Packaging Project

Today we were briefed for the next project.  The brief is to create packaging designs for 'Animal' the surf wear company based in Poole.  The packaging is for their range of watches that they produce.  Animals first product was the velcro watch strap for surfers who previously would loose conventional watches in the water.  The watch has stiff competition from other electronic devices that we carry around with us that also give the time.

The initial task today was to research the Animal brand and to find out what they are all about.  Following this, we looked at the watch products and all the other gear that is produced.  Research was then carried out to find out about different extreme-sport activities and also the colours used for the gear associated with the sports.   The group then produced a series of 'mood boards' in order to evoke the thought processes.  The idea is to look at making packaging out of materials associated with the sports.  These could be rubber tyres or velcro gloves from a mountain bike, fibreglass from surf boards and rubber from a wet suit.  The idea of recycling for this purpose was met with great enthusiasm.

Whilst researching for the greeting card project, I took a look at the work of Roy Lichtenstein and put together a mood board.  I particularly like the way he uses dots to colour his work.  There was recently a large poster in Poole that was advertising a top local hairdressing salon.  Roy's work reminded me of the posters on display, really stunning eye catching stuff!

This is the my amended version for the VCC2 project.  After looking at various graph layouts that represent figures in newspapers, and the graphs in The Guardian newspaper (as suggested by Sally),  I added a faint grid to the image as well as a trend line.  I like the grid because it also relates to the lines of latitude and longitude of the earths surface.  It also keeps the 'simplistic element' to the design.  I have also changed the text in order to grab peoples attention by using 'Cost Saving Excercise'.  The text at the bottom has been written more positively as oposed to my original design. 

I have spent the day sorting out a C.V and six images from my portfolio for tonights Dreamweaver session.  I have also worked on my PPRD paper based folder and sketch book too.

  

The finished cards in place.

I wanted to create a logo for myself.  My initial inspiration came from the Etnie trainer.  I wanted the logo to convey my name, a hard working 'put your back into it' attitude, the camera lens/human eye and 'forward thinking'.  I feel it also relates to the shape of my head!

The Greetings Card Project has been a great challenge.  I have really enjoyed the experimentation with patterns and simple shapes using Adobe Illustrator.  I always enjoy looking at other peoples work and gaining inspiration.  I feel that the group has so much talent and I enjoy working with the rest of the group.  Clare has been a fantastic help with this project, and her enthusiasm and positive manner have spurred me on.  It was great to work with somebody who is successfully working in the industry.

This is updated design solution following the crit sessions with Sally, Clare and Neil.

The main point brought up was regarding the wedding card shapes.  Sally suggested a change from the 'bell' as many people have other types of ceremony.  I changed the bell to a horse shoe but felt that the design lost 'equilibrium'.  When I was playing about with the horseshoe design, Neil thankfully pointed out that a horse shoe upside down can be regarded as bad luck!  I have decided that I am going to revert to the wedding bell design.  I have put the designs to various people, and the bells were heavily favoured as most people I showed the cards to knew straight away what the bells related to.

The crit session with Clare and Neil was very positive.  Both of my sets of cards were Ok, but now I have to choose the set to go with.  I need to have a look at a couple of the cards and sort out the colour schemes.  There is another crit tomorrow!  There was some fantastic work submitted by us all.

I created this set of cards as a second set for the greeting card project.  I feel that these would be more suited to the 'higher end' cardshops.  The price of them? -you cant afford it!!!! 

Good Luck.

Sometimes when you upload to Blogger, the colours change despite trying CMYK and RGB!  This random feature sometimes produces interesting results!

My first go at Dreaweaver! OMG!

A possible design.

Adobe Kulor.

I used this to look at possible colour combinations

The united colours of Orla Keily

I like the shapes produced for a product called 'HIP' which is a French cosmetic brand.  (www.g2works.com)

I have now decided to go with the simplistic shapes and come up with a pattern that I can use on the cards and the wrapping paper.  The important thing is colour.  I have been looking at various clothes designers and designers in order to find out 'what's hot and what's not' when it comes to the latest 'fashion'.  I do like the colours used by Orla Kiely.  I have ben looking at the work of michaelcraig-martin, and love the simplistic design he creates.  I particularly like the giant fan that he created and placed on the side of a london building.

Others to look at: Patrick Caulfield, Julian Ope

Sat here eating breakfast.  I am looking at the Julian Ope website.  His characters with extremely subtle movements are superb.  So it was him that did the 'Blur' album!

Over the weekend I created the following 'occasional' shapes for the card project.  Which 'occasion' do you think they relate to?

Michael Craig-Martin (Good recommendation by Neil)

I created this pattern by repeating a single image over and over!

Making simple shapes in Illustrator for different occasions.

A moodboard based on work by Orla Kiely.  I love the simple, repeat and slightly retro look of her work.  This is for inspiration for the card project.

Following todays crit with sally on the first VCC2 project,  I will make amendments to the original 'Bike' design.

After looking at the work of Karim Rashid and his 'simplistic' work, I have decided to concentrate on using simple shapes and experiment with blending and patterns.

I created the above in Illustrator. I didn't use 'live-trace'!!!!! 

While at work, a really quick poster was needed due to the restaurant being closed for refurbishment.  Temporarily drinks etc were available in the main building.   This poster literally took 10 minutes to produce.  I grabbed some food and cans out of the fridge, grabbed my bosses camera and came up with this.  The poster had to point in the direction of the main doors.  I know the clipping path is naff, making the image look over-exposed, but then limited time and all that.....If this took 10 minutes to knock up, why is it taking forever to think up ideas for VCC2 project.  Arrghhhh!

I created an advert that was published in 'Pilot' magazine, any ideas which one?!!

Ok, have some ideas now and paths to follow!  (for the card project)

My girlfriend's brother makes the front cover! 

Busy weekend with work etc...

Still thinking about card project but nothing shining out yet!  I tried to take some action shots of surfers at Boscome Pier on Saturday morning and managed a few decent ones!

Today we were given a talk by Claire, who designs greeting cards.  It was good to hear what she had to say as it will be a great help in the next stage of the VCC2 project.  I will be looking at a few areas in relation to the brief and can honestly say that at this stage, I'm Kinda stuck!

The final tweaked version!

Following today's crit, here is my tweaked version.

Neil gave me direction with regards to making the message more positive and appealing to the reader.  I changed this by making the graph line move upwards from left to right and amending the text at the top. 

It's Thursday and day of the crit.  Need to get into the instutute early to print my A3 poster for VCC2.  Need to allow for any possible printing problems.  Didn't get to bed untill late due to finishing work late and this project. 

My brains are fried- I dont think I have thought so hard.  The VCC project is a real challenge.

I am now looking at the fuel savings that can be made by bike.  This is going to be road that I will take to reach Thursdays destination.

Today have been doing more research into the VCC2 project.  The morning was spent researching cycling and fuel.  I found out that one banana is enough fuel for 3 miles travel on a bike.  I need to find out the price of one banana and see how this relates to the amount of fuel burnt in the average car.  The afternoon was spent in the library looking at simple but effective adverts.  I'm still unsure which way to go at the moment but this will have to be resolved.

Over the weekend I have been working, but the VCC2 project is always running in the background!  One thing I find is that if I don't write an idea down straight away, I tend to forget it!  I have been researching the average cost of gym membership and how much it costs to run a car.  This is so that I can make a comparative evaluation.  This is in relation to the idea of promoting cycling as a way of transportation in view of the worsening traffic congestion in inner-cities.  I feel that time is really running out for this project as the deadline is this Thursday!  Arrghhhh!

Today we had a session with Neil to discuss our ideas for the VCC2 project.  I put forward my ideas of looking at cycling and congestion.  I am now looking in the direction of safety and cycling. I have been researching the safety issues in relation to this topic, especially Cycle Helmet usage and the number of casualties with brain injuries.  As a regular cyclist and an ocassional user of a helmet, The research has made me more aware of the dangers. 

In the afternoon I had another chat with Neil and I have decided look at the financial benefits of cycling as opposed to other methods of transport.  I have been looking at how much people will pay for gym memberships in order to keep fit (and ride exercise bikes inside!) rather than using a real bike with a real purpose of both keeping fit, and getting from A to B.

Visual Communication in Context 2 (project)

Today we were handed our first project for the second year of  the Visual Communication Course.

The first task of the project is to design an A3 poster that portrays the values, memories or feelings of an object of sentimental significance or a social issue that has been overlooked and needs addressing.  

Objects that have sprung to mind are as follows:

My first Teddy Bear (sad!)

Name tag that was hung around my neck on first day of school

My favourite mode of transportation, the bike

The actual propellor from the first aeroplane that I flew solo

Social issue for addressing:

Dangerous driving

Promoting cycling and cutting down car usage