Ush-op: “For cool new sweet rad funky fresh clothing of sorts”

I recently came across a relatively new shop by the name of Ush-op. I had to take a second look at the title to try and guess how to pronounce it. I’ve landed on “you sh op”, but there is something about “ushh op” that I like. I was firstly impressed that the shop, for its age, already existed on two continents – with the UK/Europe shop boasting a larger range of designs. Ush-op has big intentions! I like how this shop has started up and where Gary is going with his designs – the intricacy in TWIGGY and the pun of Treecycle. I caught up with Gary, the man behind Ush-op and asked him about his shop, Scotland and fizzy ducks. Gary in the interview:

Where are you from and where do you live now?

From and still living in East Kilboring, a small “polo mint city” just outside Glasgow with nothing much to do.

What do you do, other than t-shirts?

Well by day I am design engineer. But by night I philosophise, or let’s be honest I do nothing much really, just hang out and have fun.

What’s the story behind ush-op?

Ush-op was really started as I had a design (TWIGGY) which I made, which I really wanted made into a T-Shirt, which is where I stumbled upon Spreadshirt. Although the design got rejected, it was left on the back-burner, as I came up with some more designs the Ush-op just kinda snowballed.

How would you describe your shirts in 5 words or less?

Cool Funky Original Different radtastic (may have made the last one up).

What is your shop’s target group and how do you market your shop to them?

Not being a marketing guru, have never really given it much thought. I supposed my T-Shirts are designed for people like me, people who are young and like to be a bit funky and individual. Most of my marketing is really done through word of mouth, with friends and acquaintances passing on my URL, as well as little advertising on social networks.

What do you like about Spreadshirt and what could we do better?

Nothing really, maybe just more information about rejected designs, like I have had designs rejected 3 times, for 3 different problems, could all 3 problems not be identified they first time I submit the design? Although what would be cool, would be a program which automatically checks them and lets you know where you’ve went wrong, so I can stop wasting Spreadshirt’s time checking my designs ‘cos I am too lazy to do it before I submit them.

Where do you get your ideas for designing? What happens before a shirt lands on your site?

Ideas come from all over the place, from places I have been things I have saw, music, film, random thoughts, and doodling. A lot of my ideas come from doodling, I am compulsive doodler. Once something has been sketched up, it’s time to hit the computer and get it tidied up ready for submission to Spreadshirt. Bish Bash Bob, Job done.

What do you think about Spreadshirt’s printing techniques?

I think they are good, everything I have seen so far has came superb.

What’s your favorite shirt of all time?

Well actually it was a Fido Dido (the wee guy off of 7up) which I had when I was a boy, cannot tell why it’s my favourite of all time, but it has always stuck with me. It was a white/cream Tee with black short sleeves and an orange graphic, it had matching shorts too!

Have you ever seen a stranger wearing one of your shirts? What did you do?

Stalk them! Unfortunately I haven’t yet seen a stranger wearing one of my shirts, yet! Don’t know what I would do, probably have a smile to myself.

What are some of your favorite places to visit on the world wide web?

IMDB.com, Wikipedia.org and bbc.co.uk and www.ush-op.com, Am quite boring really.

What is Fizzy Duck?

Fizzy Duck is small record Label, who make some cool Tech House beats.

How would you describe Scottish t-shirt culture and style?

Well in the one week of sunshine a year, where we get to wear t-shirts, we are too busy worshipping the angry fiery ball in the sky.

Are you working on any new designs?

Well finished a couple just there, finally got TWIGGY accepted and is now available in the shop, as well as MAKE TEA NOT WAR, a random one for all the tea drinkers out there. I am working on couple of designs at moment, but they may not make it to the shop, only the best will do for my customers.

If you were a t-shirt, what would you look like?

Something Simple, Smart and Mildly Amusing.

Many thanks Gary and good luck with your shop!