From today's crit I felt that I need to do more research into specific imagery or elements that may inform my designs as I don't want to simply create patterns without any meaning/purely serves as aesthetics.
That and I think working on actually creating and developing those imagery/elements may be a good way to start. Perhaps that way I could visualize what the designs might potentially be.
Thursday 15 March 2018
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
I particularly looked into the merchandising and branding side, which is something I am interested in after researching into this industry. What I noticed is that it is quite audience/client driven as it generally caters to the consumers. Thinking about the design for any packaging or retail is essential for giving the product/company an identity as well as make things look appealing to the market.
In a sense, packaging and retail is a combination between art enthusiasm and perhaps general business knowledge. It is a very broad area as it covers a range of applying illustration, from homeware to beer bottle labels. This is rather a new market to me that I never really ventured into. But it is a possible platform to showcase illustrations.
I never envisioned my work applied to packaging, merchandising or retail and I personally think that it would be an interesting change. I may or may not enjoy it, but it is something I need to explore further.
The progress tutorial had been very helpful in terms of focusing my personal project. I am already taking part in a collaborative event (2-days exhibition/event) with the Leeds Indonesian Student Association. I would look most likely into event branding? Perhaps simply propose designs for their event, which would be their decision whether to use my designs or not.
After the discussion, rather then designing for print since it would require some budget, I could perhaps consider creating designs for digital platforms. Perhaps create a short animation that could be emailed to the visitors or perhaps place on the union's webpage? I really enjoyed creating the STING and it was something that I would like to continue further for this project.
Though I think that my next steps are to plan my days of research, testing and production. Also to be a little ambitious about this project.
Other useful sources
True Soul of Indonesia by Nicholas Berglund - https://vimeo.com/134298941
The Jungle Book poster by Daniel Danger - https://mondotees.com/blogs/news/new-poster-release-the-jungle-book-by-daniel-danger Short animation inspiration - Louie Zong
Pool Vibes - Louie Zong, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuCy-NUfibA
Friday 9 March 2018
STUDIO BRIEF 1 - Live Brief
Initially I thought that this brief was rather simple and direct. Instead I found it quite challenging because of the lack of restrictions (quite vague) and responding to the requirements: design for the gallery and have it cater to children, adults and tourists.
Though thinking about the content in particular was difficult. The planning itself took longer than actually creating the actual products. I found myself being rather selective of what to illustrate due to wanting to meet the brief requirements but also follow my own interests. Also I had to consider the fact that the illustration could be turned into a coloring poster.
I decided to particularly focus on the artists that are exhibited in their gallery rather than the artwork itself since it seemed more appealing and that it might be educative -enriching. This is more of a personal judgement, but I am not too keen on old paintings and majority of their collections are in their archive. Another challenge was inclusivity -providing a range of artists and makers as I discovered along the way that the artworks in the gallery are male dominant (as expected from pre-raphaelite paintings).
But overall this live brief had mainly been for experience: developing my skills further, meeting deadlines and responding to design problems/briefs. It was worthwhile. I feel that I also should be more active within and outside the walls of the institution by taking in more opportunities such as live briefs or commissions.
Asian demographics: higher demand on packaging & retail due to tradition and what would generally be ingrained within society -customer expecation
It is also considered as an additional touch of luxury
Branding
Why: creativity and market value? An area where unique packaging/branding has a power advantage and significance in drawing consumer's attention. Also it can benefit on the production sales
In a way it combines art enthusiasm with business knowledge
