Ahrefs Evolve 2024, held over two days in Singapore, brought together over 500 professionals to network and share insights into the future of digital marketing. Team Proxycurl was also there, to learn and connect with industry peers.
Amid all the networking, one unexpected star emerged: our company t-shirt.
Again and again, we heard, “I love your t-shirt.”
“Thanks t’s our company t-shirt. We designed it ourselves.”
“Looks great. It must be fun working at your company.”
What started as casual compliments turned into meaningful discussions, with the t-shirt acting as an icebreaker. It wasn’t planned, but the design sparked curiosity and gave us an opportunity to share a bit about Proxycurl.
On the trip back, I couldn’t help but wonder, how much does a t-shirt really say about a company’s culture?
How often do you hear a company say, “We’re a fun place to work!”?
And how often do you actually believe it?
I’ve been in enough job interviews to know the drill. When it’s my turn to ask questions, I always inquire about company culture (Yes, I did that in my interview with Proxycurl too). What I usually get back is a well-rehearsed monologue about how “great” it is to work there. I’m left unconvinced.
Corporate culture is the actions, atmosphere, and values you can see, feel, and experience. As an employee, the job isn’t just a paycheck; it’s where we spend most of our waking hours. If the culture doesn’t inspire confidence, it’s better to keep looking. I go back to how Chris Voss puts it in Never Split the Difference, “No deal is better than a bad deal.”
The game has truly changed. It’s no longer about keeping things in-house. Now, it’s all about making your business everyone else’s business.
Take this TikTok for instance.
[@futurecloudacc](https://www.tiktok.com/@futurecloudacc? This is how we introduce the newest members of the team!😂 all in the second take aswell [ [#fyp](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp? [#team](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/team? [#explorepage](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/explorepage? [#futurecloud](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/futurecloud? [#officehumor](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/officehumor? [#officelife](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/officelife? [#officefun](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/officefun?
[♬ original sound - Future Cloud Accounting](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7283921182016342817?
It’s playful, inviting, and lighthearted; a glimpse of a work environment that values connection and camaraderie. I’m not saying a single video can paint the full picture of a company’s culture, but moments like these go a long way in setting a positive tone.
But expressing your culture doesn’t mean jumping on every TikTok trend. Something as simple as a well thought t-shirt can say a lot about your company culture, like it did for us at Evolve 2024.
Corporate t-shirts have stood the test of time, usually made to celebrate achievements or commemorate milestones. Anything from project completions, annual events, team gatherings, and even festive celebrations calls for a t-shirt. These t-shirts go beyond just apparel, they become visible, tangible symbols of shared identity and pride.
Besides, it turns your employees into a walking, talking billboard for the company. If you’re subtle, your design can convey your culture without being heavy-handed or preachy. A sleek, stylish t-shirt can spark curiosity, make heads turn, and genuinely connect with people.
Christopher Vardanyan, co-founder of Rocket Moving Services, highlights how apparel plays a unique role in the moving industry. "In a business like ours, where teamwork and client trust are important, branded t-shirts serve as more than just uniforms—they create a sense of unity and professionalism. Our employees wear these shirts within working hours, and it shows their role as representatives of our company. These t-shirts act as mobile advertisements, catching the attention of potential clients during moves or in transit. We've even seen an uptick in inquiries—about 12%—from people who spot our team and want to know more about our services.”
For employees, it can be a badge of belonging. I didn’t wear the Proxycurl t-shirt because I had to; it’s casual, stylish, and reflects my pride in being part of the team. Even after I move on from the company, that t-shirt will hold a special place in my wardrobe.
If you’re convinced of the role a well-thought t-shirt can play to further your corporate culture, let me indulge you in 11 trending t-shirt designs for 2025.
The fashion world is loving the aesthetic look. A minimalistic, not-trying-too-hard approach is the way to go. Besides, you don’t want your t-shirt to be cluttered, words all over the place and just overwhelming in general. Just your company name or logo might do the job heck out this Dunder Mifflin company t-shirt from the famous sitcom The Office. I know it’s a fictional company but they sure did a great job with their t-shirts standalone logo. Simple, sleek, and loud.
Sometimes the best way to get your message across is to directly put it out there. In time the phrase resonates with the brand and gives people a better idea of what they can expect from the company’s culture.
Apple has one of the best taglines in the corporate world. The ‘Think Different’ tagline captures their innovative corporate culture.
The beauty of an inside joke is not everyone will get it, but it sparks a conversation. And let’s be honest everyone enjoys good ol’ sensible humor witty phrase or image that the employees get or even an industry limerick that other professionals can catch.
Diversity is a big issue these days and most companies are doing their best to put the word out. We are an equal opportunity provider.
What better to include that sentiment to your t-shirt se phrases and graphics to let everyone know the company's commitment to inclusivity.
If you want to pledge your commitment to diveristy, there are plenty of initiatives you can take besides designing a t-shirt. For starters, you can create a Diversity App!
If you’re still not on the sustainability bandwagon, it’s not too late. It’s time to source eco-conscious materials and give back to the planet. Plus, it sends a great message on your part about where your priorities lie.
Designs hit home when someone from the team is behind the monitor doing the work. A lot of corporations outsource their designs and would pay good money to get that personal touch. Brainstorm with your crew, come up with a design everyone can get on board with.
Rolling out Proxycurl’s very own Bali 2024 t-shirt design. Made by our amazing designer Arif Prasetyo.
Commemorate your achievements, annual and festive gatherings with event-specific t-shirts. Let everyone know that you work hard and play hard.
I still remember unboxing the PS2 when it was first released, more than 20 years ago (God I’m getting old!). Back in 2015, Playstation celebrated their 20th anniversary with a commemorative t-shirt for everyone who made it possible. Now, with 2025 just around the corner, I can’t help but wonder what their 30th-anniversary t-shirts would look like.
Be proud of where you belong. Incorporating cultural sites and icons is a great design idea for a corporate t-shirt.
Presenting the first edition of Proxycurl’s very own t-shirt. Drawing inspiration from our roots in Singapore, the design features the iconic MRT system and highlights the Tai Seng station, our office's closest stop. A wearable nod to the city we call home.
Drop the norm. Use a typography that goes beyond your company logo and tagline. Let everyone know you’re creative and adventurous. But don’t go overboard and make the words unreadable intendo’s rehabilitation clinic t-shirt uses unconventional fonts and strings up a different typography arrangement than their norm.
Don’t spare any change in the design prints. If your designs are already peeling off after a few washes, it comes off as cheap. No tattered t-shirts are going in someone’s wardrobe. They go straight to the bin his imagined Tumblr t-shirt by Printsome is a great example of how an excellent printing job can transform a simple design into something sophisticated.
Inspiring quotes, or even humorous ones deserve a place in your t-shirt. Give your tagline a break, go with a quote that sums up your team spirit and corporate culture.
The Proxycurl team is a tight-knit group, despite working remotely. We actively engage in fun conversations, share memes, and enjoy light-hearted banter in our team channels. Though globally distributed, our team is primarily based in Singapore and Indonesia, with a few members like myself working from other parts of the world.
The t-shirt I wore at the Evolve event was designed by our creative head, Aji. It captures the spirit of Singapore, where Proxycurl is headquartered. The design centers around the iconic MRT, Singapore's bustling transportation system, with a frame inspired by the interior of an MRT carriage. It even highlights the Tai Seng station, the closest station to our office.
The modern aesthetic is elevated with kanji characters and design elements, and our Proxycurl logo at the top-right ties it all together. The imagery can be seen as a journey from Tai Seng to Proxycurl HQ; symbolic and stylish.
Another cherished design in our collection celebrates our annual company getaway. This year’s retreat took us to Bali, a destination famous for surfing and the sea.
To commemorate the trip, our designer Arif designed a whimsical "surfing cat" graphic, a creative twist on Garfield enjoying water sports. The design features our company name prominently at the top, with the occasion, "Bali 2024," subtly placed at the bottom left.
The playful nod to Garfield is also a shout to our beloved office mascots, Meebles, Pixel, and Choba. The design perfectly reflects our team's fun and quirky personality, all the while preserving the memories of a great adventure.
Wrap up your next big milestone with a kick-ass t-shirt. It’s a token of belonging for your team and a bold statement of your company culture to the outside world.
At Proxycurl, we proudly tell our story through our t-shirts. Beyond the threads, we’re all about empowering businesses with robust data solutions. From streamlining application development to removing the need for a dedicated data team, Proxycurl is your partner in growth. With an exhaustive database of over 500 million people and company records, we provide the tools you need to build and scale.
So, why not partner with the guys rocking cool t-shirts and offering game-changing data solutions? We work hard, we play harder, and we’re here to help you do the same.
Try Proxycurl today and get 100 free credits upon signing up.
Corporate t-shirts are different from a corporate dress code or clothing. Corporate T-shirts are a memento, a symbol of celebration and achievement to the contributors to that success. Corporate clothing can include formal workwear, such as a dress, jacket, tie, golf shirt, neat pants, white shirt, etc.
You can use a trademarked logo on apparel for personal use, but not for professional use. Hire someone to create a logo or secure permission from the trademark owner to avoid potential legal issues.
If you're doing regular graphic design work, you'd probably be better off hiring someone. An in-house project can also help you get the personal touch. If you are outsourcing the work, the average rate can run from $60/hour. Some designers can charge upwards of $300 for the artwork.
Like logos, some quotes may also be trademarked. Research before using a quote for your t-shirt. Usually printing famous quotes are fine.
