This article and its illustrations were created by writer and designer Evan Stremke. Please note, this entry is an opinion piece and may not represent the beliefs of other Inksie staff members. If you have any insight, please leave a comment.

What would we call ourselves? Designers? Would we maybe take it a step further perhaps? Maybe we’re Creative Thinkers, or even Creative Problem Solvers? How about Visionaries? It’s probably safe to assume that it doesn’t say Professional Crybabies anywhere on our business cards, is this correct?

So why is it that so many of us spent the majority of the past week crying out over the new Gap logo, allotting time to work on creating alternative designs rather than the work we get paid to do, or work that could actually be of service to someone else? Did we honestly think that contributing our own concepts to various blogs and websites, creating—and communicating with—a fake Twitter account for the new logo (which is almost always stupid by the way), and venting about it on our blogs would bring about serious action on Gap’s part?

What’s that? Oh, Gap has reverted to their previous logo? Congratulations, we still wasted our time because we don’t shop at Gap based on the quality of the logo. We shop at Gap because of the clothing. We shop at Gap because there’s usually a gigantic photo of John Krasinski wearing a scarf plastered on the storefront window, not because of the typography on—or the lack of shapes on—the bag.

Inksie’s online shop launched on Monday.

The shop, envisioned as a core part of the brand, is the fruit of a year-long effort. We currently have three custom designed t-shirts, two prints and a set of Scout Books notebooks available for purchase. We aim to increase the number of products and expand our product base as we evolve. Sign up for the newsletter to receive the latest news on Inksie releases.

The Inksie Shop and Journal of Design & Culture are currently in beta. Our team is tirelessly testing the site for glitches and bugs, but that doesn’t mean we’ll catch everything. If you see something that needs addressing, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

The Inksie Art Team is pleased to showcase Brent Couchman’s Print & Production Poster, now available in the Inksie Shop.

We commissioned Mr. Couchman to create a design based on one of the four Inksie Principles:

Inksie engages artists and the public alike in the medium of print. We believe that it is a powerful, communicative platform. We exercise the medium’s strengths through distributing original works of printed art and design to the public.

The print is a three-color serigraph on 18″ × 24″, 80-pound cover. Mr. Couchman chose French Paper’s luscious Hot Fudge from their Pop Tone line. It comes in a limited edition of 100.

Update: Giveaway Wrap-up

Monday, August 23rd: After five days of iPhone and Droid winners, the Inksie giveaway is over. Be sure to check back for the shop launch. Our winners are:

Adrian Kenny	Anna Schwartz	Nico Schneider	Dylan White	Chris Koelle

Original Giveaway Post:

Did you miss your chance to win some Inksie branded merchandise in the initial giveaway? We decided to give you a second chance, to win something even bigger. Can you possibly guess what it could be?

The initial Inksie Giveaway contest ended on Sunday, August 8th at 12:00 PM. We randomly selected and announced winners this morning. Be sure to check our Flickr feed for pictures of winners’ packages.

An Extension of Appropriate Proportions

We want to create the best possible experience to customers and provide the best possible arena to sell designer’s products. There are still some bugs to fix and details to iron out on Inksie’s shop. Therefore, we’ve set the new launch date for Monday, August 23rd.

The Newer, Grander Contest

We have found a new love for the number 23. Notice, we have given away 23 prize packs and set the launch date for the 23rd. Now, we would like to further utilize this wonderful number: we are giving away two Droid 2s and three iPhone 4s.

This Way to Enter

We’re sticking solely to Twitter for this contest. If you are not already following Inksie on Twitter, do so. Then, tweet the exact message found in this link:

Entries are valid until Sunday, August 22nd at 12:00 PM. You must follow Inksie and tweet this exact message to be entered into the contest.

To The Winners, The Spoils

Winners will be selected and announced daily from August 18th to August 22nd. We’ll announce an iPhone 4 winner on August 18th, a Droid 2 winner on August 19th, and so on until August 22nd.

Just Some Minor Details

• Winners will be randomly selected by computer system the day before they’re announced.
• Inksie will contact winners through Twitter. If a winner does not respond within 23 hours, a new winner will be selected.
• Winners will receive a gift card that corresponds in value to their respective prize in their respective online store (either the Apple Store or Verizon online store). These gift cards will be issued as electronic store codes via email.
• We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time. But don’t worry, we won’t pull a fast one on you.
• Contestants are limited to only one valid entry. Once a contest has won, he or she is no longer able to win again.

About Juice

Juice is Inksie’s experimental podcast. It’s a mix of electronic and analog sounds, with both ambient and lyrical songs that create a cohesive listening experience. The Inksie Team curates and mixes Juice (semi) monthly and commissions custom artwork.

Track Listing

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

If you’ve not seen the launch page and counter, then beware: Inksie is launching its official online shop on August 9th. We’re hosting a giveaway in celebration of this momentous occasion.

The Goods

• A T-shirt with the Ampersand Icon design. It is a gold-foil print on a black, jersey cotton American Apparel shirt.
• The Ampersand Icon on an 11″ × 17″ letterpress poster. It is a limited edition print on 80-pound cover stock (edition of 250).
• Three Inksie-brand Scout Books notebooks, useful for sketching or jotting down notes. One of each: lined, blank or grid paper.
• Gift card to Inksie’s online shop for $23 (redeemable for one tee with free domestic shipping).
• A mystery designer Inksie t-shirt on a jersey cotton American Apparel shirt.

How to Enter

Inksie will randomly pick twenty-three winners, each of whom will receive a complete giveaway package. You have four ways of entering: follow Inksie on Twitter, like Inksie on Facebook, subscribe to Inksie’s newsletter, or leave a comment mentioning your favorite Inksie blog post. Each method is worth one entry. You may increase your odds of winning by entering four times. If you are already engaged with Inksie through one or more of these mediums, you are automatically entered.

Selecting the Winners

Inksie will announce the winners on the shop launch date, August 2nd. We will randomly select from all entries through electronic means. Entries are valid until August 8th at 12:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time.

Upon Winning

We will contact winners via their method of entry (direct message on Twitter, message on Facebook, or email). If winners do not respond within 24 hours we will randomly select another winner. Please expect your packages within four to six weeks from the launch date.

About the Design

The ampersand tee and print was created by Colorcubic, a multidisciplinary design studio in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by typography, it incorporates Inksie’s four icons in the shape of Herb Lubalin’s famed ampersand.

Interaction and Collaboration

Inksie assembles creatives from different mediums in one place for interaction and collaboration. We aim to open minds and build on old and new ideas alike. It’s a reliable place for honest critique, opinions and discussion.

Growth by Inspiration

We foster an appreciation for design and its expressive qualities. To this end, we operate The Inksie Journal of Design & Culture, where we interview highly regarded professionals and feature exceptional artists. Through visual and conceptual content we aim to grow.

Print Production and Distribution

Inksie engages artists and the public alike in the medium of print. We believe that it is a powerful, communicative platform. We exercises the medium’s strengths through distributing original works of printed art and design to the public.

Conducive to Creativity

We’re fans of a good challenge and growth as a consequence of it. We’ve structured Inksie with that in mind, with a community that not only fosters creative culture, but drives for progress.