I was scanning my Twitter timeline about a dozen days ago when one of the tweets from @thechrislam (aka Ms. Social Media maven & fellow-running gal) sported one of my favourite hashtags: #giveaway. Naturally, I responded as if my marathon PR depended on it and was awarded with a lovely 40% off discount code for an Uncommon (custom) iPhone 3G case.

Not being a stranger to custom iPhone cases (I made one for my mum last June, thanks to a free Zazzle/Bay to Breakers offer), my initial instinct was to slap a photo of something cute or even a family photo, but then remembered that I use my iPhone for business and it would look rather unprofessional if the face of my Bearuu were staring back at my client:

Oh hai. Sign me.

Luckily, Uncommon had a nice collection of designs so I had a great set of professionally-created illustrations to select from. However, I wanted a truly uncommon/custom case and I was intrigued by their “3D TATT” (Thermo-Active Transdermal Technology™) printing where they use this proprietary technique where they essentially embed the design into the case, so that it won’t fade, chip, or peel off the, er, case! Now, I’m NOT that great of a graphic designer but I wanted to see what the “3D  TATT” printing could do to something I create.

Though I was rather busy working –I mean, I did this during lunch! – I fired up Illustrator Photoshop and came up with something that would look rather plain, yet upon closer examination would reveal something I’m passionate about; I call it, Blue and Black Out. LOL

Blue and Black Out

With my “artwork” ready, Uncommon‘s web interface for uploading and customizing your case was straightforward and rather easy:

• Select case to customize (in my, er, case, the iPhone 3G/3Gs)
• Upload/Select your artwork (they recommend a minimum of 2000 x 2000 pixels [but no more than 4000] at 300dpi)
• Resize/Rotate or manipulate the placement of your artwork
• Add it to your cart!

After I plugged in my discount code and paid for the case (UPS shipping charge was about 10 bucks ), the waiting game began. Because I uploaded something I created, Uncommon needed to approve this artwork first before my case went into production. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous during this stage mostly because the last time I used an element of an existing design, the company (*cough* Zazzle *cough*) shot my case down (no pun there). In hindsight, I think it’s because Zazzle, by default, display your designs publicly whilst on Uncommon, your design is private until you set it otherwise.

Anyway, on the emailed order receipt, it was nice to see a comp/proof of what my case would look like, and a mini-wallpaper (generated from my design) for my iPhone:

Proof

iPhone Wallpaper

Fast-forward to only seven (or five business) days later, I was greeted by this in the post!

meum carum!

First impression: wOOt!
Second impression: <OCB> Ahhh! Someone left their fingerprint on my case! </OCB>
Third impression: SHINY.

Sorry, my photos don’t do it any justice:

Ooooh.	Aaaah. (and fingerprint!)
Indeed.	Hullo Stamford (the lion)

The case was as I envisioned it, and more. I have to admit, with these “on-demand” product companies, I was half-expecting something that was just “ok” and I was particularly counting on them to get the blue and grey tones incorrect… I’m glad I was wrong to think that!

Now, on that note — you are responsible for your own design, and I did notice a bit of gradation of colour where the curve of the iPhone 3G case met with the bezel.

Gradient	Blue towards the black bezel
Toggle and Volume control view

It’s an unfortunate, albeit not disastrous, outcome of my design. If I were to redo my case (which I won’t because I’m ultimately pleased with it), I would have made it so that the blue did not border the black  and should have just left it as a stripe. Just be aware of that, I suppose, if you were inclined to jump on creating your own case, too! The prices are somewhat on the steep side but considering that you’re getting something uniquely yours, I say it’s worth it… Keep reading below if you’re serious about designing your own case via Uncommon’s website!

Thanks again to Ms. Chris Lam for the sweet coupon code and for the mention on her blog! To pay it forward, Uncommon has provided me with four (4) 20% off, discount codes! Surprise!

No purchase necessary. Your first born NOT required. Void where prohibited and all that jazz. Just send me a tweet or comment here (provide a valid email addy) and I’ll send it your way. But please, don’t ask for the code and then not use it cos someone out there might really need it

uncommon

*Edit: Uncommon makes cases for iPhone 4 and iPad, as well… In case you were wondering *