New Coffee Hound apparel hit our shelves this month, T-shirts and hoodies featuring graphic designs from recent ISU alum, owner of and lead graphic designer at Crypticus Apparel, Kurt Marks. Some of you may remember Marks from a couple years back when he came in runner-up in the annual ISU Startup Showcase in which young entrepreneurs from ISU vie for funding and pitch to investors to help make their ideas a reality.

Marks’ idea was Crypticus Apparel, a graphic design and clothing company born of a dissatisfaction by Marks with many of the clothing designs available in stores. Initially, Marks sought to create clothing he would want to wear, but slowly he began designing clothes for friends and family, as well as a few local bands. Yet, in no time, Marks’ hobby grew into his very own business, Crypticus Apparel.

Now, Marks and Crypticus Apparel strive every day to create timeless clothing you just can’t find at the big chain stores at the mall. The designs of Crypticus Apparel are like no other, often combining the new and the old, mixing the alternative styles of today, with the mystical characters of the ancient world. For just one example, look no further than the work above depicting two divine hounds of old Egypt coming together to share a cup of coffee just as so many of us do today.

For more designs by Kurt Marks, click here to see a full selection of items offered by Crypticus Apparel.