What is good? THE PRODUCT

What is good? EVALUATION

The beginning of this brief was quite an eye opener for me, and looking back I can happily say I've learnt a good deal. I found the Photoshop and Indesign tutorials particularly useful, how to prepare a document for print is something I've always felt a little confused about, and to finally have clarity on this is fantastic. Then on to the seminars with Lorenzo, which were also extremely helpful, usually leading onto an in depth group discussion which in turn lead to my own personal research into print processes. 

Although I have done an adequate amount of research into the many areas of print production, I feel this is the area my project is most lacking, as I have always found it difficult to show evidence of this. I forget to mention sources or print off relevant websites as I browse through them. I made it priority to gather research from books so I had a hard copy to start with and in doing so managed to obtain information from a far more varied and useful set of sources. However, I think I failed to show as much evidence of research into print as I should have, as this is a print module after all.

From the research I had gathered however, mainly the primary, I began to piece together the foundations of this brief. This process was slow and difficult, and the least enjoyable part in my opinion. This process however, made it clear to me how much I progressed through the first year. Instead of getting frustrated because the project was unfolding so slowly, I began to take measures to speed it up and to get things moving again. When the project reached a point of confusion, I took steps to clarify it; this is such a huge change in the way I was working last year I can't quite believe it. I do however, feel as though I spent a little too long on the product concept, the identity design and such like. Though this was an important part of the module, I realise now that other areas got neglected. This was a print module, and I was getting a little too involved in the product itself. 

As far as practical, hands on research goes, I didn't feel it was necessary to try foil blocking or flock up in the print workshop. Mainly because this wasn't relevant to my project, but also because industry doesn't the same techniques to apply finishes, so I wondered what there was to learn from this process. I did enjoy the results of those who did however, and I feel I learnt from their failures and achievements anyway.

As the project moved on, I began to get really involved in it. The feedback from group crits was positive and insightful, helping me develop my ideas further. I continued to expand my research and knowledge where appropriate, and I eventually got to the stage where I could begin making the elements of the product, ready for photographing. With each element of the product came clarification of their print methods, and I experimented as much as I could with the tools that I thought necessary. Soon the box was made and I could begin to but all the elements together. The photographs of the product turned out well, and with the help of Photoshop I was able to make them look worthy of a professional design board. I booked a print session down in digital print for the 5 A2 boards to be printed, as the glossy paper bought out the best in each photograph. I did learn one thing though, spell-check your work before sending it to print, no matter how much of a rush you're in! There was at least 5 mistakes in the final boards, simply because I was so rushed. I'll not forget in future. Apart from this, the 5 boards looked professional, clearly identifying the product and how it was to be printed.

Overall, one of the most successful projects on this course. I really feel I had a chance to pool everything I had learnt last year, and too great effect as well. I no longer feel that the problems I pointed out in previous evaluations are holding me back, and I think this is evident in what I have produced.

What is good? Pt. 2 UPDATE

It's about time I posted some of the work I'm actually doing for this brief.
A lot of the research and explanation can be found on my design context blog, so you should have a look there first if you're interested.

I have made a great deal of progress in the last week or so. I have redefined the context and audience of my product, and so clarifying its direction. Again details of this can be found on the context blog.
Anyway, I have had a wooden crate mocked up for photographing, and I am very close to identifing the specific style or identity of the product I am packaging.

I think I am getting a little too caught up in this aspect of the brief, and worry I might neglect the focal point; print processes.
Anyway, there is still plenty of time. For now, here's the logo I've been working on.

Finally decided on a butterfly style logo.

Butterflies being a symbol of change, and so relating nicely back to my

original argument. It's also a nice shape to work with.