The Joy of Creation
Yesterday was a milestone moment for me. I created something that brought me pure joy—a tangible reflection of my passion and dreams. It all started with an idea, a dream that has been a constant in my life: to grow as a martial artist.
The Idea
I’ve often written about my journey in martial arts, but this time, I decided to express it differently—through design. Ever since I embraced the idea of pursuing martial arts as an artist, rather than solely as an athlete or fighter, I’ve wanted to spread this vision to the world. One way to do that was to design apparel that represented my philosophy.
After much hesitation and persuasion, I finally decided to bring this idea to life.
The Design
I began by creating the design on Canva. I already had a clear vision, so I quickly picked a layout and started playing with fonts and colors. After some refinement, this was the result:
The co-ordinates on the bottom of the design are the coordinates of Bangalore, where I started my martial arts journey. And Fighters Closet is the name of the brand I aspire to start someday.
Mockup on Midjourney
The next step was to visualize my design on a t-shirt. To my surprise, good t-shirt mockup templates online were scarce—and the ones I liked weren’t free. But we live in a world of AI, don’t we? I turned to Midjourney, crafted a prompt, and voilà! I had a mockup of my design on a t-shirt.
Seeing my design on a t-shirt made me feel one step closer to my goal. It was exhilarating, and I knew I had to make it real. I shared the mockup with my friends at work, and their positive feedback gave me confidence. What made the moment even sweeter was a compliment from my coach Himanshu who is also a creator. He even shared a contact for a local t-shirt printing shop, setting me up for the next step.
The Printing
This was my first time getting a design printed on a t-shirt, although I’d done postcards, posters, and flyers before. The contact from my coach didn’t operate on weekends (according to Google Maps) and was located far from where I lived. So, I had to find an alternative.
I turned to Printo , my trusted go-to for other printing needs. I knew they offered t-shirt printing, but I was skeptical about the quality. To my delight, I discovered they had a collaboration with Rare Rabbit, one of my favorite Indian apparel brands. Rare Rabbit competes impressively with global giants, and their clothes exude a premium feel. I couldn’t help but think: How amazing would it be to have my design on one of their t-shirts?
At the store, I was guided through a range of t-shirts. Although the Rare Rabbit shirts weren’t displayed, the staff assured me they could print on them. Trusting my instincts, I gave them my design. They promised the t-shirt would be ready in two days.
The Delivery
When the day arrived, I was in a mix of excitement and anxiety. As I picked up the package, a wave of anticipation washed over me. Slowly, I opened the paper bag, unwrapped the t-shirt, and touched the fabric.
“Fucking Rare Rabbit!” I exclaimed in my head. The quality was immaculate, and it felt so good in my hands. When I flipped the t-shirt to see my design, it was just as I had imagined—perfect. I couldn’t stop staring at it, admiration flooding over me. It felt like a photographer seeing their work printed and framed for the first time.
This was more than just a t-shirt. It was a projection of my dreams, a window into endless creative possibilities.
Without hesitation, I headed to the dojo, eager to wear the t-shirt and share my creation. I left the iconic Rare Rabbit tag on—it symbolized the significance of this achievement. The fit was perfect, like it was made just for me.
I proudly showed it to my training partners, saying, “I designed this! I got this printed just now!” Their reactions were priceless, and my pride soared. When I showed the shirt to Himanshu—a fellow creator—he loved it, which made his approval even more meaningful. My training coach @parshumaratha was equally thrilled and said, “Remember our conversation about this?” I nodded, and he was visibly impressed, his expression saying more than words ever could.
When I got home, I held the t-shirt in my hands and took a moment to truly admire it.
This wasn’t just a piece of clothing—it was my vision, my effort, and my passion woven into reality. It was proof of what’s possible when an idea refuses to stay in the realm of imagination.
The experience taught me that creation is more than the end product—it’s the journey of turning fleeting thoughts into something tangible, something that speaks to who we are and what we aspire to be.
This t-shirt, simple as it may seem, represents a window into infinite possibilities. It embodies the power of a single idea, nurtured with creativity and brought to life with passion. It’s a reminder that with every stroke of design, every iteration, and every leap of faith, we bring our dreams closer to the surface. And when we finally hold them in our hands, the joy is unparalleled.
This is just the beginning. The joy of creating, of dreaming, and of daring to make those dreams real—this is what fuels me.
Here’s to the endless beauty of creation and the stories it lets us tell.
Love, Saransh
