Just Because

July 27th, 2010

No order. No reason. No explanation. Just because.

Check Your Six
Check Your Six
Check Your Six
Check Your Six

Fun in the Sun

July 25th, 2010

The crew enjoyed some much needed relaxation time this Saturday at Red Bull’s Flugtag event. We ended up showing up a bit late, for obvious reasons that may or may not be legal.

Check Your Six

We were a cop’s wet dream driving to Harriet Island. Young and reckless right?

Check Your Six
Check Your Six

It was crazy to see how many people showed up. They were expecting 40,000 attendees, eventually nearly 100,000 people showed up. Events like this are exactly what makes Red Bull such a brilliant company. Throw an event with free energy drinks that brings in 1/10 of a million people. Sure, why not?

Check Your Six
Check Your Six
Check Your Six

Now it’s back to the lab…big things coming from the Check Your Six camp in the next few weeks. Pushing envelopes, starting some controversy, and maybe…just maybe…providing you with your next favorite tee shirt.

Check Your Six
Check Your Six

Brooklyn Projects

July 23rd, 2010

We’re more than happy to announce that we are now stocked by Brooklyn Projects, world-renowned heavy hitters in the streetwear industry. Without Brooklyn Projects, streetwear in Los Angeles isn’t the same. It’s like the Bulls without Mike, China without rice, crackheads without pipes, or hockey games without fights (Big L). I digress. Anyways, if you’re in the neighborhood of BP, stop by and show your Check Your Six love.

Check Your Six

The Man Who Sold the World

July 23rd, 2010

As designers, David Bowie is one of the many inspirations for us. While his lyrics may not directly lead to the inspiration behind our designs, his music is indeed creative, original, and inspiring. Recently, I ran across an old book from 1977 entitled ‘David Bowie!’.

Check Your Six

“I want to be a Superman, I realized very early that man isn’t necessarily a very clever mechanism, and I wanted to make myself better.” I know…crazy.

Check Your Six

But a lot of times…crazy is genius. Or maybe just crazy. You be the judge.

Blast to the Past

July 21st, 2010

Sorry we disappeared for a few days. Don’t fret though, we’re back! Here’s a few shots of what I thought was pretty interesting (I found these in a box called ‘Memories’). Back soon once we get our bearings.

CY6_ManOnMoon
CY6_ManOnMoon
CY6_ManOnMoon

Full Credit

July 12th, 2010

Today I went around the area and did our annual store visitations. Luckily, I forgot my camera!! It’s been like three days of coffee and no sleep, these things happen. Anyways, our good friend Vince, owner of VS Social Standard, tossed me a few copies of the new Frank 151 book. And low and behold…a nice feature of Vince’s shop! He was included as part of a section dedicated to the best shops in the entire United States. Yee-hah!

CY6_Frank151
CY6_Frank151

A to Z

July 11th, 2010

It starts with an idea. Sparked by a conversation, an image, a song, maybe even a dream. It ends on a tee-shirt, in stores, and on the backs of our followers. Of course, there’s a process that takes our designs from A to Z. Each design unfolds in its’ own unique way, some take several hours of work, most never even make it to a shirt. Today, we’re going to go step by step (more or less) through the creation of our popular ‘Deadly Sins’ shirt from Spring 2010.

Step 1: Move to China and sketch a rough mock-up of the design. Well…the move isn’t completely necessary, maybe just adds a bit more fun.

CY6_Weedman

Step 2: Scan the image into your computer, and let the fun begin. Upon scanning in your image, open up Adobe Illustrator and crack the knuckles; you might be a while. Give the image a general trace using the ‘Pen tool’.

CY6_Weedman

Step 3: Now comes the fun. Color.

CY6_Weedman

Step 4: Almost there…just gotta add the arms, touch things up a bit, and you’ve almost got yourself Weed Man!

CY6_Weedman

Step 5: Add some logos, and take a look at what it looks like on various colorways…sometimes the most critical part of the whole operation.

CY6_Weedman

Step 6: Get the file to the size you need, and you’re in business!

CY6_Weedman

Get Inspired

July 10th, 2010

Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated, dedicated, and inspired by the right things. For everybody. Even the best writers, artists, and directors hit the wall sometimes. Hell, even athletes. We, like everybody else, are frequently plagued by the annoying “design block”. It happens, and there really is no way to completely prevent it. You can, however, surround yourself as best as possible with inspiring artwork, quotes, music, and anything that gets the creative juices flowing. Here’s a look around the Check Your Six base camp, the lab where all of our craziness and ridiculousness is developed. From frost-bitten photoshoots to best-selling designs, this is where it all goes down.

CY6_Cockpit
CY6_Cockpit
CY6_Cockpit
CY6_Cockpit
CY6_Cockpit

From Lance Armstrong to David Bowie, the Wizard of Oz to chocolate ammo, there really is no method to our madness. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to surround yourself with whatever motivates you. And hopefully, soon enough you’ll be taking over the world, just like we pretend to be doing.

CY6_Cockpit
CY6_Cockpit
CY6_Cockpit

Digging for Gold

July 10th, 2010

Saturday afternoons are for napping, reading, partying, boating, going to flea markets. And for the Check Your Six team, not just any flea market…a weird, rather disturbing flea market (at least the selection of goodies, the flea market go-er’s were actually quite enjoyable). I may have even met my future wife…if only we exchanged numbers…

CY6_Flea Market
CY6_Flea Market
CY6_Flea Market

The reason for us making an appearance at the market quickly changed from creative inspiration to shopping for our grandmother. Oh well, I guess we always have Wu-Tang for design inspiration. And we did get to see a perfect card for somebody…what…insane?? Also picked up a new bicycle in mint condition…so I guess the day can’t be considered a complete waste. Hell, let’s even call it a success!

CY6_Flea Market
CY6_Flea Market

Party At My House

July 9th, 2010

Last night was spent chopping it up in the studio again, this time with some great guys over at Homegrown, who were busy recording a full 16 track LP.

CY6_Homegrown

I’ve started to really take a liking to the picture I snapped above. That sounded really conceited. Alright…it’s modestly decent at best. Anyways, I think the array of electronics and cameras above the (driver’s??) head is a great contrast to the horse and (chariot??). Also, I love how the color turned out on the fabric of the seat. Man I need a brush up on my horse terminology…Back to the madness.

CY6_Homegrown
CY6_Homegrown

Up in the lab. Enjoying our stay, hopefully not wearing our welcome out too quickly, with Eli, Beau, and our boy DJ Skrilla.

CY6_Homegrown
CY6_Homegrown
CY6_Homegrown
CY6_Homegrown
CY6_Homegrown