The internet is a hotbed of constantly-updated content, one where new images are constantly being made and distributed. Many amateur artists are fond of creating their own versions of famous characters, properties and logos and sometimes these unofficial designs start turning heads. Though it's no substitute for a professional vinyl signs company, researching these designs is an easy way to develop ideas, as long as you credit the creator.
Fans of television shows and movies often create their own takes on their favorite franchises and post them around the web. Allison Hoover, a student at Miami Ad School, was recently spotlighted by Mashable for creating a series of posters designed to promote the sitcom Friends.
The show is long gone, but Hoover's posters, which are for sale, use brief memorable quotes and imagery to capture the viewer's attention. This effort was reportedly far above and beyond the original assignment from one of her classes.
"Many of the quotes/moments would be recognizable to Friends fans just as sound bites, so I thought a minimalistic design would let people figure it out for themselves," she told the source.
Another example is the wealth of fake fan-made posters for the upcoming Star Wars film. Some of these images are so well-rendered they could potentially be confused for official promotions. In some cases, creators of fan art actually get to see their work "go legit": The most recent season of the British television show Doctor Who uses an introductory sequence originally made by a fan and posted to YouTube.
If you've encountered an unlicensed "fan" design of your work and want to make it a part of your regular advertising, a professional custom screen printing business will help it come to life.