• US$110

• 63 designs

• 20 designers

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T-shirt Design Brief

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Tex-Mex Outlaws is a bold heritage-driven apparel concept inspired by the legendary Texas Mexican Railway and the hardworking railroaders who keep the line moving. This design blends railroad grit, outlaw western culture, and South Texas pride into one powerful visual identity.

The goal is to create a standout badge-style t-shirt design and logo concept that feels authentic, rebellious, and deeply rooted in the history of the Texas-Mexico rail connection.

This is more than a shirt—it’s a symbol of loyalty, toughness, and the men who hold the line.

Think “railroad outlaw poster” meets “vintage rodeo badge”

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CREATIVE DIRECTION
Theme:

Railroad Heritage × Western Outlaw Culture

The design should feel like:

* Vintage railroad badge
* Old western outlaw poster
* Brotherhood patch
* Legacy emblem earned through hard work

Overall mood:
Gritty • Bold • Rugged • Timeless • Proud • Rebellious

The final design should look like something passed down through generations—not something trendy.
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Primary Title

TEX-MEX OUTLAWS

This is the hero statement and should be the strongest visual element.

Typography should be:

* Western slab serif
* Vintage rodeo-style lettering
* Bold and distressed
* Strong enough for patch, hat, tee, and decal applications

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Secondary Text

Texas Mexican Railway

Used as the heritage anchor and supporting identifier beneath or around the main title.

This should reinforce authenticity and railroad legacy.

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Official Motto

HOLD FAST • DIE HARD
Give’em Hell

This serves as the brotherhood code behind the design.

Meaning:
* Hold Fast = Stay grounded. Stay loyal. Never let go.
* Die Hard = Never quit. Never fold. Stand your ground.

Together, they represent the mindset of the Tex-Mex Outlaws.

This line should be placed in:

* Bottom banner
* Lower badge rocker
* Scroll ribbon
* Patch border text

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Core Visual Elements

THE INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY BRIDGE
(Laredo–Nuevo Laredo Bridge)
This is the most important symbol in the design.

It represents:

* The literal connection between Texas and Mexico
* The crossing point of heritage and identity
* Brotherhood across borders
* The physical “line” in Hold the Line / Hold Fast

The bridge should be a major visual feature in the background or structural foundation of the badge.

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TEXAS FLAG

Represents:

* State pride
* Texas identity
* Loyalty to home
* Strength and tradition

Can be incorporated through:

* Star iconography
* Background textures
* Distressed overlays
* Split-color composition

Should feel subtle but powerful.

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SKELETON COWBOY RIDER
The outlaw figure.

Represents:

* Fearlessness
* Brotherhood
* Ride-or-die mentality
* Rebellion and toughness

Styled with:

* Cowboy hat
* Bandana
* Horseback posture
* Western outlaw presence

This should be the emotional centerpiece.

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LOCOMOTIVE / Train Engine (Modern type)

Represents:

* Railroad life
* Work ethic
* Legacy
* Movement and power

Ideally shown crossing the bridge or charging forward through the design.

Should feel iconic and aggressive.

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THE TEXAS MEXICAN RAILWAY LOGO

Used as an authenticity marker.

Can be placed as:

* Hat emblem
* Side badge
* Supporting stamp
* Heritage seal element

Should strengthen the connection to the real railroad.

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LONGHORN SKULL
Strength & toughness — the skull represents endurance, survival, grit, and resilience.

Represents:

* Mortality
* Strength
* Brotherhood
* Fearless living

Helps reinforce the outlaw identity and visual toughness.

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Railroad Spikes / Elements

Can be used as:

* Crossed symbols
* Frame accents
* Divider marks
* Border elements

These details help reinforce railroad craftsmanship.

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Color Palette

Inspired by railroad heritage and South Texas landscape:

Primary Colors:

* Burnt Orange
* Clay Red
* Charcoal Black
* Deep Iron Gray
* Vintage Cream
* Faded Gold

Optional Accent Colors:

* Rust Brown
* Sandstone Tan
* Aged White

The palette should feel warm, worn, and weathered.

Nothing too clean or modern.

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Layout Direction

Badge Style:

Preferred structure:

* Circular emblem
* Shield badge
* Hybrid western crest

Composition:

Top:
TEX-MEX OUTLAWS

Center:
Bridge + Skeleton Cowboy + Locomotive

Supporting:
Texas Flag + TM Logo + Steel Details

Bottom:
HOLD FAST • DIE HARD

The design should feel balanced, layered, and iconic.

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Intended Applications

This design should work across:

* Back print t-shirts
* Front chest badges
* Hats
* Patches
* Stickers
* Hard hat decals
* Crew gear
* Hoodies
* Workwear branding

It must be versatile enough for both lifestyle merch and railroad crew pride.

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Final Goal

Create a design that feels like:

“A badge you earn—not one you buy.”

This should represent pride in the railroad, loyalty to the line, and the outlaw spirit of the Tex-Mex legacy.

Not fashion.

Identity.

I also attached some rough drafts of my progress so far with it. I like some of them but they need to be better

Target Market(s)

Railroad culture and enthusiasts

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Look and feel

Each slider illustrates characteristics of the customer's brand and the style your logo design should communicate.

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Requirements

Must have

• 1. The International Rail Bridge (Laredo–Nuevo Laredo Bridge) **This is the most important symbol in the design. 2. SKELETON COWBOY RIDER The outlaw figure 3. ENGINE LOCOMOTIVE / TRAIN 4. Longhorn SKULL 5. TEXAS MEXICAN RAILWAY LOGO 6. RAILROAD ELEMENTS ( Spikes, railroad tracks”

Nice to have

• (1) A modern locomotive vs the older type (2) Texas flag and maybe a Mexican flag possibly

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Files

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