Skeleton Cowboy T-Shirt Concept
In this project, I explored an illustration-led t-shirt concept inspired by the storytelling and imagery of the Grateful Dead song Me and My Uncle. The design interprets the song’s western themes through a stylized skeleton cowboy, blending music culture, Americana, and wearable illustration into a bold, print-ready graphic intended for contemporary band merchandise.
Conceptual Foundation: The concept draws directly from the song’s narrative of gambling, betrayal, and the mythos of the American West. A skeleton cowboy was chosen as the central figure to symbolize mortality, folklore, and the darker undertones of the lyrics, while maintaining a playful, graphic tone suitable for apparel.
Illustration Approach: The character was designed with simplified shapes and strong line work to ensure clarity at print scale. Western elements such as cacti and desert forms frame the composition, grounding the illustration in its setting without overcrowding the design.
Typography & Lyrics: The lyric “My uncle starts winning, cowboys got sore” is arranged in a circular lockup, referencing classic band merchandise and vintage western badges. The layout balances legibility with visual rhythm, allowing the text to function as both narrative and structure.
Color Direction: Color choices were informed by desert landscapes and traditional western palettes, with warm reds, muted greens, and neutral tones. Multiple colorways were explored to ensure adaptability across different shirt bases while maintaining contrast and print consistency.
This project demonstrates my approach to translating narrative-driven briefs into illustration-based apparel designs that balance concept, visual impact, and production considerations. 💀⚡
Client-supplied reference shared as part of the brief to establish lyric layout and the skeleton cowboy concept.
Final artwork presented on light and dark backgrounds to illustrate print clarity, line work, and color consistency independent of mockups.
Final t-shirt mockup on a light garment, demonstrating color balance, contrast, and wearability in a neutral palette.
Alternate colorway applied to a dark garment, emphasizing contrast, legibility, and print impact across different shirt bases.