Good is...? - Studio workshop, Concept development - Part two

Working with our questions and statement we were asked to do several tasks

The first task was to use words, in connection with our images (in which we had been asked to bring in) to design, using only type, several logo designs. I tried to be a little different picking just sections of the words to come up with quirky little words. The task made me realise that I need to practise my typography more, as my skills have lowered over the break.  My imagination is a little bland too! So the task really showed me I need to buck up my idea's and get into that 'Graphic design mind set', read, gather information, find inspiration and practise drawing.

The next task was to complete 8 logos using just one word, 'Architecture'. I find my imagination working a little harder for this task and actually really liked my designs. I worked a lot more with strokes, making them more varied, thicker and thinner etc. The next task was to use just one letterform from your chosen word, mine being 'A', I played around with typefaces, again, I really liked my outcomes. The following task was to create logos using simply, image. These, I weren't so keen on, as I seem to be complex with my drawing skills, which isn't suitable for a iconic logo. 

.....

Given Task:

To review what I did within this session

To complete a series of 150 logos created in accordance to my chosen concept, on what I think is 'Good'. 

They must be hand rendered

Fit an A6 Format

! colour

Quick snappy designs

Combine two elements : Words, Letterforms or symbols

Be completed by next wednesdays workshop

OUGD201 - Good is..? Lateral thinking - Work shop

A serious attempt at some lateral thinking, a workshop to get us thinking about the approach we want to take. To help us refine our concept and rationale and the possibilities and approaches our project could take.

I found the session really helpful, a couple of hours of brainstorming has got my creativity going. Thinking about a lot more approaches and ways I could take this brief.

We had to answer several questions, each to have five answers in accordance to our ' what is good '

The finalised answers, one answer for each question.

To take away from this session:

To come back tomorrow with reviewed answers and an example of a brand, identity or logo for each of the answers given.

Personal development -

I intend on brainstorming the answers, to get new idea's and design decisions. To understand and note down why I think my answers were a good interpretation of 'What is good'

For tomorrow - 9:30 - On walls - A reviews / final version of the answers from this session.

.....

Reviewing my answers and asking 'Why':

'What makes it good? - It's environmentally friendlier than regular housing"

Why - I have researched and found facts and figures relating to the little environmental impact flat pack wooden structures have in comparison to regular brick or concrete housing.

"What is it better than and why? - Large sheds, it's a lot more comfortable"

A lot of people buy large shed / large wooden structures as another room or guest house within their garden. The structures aren't as big, nor as comfortable and don't have good heating. Thus a flat pack house, once built is a better option.

"Who would find it good? - First time buyers"

Its the cheaper option, than buying a regular house, which you quite possibly will need a mortgage for.

" If my good was a profession what would it be? - An architect"

Due to the structures complexity and beautiful and outstanding a features, a real thought process has gone into the designing of it, especially as it comes flat pack. Which I feel an architect would be the main consultant for such a building.

"Who wouldn't find it good? - Those wanting to live in the city"

For a flat pack property, you need land / space. A bustling over populated city doesn't offer this.

"If my good was a celebrity who would it be? - The presenter from grand design"

Such product as 'Weehouses' has appeared in the program, and the program itself specialises in following the building of some amazing, different structures. Perfect for a flat pack house.

"If my good was a place, where would it be? - Switzerland"

The capital of log cabins, I felt it appropriate and befitting to the environment.

"If my good was an event, what would it be? - An open house event "

Its a house after all, such events take place to attract potential buyers.

"If my good was a product what would it be? - A flat pack house"

Speaks for itself really...

.....

REVIEWED ANSWERS

MY answer for : "If my good was a product what would it be? - A flat pack house" I thought was a bit too obvious. So I thinking changing it to 'wood' would be a better option. Something I can research into further

"Who wouldn't find it good? - Those wanting to live in the city" - I think this is wrong, those wanting to live in the city may want to buy a plot of land, or use their garden, as a place to build such a thing I feel I need to be more specific with my answer. Possibly changing it to 'Those who lack the money, time and effort to design and build a property of their own.'

Examples of brands and identities in relation to answers:

Design Production Print - Final Proposal

Brief / Statement:


To rebrand and design the packaging for flat pack housing.


Background:


Flat pack housing is a new craze, which has recently become popular in an economic down turn. Being a way to live, for cheaper. Flat pack homes cost a considerable amount less than normal housing, there are a few online sites offering such products, but no physical stores offering such a service. The online sites don't offer any paperwork, or physical catalogue. I felt this was a niche in the market, potential buyers of properties like to have a brochure to look at products, prices and details instead of having to search through pages and pages of websites.


Aims:
To produce the packaging for a flat pack house.
To design and make a manual which will help guide a buyer on how to build their home.
To create the branding for the product.


Audience:
First time buyers I feel will be attracted mostly to this product, as it's difficult to get on the market without enough money to pay for a morgage. This way they can own a house, cheaper. Other potential target audience include those wanting a holiday home, or those living in woodlands, the alps, or other such environments.


Mandatory requirements:
An investigation into flat pack housing, the manuals such a product would come with, and suitable packaging.


Deliverables:
A packaging and branding design for flat pack housing, done so to attract my target audience. A step by step guide to show purchases how to build / put together the house.

Good is...? Proposal

What are you trying to communicate? (An idea, a concept, a message, a lifestyle...?)

I am trying to convey that first time home buyers are better off purchasing and designs a flat pack home. Reasons consist of them being environmentally friendly due to many elements the designs hold (Solar panels, rain water catcher etc) and that are cheaper to buy, build and construct than buying a new cliche build. I want to persuade people, attempt to make flat pack houses more appealing and publicised. 

Who are you trying to communicate to? (Why and what do you want to achieve?)

I am trying to attract new time home buyers to the product, and possibly those who want a holiday home or a little extra space perhaps. I can imagine a lot of people would be interested in the product at hand so I would say the audience is quite varied and wide.

How will you use print design and production methods to achieve this?

My message I'm trying to be communicated will be done through a modern, fresh branding and packaging for a flat pack home. Using illustrations, design styles and typography befitting to my target audience. The packaging to mimic a flat pack home in its form, shape and design. I want to keep the packaging simple, onto cardboard, so my printing techniques are restricted some what.

What is already out there and how can you adapt, modify, reuse or respond to it?

There are so many large products which need a cardboard box to contain it, industrially and commercially. Simple and elaborate designs already exist so I intend on look at these, and seeing if I can push it further, as pre mentioned, perhaps making the packing look like the product it holds. It's not just packaging I want to do, put the manual / step by step guide the product will be packaged with, this would include the branding of the product - another element I will have to look into.

Good is...? Examples of concept and rationale

Examples of idea's I would like to take forward.

An example of what looks like a manual, page by page. I dislike the style and content, but the layout and book size and shape I like.

An example of a logo relating to woodwork. Its a bit hard to understand as it's focused on an image of mining, but the writing states 'chipping and chopping'. But overall I like the vector imaging and typeface layered on top of an old desaturated image.

I really like the amount of materials the brand has been printed on. Its consistent and works throughout each. It explores a range of printing methods to be able to achieve this. I really want to do a similar think, even if its simply to explore print and learn and improve my knowledge of the topic.

I like the styling and approach to stock within these designs. The yellowing ageing paper, array of stock size and material is quite nice. Especially the smaller pieces, they have a real sense of detail.

Clever packaging, something I want to look into. The content effecting the styling of the design.

A typical yet modernistic approach to cardboard packaging. Considering my materials, I think cardboard would be the most suitable thing to use within my packaging design.

I like the styling and binding used within this, it could easily be used as a manual. I have a bit of a liking for square books too. 

The book sleeve here is a really nice touch and adds a bit of interest to the product. Without it, I feel it would be a little plain and boring. The material of both the book and sleeve is quite nice too.

Beautiful typography screen printed on cardboard, absolutely stunning! I love the quirky design and relevance the styling has to the product it holds. I would really like to try something like this in relation to  flat pack housing, somehow!

An industrial design for tiles, which is really quite nice. Simple, big, bold lines, with the needed information, using a duotone.

Just quite clever really. I like clever packaging. 

Good is...? Finalised Concept and Rationale

FINALISED CONCEPT AND RATIONALE




Concept: 

Flat pack wooden housing is environmentally friendly and cheaper than regular housing, thus making it good, my target audience being first time home buyers.

Rationale:

To create the packaging, branding and a step by step guide for a flat pack home.

Initial thoughts:

Concept: 

Good is...Treehouses

Rationale:

I am going to research wooden structures, looking at branding, advertising and packaging; all things print based.


OR


Design and re-brand 'we houses' online site into a paper based structure


OR


Design and produce packaging and merchandise for a 'build a tree house pack'


OR 


Create a manual / catalogue for weehouses
.....

Good is...? More concept development

What are you trying to communicate? (An idea, a concept, a message, a lifestyle...?)

That tree houses aren't just for children.

That tree houses are good.

Wee houses are the way forward.

Living in a wooden home can be super cool.

Who are you trying to communicate to? (Why and what do you want to achieve?)

Adults

Those who enjoy the outdoors

Tourists

Those with a little money to spare

Tree house enthusiasts

Those living in the alps

How will you use print design and production methods to achieve this?

Creating a step by step manual

Creating packaging

Re-branding an existing tree house selling company

Merchandise for a tourist attraction holding a tree house

What is already out there and how can you adapt, modify, reuse or respond to it?

Re-branding existing companies

Re using and adapting existing packaging

Concept development

Thinking about sub topics in relation to 'Tree houses':

Wooden homes

Log cabins

Out door pursuits

Sheds

Outdoor wooden structures

Branding and identity:

Famous tree houses

Brands of wood

Brands of outdoor structures

Stores you can purchase wood / wooden structures from

Publishing and editorial:

Manual

Step by step

Magazine on subject matter / attraction

Tourist information guide

leaflet

Book

Packaging and Promotion:

Build a tree house pack

Advertisement of a product

Packaging of materials

Promoting tourist attraction through posters

Information and Wayfinding:

Tourist signage

Book

Webpage

Print seminar

Print Seminar

Notes taken

Some print examples

Kinds: Rotary, digital, screen, and pad.

Rotary:

Plates are wrapped around a cylinder, an automates process and the material to be printed can be sheet fed or on a roll. 

Plate > Blanket cylinder > Impression Cylinder

3 Main types: 

- Lithography

- Rotogravure

- Flexography

Offset Lithography - Onto a rubber roller

Etched aluminium plates wrapped around a cylinder transfer ink to an 'offset' ribber blanket roller and then to a print surface. Sheet or web fed.

WEDNESDAY 19TH - PRINTERS VISIT (Keep date free)

Rotogravure / photogravure 

Copper plates (etches deeper, plates last longer) transfer ink directly to print surface, usually rolls.

Plates are more durable and so are good for long print runs

Typical gravure job - Lino flooring, newspaper if a long run

Flexography

Rubber plate, relief printing, silicon surface e.g Crisp packet

A positive mirror image rubber polymer plate, on a cylinder, transfers 'sticky' ink directly to print surface. Usually roll fed.

E.g Chocolate foiled wrappers, bottle labels

Litho - planographic (Flat)

Rotogravure - Intaglio (Etched)

Flexography - Relief (Raised surface)

Digital printing

Repproduction of images by translating digital code direct from a computer to a material without an intermediate physical process. 

'Rip' - Transfers from computer to printer  (software processes it)

Digital printing for mock ups, to check stock and layout

Screen print

A printmaking technique that uses a woven mesh template.

PAD printing

A process that transfers 2d image to a 3d object

e.g - Pens, flasks, gold balls etc

Colours:

Grayscale : Black and white continuous tone

Duo tone: Continuous tone image is printed in 2 or more spot colours

Spot colour: One or more specially mixed RGB colours

Mono - One colour

C, U , M, coated, uncoated, matte

dots = accurately reproduced in CMYK

Process guide - CMYK - first page shown in solids and tints. DE: Europe

Colour bridge - 1089 colours, shows closest CYMK next to each of the solid RGB colours.

Pantone books provide colours for screen too, for web design.

The guide really showed me how to use pantone swatches, Unfortunately I missed the colour theory session in my first year in which class mates were shown how to use them, I felt like i'd missed out. This tutorial has given me a clearer understanding.

An intro into colour theory

Monochromatic - Adding light and dark to create a tone of a colour

Analogues - Colours next to each other on the colour wheel

Complementary - Colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel

Compliments: Colours of the same value but are opposite hues, when desaturated, they are the same shade of grey. Not comfortable to look at, line between two seems to wobble. Not brilliant colours to work with.

If using bright colours and need a highlight or shadow, stick to using white or black.