More typography

As stated in a previous post, I wasn't really happy with the packaging page I'd done for portfolio so today I decided to tackle that. Got rid of the zebra print soft case in exchange for a fabric cleaning cloth which I designed using the typography design. I actually made the cloth by using t-shirt transfer paper to print my design onto some fabric. I then photographed it and did some editing (see image)

I also designed a launch invite using the typography design again mixed with red acetate.

I got the acetate idea after reading an article on WGSN about sensory interaction (a trend that seems to be popping up in all of my work)

"Sensory materials add depth to the product through
kaleidoscopic colour and light-omitting surface. Optical
stimulation and a tactility heighten the experience between
product and consumer"
WGSN key packaging trend forecast 2011.

Ab Fab Research Folder:



Wow, I can't actually believe how much better I like this format of presenting research! Just after one day I managed to get loads in there and I think it looks so much more professional. I've decided I'm going to stick with this format for all 3 briefs.

After collecting all the research I already had and put that into the folder, I then started tackling the promotional work. The window display was the first thing that needed editing. Even though it's strong visually it doesn't really advertise clearly what the product is (rang of sunglasses in conjunction with TV programme Absolutely Fabulous), and it doesn't show where it will be sold (House Of Fraser). I've always been really into typography but never really done any so took this as an opportunity to incorporate it into my work. I had a play about on Photoshop and came up with the image bellow. I added this into the window display and thankfully it worked well. Thinking the typography design could be used in some other pieces of promotional work also so will look into that further...

Typography Inspiration





Prioritising:

Today I've been deciding in what order to tackle this giant workload. At first I was thinking trend- as this is the least completed, but now I've changed my mind to the TV programme brief instead. I've done this because I'd rather get on with something that I know exactly where it's going. Even though there is practically no sketchbook for the Ab Fab project I know exactly what to do- unlike trend where I'm stumped!
I also decided today that I want to go for a new style of presenting my research. In the past I've always done sketchbooks, and although they have the advantage of looking neat and well presented- cutting and sticking can take up a surprising amount of time. So instead I'm going to try out a research folder format instead. I'm a bit wary of this at the minute because I'm so fussy when it comes to presentation, going to work hard today though and get a decent amount done- then I'll be able to judge if this format is working...

Christmas Holidays

Admittedly, I have not been on track with my work for a while and so I'm really glad to be going home for a few weeks. Back home is where I work best. I have no distractions, and I also find home more of a creative environment and so feeling inspired and motivated comes a lot easier.
I've written a list of what there is to do- and there is a lot! I'm feeling a tad apprehensive, but I know there's no point getting stressed as I'm not leaving for Uni until all work is done!

My trends

I have 3 trends now:
Culture Jamming

Nature-phobe

Sensory Interaction

Culture jamming, is the act of using existing media such as billboards, bus-ads, posters, and other ads to comment on those very media themselves or on society in general, using the original medium's communication method. It is based on the idea that advertising is little more than propaganda for established interests, and that there is little escape from this propaganda in industrialized nations. Culture jamming differs from artistic appropriation (which is done for art's sake), and from vandalism where destruction or defacement is the primary goal.

The word, "culture jamming" comes from the idea of radio jamming: that public frequencies can be pirated and subverted for independent communication, or to disrupt dominant frequencies. The Situationist International first made the comparison to radio jamming in 1968, when it proposed the use of guerrilla communication within mass media to sow confusion within the dominant culture. (Kalle Lasn, the founder of AdBusters magazine, wrote a book entitled Culture Jam, but the term predates his title.) – Urban Dictionary

Nature-phobe is a trend that explores the concept of getting people outdoors and back to nature by enticing a mixture of home comforts, luxury and new-age technology.

Sensory Interaction is a trend that explores the advantages of the human sense of smell. As technology advances, so does our ability to explore more interactive forms of media/advertising.

Trend snapshot boards:

Too much?

Today we had the pleasure of getting a lesson with Ravi from Future Lab. I was really excited about this as I would absolutely love to try and get some form of work experience there when I graduate. I came prepared (or so I thought) with a folder full of interesting articles I'd found about emerging trends/tribes. We all sat around and discussed what ideas we'd come up with.
When it got to my turn I realised I actually had too much information- I couldn't really explain which trend I was going to go into as I didn't know. I had snippets of info about a number of different things and instead of starting to form a niche I was just accumulating lots of little things. Ravi explained to me that what I was sourcing was interesting- I just had to start narrowing my search down and becoming more specific.
Today made me realise how vast trend can be, because even though there was quite a large group of us- no-one had the same trends.
I have a feeling that I'm making this more difficult than it actually is, almost like I'm putting too much pressure on myself because I want to do really well?
I guess all I can do is keep researching, and eventually something will come to me...

Cool Hunting

When the brief was handed out we also got given a list of useful links to help with finding trends. I'd heard of the cool hunter before but never really went on there that much. Just checked it out today and its really insightful. Found both this site and WGSN feature quite similar stories. There seems to be a strong focus on nature- e.g. glamping/eco-friendly products/going back to basics/outdoor activities/re-cycled products- lot of info is based around the current economic situation and things such as the recession and global warming are clearly influencing trends...
Also found an interesting article about olfactive advertising- using actual scent in promoting/influencing people to buy products. Never knew this sort of stuff existed.
I am finding it really interesting looking into this kind of thing, but it's almost overwhelming when trying to pin-point specific trends/tribes. It's only early days but I can usually tell when I'm going to struggle with a brief... I have a feeling this may be one of them