A visual narrative on the inevitability, collision, and fragility of human existence.
MELANCHOLY
Original collection of t-shirts inspired by Lars von Trier’s film.
Graphic Design / Merchandise / Fashion Design
Concept
The MELANCHOLIA project is an extension of my work on titles inspired by Lars von Trier’s film of the same name. The visual concept is based on the image of two planets approaching an inevitable collision. Through minimalist graphics, the contrast of black and white, and experimental typography, I aimed to convey an atmosphere of anxiety, melancholy, and cosmic inevitability.
Collection Idea: to translate the visual language of cinematic titles onto an everyday medium, transforming the t-shirt into an independent graphic object.
The main element of the collection is an original composition featuring two celestial bodies—symbols of confrontation, attraction, and inevitability.
Two colors—one story
The collection is presented in two colorways: black and white.
The white t-shirt is built upon the contrast between light fabric and a dark graphic field. The composition resembles a fragment of a cinematic shot transposed onto the garment.
The black t-shirt offers an inverse reading of the image. The glowing planets and dispersed typography are perceived as independent elements within the cosmos.
A unified visual system is maintained across both variations, allowing the pieces to be perceived as a cohesive series.
Material and Specifications
Product Type: Relaxed-fit T-shirt, unisex.
Colors: White and black.
Material: Assumed 100% cotton.
Size Range: S–XL.
Number of Prints: Two per item.
Front Image Size: 180 × 101.25 mm.
Back Image Size: 320 × 180 mm.
Both images are placed along the central vertical axis of the garment.The top edge of each print is positioned 80 mm below the lowest point of the corresponding neckline attachment seam. Measurements must be taken on the flattened t-shirt without stretching.The mockups retain their original proportions and are not mirrored.
Placement Features
For preliminary composition checking, hypothetical widths for the t-shirts are used:
Size S — 48 cm.
Size XL — 60 cm.
With these values, the side margins for the back print are 8 cm and 14 cm on each side, and for the front print, they are 15 cm and 21 cm.
Production Technology
For the creation of the collection, the Direct to Garment (DTG) printing technology was chosen. The glow of the planets is achieved exclusively through variations in the printed image and does not involve the use of phosphorescent materials. When printing on black cotton, the production team adjusts the parameters for fabric pretreatment and the white underbase.
