Writer and designer (and TCI contributor) Jun Chou wearing a neon TCI t-shirt on a roof on a sunny day.

TCI logo on front of t-shirt

Musician Avery Draut, aka Night Palace, wearing a gold TCI t-shirt while on a long walk in the park with a friend.

graphics and words on right and left TCI t-shirt sleeves, respectively

Writer and designer (and TCI contributor!) Jun Chou wearing a neon TCI t-shirt on a roof on a sunny day shortly before canvassing for Zohran Mamdani.

(Jun's spiral earrings, while very on brand, are not included)

back of the t-shirt, featuring a quote from TCI's original creative director, Laurel Schwulst. It first appeared in her essay, "My website is a shifting house next to a river of knowledge. What could yours be?"

More about the release
1 Notes

We made these shirts a ways back and I thought they were all gone, but found some in storage and figured it would be better for them to be out in the world and worn by people than to be stuck in a cardboard box.

They were designed by the wonderful Carlos Sanchez.

This is a high-quality long sleeve TCI t-shirt, in a final edition of 50. The design is full of snails, spirals, the words of Laurel Schwulst, and other TCI easter eggs.

We're not looking to make a profit—we want them enjoyed by folks, preferably in the sun—so we're selling them for the cost of production, fulfillment, packaging, and postage.

We only have them in the sizes listed. Once these are gone, there are none left.

Release Notes (1)

more about The Creative Independent

The Creative Independent (TCI) is a growing resource of emotional and practical guidance for creative people. We produce interviews, wisdom, and guides that illuminate the trials and tribulations of living a creative life, as told by working artists—including writers, musicians, designers, visual artists, and others. Our goal is to feed and grow the community of people who create.

Release details

Category: only on metalabel
Release Date: 9 June 2025
Catalog number: N/A

The Creative Independent

The Creative Independent (limited final edition) t-shirt

Created by

A final batch of 50 long sleeve TCI shirts, designed by Carlos Sanchez, found in storage, and now available at cost—no profit, just to be worn and enjoyed. The design features snails, spirals, Laurel Schwulst's words, and other TCI easter eggs. Limited sized; once they're gone, that's it.

Collected by

Name a fair price

Collected by

Limited run of 10