Dear friends, fans, and family,

We’ve written a lot of letters as a company to characters like Betty Boop, Gumby, and many others. This, unfortunately, will be our last letter and it is specifically for you.

I’m sad to say that the company People Like Me will not continue after December 7th at midnight EST, and we will not be producing any more products under the label. Even as I type this, my fingers are heavy as anvils. I urge you to purchase any t-shirts you may have had your eye on for a while because I can’t guarantee that these designs will be sold again. After December 7th, any remaining shirts will be donated.

I just want to thank each and every one of you for all of the love and support these past two years. From die hard fans to people who just enjoyed reading our blog posts, you are all equally a part of this journey and the ride wouldn’t have been nearly as fun without you.

If you still want to keep up with new designs and illustrations I’m doing after the company is gone, feel free to follow me at my personal website, davidayllon.com.

Again, thank you.

Sincerely,

David Ayllon and the People Like Me team

We would like to ask Americans a question. Have you ever traveled to Europe and pretended to be Canadian, because we have? Even though Americans can pick out a Canadian accent like a police siren breaking the silence of night, it’s not so easy for Europeans to differentiate between the two accents. You’d think that the ‘aboot’s and ‘eh’s would be a dead giveaway, but we could see how a Canadian and someone from Minnesota could sound alike. As a matter of fact, the only thing separating the two is the 49th parallel which is just an imaginary line created at the Convention of 1818.

The Convention of 1818, or simply the Treaty of 1818, was a treaty signed on October 20, 1818 between the United States and the United Kingdom. It resolved standing boundary issues between the two nations using the 49th parallel, and allowed for joint occupation and settlement of the Oregon Country.

Pretending to be Canadian isn’t all that bad. You can tell everyone that you’re perfectly healthy thanks to socialized medicine and breathing in crisp, clean, maple syrup scented air. You can brag that your country has the best disco fries in the world (Canadians call it poutine, it’s french fries topped with cheese curds and veal demi-glace). Last, but not least, everyone will treat you fantastically thinking that you’re one of the nicest people in the world. Let’s discuss that last point a bit further, because we think that the stereotype that “all Canadians are the nicest people” needs to stop. It’s a political agenda that Canadians have been using for years so that they have great vacations. Let us drop this knowledge bomb on you. Have you ever watched a hockey game and not seen at least 3 fights occur? Guess what, most of those guys are Canadian. Nice, our ass!

At the turn of the 14th century, the new Pope Clement V was disturbed by rumors that were going around Europe about the Order of the Knights Templar that had been made by an ousted member. It was generally thought that the rumors were false, but Clement asked King Philip IV of France to assist in the investigation. Philip was already deeply in debt to the Templars from the finance of his war with England. This presented the perfect opportunity for Philip to clear away that debt and those that would seek repayment.

On Friday, October 13, 1307 Philip ordered hundreds of French members of the Order of the Knights Templar to be simultaneously arrested in a large synchronized manhunt. The Templars were charged with numerous offences (including heresy, homosexuality, financial corruption and fraud) that they eventually falsely confessed to during torture.

Is it possible that this event is the origin of the Friday the 13th superstition? Could it be that the acts of the king of France and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church led to inspire the great American epic Friday the 13th? Is Camp Crystal Lake a metaphor for medieval Europe and its sinful debauchery? Is our friend in the hockey mask a symbol of the church’s and monarchies’ evil reigns over the masses? Probably not, but think about man. Unfortunately this is what happens when you’re stoned and flipping back and forth between the History Channel and a Jason Voorhees marathon on SyFy.

For those of you who didn’t catch the premiere of American Horror Story on Wednesday night we feel compelled to tell you that you must On Demand it or Hulu it.

The show centers on the Harmon family, Ben, Vivien and their daughter Violet, who move from Boston to L.A. after Vivien has a miscarriage and Ben has an affair with one of his students. The family moves into a gorgeous mansion built in the 1920’s that turns out to be haunted.

This show truly has everything: Violent high school bullying, a psychotic teenage love interest, a sexy maid that isn’t really sexy, a character in a full-length leather “gimp” suit, a thieving neighbor whose daughter that has down syndrome delivers prophesies of death to all that enter the mansion, a previous owner that killed his family in a pyromania version of The Shining, and an evil midget in the basement. We think our nipples just got hard. Check it out, you won’t be dissappointed.

We find it hard to believe in curses, but then we run into things like the Curse of the Billy Goat and it makes us wonder. On Saturday, Oct. 6, 1945 during the 4th game of the World Series the Chicago Cubs were hosting the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field and leading the series 2-1. In attendance was the owner of the local Billy Goat Tavern, Billy Sianis, and with him his pet goat (Insert bestiality joke here). Not to ask the obvious, but what was this guy thinking? We’ve all seen the animal documentaries Looney Tunes. Goats will eat anything and everything around them. Sianis was asked to leave, but before he did he cursed the Cubs in a fit of rage declaring, “Them Cubs, they aren’t gonna win no more.” The Cubs have never been to a World Series since.

What if the other curses in recent history have some validity? The Curse of Tutankhamen, the Curse of the Hope Diamond, the Curse of Superman, the Kennedy Curse, the 27 Club, or the Curse of Musicians Trying to Act. That’s right, we’re calling you out JT. We know you’re talented. As a matter of fact, we’d even say that you remind us of a young Michael Jackson, only blacker. Just please quit while you’re ahead.

This shirt that Roberto Galvez submitted to Threadless makes People Like Me happy for so many reasons. First, who doesn’t love Pandas? The three little guys in the animal boat-like-thing are charming, as are the details on the paws and branches. The clever use of negative space to form the panda out of branches makes us smile on the inside.

This shirt by Matheus Lopes is like the moment when Dorothy steps out into Oz for the first time, if Dorothy were an unphazed 1950’s pinup girl in short shorts. The sepia tones in this shirt over at Threadless contrast with the neon colors pouring down from the neck. Even if she were to open her eyes, she would only see one or two drops of pink and yellow, completely missing the storm of color above her. Oh, well. At least the concentration of color at the neck draws attention to the faces of you beautiful people.

Dear desperate youth & bloodthirsty babes,

We here at the People Like Me office have a lot of creativity crushes: deep obsessions with the folks in this world that make amazing things. This could be anything from music, dance, poetry, painting, and the list goes on and on. It’s about time we shared some of them with you. Enter graphic designer Julie Lockwood:

PLM: Did you always want to be a graphic designer?

Julie Lockwood: Yes and no. From a young age, I always knew I wanted to do something in the creative realm. For most of my childhood, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I probably drew thousands of sketches of all the clothes I wanted to make, filling up my room with my creations. Eventually I realized that the fashion world wasn’t for me, and I daydreamed of other creative endeavors – interior design, landscape architecture, tattooing, cake decorating. You name it, I wanted to try it. Once I got to high school, I took a few design courses and found out I was pretty good at it. Fast forward through three colleges and some major-switching (I actually wanted to be a fine artist at one point – hah!), and I’m here today working as a web designer. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

PLM: What sort of work do you primarily do? For work? For fun?

JL: Most of my time is spent working full time doing web designs for political people – Senators, Congressmen, Committees, etc. That may sound a little boring to most people, but I honestly love it. I work with the greatest people in the world, and it gives me a chance to step outside my comfort zone and learn different techniques and styles. When I’m not working full time, I’m busy doing freelance work (web design and development, print, identity).

When I’m not working, I’m still usually doing something creative. I’m a crafting and DIY nerd – Joann Fabrics is my crack. So I’m always busy making something. But when I just don’t feel like creating anymore, my favorite thing to do is veg out on the couch watch my shows with my mister. Dexter, wresting, Hoarders.. we love it all!

PLM: How do you balance work like your NIN poster with the more straight-laced political work?

JL: For me, I don’t find any difficulty balancing different styles. In school, I was always more comfortable with the heavily-textured grunge style, but as with everything, your tastes change and grow as time goes on. I’ve come to appreciate clean and simple designs much more since leaving school, and I enjoy trying out new styles in my designs. I think working on these more straight-laced projects has made me a better designer. You’re always more creative when you have restrictions than when you have free reign. I love that I can design a Senator’s website today and make some gory horror poster tomorrow.

PLM: From where do you draw ideas and inspiration?

JL: Short answer: Everywhere. Check out my illustration titled “The Anatomy of Inspiration” on my website, and you’ll get a peek at the weird stuff that inspires me.

PLM: How does where you live influence your design?

JL: I’m not sure that it does. At least, not directly. I’m not making tropical designs (or old people designs for that matter, woohoo Florida!). But I can say that the area of Florida we live in, and our house, greatly help in dealing with the everyday design stresses. Hello, pool!

PLM: What are you working on at the moment?

JL: Right now I’m busy finishing up work on a couple of Senators’ sites (Hoeven from North Dakota, and Lee from Utah), and I have a Congressman’s redesign coming up soon. In terms of freelance, I have a few projects coming up with the guys at Architekt Music, which is always fun. Other than that, most of my time lately has been spent working on my design for this Nine West/ Talenthouse contest!

PLM: Have you ever entered any contests before this?

JL: I’m usually not one to enter contests, but there was one contest I entered that I was really passionate about. and didn’t turn out quite the way I had hoped. It was a Showtime contest to design a Dexter-themed t-shirt. I went off the “Born in Blood” theme of the show and created an illustration of baby Dexter in blood, complete with his shadow foreshadowing (yeah, see what I did there?) his future. I was so happy with how it turned out – you can check it out on my website. Long story short, I lost. Apparently Showtime frowned upon the imagery of a baby in blood. It confused me, since their show is about a serial killer, but to each their own. I lost to a stock photo of a jelly doughnut. (Yes, really.)

PLM: What do you think is the most important quality a graphic designer must possess?

JL: Oh, that’s a good question. Besides the obvious skills and talent, I’d say patience is key – with yourself, with co-workers, and with clients. I’m a naturally impatient person, so I have to try extra hard.

PLM: What advice would you give to aspiring graphic designers?

JL: Hate to rip off Nike, but just do it. Go for it. There’s no room for hesitation when it comes to being successful and having the career you’ve always wanted. Apply for that job you want, and be confident in your skills. Also, and it seems simple, but just be yourself. Build a portfolio of pieces that show who you are not only as a designer, but as a person. Show projects and pieces that YOU care about.

PLM: If you weren’t a graphic designer, what other job do you think you would have?

JL: I’m honestly not sure what else I’d be doing if I weren’t a graphic designer. I’m sure it’d be something creative… Maybe a tattoo artist – then I could just tattoo myself! Now wouldn’t THAT be awesome? I also have dreams of running my own coffee house someday (with a certain People Like Me founder!).

PLM: Which Muppet would you be and why?

JL: Gonzo the Great. Sure, he’s a little bizarre looking, but the man knows how to entertain. A true artist.

PLM: What superpower would you have and what would your costume look like?

JL: Invisibility – without question. That combined with the ability to kick some serious ass. When you could see me, I’d definitely be donning some crazy black cat woman type get-up. With an eye mask. Super Julie to the rescue!

PLM: Pretty in Pink or the Breakfast Club?

JL: Seriously? The Breakfast Club. Judd Nelson in flannel? Forget about it.. Don’t youuuu.. forgettt about meee… DON’T DON’T D– *cough*…

PLM: Is there anything else you would like to add?

JL: Two things.

#1 I love David Ayllon and People Like Me with all of my heart and soul.

#2 Please vote for me! I hate asking, because it sounds like I’m going to die without your votes.. but I might, so you should just in case. Otherwise you might feel pretty guilty In all seriousness though, I would really appreciate it.

PLM: Where do people go to vote for you? ( PLM note: Go out and vote or the
interns will kick your face in)

JL: Just follow this link: http://www.talenthouse.com/creativeinvites/preview/a6a2091a096340be40a15a0c656ed7f6/219

You can vote with both your Facebook and Twitter accounts, and you can also text-in a vote.

And don’t forget to stop by my website! www.jlockwooddesign.com

Dear Desperate Youth & Bloodthirsty Babes,

When our designer, David Ayllon, isn’t furiously dreaming up new t-shirt designs, he sometimes bowls professionally with his team The Ex-Lovers. When he’s not doing THAT he does other kickass design stuff outside the t-shirt medium. This past month he’s been working his hands into lobster claws in preparation for the theater performance of Death Boogie. Written and performed by poet Darian Dauchan with his band The Mighty Third Rail. It’s like a motion comic hip hop opera, and it’s closing out the festival. It begins its three-night run THIS FRIDAY at the Brick Theater in Brooklyn. For more info, go to bricktheater.com.

Here’s what our designer had to say:

Hey everyone, I’ve been working on this multi-media show for the past month and it’s finally here! It debuts Friday in BK, as part of the Comic Book Theater Festival (my inner geek is TOO giddy that this exists). I got to illustrate an entire comic book world, and it’s all being animated! I STRONGLY urge you to buy your tix online in advance. See you all there!

Designer Travis Pitts submitted this graphic to Threadless and they were smart enough to mass produce it for the world to enjoy. Rightly so: Who doesn’t love a good Robot-Riding Pinup Girl? The simple lines and bright colors above the detailed city backdrop is a great contrast in style and palette, and it helps highlight the subject of the design. The almost-pastel colors of the robot and the girl compliment the silvery background, and the digitized speech bubble is a wonderful touch. Even the name of the design screams Robot Love. Fun and futurism are both communicated hand-in hand with this one.