Uniqlo has unveiled a new capsule collection of t-shirts inspired by the Coca-Cola brand. The 10 t-shirts included in the collection feature graphics created by emerging designers from around the world, as part of Uniqlo’s 8th annual UT Grand Prix t-shirt design contest.The designs draw inspiration from Coca-Cola’s design heritage, referencing everything from the contour bottle to its logo and historic campaign slogans.
“The Coke brand is all about bringing a little bit of happiness to people’s lives and, for me, these were the designs that did it best,” says David Turner, UTGP judge and founder, Turner Duckworth, a product design agency. “There is plenty of exuberance in the designs, such as the chaotic, hand-made typographies, but also great discipline in the use of color, emphasis on the Coca-Cola logo and words like ‘always’ that are part of Coke’s lexicon.”
This year’s UTGP contest saw the highest number of submissions ever, with 6,288 entries from 72 countries. The judging panel comprised some of the most noted designers and artists in the world including American graffiti artist Raymond Fong and Deklah Polanksky, senior manager of global design and worldwide licensing, Coca-Cola.
“This year’s record-breaking number of entries is testament to the ubiquity of the Coca-Cola brand and the emotional connection we all share with something as simple and refreshing as an ice-cold glass of Coke,” says Polansky.
The shirts were released worldwide at Uniqlo stores and online Monday.