FMP - Portfolio Surgery - Chris Jackson

Today I had a wonderful and inspiring portfolio surgery with Chris Jackson from Elmwood. He had such positive feedback about my work which really helped with me having a level of self confidence about my work. Of which he further commented I needed to fully exploit the portfolio to show my skills, as he identified my detailed illustrations and typography, and felt they needed to be larger to show such detail.

He also noted than I need to think about my photographs, to create a layout with an array of carefully considered photo's, each a different size, looking at highlighting detail with larger photos and not to cram so many images into a small area. So in conclusion:

- Don't use similar images
- Don't cram a lot of images into a small space - Spread across several pages if you need to
- Highlight detail with larger photographs

In regard to layout he suggested the images needed to tell a story from left to right, to have an overall picture to start, to then show the smaller detail along the way.

The identity logo needs to be 50% smaller and possibly 50% black tone to remove distraction.

Writing needs to be smaller and more condensed, to fit into one column.

Remove any info about competition briefs, unless you've had a commendation, its not worth mentioning.

Portfolio order:

Best project first, 2nd best brief last.

FMP - Laura Ashley Collaborative Meeting

Me and Sophie met up today to talk about potential directions and themes to push the brief toward, wanting to be ready and know exactly what to do by the time we come to approach the brief after reading week.

I discussed a few of my ideas regarding content and we felt it best to aim our product range at a different area, rather than the kitchen, the living room. This will involve applying surface textile design to:

Wall Panels
Cushions
Lamp shades
Canvas's
Throw
Coffee table runners
Coasters

The content / theme we have decided for the Living room range is Horticultural - so looking at seasonal UK flowers . 
Some design specifications we've come up with is:

Line drawing
Watercolour
Silhouette stamp
4 Colours
From photo - to surface pattern - to product

Some potential research areas:

- E florist online
- Garden centres
- Family and friends with plant and flower knowledge
- Waterstones Books

Our proposed range name:

'The Horticultural 2013 Range'

Specified Tasks:

Sophie:

- Photography
- Editorial
- Print Production
- Research
- Marketing and Advertising
- Brand Print Collatoral

Steph:

- Photography
- Illustration
- Print Production
- Research
- Brand print collatoral

FMP - Concept Generation

As suggested in the indivdiual tutorial, I have started moving on with my briefs. I decided to mind map each of the three briefs I intended on working on first, to give me a clear idea of the products I'd be making and the design outcomes. I felt it a suitable solution to note down everything on one page, this will really push me to get started in the design stages.

FMP - Rationalising Briefs - Draft 1

In preparation for theFinal Major project statement in intent, I felt it a good idea to produce a rationale for each of my briefs. Not only for the purpose of the form, but to clear things in my own mind of the direction of each brief.

Brief 1 - Ten Things

Producing an educational range of products aimed at children in deprived area's, in teaching them life skills at home. 

Brief 2 - Douwe Egberts Coffee

To produce the packaging and campaign material for Douwe Egberts Coffee range, to engage a younger audience. By proposing a Douwe Egberts Coffee shop with a purchasable product range in shop, with the message 'Enjoy it here, enjoy it at home'.

Brief 4 - Doing my nut in

A brief driven from the original brief produced within module OUGD301. Looking at educating and entertaining with the content of regional dialect, in producing a book which is typographically led. This will be a 'Special Edition' in regard to quality and amount of content produced.

Brief 5 - Paperchase Collection

To create a surface pattern range which will be applied to a product and stationary range which will be driven by the content of the 'Doing my nut in' brief - typographically led.

Brief 6 - Be-Ro

To produce an updated and modern identity, branding and packaging range for Be-Ro reinventing the classic bakery range to engage with a younger audience. The concept, to produce a range of products, packaging which will support the 'Be-Ro Experience' concept - a store dedicated to selling the products, showing tutorials and selling baked goods.

Brief 7 - Laura Ashley Spring / Summer Collection 2013

A collaboration with Sophie Wilson, to produce a Spring / Summer 2013 printed textiles and product range aimed designed for the kitchen. To be branded and promoted alongside the brands existing design. Focusing on the theme of the seaside, looking at illustrating objects situated within such an environment. 

Brief 9 - Food for thought

Investigating and exploring the science of food through the production of a research driven publication range. Printing processes, finished and illustrations will drive the design development and final resolution in representing visually the science of food. The retail, advertisement and website designs will be produced alongside the publication.

FMP - Brief 2 - Concept and Design Development Decisions

So after my Individual Tutorial with Fred I realised I needed to start making decisions now about each of the briefs, noting initial concept ideas and starting acting on them.

Concept:
Douwe Ebgerts Coffee Shop

Message:
Enjoy it here, enjoy at home

Design / Products:
Branding and identity
Advertisement & Promo
Packaging - Coffee Beans
Takeaway Packaging and Carriers
Sample packs with purchases (To take home)
Coffee beans and instant - Products bought at Coffee shop
Products sold within mainstream coffee shops too
Promo Cart - Free samples
Mail outs with free samples

Message:
Cheaper
Energising
Socialise at home
Tastes better at home
Familiar taste - You know you'll like it 
Samples packs - so you know what you like, without the cost
Clever packaging - re-usable - collectable?

FMP - Douwe Egberts Company Research

Images supplied in project pack:

Douwe Egberts by

http://www.scribd.com/doc/122009648/Douwe-Egberts

Source: http://www.douwe-egberts.co.uk

History:

- 1953 - Douwe Egbert opened first store in Midstreet, Joure, The Netherland.
- Egbert and Akke's mission was to sell products for 'the pleasure of daily living'.
- The red Douwe Egbert seal is based on the company's wax seal used in the early days. In 1925 this seal was incorporated into packaging design 
- In 1967 Douwe Egberts aired its first commercial on Dutch television, The ad highlighted the social aspect of bringing people together through coffee drinking.
- In 2001 Douwe Egberts started a true revolution in coffee drinking. Senseo was the first global launch for Douwe Egberts, creating the single serve coffee segment.
- In 2003 Douwe Egberts celebrated 250 years of coffee roasting & grinding.
- 260 Year Anniversary - 2013

Stories of how the Coffee bean was found:

Arabic Doctor - Reference to plant in 900BC - Berries good for stomach 
Discovers by Goats - Noticed goats eating red berries. Found to be full of energy. 'Full of beans'. Monks used berries to stay awake for night prayers. Coincidence - Roast beans to make drink. 


Facts about Coffee: First organised cultivation of Coffee - gardens of Yemen
Coffee House in Europe 17th Century - Coffee became popular - Spread across europe, then the world by 1800
Brazil is worlds largest coffee producer

Worlds second largest Coffee roaster

Quotes:

'Each Coffee moment is different'

'A great way to start your day'

'Coffee is a rich natural source of antioxidants.'

'

Existing Coffee Products:

New Coffee Products:

        House Blend:  for those who want a delicious ground that tastes perfect every day this smooth, full bodied European-style coffee is prepared with a classic blend of the finest beans.  (Strength 3)

·        Time Together:  to accompany good company and great conversation, this deliciously spicy blend with a hint of vanilla and nut is ideal for those who get together with friends over a coffee.  (Strength 4)

·        Café Milano:   when only a traditional Italian-style coffee will do, this smooth, laid-back blend with a hint of spice evokes the flavours of Milan and is perfect to relax and escape with.  (Strength 3)

·        Flavourful Decaff:  to reduce caffeine intake without compromising on taste, this smooth, full bodied blend with hints of vanilla and chocolate is expertly created with gently decaffeinated beans. (Strength 3)

·        Morning Americano:  with a vibrant blend bursting with nutty flavour, this full-bodied and robust American-style coffee provides the perfect kick start to the day.  (Strength 5)

·        Fired Up:  for those who love to savour a rich, intense coffee this powerful, espresso-style blend is created with dark-roasted beans to bring out the delicious, intense flavours of spice and chocolate. 

Considerations:

- Packaging & Advertising design for new products?
- Using quotes within packaging design
- Re-enstate and incorporate old style wax seal
- Incorporate coffee facts / Coffee Bean story into design elements

DC - Brief 2 - Takeaway Coffee

'The concept of this identity is cynical, and is relaying on the criticism that was raised against Tel Aviv in the last war, where Tel Aviv wasn't at war, but in coffee shops. Now, that Tel Aviv is deserted, a need has grown for the people of Tel Aviv to keep their daily routine.' 

"Partout- everywhere" is a mobile boutique coffee shop, providing the french experience to all of the shelters throughout Israel. The take away orders will be made by phone or through the website and then an armor protected truck will make it's away with the goodies.'

High driven though idea, community, and event. In this case world disaster and war. The need to get a community back together, back to their day to day routine, by providing such day to day products such as coffee. So it becomes more than just a packaging and product design.

Source: http://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2012/09/partout-everywhere-student-work.html

A simple effective solution for a problem. A carrier for a hot beverage take out, designed to reduce paper consumption, in contrast to standard carriers.

Source: http://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2013/01/quarter-bag.html

DC - Brief 2 - Paradise

Artel Artyomovyh developed the package design for 3 groups of coffee: classic, exclusive, maragogipe for Gourmet-club™. Freshly launched, the new product - "Paradise сoffee briquettes" aimed at selling through it's own coffee-shop network.

A consistant design, using a die cut to reveal the type of coffee it is. Design choices driven to produce something of aesthetic purpose for retail, for smaller more specialised coffee manufacturers.

Source: http://www.packagingoftheworld.com/2009/09/paradise.html

DC - Brief 1 - Kid O

This product range really looks into the educational side of toys, rather than the fun element, categorising the toys by age and colour. Each object has a purpose of teaching a certain thing, this is what I want my product range to do.

Source: http://2x4.org/work/30/Kid-O/

FMP - Doing my nut in - Content & Design Considerations

Name: Regional Phrase book - Limited edition 

Topic : Social Interaction

Categories: #1 Insults, #2 Greetings #3 Flirting #4 Compliments

Contents:

- Introduction - About books - chosen locations
- British map of accents - highlighting focus with the book
- Origins - Off accent (General)
- Origins of each location - Accent, speaking characteristics, origins of phrases / words
- Category page - definition of insult / greeting etc


Design Considerations:
Front cover embossed onto book covering material
Overlapping acetate text
Conversation format - from one accent to the next.
Colour separating languages
Simply bound - no glue or stitching


Birmingham - http://www.virtualgaz.com/gazzapage.htm
Ireland - http://www.irishslang.info/swearing-insulting.html
Newcastle - http://bannedfromthebeagle.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/godie-slang.html
Liverpool - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=scouse%20slang
Yorkshire - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yorkshire+insult

Bind

Source: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Goliath-Sportswear/2204870

Embossing

Source:http://www.behance.net/gallery/White-Book/3113409

Layout

source: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Non-Places/6111073

FMP - 1st Draft - Final major project statement of intent

FMP - Collaboration Change

I knew my collaboration partner Joe, had written a lot of collaboration brief which he did feel were too many. After he had his individual tutorial with Fred he told me it was a brief he would have to drop. I'm a bit gutted as I've wanted to work him for so long, but I've decided to take on the brief anyway alone, as a smaller less significant one.  

Some elements I feel I will struggle on, such as the type collected, and the layout but its something I'm willing to explore, investigate and try out. I've decided the brief is going to be driven by printing & finishing process along with stock choice, to communicate the science behind food. I'm still quite excited about doing the brief, but I imagine the size on the publication will be downsized, along with the range of products I originally intended on creating.

FMP - Re-written position statement

FMP - Brief 5 - Collaborative Roles and responsibilities

Together - Research Elements

Collecting resources - Swatches
Researching content
Concept development
Idea generation
Arts and Crafts movement
William Morris
Ornamental style within textiles
Store research - history, heritage, products and collections
General surface pattern within retail

Print Design - Steph

- Surface pattern design range
- Tablecloth
- Crockery
- Wallpaper
- Voile
- Tablecloth
- Apron
- Oven Gloves
- Tea towel
- Labels

Exploration of printing methods - Screen, lino, mono, wax relief, digital, letterpress etc

Branding - Sophie

- Logo, identity and development
- Look book holding swatches, mock up
- Website
- Event material

Next steps:

Starting the brief after dissertation week:

- To come up with a theme / idea / or word to focus our design development on
- Make note of Laura Ashleys surface pattern design characteristics, to be inkeeping in our design and development - style, themes, colour palette etc.
- Obtain free swatches 

FMP - Overall Brief Direction

As suggested within the crit, I needed to clearly identify my direction for each brief, any ideas of concepts, direction and product. I also needed to identify which 5 briefs I will be focusing on fully exploiting and extending to become substantial.

10 Things

A product range, aimed at deprived children, distrubution through community and childrens centres.

Douwe Egberts 

Campaign and packaging range to engage younger audience. To be aimed and distributed within coffee shops at target audience. Concept - enjoy here, enjoy at home.

Doing my nut in & Paperchase

Continuation from last module, typographically driven, using existing locations - extending information. Focus on communication and education of regional phonetics and accents. To create publication, packaging, retail and exhibition material for.
Largest brief - push as far as I can.

Paperchase material, content combination with doing my nut in. Content typographically driven by phrases. To be applied to a range of stationary and products, retail advertisement and window display.

Be-Ro

Targetting younger audience through re brand and packaging. Idea of Be-Ro experience, a store offering you a baking experience through its heritage, products and making. Retail, packaging, branding, advertising.

Laura Ashley - Collaboration

Surface pattern, drive from arts and crafts movement, with a focus on print. To identify key work to focus designs on. Home furnishings collection, spring, summer.
Pattern to be applied to kitchenware fabrics and crockery. Sophie to do branding, paper based products. Retail graphics, look book, promotional material, mail outs, goodie bag.

Food for thought

Publication - science behind food, informed and communiated through stock and printing process. Concept - print, stock and finishes communicating science of food. Joe - Type and layout, me - illustration range. Together layout, web and mobile device design, retail & advertisement material. 


5 Brief identified to be fully exploited

10 Things
Douwe Egberts
Doing my nut in & Paperchase
Laura Ashley
Be-Ro

FMP - Individual Tutorial with Fred

So I had an individual tutorial with Fred which I found really interesting and informative. It cleared up a few concerns with my briefs. I wanted to know if being more conceptually driven would aid my final products. He seemed happy that I was trying to be more concept driven within my briefs, but warned me to be careful regarding time spent on research to inform concept, and what informed the concept - that it could be research or process driven.

I normally undertake my tutorials with Amber so it was a nice change to get another side of opinion and suggestion. 

Issues discussed in tutorial

Douwe Egberts
Where will it be sold? 
Is it already driven by your research? 
Targeting design material for coffee shops? Enjoy here, enjoy at home concept.
Where is it going, how is it going to work?

10 Things
Early learning centre?
Community centre?
Activity sets?
Concept driven by context and research

Phrase Books
Possible combination with Paper chase? Driven by content?
Look at crossovers between briefs


Make decisions about and concepts now.
Start developing plans based on these decisions.
What is your criteria for success? 
research, concept, development, resolution - all need to inform each other.


Tasks

Targeted research for each brief.
Research through making not just reading and collecting
Clearly define roles and responsibilities within collaborations

My own notes:

Paperchase and Doing my nut in combination? Phrases across stationary range?

Concept - Doesn't have to be informed by research, could be driven by process - print, die cutting, etc

Develop to show / make

How much scope is there for development - exploit!