We’ve asked 4 digital artists based in Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia to take part in an embroidered patches contest for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. An accessory that could be easily applied on a velcro strap of a backpack, on a baseball hat, or on a jacket. Here are the results. Before that, a little bit of history for those of you who wonder how did we get here.
Overview
From the streets of New York to the runways in Milan, embroidered patches are having a long-standing moment in today’s fashion world. Given the boom of fast-fashion and mass-produced garments, consumers are seeking new ways to stand out and express their passions by personalizing the accessories they own.
The story of the humble patch is centuries old. It dates back to Ancient China, when the process of patching was used to serve a functional purpose: to mend clothing. Fast forward to the 19th Century and, following the industrialization and the evolution of technology, the United States military began mass-producing official division patches. Shortly after, the rest of the country followed suit. Everyone was getting in on the action: factory workers, delivery men, police and fire departments. The patch became an everyday occurrence in Western culture.
Things further evolved in the middle of the 20th Century. Patches became a representation of what is not mainstream: the rise of biker culture in the ’60s, the hippie movement of the ’70s, the birth of punk rock in the ’80s. The embroidered patch was a staple within each of these worlds. At last, it became a way to express personality and highlight nonconformity to society’s standards.
Today, brands like OFF-WHITE, Supreme, and Gucci have embraced the patch to infuse pop-culture into their high-end garments. Wants to know more? Here’s a brief story about patches in modern fashion industry.
Concept
It’s hard to tell if the influx of embroidered patches is just a passing trend or it’s here to stay, but the medium has certainly allowed an entire generation of designers and enthusiasts to express themselves and their passions.
For this concept, we’ve involved 4 digital artists from Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia into a contest to provide their own representation of the perfect embroidered patch for a mechanical keyboard enthusiast. A patch that could be applied on a velcro strap of a backpack, on a baseball hat, or on a jacket. At last, here below are the results. What do you think of their proposals?
Blacksmith 
Dragon 
Psychedelic 
Vintage
Details
- Brand: n/a
- Source of Inspiration: /r/MechanicalKeyboards
- Designer: artists collective from Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia
Your Opinion
Give some love to the designers and feel free to add your comments on how to further improve their concepts. And check out one of our previous works: a concept for a mechanical keyboard inspired by Blizzard’s Overwatch.
Which of the designs above you like the most?
Should we explore to produce the patch that you like? Onto which product?