Music organizations are a thing of beauty as they’re born from creativity and a unique amount of passion. To kick off our coverage on a few businesses, we try to tap into the mind of Rob Dobi, the artist behind Fullbleed Clothing.
Fullbleed first started in the summer of 2004. How much of an adventure have the past few years been for you?
Not much of an adventure really, so much as it is maintaining a fan base and continuing to pump out designs that keep people interested every few months.
Name one thing you’ve learned in that time span and another you’re still trying to understand.
One thing I’ve learned is to stick to your guns. One I’m trying to understand is why one person would order 14 shirts at once. I can’t even find 14 jelly belly flavors I like.
Before this project, why did you decide to branch off from only producing t-shirts for bands?
I became bored with simply pleasing clients and wanted to make designs for myself.
What bands/musicians did you create t-shirts for?
In the past…Fall Out Boy, Thursday and Coheed and Cambria. Lately I’ve done work for Green Day, Blink 182, Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson
The main aspect that singles out Fullbleed designs is the consistent use of creative imagery. Why did you choose to stick with it and not explore other styles?
Because I think creative imagery wins over design trends. If I were to explore text based tees about being “fresh” or having zombies with shutter shades, I would lose all cred immediately.
How long does it generally take you to come up with a design?
Inspiration is the biggest aspect of a design, developing a solid concept takes the longest. Executing the actual design can be done before lunch if need be.
Are there any designs you have created but haven’t been able to finish?
Sure, hundreds. I have a ton of doodles in my sketchbook that I’ve never brought to life.
You seem to get a lot of appreciation from the music world, like general music fans who sport your shirts and websites such as SmartPunk. Did you ever see your shirts becoming so popular?
I had no idea my tees would catch on so fast, like I said, it was just a little side project but it caught on pretty fast.
Do you think its acceptable that some individuals associate your shirts with certain “music scenes”?
Sure, I try to shy away from it but my name is lumped in with the emo/punk community so it is only natural.
When it comes to clothing and music, should people even use the term “scene” to classify what an individual should wear? I own a pair of light purple old-school Nikes but I’m not into Crunkcore.
Don’t deny the greatness that is Crunkcore. There are always stereotypes involved in everything, music scenes, sports fans, teachers; music fashion is just so much easier to poke fun at and people are 100x more sensitive.
With all these evolved cliques floating around, what do you think of today’s music scene?
We need less boys that look like girls and twice as less Auto-Tune. Music scenes are doing just fine, just don’t follow what is popular on MySpace.
What’s your favourite album so far this year?
I can’t wait for the new Owen and Polar Bear Club records. My favourite so far is either the new Dave House or Manchester Orchestra.
As far as your clothing designs go, will you ever create shirts based on a band and their sound?
Well I have. I try to let music influence most designs.
Will you ever design other clothing items?
Nope, I won’t print what I won’t wear.
What word best represents Fullbleed designs?
Ironic.