Higher Education by Marc Stromberg

T-Post is a Swedish company that has decided to re-envision both t-shirts and magazines. They have combined them in a unique way, that I find to be quite intriguing. I came across their site over a year ago and completely forgot about them. Earlier this week I was browsing and came across it again. This time it caught my attention, with a thoughtful and minimal layout as well a fantastic motion graphic piece that described (very tastefully, I might add) the entirety of their business. They describe themselves as:

Offbeat news + graphic t-shirt = T-post, the world’s first wearable magazine. Every six weeks, subscribers receive a new t-shirt in the mail. News story on the inside. Artist interpretation on the front. All-around conversation piece.

To be honest, the initial issues were lacking in both concept and execution. Since then, the selection of artwork has become quite respectable. The designs range from very minimal, one-color geometric shapes to flashy foils. It’s wonderful to see so many interpretations of these stories as I am a sucker for (sometimes overly) conceptual thinking and design processes. It would be fantastic to see a process book these artists use in their conclusive image.

The most recent issue is actually one of my favorites. Dubbed “high education”, this shirt questions what colleges are teaching students in this day and age. Creative director, Chad Rea, asks:

For one, what are we really teaching the future of the world? Are these classes providing any real value? Are they simply disguised in such ways that are more fun and culturally relevant to young people today? Or are they a complete waste of their parent’s hard-earned money? What does it mean for people earning their college degrees now?

Who knows, perhaps a course in the game Rock, Paper, Scissors could come in handy when negotiating big business contracts.

The first issue was released in February of 2004 and they are now on their 51st issue. Needless to say, they have gathered quite a following. I hope their unique use of different mediums can influence others to solve problems (or create new ones) in new ways.