MAJOR UPDATE NEEDED

 

 Following my First semester of my third and final year of          University at Staffs I had been experimenting with my hand drawn   patterns it lead me into my second semester.

 Wanting to further my designs, whether that be in texture, or print.  I looked into both, after years of dried clay hands print was  becoming more appealing to explore.

With learning lots of tips and tricks over the years on Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, I scanned my drawings in and slightly edited them on Illustrator as I originally drew them in semi circles so matching them up to make complete circles. 

Putting them onto plate and mug templates as seen above, layering and exploring different tonal levels. Whether to cover the rims, or cover the whole plates.

 I used table setting images from the internet and put my designs in instead to see what types of setting I was aiming for.

Here are a few images of my finished products

With many thanks to my good friend for doing me a great favour 

Ross Andrew Powell (Links to his pages at the bottom) 

 ( Last four images credit to Ross Andrew Powell Link

                                                                    YouGotPowelled )

Inspiring Inspiration & Self Motivation

Well I haven't posted for a while, with a busy summer of holiday makers flooding the supermarket, spending time in the sun and being hospital bound! So my third year university work was halted. Now back on track here is what I've been up to;

Over the summer every spare 10 mins I had I was doodling MANDALA inspired sketches, which slowly turned into rather geometrical like the bottom right in the picture. The more I've experimented with this style of pattern the more exuberant they are getting, more detailed areas to larger areas of space and blackness. 

I've decided to move forward with these patterns, not only in the form of 2D patterns, but 3D technologies. So I scanned selected patterns into Adobe Illustrator to set up a laser cutter file. Bought myself some Vinyl and off I went.

  

This is the first time I have personally used the laser cutter offered to us at University. My fellow course member has used it and the result were simply beautiful. So I thought why not give it a go, what's the worst that could happen?

 

I'm hoping to further these patterns by incorporating them into my designs, applying them to the 3D objects. My vision of them being an elevated tray with etched patterns on the surface with additional containers mimicking the designs in various ways. Making them flow off the etched 2D ceramic tray through vessels.

TOP 5 BUSINESS CARD DESIGNS

TOP 5 BUSINESS CARD DESIGNS

I have been set a task of researching my favourite top 5 business cards around at the moment, and here they are.

At Number FIVE: TAKE ME, POUCH.

This was collected from the 'NEW DESIGNERS' exhibition, London 2013.

The fact it was parcelled up was intriguing and made the receiver want to open it up to view the unknown. Unfortunately the mean point of a business card is to hold appropriate information to let to receiver no about you and your practice. I felt this particular card wasn't letting you know what the persons trade was.

 

At Number FOUR: VARIOUS MATERIALS.

These strechy business cards were sourced from Pinterest. The range of materials that can be used for business cards is vast. You can be as creative as your imagination will let you. Especially the laser cut, etched and layered wooden card is eye catching, interesting and very effective for the suited trade.

(http://thefactoryblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/17-best-business-cards.html)

(http://www.brandingidentitydesign.com/tag/business-card/page/2/)

(http://www.multyshades.com/2011/03/45-most-creative-and-sophisticated-business-cards-wooden-and-furniture-inspired/) 

At Number THREE: THE BIG INITIAL.

 If you want to get your name across, maybe this is the approach for you.

Its a bold statement that depending on colour choice could work extremely well or not at all. For instance the red colouring could come across as passionate but the choice of a duller more muted may not stand out.

(http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/2013/10/20-new-amazing-business-cards-best-october-2013/)

At Number TWO: NAME TO FACE.

This quirky design gives the business card a friendly introduction to there recipient. Putting a name to a face can make people remember you, your face and most importantly your work.

(http://thefactoryblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/17-best-business-cards.html)

At Number ONE: CLASSICAL IMAGE.

This particular card belongs to the Part 1 winner of NEW DESIGNERS, London, 2013.

This traditional style business card from Kate Turton, holds purely an image of the her work. It makes Turton's work memorable and identifiable. A design which never ceases to fail.

(Picture taken by myself)

TOP 5 PACKAGING DESIGNS

Top 5 Packaging Designs

I'm going to be investigating what I see as my Top 5 packaging designs.

At Number FIVE: MONOHARA - HOUSE INDUSTRIES

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/10/9/house-industries-monohara-ceramic-collection-from-hasami.html?SSScrollPosition=118

 "Artisans in the Nagasaki prefecture town of Hasami have been manufacturing ceramics for over four centuries, and their revolutionary climbing kilns once produced the highest volume of daily-use cups, bowls and plates in Japan."

This simplistic way of packaging is sleek and well to the point. Its sturdy which does its job in delivering the object to its new destination.

It is also stamped with the company logo on top to identify the product easily.

At Number FOUR: HOTO CERAMICS

http://hotoceramica.tumblr.com/

This packaging contains small plates, bowls and animals figurines. The print connects to the product which gives you an insight into what your potentially buying.

The cylindrical shape is appealing as it gives a continuous feel to the packaging.

I don't see this as cutting edge packaging design, it has a craft feel to it.

At Number THREE: EMMA BRIDGEWATER

 http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/en/uk/page/home

The decorative pattern on the outer of the box is eye catching and enticing.

The sectioning is done in a clever way to separate and enhance each item.

At Number TWO: PISHTACHIO NUT PACKAGING

http://www.rozenfelde.com/Mighty-Nuts

This Pistachio nut packaging is complimentary to the product itself, resembling the shape and texture qualities through the graphic media. Fresh and crisp. They have also provided the consumers with an option to use the outer packaging as a disposal tray.

At Number ONE: BLOW DESIGN LTD

http://www.blow.hk/?p=2676

"BLOW is a Hong Kong based design studio founded by Ken Lo in 2010. Specialized in branding, identities, packaging, environmental graphics, print, publications and website design."

This design of packaging is engaging yet practical to the use. Research shows that this packaging holds Chi-Tea. The colours are exciting with a base of blacks and blues enhanced with gold, and lime green. The element of play is very interesting and could keep someone occupied for some time. Which means the packaging is doing its job, extremely well.



Connecting with others

"Good design will always sell".

At Staffordshire university we as a class have been asked to do a Souvenir project with 'The Wedgwood Museum' situated in Barlston, Stoke-on-Trent. What can you class as a Souvenir? Small objects, larger objects? I spoke to Ray Atkins from the museum who gave me some valuable information to influence my project.

I found from my questioning that 'The Wedgwood Museum' has a peak season between April and August of the spring - summer months. Which is not surprising as its the case in most attractions throughout the UK.

 The average age range of the Museums visitors is believed to be 40+. I see this as a disadvantage for the Museum as it has much more to offer the younger generations in terms of its history. For us as Designer/Makers it may seem to some easier to have a target audience in mind when designing a product.

 I asked 'In the retail shop which of your items sell best?' According to Mr.Atkins the mugs are the best sellers, not in any particular colour or shapes. Mugs vary in size, shape, design, pattern and colour.

Below to the left is an Eric Ravilious Alphabet mug retailing online around the £10 mark. Below on the right is a very pretty mug with lots of variations on this design for sale in the Museum shop at the moment, extremely different to the Ravilious Alphabet mug but colourful floral design makes an eye catching pattern with the gold rim and added detail of the curled handle.

Most people like to spend in the region of between £10-£50 in the Museums retail shop. I believe pricing will be key in this project to set ours products in the right market.

A fellow peer agreed to answer a few questions for my blog.

My peer is quite nervous with the project being tied to such a well known ceramics company which is very understandable. She is planning on creating work inspired by Wedgwood's 'Fairyland lustre' that's based in the museums 20th century section, but keeping the work contemporary.

She feels a collection of small items seems inviting but ideas are still in process. By completing this project it will give her confidence to work with other prestigious companies should the opportunity arrive. I found from my two interviews that contemporary design is key. As good design will live on forever. I found invaluable information i.e. the target audience and pricing for the products that are yet to be designed and made.