March 1st, 2008, 19:56 pm

Wow. I would give the task of choosing a winner away, too, if it were simply up to me.

lisa Says:

March 1st, 2008, 20:29 pm

I, too, love #7. Makes me think of peaceful water flowing, but with some swirly fun thrown in! Very Zen.

Emily Says:

March 1st, 2008, 20:33 pm

# 3 !

Niles Gibbs Says:

March 1st, 2008, 20:43 pm

I’m a fan of #9 and #3, but then again, I love them “freehand” unfinished circles.

Genesis Says:

March 1st, 2008, 21:02 pm

You weren´t kidding about this being hard! I vote for 1 and 6 (I can choose two, right?)

Jaxs Says:

March 1st, 2008, 21:09 pm

I really like #10 because my motto is “simple is better” but I agree with Scot Herrick. It needs the “.net”

‘Cause people wanna know how we all got so zen… so they can be all zen too… =)

Michael Says:

March 1st, 2008, 21:20 pm

I like #4 simply because it can advise people of the url in two direction simultaneously (assuming the person isn’t sitting) now that’s efficient =)

Rick Bucher Says:

March 1st, 2008, 22:23 pm

Way to sell out man!

MaryE Says:

March 1st, 2008, 22:24 pm

My vote is on #7.

oakling Says:

March 1st, 2008, 22:29 pm

What is the image in 9 supposed to be?

Mark Says:

March 1st, 2008, 22:51 pm

My vote for icon would be # 10, though not the bland brownish color. Black, white or some light color would be good.

For quotes, I like 6’s and 9’s.

Sue Taylor Says:

March 1st, 2008, 23:27 pm

WOW, no wonder you all had such a hard time choosing! Going to give it some serious thought; looking forward to being able to purchase a T! Sue

greg Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 0:09 am

I like #3. but put the circle through the text.
I like #8. But not black. Come on, happy colors.
I really like #9. But get rid of the extra gandi text.

Simon Lau Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 0:19 am

one and two are great logos, but without knowing where they are placed on a shirt makes it hard to tell how well it would fit the overall zenhabits feel. I like the simplicity of 7 but at the same time how it has a little bit of flare with the background design.

Bob Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 2:12 am

I had to go with #10 for the following reasons:

1) It is simple.
2) The rock garden logo is representative of the site as a rock garden is representative of zen
3)

j Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 3:30 am

#4

dru Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 5:59 am

I went for 2 because it was lighthearted and made me smile, and that to me is Zen, never taking itself too seriously! :) BTW i can supply organic blank T-Shirts for you if you wish, org cotton or better yet hemp / org cotton blend, let me know x

Kovil Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 9:05 am

Why don’t you allow us to vote for two?

Stephanie Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 9:20 am

YES, please make the Ts organic cotton. Or a sustainable material like bamboo or hemp.

Also, ladies styles would be nice to include here.

ITrush Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 10:46 am

# 7 is cool.

nhick
http://www.itrush.com

maria Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 11:52 am

Logo 4 “life. simplified.” is the one fits most in with the philosophy of this site, for me.

psychgirl Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 12:21 pm

In line with many other comments here, I think #10 represents your site the best. The “ripple effect” around the stone made me think about the ripple effect we hope for when we establish new zen habits. We hope that one change leads to more within our own lives and perhaps (who knows?) even within the world. The logo’s perfect! I’m not fond of the brown color, and hope the final will be in some other color or at least available in color choices. I also agree with others above that it would be great if it were made from organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo. Thanks for such a great website!

Frank Manziano Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 14:03 pm

I like 3 but would put #4 on the back or below it - #4 is a very good tag line for a teeshirt, gets somebody who does not yet know about it curious….

Angie Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 16:20 pm

I vote for #10. The ripple effect is a great branding and it matches the website. Don’t forget to add .net. I want all my friends to join! Remember branding isn’t what you want others to think of you, but what others think of you. Based on the comments people get this design and I think thats cool.

Leo Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 19:15 pm

@Kovil … I considered allowing you to vote for multiple choices (say, 3 choices) … but it creates difficult statistical problems. What if some people vote for 3 and others only vote for 1? Then their one vote counts for more, I think. I don’t know. I’m not stats guy. But I also liked the idea that you are forced to choose — a difficult thing in any case, but always a good habit. :)

Leo Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 19:18 pm

@Rick Bucher, who said “Way to sell out man!” …. I definitely considered this. And you have a very valid point.

However, a number of readers requested T-shirts … and after awhile, I thought that it would be fun to not only give them what they want but also to have a contest. Just something in the spirit of friendly competition and reader participation. I’m not selling my soul or anything. :)

I appreciate your concern and always value this kind of feedback. I’ll try not to sell the Zen Habits branded water bottles that someone else suggested. :)

Chrissy - The Executive Assistant's Toolbox Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 20:15 pm

Hi Leo!
I’d just like to say that I don’t think this kind of thing is “selling out” at all. This is a brand you created and you should be totally proud of it. If you want to put it on water bottles, I’d buy one! Doing what you’ve done takes a HUGE amount of work and dedication. Now, you’re making your living on it - something I think all of your readers respect and admire. As you said, you’re not selling your soul! Your selling your hard work, the brand you’ve created.
So often I’m reading about bloggers trying to make other bloggers feel guilty about making a living on it, whether it’s selling a t-shirt or an e-book or whatever. I just think that’s unfair. I support what you’re doing and I will totally buy a shirt - especially if it’s number 10. Or number 6. Oh what the heck, I like them all.

CindyS Says:

March 2nd, 2008, 21:44 pm

I wanted to vote for at least 3 of them. They are all great! Number 10 ended up with my vote because it reminded me of the header.

Val Ann C Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 1:43 am

For my own taste, I like 7 best, but I think 10 is very nice and most suitable for this blog.

You probably already know this… if a design is derived from a photograph, make sure you have the rights to use the photograph. Perhaps, the feather may have been from a photograph.

kris Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 3:47 am

I like #6. The thing is it is black. It might look good in other colors. Black or dark is good but i don’t find it “zen” but rather stressing at times. Will there be color choices? or even an invert of that?

Otherwise, I’ll go for #10. I hope there’ll be small sizes good for ladies. :)

Laura Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 10:47 am

I like so many of them. But please include ladies-style shirts, as man’s styles just don’t fit women very well. :) Also — don’t forget plus sizes for both men and women!

Shawn Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 13:10 pm

But I don’t see where #10 calls out the URL! Wouldn’t it be nice to get the people interested in the logo of the T-shirt to go home and check into the blog?

Chris Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 15:49 pm

i have a really important question: even in the case that my favorite number 6 wont make it, is it possible to buy this t-shirt somewhere? i m so in love with the design that i really wanna buy that one. maybe the one who designed it can leave a comment or something? would be so nice…

chris

Nancy Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 15:58 pm

Wonderful congratulations to everyone chosen! Good job, they all show good thought and hard work. Number 2 for sure! It lights the spirit to peaceful thoughts and ways without falling into false seriousness. Number 8 cracks me up, I bet the kids liked that one! I see that Number 10 is currently most popular though to me, it is such a stereotype of the corporate idea of what “zen” is supposed to be.

Hunter Nuttall Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 16:35 pm

I think #10 is the clear winner, although that isn’t the best color to show it off.

#6 is also very nice, but I think it’s a better fit for some other zen thing than this blog in particular.

Sabrina Robinson Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 17:58 pm

All of these look amazing!! I can’t decide. Congrats to all of the finalists.

Paprikapink Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 18:06 pm

Wait a minute! “Read all the comments on zenhabits” is not one of my Big Rocks…and yet, what did I just do?!? DOH!

Curt Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 19:43 pm

awesome design selection!

Irmagination Says:

March 3rd, 2008, 22:10 pm

#10. This is simple, calming, and it has one of your stones. It totally represents your blog. Add the .net.

Ken Says:

March 4th, 2008, 4:29 am

Even though I didn’t make the cut I just want to say it was fun being involved in the contest. And the dramatic wait at the end was great. Anyway I’m still pondering my vote

ashley Says:

March 4th, 2008, 15:15 pm

Hi Everyone,

After faithfully reading Zenhabits for quite some time now, and being inspired by the articles Leo writes, I decided to try my own blog. Please visit and let me know what you think. http://tipsfroma20.blogspot.com/

Kristin Says:

March 4th, 2008, 16:17 pm

I would actually like to see your current logo (at the top of the page) on a shirt. Just the simple letters next to the rocks - and maybe the Ghandi quote from #9 underneath.

brandy Says:

March 4th, 2008, 17:14 pm

so… the title of this post says t-shirt contest, but you have all the submitted designs labeled as “logos.” is this a logo contest or a t-shirt contest? big difference! :)

laketrees Says:

March 4th, 2008, 17:43 pm

# 1 logo :)

Nastya Says:

March 5th, 2008, 3:15 am

#6 shirt is gorgeous, zen itself

Leo Says:

March 5th, 2008, 21:32 pm

@brandy: good point! They’re logos that will be printed on T-shirts. Just judge the logo you’d most like to see on a T-shirt. :)

brandy Says:

March 6th, 2008, 16:05 pm

well, it would definitely make more sense to call these designs, not logos! sorry… i’m a graphic designer so i can’t help myself :)