As a tattoo collector, I know tattoos aren’t just for truck drivers and drunken sailors—they’re everywhere. The reasons for getting tattooed haven’t changed, but the public perception has loosened
up to accept them. That said, they shouldn’t be used to advertise anything but tattoo shops. I believe tattoos are meant to express a person’s individuality, not to get teenage boys to buy an Xbox game.
As a designer, I tend to look at things more closely than usual. I’m always asking myself, How could it be better? The site’s “grunged-out” design is exactly the kind I’d rather ignore. It’s a classic case of commercialism vs. integrity. I can almost hear the client asking for “hardcore music in the background,” “an in-your-face type,” “a sexy girl with an orgasmic voice,” “neon-electric colors.” The DiRTy Tats site does a disservice to the product it’s promoting. The months that the programmers spent on the game were pointless if this is how it’s being marketed. I guess commercialism wins. We should have more faith in the intelligence of our youth!
And get rid of royalty-free Flash templates!