Naomi Farrar- Design Practice

Final Major Project

2012-01-02T20:40:00.006Z

Please find all my work for FMP blogged HERE.

OUGD301 Evaluation

2011-12-19T10:00:00.002Z

In September I felt that because of the self directed nature of the briefs in this module it would probably be more engaging and manageable than past modules. I was excited to be able to work on topics and with the direction that I had chosen. Defining my design rationale really helped me clarify the direction in which I wanted to head, and ‘a print based investigation into typography with a focus on shape and colour’ began.

Quickly I realised that I needed to have clearer briefs and deliverables for my work to progress at all. This became especially apparent while working on the Daily Drop Cap brief. Because I had not clearly specified what form my deliverables would take, my brief changed direction a number of times, each time drawing the brief out further and leaving me with sour feelings toward my work. I had hoped that this brief would be one of the most enjoyable to work on, but it turned out to be the most unnatural progression of work I undertook and the most frustrating in terms of direction. In retrospect I really need to make sure that my briefs, and their deliverables, are very clear from the start. I thought that the work would progress naturally into the form it would take, but it obviously didn’t, and it was daft to think it would!

Another problem I faced was self-discipline, in terms of completing targets on a regular basis. Because of the long-term nature of the module, I kept thinking that it was okay to put things off, and to postpone printing or finalisation of work. I think this factored in all the briefs, but especially in brief one and four. During FMP I have every intention of making weekly targets and making sure that I produce work that has progressed every single week, this way I think it will be motivating to see my work build regularly.

With regards to the collaborative brief I undertook, I am pleased with how the brief worked out. I found the experience of working with Jonny really valuable– we both seem to have a similar frame of mind when it comes to working, but I think we both managed to learn from each other about different approaches to take work in. The way we worked seemed to go really well, with progression being as a result of both our inputs, rather than being split completely. Our work benefitted from this, as it was more consistent and logical as a result. I’m keen to work on more collaborative briefs now, and definitely feel that it will always be beneficial to seek feedback on my own work from Jonny when I need it.

As a result of not clarifying my briefs enough, they tended to change a lot throughout the module. Originally brief two was just a packaging brief, but I’m really glad of the way this developed into something more and I was able to explore branding and print processes as well. I’m keen to allow this to happen still in FMP, but definitely appreciate the need for definition in the brief from the start.

Overall the module gave me a chance to explore my own direction as a Graphic Designer, something that has been invaluable to undertake before starting FMP. I wanted to create a body of work that I would happily showcase in my portfolio, and I feel that I have done this, with a few minor elements that would benefit from further development, perhaps. I have developed my skills further, not just in software but in thinking more broadly and developing idea generation before defining finalised outcomes. I think this last factor is particularly important in my work, but something that I also need to be wary of and not allow myself to get caught up in.

Final Boards

2011-12-18T14:08:00.002Z

Here are my final boards:

Brief 1– Daily Drop Cap

Open publication - Free publishing

Brief 2– Ink

Open publication - Free publishing

Brief 3– Marble

Open publication - Free publishing

Brief 4– Graze

Open publication - Free publishing

Brief 7– Manchester Book Fair

Open publication - Free publishing - More cards

Brief 10– Interior Design ID

Open publication - Free publishing - More branding

Logo Usage- Website

2011-12-17T19:21:00.002Z

Going back to what my original plans were for integrating the Graze products with the web-

I've developed a mock layout for a website proposal- simple grid style layout with space for content to be placed in...

Simple grid to keep everything in line

Very plain browser window mock to place content in

I created a scroll bar at the side too, as this will be vital to show since the feature of the page will be the fixed position of the grass imagery.

I dropped the logo into place and created a few drop down menus and spaces for content.

Then I realised I needed the page name & address

I also added a favicon.

And the arrows for back and forward.

I then placed the grass in the frame, and picked out words that would be used on the site in the grass font.

Here I played around with the format of the type a bit- it doesn't look right so far... I think the drop menus are too small and insignificant.

I widened the menus at the top, and gave more space to the text- this leaves a clear and clean functional site for the content to go into...

Mailshot Development

2011-12-17T18:23:00.000Z

I'm going to use the simple one fold format- it's going to keep costs down which I think is an important factor, but still leaves me with 4 faces.
I also really like the idea of using the 'mil merge' style printing- using the customer's name, or actually directly addressing them with a question...

I've begun by creating the flat and upright line art for the cards:

I've added in the kraft card effect inside, which would be like the inverse of the boxes- keeping it consistent through the brand, as well as relatively cheap since they already source the stock.

I realised that I'll be needing a question mark in the type face if I'm going to use questions in the copy for the mailshots, so I created one using the same clipping mask method:

I came up with a few phrases that would be used, they directly address the potential customers whilst being about the topic of Graze.

For the front of the mailshots, I have just applied the same gradients as the boxes use- creating the natural scene.

Then I used the shear tool to warp the text into the correct perspective:

I also noticed that when it's applied over the gradient, it gets a little lost... So I fixed this by putting a light stroke around the outside

Duplicating the outlines, so I could add the outline stroke:

Those are the upright cards finished- I am going to show two options plus variations of the type that could be used. For the flat card I want to show the seal using the sticker version of the logo:

Above I've added the same format as it would be to the flat version, however, this makes the sticker get totally lost, so I'm just going to show a simplified version for this part:

Using the half transparent gradient to give a 3D effect to the folded sticker:

Tada. And now I have a mailshot...

Graze Box Finalisation- Box

2011-12-15T18:20:00.000Z

The final box designs for Graze:

These are the final designs I'm going to use on the boards... Different scales to fit all three on, whilst still showing all the details. I found a large stock image of the Kraft card to use for the closed lid box too. However I had to vectorise it using live trace so that it will print well.

Now the mailshot...

Graze Boards

2011-12-14T11:38:00.001Z

So far I have one board complete:

I need another three- for the logo, the boxes and the mailshot.

The logo one will show how it's applied to the deliverables, as well as it by itself. I think I might do a mock of how it would work digitally on the website.

More Box Development

2011-12-13T14:53:00.000Z

I've worked the concept of the 'times of the day' boxes into the designs...

Using colours from the skylines, I'm going to create gradients to fill behind the grass inside the lid. This will show the typical time of day the grazer has chosen their box to be tailored to.

I started doing the gradient colours without reference, but realised this was a silly idea!

So I found some google images of skylines to inkdrop colours from:

So, this is the box so far- I just need the gradients in the negative areas.

Here are how they all look:

Below are the three that I chose, they're the ones I feel most accurately represent the times of day... The colours in them are subtle yet obvious enough that they relate to morning, afternoon and evening.

Here is the whole colour palette I've been using:

Each group of colour is from a different photo.

I also have changed the greens I'm using throughout the Graze grass/type- the one I had chosen was very pale, and I wanted a bold strong colour... So I altered this after some test prints, and have set them to two tones of green now, they're global colours so are simple to change if necessary.

I neatened up the sticker on the box too:

Box Development

2011-12-13T12:54:00.000Z

Development of the Graze boxes...

Using the resource images that are available on the Graze website, I traced an outline of the open box over the top, and then created a version with a closed lid.

I have applied the same lines to different angles of shapes so I can get a variety of designs to show on the boards.

I've created a warped version of the logo to apply as a sticker to the box.
I also tried creating fill colours for the box... But soon realised this looks ridiculous...

I broke the logo shape in two halves to create a folded effect like this, it looks a bit flat though.

I applied a gradient fill to a duplicate of the shape over the top- this makes it look more 3D.

And I added space for the address label.

Instead of using the solid fill colours, I thought- Why can't I just use the kraft card effect- it has the look that I want, the homely, handmade organic feel to it... So I created a clipping mask on the box outline and the stock photo... This is the result, I'm pretty pleased with this.

I also tried out using the type inside the box- altering the angles with the shear tool. And I created a clipping mask for the grass effect that will be in the box lid, creating the look as if the food has come from the earth naturally.

Graze Logo

2011-12-13T12:16:00.000Z

For the logo part of the brief, I am just using the G from the typeface.

This isn't completely in accordance to the brief, they wanted .com included in it, but I really think that is obvious enough from the context of the logo... It would be seen on a box which would have other information printed on the reverse, on mailshots which would have instructions themselves, and also online which defeats the point of adding .com. So I don't think it's completely necessary.

Final Typeface- Graze

2011-12-13T12:12:00.000Z

I've developed the whole typeface for the Graze font- using the grass images and clipping masks combined with the typeface I created from DIN.

Graze- Digital Development

2011-12-12T12:04:00.000Z

I've continued to develop the grass imagery mixed with the type development I did...

Starting with altering the typeface DIN 1451 Engschrift I have made the corners more rounded and soft, which gives a less harsh look,

Above- original

Below- alterations made

Grass images- the image part of the designs I have been working on are grass based. This is the most obvious and clear representation of 'GRAZE' that I have developed- it's a clear message, and one that the company are already clearly happy to use.

I'm going to combine the type and image using clipping masks... This will create a really neat and tidy look to the font.

This is how the letters will look. I remembered something that Fred said about using reverse effects though, so I tried doing the opposite...

Which doesn't look good, it just looks odd...

Back to the rest of the alphabet:

Ink Developed Boards

2011-12-12T11:35:00.001Z

Developed boards for INK.

The photos need editing still, and there will probably be minor other tweaks...

Drop Cap Board Development

2011-12-12T11:35:00.000Z

Development as the boards for the Daily Drop cap brief progressed...

The photos are the ones I'll be using, they just haven't been edited yet.

Layout playing around and positioning is the main thing I've been looking at here.

Marble Board Development

2011-12-12T11:34:00.000Z

Developing the layouts for the Marble boards- photos still need to be edited.

Marble Interiors

2011-12-11T11:15:00.000Z

I've been using the perspective grid in Illustrator to set up the correct line work to do the whole exterior and interior mock ups... I've gone and LOST all my screen shots for the work- NOO!... This is what I've got...

Set up for the inside shot...

And the outlines for the outside image:

And arrangement for the vinyl letter abstracts for the outside of the restaurant:

I've included the sign that I designed on the outside mock up too, just to show how it would be included.

Nearly complete, the interior hallway:

Jonny designed a few extra letters to use for interior signage- most of them we already had from the name though!

I created an arrow to go with the letters Jonny did, just to add some indication of direction.

The final vectors look like this:

Exterior outside- includes vinyl cuts, door handles and sign.

Interior- includes the letters Jonny created, and the arrows I did...

Tada!

Development of Marble Exteriors

2011-12-06T21:30:00.000Z

Developing vectors for the signage:

Having serious trouble trying to render 3D effects in Illustrator here!

I'm using a found image of a sign to start with, trying to manipulate it so I can apply our own design to it.

I've managed to remove the type from the photo, and have extended the sign to fit with our 'MARBLE_' long format of the type.

Placing the type into the photo:

I've applied a 3D effect to this one- it has to be white though otherwise the black 3D effects don't show up.

I have placed a slight white drop shadow into the picture. This adds a reflective look to the image.

I then realised that because this is an image that I'd found online, the resolution would only be 72dpi... ARGH! Why it took me that long to notice I do not know. But as a result we would only be able to print the image properly at about a 4cm square. Bad news. I'm going to vectorise it with a basic line art style to see if this will still work:

Basic line shape above, below I've just added some more details. This looks pretty good for something so basic- it's effective in portraying the message.

Now adding the logo in, and shifting it through the perspective/shear tool.

I've changed the colour to black for the sign, this makes it clearer and more prominent.

With the white text I can apply a slight drop shadow, which gives a reflective look again as if the sign was glossy.

I'm going to try a gradient to highlight this look...

Not so fond of the gradient application... Think I'll just leave it as it was before. Black sign with white text & reflective drop shadow effect.

Interior Design Identity Developments

2011-12-06T00:12:00.001Z

I've developed a few of the concepts I drew out for the branding for Danny Cranage, an Interior Design student.

At this point I began to realise that this logo looked slightly... Rude?!

Decided this needed fixed, so I made amendments to the scale and balance of the logo:

I also looked at the layout and positioning of the type with it. I just used interstate condensed as a starting point. I think a tall and slim font, a condensed one, would be ideal, because of the shape of the logo.

Began to explore a new concept: no.

Looks bad! Onto the next:

I liked this one on paper a lot, it seemed quite versatile with colour options and scale too. I thought it was quite clever combining the lowercase d with the c shape:

Again, have just been looking at variations of the logo shape.

Going to go back to the first option and develop the shape more, look into the shape of the d in relation to the c, and see if I can combine them a bit more, and make them more consistent.

Selected colourways for the second logo- variable between black and white and colour, like the client wanted.

Also looking at the positioning of accompanying text:

New concept: I like this one a lot, it's smooth and clean cut, as well as not being too feminine or masculine:

Looking at variations- making the D more defined:

I think the balanced line at the bottom looks best.

Looking at a couple more concepts that I quickly abandon... They're just not very visually pleasing.

Here is what I'm going to present to the client- options for the logos, showing different type & colourways. As well as options for 3 letterhead designs.

Open publication - Free publishing - More branding

UPDATE:

Feedback from Danny:

Interior Design Branding

2011-12-06T00:11:00.001Z

I've been asked by Danny who is doing interior design at the college to create an identity for him and his work.

I've begun by drawing out a few logo options:

Photography

2011-12-05T23:46:00.001Z

Today Jonny and I had organised that we'd take photographs of all our collaborative work, as well as our own other finished briefs too... However, this soon started falling appart...

First, one of the lights didn't work, and then we just couldn't get a proper arial shot of the stationery... Next we weren't able to get the background colours right, and the camera we'd borrowed from Photography just wasn't familiar to either of us... The white balance was off, the flash kept firing... All in all it was an exhausting waste of our time...

We've decided we'll start again from scratch on Monday.

Briefs I'll be photographing:
Brief 1- Daily Drop Cap
Brief 2- Ink
Brief 3- Marble Restaurant
Brief 7- Manchester Book Fair

Wine Labels

2011-12-04T23:27:00.000Z

I have test printed a few of the wine labels to make sure the size and layout of them is correct:

There are some adjustments to be made to the above, so that they align correctly on the bottle. The slanted shape made it basically guesswork to get the angle of the type right on the shape, so the test prints really helped with this.

Sarah has very kindly collected a few wine bottles for us to use from where she works... These are the ones we've chosen to use for the photographs of the mock ups...

Jonny took photos of these, as I've managed to fly through the week without documenting my progress with these, daft.

Marble Development- Signage

2011-12-04T20:30:00.000Z

Some design concepts I have drawn out for the outside of the restaurant... Mostly including options for signage outside and window vinyls... I'm liking the option for creating abstract shapes in the windows, either through using the logo, or sections of the letters at different scales...

I've taken on the task of creating the mock ups of the restaurant- the overall outside look, the signage and the mock ups of the interior.

I've drawn some ideas out for what they will look like:

An angular view of the restaurant front- showing sign, doors and window pane. Needs logo & type on.

Interior idea- showing proposal for wallpaper and place setting.

Shape and format for the signs outside.

Place setting ideas- placemat, napkin, receipt, cutlery.

Door handles- an important point according to Lorenzo!

I'm going to take these initial ideas and see what I can do with them in the time I have left and the skills I have with illustrator!

Stationery- Marble

2011-12-02T23:43:00.000Z

Jonny's been working on the stationery while I've been doing the packaging... Here's the finished results:

I'm so pleased with these and I think Jonny is too, they fit to the concept of the restaurant really well. The shapes are consistent with the formats used in the menu designs, still using the elements from the logo.

Laminated Menus

2011-12-02T23:36:00.000Z

I went to staples this morning and took the menus to be laminated. We wanted a smooth matte finish, which would contrast with a spot varnish in theory... James only offers a sort of cracked/frosted laminate in the print room, so I went to Staples because they have a smoother and less textured finish one...

Unfortunately when I arrived they told me that I couldn't get the wine list done, as it's A2 scale, and they didn't have that laminate in bigger than A3... But I got the menu done anyway...

However, the bad news didn't end there, as when they handed the menu back to me, I looked at both sides... And noticed that the black side had a funny cloudy effect on it now... NOOO!

It's really disappointing as the white side actually worked reasonably well... Oh well. 3rd re-print now....!

Menu Reprint

2011-12-02T23:23:00.000Z

Because we had to change the font and re-print the menus as a result of the typeface choice, we marked up a few details to correct at the same time...

The changed typeface is from Thin:

To Extra Light:

This gives it more weight and will sit on the paper much better.

Table Setting Concepts

2011-12-02T00:09:00.000Z

For the photography session we have planned we're going to create a mock placesetting.

Here are some drawn ideas for how these can be formatted:

Interior idea- showing proposal for wallpaper and place setting.

Place setting idea for the restaurant- everything is doubled up to include black and white versions.

MARBLE- So Far

2011-12-01T23:02:00.000Z

I seem to have gotten really behind on my blogging about the collab project recently, so this post will be a major 'everything up till now' type thing.
I feel I haven't explained parts of the brief thoroughly enough.

We've got the identity done:

This is the typelogo- after Jonny and I created visual ideas for the type, we found that the typography Jonny was doing was more appropriate, and the logo/image elements I was incorporating were more suited to the tone and theme. Therefor we tried to combine the two- jonny added in the shape I'd been working with to his style of font. Above is a result of this.

Each letter combines the thick and thin weights of lines that he was working with, as well as the logo shape that I created:

This leaves us with a really good set of letters and a logo which can work together as well as separately.

The menu and wine list:
Jonny's took the role of creating the menu and wine list following on from those which I did for the crit:

Above are my designs which we developed from elements in our drawings, but they were rushed and didn't leave much to be desired... So Jonny worked with elements of these, and used them to create more elegant and stylish menus...:

These were developed using the logo shape again:

We first printed it using interstate thin, but soon realised that the stock we were printing onto wasn't going to hold the ink well enough to warrant this... There was something happening which I assume is like 'dot gain' which Scrub spoke about in the Generation Press talk... So, we decided to swap the typeface to a heavier version of Interstate: interstate Extra Light.

Graze Renewed Ideas

2011-12-01T17:05:00.001Z

Okay, was definitely heading in the wrong direction with the graze brief... So put together some mood board type things which helped to generate some better ideas... I digitally created some of what I'd drawn out, and it looks a lot better now:

Using DIN 1451 Std, I wanted more soft and 'friendly' looking letters, while they're still tall and thin.

Overall moodboard- showing all the influenced I picked.

Combining elements of different contextual images.

Renewed Cover- DDC

2011-11-30T09:37:00.001Z

After weighing up my options for the cover of the drop cap book, I thought about screen printing the foil to the cover... However, I've heard from other people's experience that this isn't a simple process and it's still just as variable as the heat method. So, I thought about other processes I could consider... Embossing?

I tried to make a stencil I could use to emboss with the laser cutter... However, this didn't work. At all. The card I was cutting from didn't want to be cut apparently, and wasn't working as the stencil.

Therefore... I'm only left with digital print, I think that at this stage it just needs DOING, rather than thinking about. Therefore- I'm going to use the existing design I have, and apply a gradient to it- this will carry the same colours as within the book, and reflect the ultimate look I wanted to go for with the holographic foil. I'm going to print onto acetate, as a durable and shiny gloss look will work well in the context, and I want it to still be viable as a product.

I'm going to print it reversed, so that the ink will sit on the inside of the cover, and show through. This means it'll be more hardwearing and easier to bind.

Finished bound book. The look of the cover I'm happy with, the binding I'm not... What a mess. Never again. However, I think that with a sneaky bit of photoshopping I'll be able to rescue it.

New Wine Label Format

2011-11-29T10:25:00.000Z

Unsure about the uppercase here... Title Case:

Lower case:

I prefer the title case, it looks more elegant and professional. This is what I'll use.

More Graze logo options

2011-11-29T09:29:00.000Z

I've drawn more variations for the graze logos...

I began to head into the 'healthy eating/living leafy natural trees' sort of area... but I spoke to Rob about this and he said it gave him entirely the wrong idea about the product- it's not salads or leafy foods... It IS about snacking and, well, grazing...

I'm going to try and pull away from this a bit, perhaps look back into the grassy look. I want to stick with the greeny colours, as I think this would work well.

Complimentary Typeface

2011-11-28T23:32:00.000Z

The typeface that we selected to use with the type Jonny worked on is Interstate... We're going to use Thin as it's quite light and unobtrusive, as well as elegant and clean cut.

We chose this after going through both of our fontbooks, we narrowed it down first to sans serif, and then we wanted to chose a relatively light weight one, so it wouldn't overpower the logotype. Interstate was our selected one.

INK Products

2011-11-28T18:30:00.000Z

I've finished the whole set of INK products:

With this sheet for the notebook wrap arounds I began to try to cut it by hand... However this looks dreadful, so I'm going to have to book more time on the laser cutter.

Laser Cut Stationery

2011-11-28T09:34:00.000Z

I've finished all the deliverables for INK now- I just need to take the final photographs which I want to do on Thursday for three of the briefs. Here are some photos of the envelope element, just to get a feel for what the rest of it will be like...

The rest of it will be photographed as a set laid out neatly & organised.

Some of the parts didn't work as well as I'd hoped, the laser cutter didn't quite register the position of the paper as it was on the screen, so it misaligned the business cards and the loyalty cards. I think with some clever angled photos though this will be okay.

Mock Wine Labels

2011-11-28T09:25:00.000Z

Mock wine labels for Marble Restaurant:

I've developed the layouts that I came up with onto a new format of label. This was an idea that I'd mentioned to Jonny a bit ago, and having found suitable wine bottles for mock ups we think this one will work best.

The format is an angled version of the logo for the restaurant, wrapping around the bottle and incorporating information with a barcode and the brand logo.

I've done some research into the wines that would be served, and have chosen two suitable wines to use.

Drop Cap Poster Mock Up

2011-11-27T21:24:00.001Z

I found a few images online that I could use to mock up some poster designs:

I've started working on one of them that I feel will work best:

I started by changing the colour of the sofa to make it more neutral...

Then I desaturated the whole image and brightened it up.

I placed the posters in makeshift frames with drop shadows and outlines for frames.

Graze Logo Initial Ideas

2011-11-27T21:12:00.001Z

Initial drawings for ideas about the Graze Logo:

Graze Deliverables

2011-11-27T21:06:00.001Z

Working out my deliverables for the GRAZE brief:

Mailshot idea generation:

Updated INK ID stationery

2011-11-27T21:04:00.001Z

Since I've been working on the pattern based style of the branding for the INK shop, I've realised that the stationery brand elements I designed have now become a bit redundant- so it's time for an update.

I've kept the formats the same, as they were considered and carefully planned, but I've changed the back of the pages and the format I'll be producing them. They won't be duplexed stock anymore, although I think I will propose this for my boards.

I've created laser cutting templates for these too, so they will HOPEFULLY align correctly when cut out. I think I'll print a couple of copies just in case.

Marble Own Brand Packaging

2011-11-27T20:50:00.001Z

I've taken on the job of creating the 'packaging' for the house brands of wine, water and olive oil/vinegar for the Marble restaurant...

I've been brainstorming ideas this afternoon:

I'll go over some of these with Jonny tomorrow and develop some more of them to scale and with the typefaces chosen.

Shop Front Context

2011-11-27T20:36:00.001Z

I need to mock up a shop front for the INK store- this needs the name on it, obviously... And I want to incorporate window vinyls that could be changed seasonally/according to new ranges. Also this would be key to making it clear what the shop sold.

I have a basic idea of what I want in my head- which I had drawn out...

But really it's key to having it mocked up and as a presentable part of the design.

I've found a couple of simple vector style images online that I'm going to base my design on:

I've copied the general shape of the outlines, so I can get the perspective proportions right, which is the part I'd struggle with myself...

Once I'd outlined the shop front, I created the name for it using the type logo and the 3D bevel & extrude option- this enabled me to create a 3D feel to the letters, and give them a realistic shine around the edges. I've chosen a gradient fill as I'm going to propose that the lights within the letters go through a spectrum continuously.

I applied gradient fills to the shop front, with the doors and window pane separate.

I created door handles in the same way as the shop name, using the 3D bevel & extrude option- They're just cylindrical shapes with a light gradient applied. I also used a drop shadow to imply a reflection.

Now to create the window vinyls- I want the gradient of the window to still be seen, and show that they're clearly behind the glass. So I changed the opacity slightly, and designed the vinyl shapes behind this layer. They're oversized art equipment outlines- really simple and obvious shapes. They're based on something I've seen in Leeds that already exists...

Completed shop front design. I think this is quite close to what I originally drew really, which I'm pleased about. I'm happy to use this on my boards.

Graze- The Problem

2011-11-27T09:48:00.000Z

The problems to answer in the brief:

- Brand has gone 'stale', is out of date and needs 'modernised'
- Needs a new logo for brand
- The box itself needs to be more exciting, whilst being modest and subtle.
- Mailshot is required, the format is not dictated. Needs to make people sign up for service.
- What can I solve with type?
- Products need to be 'charming' but more modern.

Basically the brand needs updating. Their existing logo is boring and dull, it's not standing out from other brands and is getting a bit lost. Needs to look more modern. I want to still use type for it, but update the font and the format so it looks more unique and less dull.

For the mailshot, I think I can't be bound by 'they'd never do that' type things... They haven't given any limitations for it, so I could just take it way OTT and propose something extreme. The brief says to explore materials and experiment with layout... So that's what I should do...

I need to also translate these elements onto the packaging. The packaging can't be as extreme as the mailshot, as it says they send them to offices, but it can still stand out from what it is now.

Brief 4- Graze

2011-11-26T13:11:00.001Z

I really need to get cracking with this brief.

Plan:
Contextual Research
Define Deliverables & Brief
Visual Options for these deliverables
Development of Designs
Finalisation & Any printing required
Boards

This will be the shortest brief I have for OUGD301. I've not used my time very well toward the end of the module... Hmm.

Receipt Design

2011-11-26T13:10:00.003Z

I've designed a simple receipt to use for the photos on my boards:

Basic design layouts:

And development using a central column. The standard size of a receipt is 78mm wide, so I've stuck to that.

Board Planning

2011-11-26T13:10:00.001Z

Some sketches for what I will want to go on the boards:

Loyalty Card

2011-11-26T13:08:00.001Z

I need a loyalty card that would be used at the till in the shop for collecting advantage points... Not only will this be another deliverable, but it would fit in nicely for the boards, as I want to show a 'typical transaction' type of showcase on them...

Needs to be standard credit card sized, so it fits with the rest of the world's standards!

Using the standard laser cut element for the brand.

As well as applying the pattern designs to the front- so a variety of different cards can be created, they won't all look identical.

I've aligned the text so it looks right to the eye, alongside the logo cut out.

This will be what is printed, without the INK logo on, so it can just neatly be cut away.

I began to design a back... But then thought 'is this really necessary' and decided it probably wasn't- it wouldn't really have a purpose as I don't want to showcase it on the boards.

Foil Cover

2011-11-23T20:30:00.000Z

I tried to foil the cover of my Drop Cap book- it didn't work. I NEVER have any luck with foiling, I don't know why I bother!

So- My options are now to either mock it up in Photoshop, or to try something else. Or screen print the glue... But I've heard that even that doesn't work half the time.

I feel it would be more time consuming trying to mock up the effect, so I am going to come up with a different solution to the cover problem- perhaps redesigning it so it could be digitally printed.

Printing

2011-11-23T20:00:00.000Z

I printed my work today- here's what I've got...

I printed the newspaper mock up onto white sugar paper, so this will hopefully give a similar look to the real thing. However I stupidly forgot to take off the white block shape that I used as an image placeholder for where a photo would go of the book... Duh.

Printed tracing paper sheets for the inside of the pencil pots, as well as a sticker sheet to apply the type on the outside.

Sticker sheet for the inside of the lids of the pots, and for the underside of the acrylic shapes used for the geometry set. SO pleased with the colours of this- they turned out way stronger than I expected, which is great.

Tracing paper wrap arounds for the notebooks. These will be laser cut too- to match the cover of the actual notebooks, which will have the dye cut in too.

Pencil Pots Outside Type

2011-11-22T13:10:00.000Z

I want the type on the outside to contrast well with the bright patterns used on the inside. The way I want to do this is by using NO colour- just white.

I am going to use a technique I have tried before, which worked really well last time. Using the vinyl cutter to produce a sticker sheet with the type cut away, so I can apply the letters to the pots.

This will be the file to cut the letters out. I don't know at the moment whether I want them matt to contrast with the high gloss of the acrylic pots, or glossy to accent it... I have checked with James and I can laminate a sheet of the sticker paper to give it a glossy look, so I'll try both.

Notebooks?

2011-11-22T13:09:00.000Z

Also, seeing as I am expanding the range- I thought I should do something paper based, since the concept of the shop is about the application of colour- you need something to apply it to!

I drew out a few ideas of how to use the notebooks as a part to fit into this range:

The concept I'm going with is to incorporate the laser cut logo like with all the other products, and use the patterns as a protective sheet around the notebook, which will simply brand it and act as a decorative element.

This is much like the ones that moleskine use on their products:

I'll be printing them on tracing paper stock to match the pencil pots style, as well as this, the tracing paper is a lot tougher than regular paper, and will hold the colour without scratching better.

To develop this into it's own mini range, I am going to do three sizes: Small, Medium and Large: 107x157mm, 150x210mm, 180x250mm. Each will have a wrap around the to the scale of 1/3 the cover size. The logo laser cut will be a consistent size on each, as it is in all the other elements.

Expanded Range

2011-11-22T13:08:00.000Z

Since the progress crit, I have been thinking of ways I could expand the range I am creating for the stationery shop. I had a think about what could be classed as stationery, and rifled through my pencil case. Then a plan formed- what if I could incorporate the laser cut elements into the ACTUAL PRODUCTS?

Something a friend's dad mentioned to me when I was talking about using the laser cutter was that he knew people who had played with the novelty of laser cutters by creating their own wooden engraved rulers- Could I do the same?!

I'm going to use acrylic to produce a ruler as part of a geometry set (ruler, protractor, set square) using the laser cutter to accurately engrave the markings onto it.

I set up the illustrator file to use with the laser cutter- including the shapes of the pieces, and the measurement marks to engrave on them.
I have kept the branding consistent too, using the INK logo as a cut through element which will be empty of colour.

Using the existing three patterns I have created, I applied them to sticker shapes, so I can cut them out and stick them under the acrylic.
I also realised, they will need to be printed in reverse for them to stick to the underside of the cut outs and be the correct way around then.

I'm really excited for this part of the project- I think it's a cracking idea!

Trail Book Print

2011-11-22T11:01:00.001Z

I've tested the final print of the book before doing the final version tomorrow.

Pretty happy with it- I just hope the foil cover and the binding work... Those are the two major variables, and if anything is going to go wrong, it will be this!

These are the cover prints- They'll be foiled and wrap around the book, bound in.

Here are the foils I'm going to try- I am leaning toward the holographic one as I think it will be brighter and a better contrast to the paper.

Page spreads...

Test Prints- Packaging

2011-11-22T10:52:00.001Z

I printed the packaging patterns off in B&W just to test if they would work- their size etc. Here's how they look:

One problem is that the pot seems to get slightly thinner at the bottom, so the insert overlaps at that end, and spreads out at the top creating a small gap. This can be fixed by changing the ends so they flare a little.

Also an issue is that the pots aren't going to be filled up by the products I've bought, I'm unsure what to do about this really- I could buy more, but cost is a real issue. Hmm. Maybe I can take photos from such angles that would cover half the content. Not sure what to do...

Other than that I think they should work well- I think I need to switch around a few of the colour options on the triangles one, but it should work now. I just need to do the designs for the outside- it will be vinyl cut text letters placed over the outside of the pot, in white- so they contrast with the inside lots.

Drop Cap Book Cover

2011-11-21T18:35:00.001Z

This is part of the brief I've just been delaying for ages, have finally done some options for it and picked which one to go with.

I'm going to use rainbow foil on light grey paper (After the generation press talk, where Anand said don't use white stock with silvery foil). The inside sheet will be on tracing paper, just to give it a lighter feel and a more delicate effect.

I started by doing a scattered effect with all the drop caps- but then realised this probably just looked like a mess. I did want an arbitrary pattern look to it, but couldn't make it look good. So i'm going to set out the characters just as the poster would be with all the letters, using the colours from the inside pages.

This is the cover- slightly misaligned so the letters overlap around the back. I'm quite pleased with it, I just hope it foils well...

Newspaper Context

2011-11-21T18:30:00.001Z

Since the crit, I have been working on creating a couple of newspaper spreads to mock up the product placement for the drop cap book.

SCANS

Here is how it developed in InDesign. I used the baseline grid function to have the text all aligned nicely.

The look I've gone for is a slight mimic of the times- But I didn't want to brand it the same, since I wanted it to be 'The Drop Cap' - I've dated the articles 3rd Oct (wednesday to make it clear it's pretend) like they were originally published.

The banner on the front page will have the photo of the book on it.

Daily Drop Cap Newspaper

2011-11-21T13:09:00.000Z

I have been thinking about the newspaper idea for a while, and since the crit have decided it's necessary to produce one to place my drop cap book & poster into:

I want to base it around the style of everyday newspapers that use a banner under the title to advertise freebies and features. Based on the research I've done, I have come up with a few quick ideas for it:

I don't want to spend too long doing this though, I think it's important I get it out of the way fast, because I've already spent so long on the brief.

Drop Cap Book Cover

2011-11-20T23:00:00.000Z

Ideas for the Drop Cap book cover. I want to use light grey stock and foiling...

It will be bound into the book the same way as the rest of the pages.

This is the final result:

The letters span around the back of the cover too, so it's not left totally blank. I want to showcase the whole set of letters in the book too, so I have come up with an inside sheet to use just within the cover:

This inside sheet will be on tracing paper, as a delicate protective element. I might tone down the colours of the letters so they aren't as bold and OTT.

Next Week To Do

2011-11-20T18:46:00.001Z

This coming week I am planning on doing the following:

I intend on getting all that finished, plus extras as and when they come up.

Packaging Pots

2011-11-20T18:44:00.001Z

I bought some pots to use for the packaging structure. It's just less time consuming and variable than making my own, when that isn't necessarily going to teach me anything very beneficial. Yeah, would be good experience, but it's not experience I really need...

Triangle Pattern

2011-11-20T18:39:00.001Z

Last was the triangle pattern- this was a lot easier to piece together than the hexagons... Don't ask me why...
Using the same method again, to break down the shape and multiply it into a smaller scale pattern, then apply it to the whole layout:

Now I've got a set:

Hexagon Patterns

2011-11-20T18:37:00.001Z

Onto the hexagon patterns:

I used the same methods to create randomly coloured groups in different scales, which would be pieced together as a bigger layout:

Filled the pattern with repeats of the smaller scales. I made sure the smaller scale patterns matched up where possible:

Done! Next...!

Pattern Development

2011-11-20T18:29:00.001Z

Creating the patterns for the striped pencil pot first:

These are my selected colour palettes- split into five groups. I might have to change the quantities in each to balance out a bit better... Unsure at the moment.

I used the Recolour tool in Illustrator to save loads of time in creating random colour applications with each set of stripes...

Then I used the clipping mask tool to place the stripes within the striped shapes for the layout. This made a path around the underneath pattern which created a shape from it:

Continued to do this with the rest, leaving some solid colours, some thinner stripes, and some thicker:

I went back to the clipping mask groups and changed the angles for a few of the stripes, just creates a more varied and less linear look.

Marble Menu Content/Other Research

2011-11-20T18:28:00.001Z

Above is the menu content that is being used on the Marble menus, some of it, anyway...

Have been briefly experimenting with interior signage options- trying to create mens/womens toilets info. Trickier than it looks... I might have to revert to keeping it simpler like we did with the menus themselves.

Packaging Pattern Development

2011-11-20T18:22:00.001Z

Developing work for the stationery packaging.
I'm thinking about printing the inside insert onto tracing paper- to retain the clear quality of the packaging, so you can just see the crayons/products inside.

I'm taking the concept and the three patterns forward to create a range of 3. Will develop the patterns in illustrator.

Evaluation Update

2011-11-20T14:19:00.001Z

Where I am up to with OUGD301- and what I have left to do...

Brief 1
Print Book,
Print Posters,
Bind Book,
Design Newspaper Mock,
Print Mock

Brief 2
Print finalised stationery ID & laser cut,
Finish Packaging designs,
Print Packaging,
Design Shop Signage
Design Sales Packaging

Brief 3
Design Packaging for house products- wine, water, sugar, oil, vinegar
Design Signage
Place Settings
Interior Designs (wallpaper etc)

Brief 4
Urm, whole brief. Uhoh.

Marble Menus

2011-11-20T14:10:00.001Z

Okay- After the crit, Jonny and I both felt that the menu we'd come up with as an example to show during the crit wasn't suitable for further use.

Jonny had come up with a simpler shape to use, based around the original drawings we'd come up with, but without all the complications of trying to include the logo so much.

I came up with the content for the menu, while he applied it to the design.

It's now a single sheet- front and back. Large scale like it should be.

The type logo is used, and we're employed a tagline so that it's a clear message about what the restaurant's concept is, as it wasn't so obvious before.

Here are the designs for the menu after the revisions, pictures are from Jonny's blog cause he's been the one working on it:

Our plan is that we'll print this and have it matt laminated so it's nice and smooth & wipe clean, and then apply a spot varnish to the logotype and the small logo we're using as an em dash to break up the sections.

Final Drop Cap Book

2011-11-20T13:40:00.001Z

The final book for the drop cap brief:

Open publication - Free publishing

Lorenzo suggested I put it in more context during the crit, so I think I will do the mock up newspaper after all...

Updated Ink ID

2011-11-20T13:33:00.001Z

Here are the updated stationery items for the INK identity. each leaves a path for the laser cut to be made. They will all be on multiple colourways of duplexed stock.

Open publication - Free publishing

I'm also going to apply the same identity concept to the packaging for products, and the interior and exterior signage for the shop. Sales packaging also needs to be considered.

Crit Feedback

2011-11-17T14:39:00.000Z

Essentially this crit was for self evaluation and art direction.

Here is my self evaluation of the work so far:

And the feedback that I received was:

Brief 1
Put into context, create a newspaper which will have the articles

Brief 2
Extend identity application to much more- interior signage/shevles, sales packaging, window vinyls, etc.
Hurry up with packaging. (Lorenzo suggested looking at what to package, for example, staples sell chairs etc too, but this isn't what my brief was about really- the shop is for artists materials, pens, pencils that sort of thing- so I think packaging the range of coloured pens/pencils/crayons is appropriate)

Brief 3
Make sure it's an 'experience' not just a restaurant. Consider smaller details like signage inside, door handles, little things like that.

Progress Before Crit

2011-11-16T23:19:00.001Z

Brief 1- Daily Drop Cap Book & Prints- Designs Finished, needs final prints.

Brief 2- Stationery Shop- Part one- Identity, done. Part two- Packaging, needs a lot of work still.

Brief 3- Collab Marble Restaurant- Identity and Logo designed, layouts for printed materials being finalised, extra printed materials still need work.

Brief 4- Graze YCN- Need to start. Eugh.

Brief 5- Laser Cut Cards- Complete, this was a pretty big brief, so I am sort of counting it as 4.5, or one of my main four. All cards are done, they just need photographed properly.

Other Briefs- Have completed a range of shorter briefs- Imagine That, D&AD, Inspire Create Leeds entry.

Stationery Shop- Format?

2011-11-16T23:17:00.001Z

I'm thinking- is it really the best idea to rely on me making the packaging like this- it's about the designs, not the product design... I think I'm leaping off in the wrong direction, I need to scale it back and think rationally about what I'm actually capable of doing in the given time.

New Ideas:

Simply apply design to an existing clean, neat and suitable package. I really still like the acrylic idea- so maybe something like one of these from muji:

I still like the idea I had of applying a patterned colour design with typography over the top something like this using clear vinyl stickers might work...

Menu Design

2011-11-16T23:16:00.001Z

After brainstorming a few layout ideas, we mocked a few of them up in Illustrator to see how they would work...

We wanted to use a folded look, but I think we're overcomplicating things a bit here... So we reverted to just using the logo shape in a vertical format- including a dye cut edge.

These are essentially what we're aiming for with the menus:

We've mocked these up for the crit, but they're obviously still subject to change of layouts and content. I really like the use of the logo inversed over the layout.

These have been printed for the crit- I stupidly printed them at the wrong scale, so the write reversed out type doesn't work well at all. The format isn't right, it's not working at the moment. I think we're relying to much on using the logo shape within everything, rather than just applying it as a complimentary element.

Menu Development

2011-11-16T23:15:00.001Z

I've sketched out some drawing ideas for the menu formats:

We're going to see if we can work with this sort of thing for the printed versions. They should be based around the logo shape, and incorporating elements of the letters and black and white sections to break up the 'pages'.

Logo Work- Restaurant

2011-11-16T23:13:00.001Z

I've been working on creating patterns from the Logo shape we're using for the Marble Restaurant.

Here's what I have so far:

I'm thinking that this pattern as a stencil for a spot varnish could look really nice. We're also going to use the shape for the basis of the layouts and formats of the menus etc.

Daily Drop Cap Book Binding

2011-11-16T23:12:00.001Z

The book will be saddle stitched, I was going to use Roz's sewing machine to do this, but after I looked for the thread I wanted and couldn't find it to use in a machine, I figured this will probably not work so well. I've got some really good multicoloured embroidery threat to do it by hand. I'm just going to have to be exceptionally neat and tidy with it!

INK Packaging Development

2011-11-16T14:04:00.000Z

I started using the patterns I created using the products themselves...

This wasn't a very successful endeavour though, as you can see, it looks pretty awful...

It looks all miss-matched. I am going to make a firm decision about what I am putting these pencils etc into, and design from there. I don't think the textured organic look of the materials is working really, but I want to stick with the patterned look.

Beautiful Meme Poster

2011-11-15T18:53:00.000Z

Amber asked me to design the poster for this week's studio talk. It will be from Tom at The Beautiful Meme.

After deliberating with Tom and Adam at the studio I have reached a solution for the poster.

The copy was provided (mostly) by them, and they suggested the hierarchy they would like used. I made the suggested adjustments & this is the result:

Packaging Patterns

2011-11-15T13:13:00.001Z

I've drawn out some patterns for use with the printed insert for the crayon/pencil/pastle packaging...

Using each different material I am trying to create patterns or blocks of colour I can apply...

Packaging Ideas for Ink

2011-11-15T12:57:00.001Z

It's about time I did some work on the packaging elements of the stationery shop brief...

I had a bit of a crisis of confidence in the name... The logo as it is is just not really applicable to the stationery shop as a whole- it's too reliant on the INK texture, and the shape isn't particularly original. I had a brainstorm and thought about how to solve this...

Debated changing the name for a while, but then I realised, I just don't have time left to do something like that- I'm going to keep the name but drop the logo. The logo will just be the laser cut Helvetica Rounded text now.

For the packaging, I'm going to create clear acrylic boxes which have sliding lids, the pens/pencils etc will be stored in them upright, slotted through holes to keep them in place. Practically, I don't know that I will be creating the entire box as a mock up, I might have to just create the 4 sides...

Ric Bell Tutorial

2011-11-11T19:00:00.000Z

Jonny and I had a tutorial with Ric Bell, it was really helpful in clarifying a few directions we want to move in for the rest of the brief.
Points were that we are happy with the logo shape I came up with, and so we're going to work around that, altering Jonny's serif style of type to include the shape and make it more consistent.

He suggested a few other points such as using Plasticoat spray varnish as a spot varnish effect with a stencil, and looking at how we can apply the logo as a pattern to many different elements of the restaurant- furnishings, uniforms, flooring...

The idea of using patterns from the letters was well received, and he suggested making the pattern element flow through different pieces of print.

Logo Ideas & Type Refinements

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000Z

More drawing for the Marble ID:

Curved Abstract Shapes

2011-11-10T13:39:00.001Z

Using the curved elements in the letter shapes I've selected parts that include these which could be used for print layouts/backgrounds.

Shapes from Type

2011-11-10T13:18:00.001Z

I've looked at the shapes I can find within the type which will fit to printed materials:

These are just screen shots of sections of the letters. I've actually ignored the curved parts- thinking they would be too tricky to work with type inside... But it's just occurred to me that they could actually create quite nice die cut edges to work with... Going to go back and look at that.

Marble Type

2011-11-10T13:15:00.001Z

I've refined my drawings from yesterday a bit more- I've get a set of letters now that fit nicely in a grid and are all proportioned well, as well as having one re-occurring feature- the cut away triangle in each one.

SCANS

I've taken these ideas into illustrator and set up a similarly shaped grid to work from... Im going to recreate these shapes as vectors:

I've fitted them into three different sizes of grids to see how they look... Basically the same though, which is a bit odd!
I think the first and last are my favourites.
I'm not going to see what abstract shape formats for page layouts/backgrounds I can find in the letters.