Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Paperchase // Further Characterized Octopuses





 





Paperchase // Extended Research

While considering the format which I have already decided:
  • Sketchbook
  • Pen
  • Greetings Cards
  • Envelopes
  • A stamp (created on laser cutter?) and an ink pad
  • Letter Headed Paper (perhaps just blank paper to put in the set?)
 I feel that the range could be stretched over a larger range of products but I am not sure if it is necessary.  With the products above, I feel that I am hitting a more adult target audience and if I were to move onto things like pencils, rubbers and sharpeners it might tarnish the quality effect you get from it being more mature products?  

I decided to look back into my visual research and see what else I can find to reference from.  Mainly to see what people include in letter writing sets.

This illustrator Anna Bond has created a real quality quirky greetings card set:




The box it is all packaged in ties the product together well.  I would like the box I package my stationery set in to open more like a graze box does:


After speaking to Josh about my outcomes so far, he suggested that I draw more characterized octopuses, two of the ideas he suggested:  geek (glasses and a book) and an artist.  I think this is positive feedback and I am willing to draw more as the more I draw, the better the illustrations get and the better my skills using the wacom tablet get.

To better visualize what the outcomes will look like I have done some tester prints, two originally in the mac suite and then I moved on to print some down with James on water colour paper seeing as it is really quiet down there at the minute (might as well take advantage).

.... Photographs of Printed Mock Ups.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Paperchase

As I began this brief last wednesday and initially started out by saying that I'd given myself a one week deadline for it to be completed.  I have now had to re-consider this but I still wish to keep the timescale to a small one as the brief itself does not need that long to be completed.  So far I have spent 3 working days on the brief and as it is wednesday tomorrow I am not on target.  However I feel that in a another 4 working days committed to the brief I will be confident with the visuals and moving on to print.  

This has helped me in realising how long it actually takes to complete a brief, and it will help me re-consider and finalize the deadlines for my other briefs for extended practice.  I now know I need to remember to allow time to work also on COP and to timescale in time for things to go wrong as I have faced a few technical difficulties with this brief.

I still feel that the brief can have a quick turn around however.  Today I managed to properly digitalize two illustrations and I am glad that I spent the time working on this and time getting used to the wacom tablet as it will be extremely useful for me in the future as I often use illustration throughout my work.


Paperchase // Octopus Mock Up

This is just a practice/ tester run to see how the illustrations look when layered over the watercolour texture I created.

I think the effect works well and is better than having it on a simple flat background.  I still intend to to experiment with colour and layout.  I also need to consider the format.



Paperchase // Octopus Illustrations

After speaking to a few peers in the class about the problems I have encountered while trying to digitalise my illustrations, I am going to attempt using the wacom tablet again, but instead of attempting it freehand, to open my illustrations in illustrator in a different layer and trace over with the wacom tablet.  I really would like to improve my skills using the wacom tablet as I use a lot of illustration in my work and have encountered this problem before.

Initially I began tracing the illustration with the pencil tool using the wacom tablet but found my line to be slightly shaky.  Instead I traced the bulk of the outline with the pen tool using my trackpad and am now moving on to do the more detailed parts with the wacom tablet to give the illustration a more hand - rendered effect.



Below is a finalized illustration of the Octopus wearing a top hat.  I used a combination of wacom tablet, pencil tool and pen tool using the trackpad.  I am happy that I have been able to digitalize my illustration so that it looks almost exact to the hand drawing approach I first began with.



Friday, 25 October 2013

Paperchase // Progress

The watercolour you can see below I have painted and scanned in.  I intend to experiment with these in illustrator to help give a texture to my illustrations so they are not as flat/dull/black on white.  I imagine I will overlay a colour in a low opacity over the top of these to make it more uniformed.  It also makes sense to use watercolour as it will create a similar look as the sea.  (hopefully!)




I began the octopus illustrations by drawing more simple line drawings and then began to add detail.  To add a bit of light humour to them I have decided to characterize them by adding silly hairstyles and hats etc.



I am considering drawing a family of Octopuses, as you can see here there is a granny and a baby octopus.  As you can also see the illustrations are improving with the more times I draw, so by the time I'm finished and well practiced, hopefully they will be perfect!



A few Idea's for Characters:

Grandma
Posh Toff
Rollerskater? (might be too tricky!)
Baby Octo
Shopaholic

Before I go straight ahead and draw up all the octopuses, I am going to give a few different illustration methods a go first.

Just been to the computer resource office to hire out a wacom tablet, never used one before.  It is quite difficult.  The results do not look that professional and it is hard to add detail using the wacom tablet so it is hard to make them look good.  Here is my initial go at using the tablet:



The shapes of the octopus vary and are quite humorous but I think they would suit a younger target audience as they are quite warped and playful which makes me think they are quite childish looking.

Nevertheless I had a go at editing one of the outlines to see what it would look like:




A preview of live image trace using the colour option instead of black and white:




An ordinary live image trace, unfortunately this did not come out as detailed as I had anticipated so from now on I will be drawing black ink on white paper so when scanned the image quality will be better and more accurate.


 

To try and increase the image traceability, I edited the brightness & contrast and the threshold on photoshop, then took it back into illustrator to live trace again, and this happened: (This was not the desired effect however it does look quite good and interesting to look at.




Here is another attempt to get the desired effect.  This drawing was completed on white paper and when scanning it in I ensured to make the image quality better.


Thursday, 24 October 2013

Thursday's Critique // paperchase brief

I have been gathering some Visual Research for the Brief.  The examples of stationery along the top row are all collected from pinterest.  A few of the stationery examples I have picked have quite a natural rustic feel which is very popular nowadays and the others a quite clean and a tad more feminine.  All of these designs I think have a good quality and a great visual appeal.  Doing the research made me second think about what stationery actually is, as before I considered it just be more things found in the classroom, for example:
  • Pencils
  • Rubbers
  • Rulers
  • Sharpener
  • Notebooks
  • Pens 
 Researching helped me discover that stationery can be:
  • Sketchbooks/Notebooks
  • Greetings Cards/Envelopes
  • Stamps (eg rubber stamps)
  • Matchboxes?
  • Headed Paper
The stationery documented below all looks very professional and I think part of the reason it does is because it is all packaged well which ties all the products together, so this is something to consider when I am designing.  

I have also looked at hand - rendered typography.  I think this style of typography will tie in well with the illustrations  I will produce.  Hand drawn type is also quite popular at the minute and it also means I will not have to worry about licensing laws for the use of pre-existing type faces.



Critique Feedback:


It was suggested that one week would not be long enough for the brief, as it does not give sufficient time to receive feedback.  I have decided that I will extend the brief in order to get feedback and I will then have time to make any alterations to my work.


Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Holistic Therapy Spa

After discussing the kind of feel Hannah would like people to experience when having treatments or even just coming into her shop, I began to do some Visual Research to show her to see if we were on the same page with what we had in mind.

A few words the client gave me to consider are:  Other wordly, safe, female power, inviting, cosmic,












Paperchase Stationery Brief

I have decided on a short time period of 1 week for this brief as I would like a quick turn around and it should keep me on my toes.

In the brief I have written, it says that I am to "design a range for paperchase which is in keeping with the style of their products but not repeating what has been before" so I have began by looking into previous trends/ styles of their products.

Previous Illustrations used:  
  • Swallows
  • Type Writers
  • Owls
  • Woodland Animals
  • Flowers
  • Hedgehogs
  • Tea cups/pots
  • Mushrooms
  • Skulls 
  • Fruit & Veg
  • Elephants
  • Unicorns
  • Feathers 
  • Cupcakes
  • Moustaches
  • Sewing Machines
  • Cities - London/Paris
Below are a few examples from the website:  (I have also been into the shop in town as I think you get a much better feel for the products)




 After looking on the paperchase website, which is where I saw all of these trends above ^ I began trying to think of a new idea which was "in keeping with the style but not repeating."

To be in keeping with the style it would make sense for the design to be illustrated.  I then started brain storming a few idea's:
  • Jungle Animals 
  • Giraffes
  • Lions/Tigers?
  • Sea Creatures
  • Trainers
  • Weather
  • Russian Dolls
 The product will also have to have a quality about it as Paperchase is quite luxurious in comparison to other high street stationery shops.

I have spoken to a few peers and they agree with me that 'Sea Creatures' is a more fresh idea than the others I have listed and we decided that the theme of Octopuses could lead to some really interesting illustrations.

Friday, 11 October 2013

Brief Title: DIY Crafts

Collaboration with Emily Ball

Context

The majority of craft books and magazines that exist are dated and aimed at an older or younger audience however online, websites such as Pinterest and various blogs are reviving the need and value of crafts, appealing to a more student-based audience. Emily and I would like to take advantage of this 'revival' online, through print form by designing and binding our own book, with all the ideas featured inside, hand crafted and photographed by us.

Brief or Tasks:

To design an interactive DIY crafts book for students, offering cheap and creative ideas for making things to decorate a student home through recycling and up cycling.

Preparation/Research suggestions:

Evidence – for this project students should submit:


Wednesday, 9 October 2013

COP3 Aims Lecture

Theory -> Action -> Reflection

The module is holistic and there will be a grade for the whole module.

Theory and Practical will be synthesised.

Cohesive Research Project across practical and contextual outcomes, in response to a proposal and this research has to be self organised and personal (independant).  In depth, critical research, a coherent written argument and related practical investigation based on analysis and evaluation.

Written element cannot just be subjective or reflecting,

The work undertaken will reveal the student's appreciation and application of research approaches and methodologies.

Methodology - trying to figure out what the possible outcome could be, a way of going about doing something, or the science of it.

Lecture 2 - Organising your Research Project - 23/10/2013 - 4pm-5pm

Lecture 3 - Methodologies & Critical Analysis 6/11/2013 - 12.15pm-1.15pm


Lecture 4 - Academic Conventions 28/11/2013 1pm- 2pm

Lecture 5 - Resolving your Research 

400 hours study for 40 credit module

6-9000 word written element

DEADLINE - 17th January 

Try to have a substancial draft submitted by Christmas and have received feedback

Learning Outcomes

6A1 Demonstrate and independant critical understanding of the aesthetic, cultural, historical, technololgical, social, political or other contexts relevant to individual subject disciplines.  

Show a critical understanding! 

6B1:  Evidence the ability to use logic, reasoning, and critical judgement to analyse ideas from a range of primary and secondary sources, and employ critical and theoretical methodologies to evaluate examples from the relevant subject discipline.

6C1:  Evidence the capacity for undertaking a wide range of independant practical and theoretical research that demonstrates an informed application

6D1:  Organise, plan and effectively manage self - directed


Adapt Proposal Form to use as the starting point as a discussion with supervisor

Reconsider the viability of your research
If necessary complete a new proposal form
Try to complete in as much detail as possible

Contextual Research
Research into Audience/Market
Research for Making/New Techniques
Experimenting
Practice centered Research*

Websites which Sell Different Designers Wallpaper Designs

Designers Guild

http://www.designersguild.com/fabric-and-wallpaper-showroom/wallpaper-and-wall-coverings/

Designers Wallpaper

http://www.designerwallpapers.co.uk/

Graham Brown

http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/wallpaper-brands/Designer

Morris Designs

http://www.william-morris.co.uk/collection.aspx?ID=101&P=1&C=13&D=20131002123735

Friday, 4 October 2013

Brief Title: So&So's

Context

Propose a business idea for a travelling cupcake shop. (e.g a camper van) 
A small shop which would provide cupcakes as the main attraction of the store. It's purpose would be to promote itself by traveling around festivals and events. 
Brief or Tasks:

Pitch a business proposition for a travelling cupcake shop.
Branding and identity for So&So's, a company arranged by two collaborators.
Produce a concept or theme for So&So's.

Bake cakes, photograph process and final outcomes.
Think of inventive things to sell in the shop (ready made recipes in mason jars, mini recipe books, illustration books of cakes)
Creative additions to purchases (e.g name of cakes on miniature buntings)
Unconventional cakes (cake pops, cakes in a jar, or in a tea cup)
Create a small publication to show the start and finish points of the project.


Preparation/Research suggestions:



Traveling shops 
Existing cupcakes stores and concepts  Cake recipes, recipe books, food packing

Evidence – for this project students should submit:

Ongoing documentation on blog
Research (primary and secondary)
Design sheets
Summative and formative feedback from peers
Initial and final designs 
Develop Design and inspiration boards to help produce products
Cupcake illustrations

Recipes, experiments, evidence of practicing and final outcome
Ongoing photographic documentation of the project

Brief Title: Illustrated Food :)

Context

For all of the food lovers out there and for people with an eye for design create fun collectable and quirky illustrations to products outlined below.  Recipe's chosen should be quick and easy, healthy and definitely tasty.

Brief or Tasks

Design a range of kitchenware:

Illustrated Collectable Recipe Cards
Tea Towels
Fridge Magnets
Place Mats
Recipe Book
Apron/Pinny

Preparation/ Research Suggestions

Recipe Books:

Jamie Oliver 30 minute meals
Abel & Cole - what to do with your veg

Try different processes to help create illustrations - for example, potato printing

Evidence - for this project students should submit

Ongoing documentation of research and development on blog
Design Sheets
Final Products

Brief Title: Arts & Crafts

Context

Reetsweet Craft Fair is a Contemporary Craft Event which takes place in Leeds Corn Exchange which gives young & old makers and designers a chance to sell there work/designs in a beautiful environment with lots of other makers and designers to take inspiration from.  The fairs are held quite regularly, almost one every month.

Brief or Tasks

Create a mini business form Arts & Crafts with a theme of recycling and upcycling things and aim to get a table at a Craft Fair.
Make/Design homeware, greetings cards, t-shirts and fun little things 
Package and Promote items

Preparation/ Research Suggestions

Start Collecting things which could be re-used to create crafty objects
Attend crafts events
Look up DIY Crafts Journals
Look up DIY Craft Blogs/ Pinterest


Evidence - for this project students should submit 

Devleopment work and research documented on blog
Photographs of Final Outcomes
Evidence of Packaging eg. wrapping paper, price tags
Evidence of Promotion

Brief Title: Hannah's Place

Context

Hannah's Place is a Holistic Therapy and Healing Shop to be opened in the student area of Leeds - Hyde Park.  The shop will offer Reiki, Thai Massage, Tarrot Card Reading and Beauty Therapy.  A few words given by Hannah to consider (for the interior and general feel of the place) - Other wordly, female power, full of love, angelic, safe, calm, serene, inviting, safe, relaxing, cosmic, professional.

Brief or Tasks

Produce Designs for:

Business Cards
Logo
Gift Voucher
Design to be painted on the front of shop by graffiti artist

Help out with:

Interior Deco
Chill out area
Seating

Preparation/  Research Suggestions

Learn a bit about Reiki in order to understand - from book provided by client, "The Spirit of Reiki"
Visual Research - surrounding spiritual/ holistic healing

Evidence - for this project students should submit

Documentation on blog of research and development work
Final Outcomes of designs outlined in brief

Brief Title: Save the Bee's Campaign

Context

Our native British Bee's are dying out - and with them will go our flora, fauna and one third of our diet.  We may have less than a decade to save them and avert a catastrophe.  People need to be informed about this problem and about how they can each do their small part to help the cause.

Brief or Tasks

Raise awareness of the cause and encourage and motivate people to play their part and also inform them of they ways in which they as individuals living either in the countryside or towns and cities can help.

Preparation/ Research Suggestions

Contextual Research:

Look for existing campaigns
Find out information about how people can help attract bees to their garden, for example bee's homes, flowers which bees are attracted to, use of insecticides and how it affects them.

Visual Research:

Websites
Information Booklets/Packs

Evidence - for this project students should submit

Development work and research carried out and documented on blog
Publication - information pack?
Memorabilia - eg. stickers
Promotional Material
Seed Packaging (for flowers, to encourage people to plant these in their gardens)

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Brief Title: Interior Design

Context

Brief or Tasks

Design a range of patterns to apply to interior design, for example - wallpaper, cushion covers, textiles, throws, rugs, chairs.  Inspiration must be taken from nature and animals.  The brand is looking for something a bit out of the ordinary therefore they have asked for it to be animal inspired to avoid floral wallpaper.  

Preparation/Research suggestions

Collect Wallpaper Samples
Go to textile shops/haberdasheries to look at existing pattern designs
Decide on 3 particular animals to take inspiration from, send out a survey of people's favoured animals?
Visual and Theoretical Research online
Print & Pattern Library Books

Evidence - for this project students should submit

Wallpaper/ Pattern Swatches/ Samples
Printed Cushion Covers
Photographed in Context
Research and Development work documented on blog

Brief Title: Stationery - Paperchase

Context

Paperchase is now an international stationery shop which has a good reputation for their products.  The shop sells a range of stationery, sketchbooks, photo albums, office equipment and other gift idea's.  A lot of their design styles follow popular culture trends and often feature illustration.  The target market for the shop is mostly feminine  and covers a vast age range.  

Brief or Tasks

Design a range for Paperchase which is in keeping with the style of their products but not repeating what has been before.  Consider target market

Preparation and Research Suggestions

Go to Paperchase and look at existing products, get a feel for their designs
Study trends of designs
Visual Research - look at other stationery sets/brands
Contextual Research

Evidence - for this project students should submit

Stationery Set
Development Work through the use of design sheets and documentation on blog
Photographed in Context
Research documented on blog