About Us
The story behind icon5 is about more than creating T-shirts. It’s recognizing the work people do, the equipment they use, and the experiences that shape who they are.
icon5 began as a personal project 13 years ago. At the time, I wanted to create shirts for military members that showcased their jobs and gear. As the world became increasingly digital and icon-driven, I developed a three-panel design concept that communicated through images alone. The idea was simple: what you do says something about who you are, and the right icons can tell that story without words.
The first design, “Breach, Bang, and Clear,” was about recognizing the skill and danger involved in clearing buildings during urban combat. More importantly, it gave the wearer a way to show the world what they did without having to explain it.
From there, I tried to bring the concept to life by screen-printing the shirts myself. After one failed attempt after another, I turned to iron-on transfers, determined to move the designs from paper into the real world. However, life had other plans. Eventually, the project went into a folder in my filing cabinet, where it remained for nearly a decade.
Years later, while pursuing my degree, I met a graphic design professor who encouraged me to build from what I already knew. That advice led me to tell him about the project that had sat idle for so long. Soon, the original concept began to take shape again.
Even then, the path forward wasn’t simple. Buying a house, growing a family, and handling everyday responsibilities delayed the first launch. Still, I never forgot the idea or what I wanted it to represent.
Today
Icon5 is about giving people a way to wear the things that matter to them. It’s about the trades, the outdoors, hard-earned skills, trusted gear, and the pride that comes from doing something well. Whether you build, repair, explore, serve, create, or simply get things done, icon5 is about telling your story through images. I also am passionate about providing the highest value product I can, that I why I chose a premium shirt blank that is GOTS-Certified organic cotton and paired it with industry leading printing technology.
After 13 years, the original idea has become a polished, focused brand built with renewed purpose.
That’s what icon5 is.