The final mocked up bag has a mistake on it. I did not notice until after I had printed it but some how the green logo had been outlined in grey.... the logo really looses sharpness and looks less 'green'.
Design Practice
Monday, 21 November 2011
To do list
Just to demonstrate I am planning my time I have included my To do list from 16th November.
The one above is one I wrote on Sunday 21st November. I actually work more efficiently when working to a deadline and seem to manage my time better.
The one above is one I wrote on Sunday 21st November. I actually work more efficiently when working to a deadline and seem to manage my time better.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Design for print manual for submission
I thought the last Print manual I had uploaded to Issuu was typo free, it wasn't! Also after the fantastic Generation Press visit I wanted to add a section about RAW files.
I also realised the 12 point font size I had chosen was too big following the last Typography workshop with Graham. Graham explained that generally books have a point size around 9 with an average of eleven words a line. The book now looks less cluttered as more white space was created by reducing point size to 11. I also looked at how the paragraphs were identified and ensured I was not using both indent and line space.
In addition I sent it for feedback o the Pre-press Supervisor at Spellman Walker, as when I visited he was a mine of information.
He very kindly gave me the following feedback which I have added to my top ten.
'Hey, that’s pretty good.
I would only make one suggestion for an addition – I’d add an extra line or two about cutter guides or at least make more of it because it’s a biggie.
We get lots of cutter supplied to us in 100% magenta when the job itself prints 4 col pro.
Designers should always spec the cutter keyline up as just “Cutter” and make it up out of 100% magenta BUT make it a spot colour.
That way it’s magenta, it’s easy to see but it’s also a spot colour called “cutter” - foolproof!
Most pre press studios will treat a cutter keyline as an overprint item (or ‘dieline’) so no need to worry about trap there.
Also, make sure your artwork bleeds out of the cutter area – if you make the artwork fit the cutter exactly and the finisher stamps the die slightly out of position (easily done) you will have white showing at the edge of your carefully trimmed job. Not good.'
I also realised the 12 point font size I had chosen was too big following the last Typography workshop with Graham. Graham explained that generally books have a point size around 9 with an average of eleven words a line. The book now looks less cluttered as more white space was created by reducing point size to 11. I also looked at how the paragraphs were identified and ensured I was not using both indent and line space.
In addition I sent it for feedback o the Pre-press Supervisor at Spellman Walker, as when I visited he was a mine of information.
He very kindly gave me the following feedback which I have added to my top ten.
'Hey, that’s pretty good.
I would only make one suggestion for an addition – I’d add an extra line or two about cutter guides or at least make more of it because it’s a biggie.
We get lots of cutter supplied to us in 100% magenta when the job itself prints 4 col pro.
Designers should always spec the cutter keyline up as just “Cutter” and make it up out of 100% magenta BUT make it a spot colour.
That way it’s magenta, it’s easy to see but it’s also a spot colour called “cutter” - foolproof!
Most pre press studios will treat a cutter keyline as an overprint item (or ‘dieline’) so no need to worry about trap there.
Also, make sure your artwork bleeds out of the cutter area – if you make the artwork fit the cutter exactly and the finisher stamps the die slightly out of position (easily done) you will have white showing at the edge of your carefully trimmed job. Not good.'
Presentation Boards - What is good....
These have taken a long time to produce not least because I have incorporated a lot of new knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign. They were also challenging as these are the first A2 boards I have designed.
With more time I would have liked to get a photograph of the cotton bag 'in use', similar to the one below. I know exactly what it is but the boards don't demonstrate what it looks like and its context.
With more time I would have liked to get a photograph of the cotton bag 'in use', similar to the one below. I know exactly what it is but the boards don't demonstrate what it looks like and its context.
Product shots
A Photographer I know let me use his equipment, lighting and backdrop to take the product shots. I knew they would be tricky as they were white and had transparent areas. He advised me the trick is to have one light to light up the background and another focused on the product. Also a curved background avoids to many shadows.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Typography workshop
Kerning makes a word sit comfortably on a page.
Never negative Kern always increase space on other letters.
Breaking a line down into two sentences can change what you 'mean' to say.
Learning how people read, hierarchy, position, weight and size
An exercise where we filled the whole area of each of four columns with different point size test. We experimented with both point size and leading. Watch out for negative leading. Between 6 and 12 usually 2 points difference.
Think about how many words in a column ie Newspapers tend to be a minimum of six words, 36 characters wide where as books tend to average 10 -12 words. Tabloid are narrower than broadsheets due to smaller words! Anything wider than these averages can put you off.
Also consider your audience.
Remember screen no guide to readability.
Novel - 8.5 - 9 pt
Leaflet 8.5 - 9pt
Mag - 10 pt.
Most accessible to whole community - 14 point
* Screen can change font size on I-books!
As a group we discussed which type was most readable firstly on screen and then printed out.
The lesson here was with a print job always start by printing a draft out. To assist with decision on point size - can you read at arms length?
Copy size on magazines and in books about 9 on 11 (9 pt type and 11pt leading)
The group selected the paragraph with additional leading. adding leading can increase readability however too much hinders.
To make text fit cam also change the font - different x-heights eg Ariel has a large x-height.
Paragraph rules - change of subject
Line spaces make text more interesting
Can also use Indents but not both together.
Indent = tab space = 1 cm - 3 characters
Avoid rivers
Rules
Look at type
Choose typeface
Adjust paragraph
Layout
More white space is desirable
Techniques fo creating space
Techniques fo creating space
Alignment
Aligned Left / ragged left
Aligned right / ragged right
Justified - not best method but can create a shorter column length.
centre
We experimented with adjusting text, fonts to create the largest possible image
Then tried to produce an interesting layout.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Final crit
Stickie note feedback
Crit group chose the long hexagonal for holder box for limited edition.
"Not sure of appropriateness of bee - I understand its pollination but aesthetically it does not work.'
What I presented at Final Crit
I had managed to prepare two of my presentation sheets. The set was listed with the packaging mock ups as follows:
1. The packaging/products shot
2. The Brand and identity
3. Introductory promotion at London half marathon
4. Introductory promotion in store
5. Concept/logo/packaging development
I had a card mock up of the proposed flatter box, the single apple acetate, the four apple acetate, the paper bag all with real apples inside. The variety of apples I used were Braeburn and Jazz both related to the Sweetie apple so are similar in colour. I was pleased with the overall result and felt this represented the development of my work so far.
Evaluation of Crit
The feedback was very positive and generous. Emily who was not in my crit group even offered me her own feedback - She wanted an apple as they looked so tempting 'like little gems'.
'Donut bag is very good for apples- gives the guilty pleasure effect makes them more attractive - Sweet, delicious, forbidden'
( I did give her an apple by the way) Success!
Interesting idea about how the fold out hexagon can make a 3d flower shape.
I decided not to use Co-op branding on the packaging at this stage as I thought it wold make the design look to busy and also introduce too many colours to the Brand/identity. I will mock up a design at some point.
At the marathon you could have more links to he hexagon shape for banners etc. This is an area I have been developing however could not incorporate into the Photoshop pictures as they looked too flat.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
The Packaging story so far....
To make the package more practically re-useable a handle may aid portability. When I made a couple of mockups with handles it became apparent that these design would probably not support the weight of several apples. Also I was keen to keep the hexagon shape and could not find any hexagon nets with handles. I have ran out of time to start designing my own net so decided to keep the hexagon shape and also explore other more environmentally friendly solutions as blogged on earlier post.
These are the finished nets I took to the Final Crit
The net below was an attempt to make the hexagon more sturdy by making the walls shorter and the lid larger. It reminds me of a Cake Shop box. I am going to experiment further with this in Acetate. Unfortunately this is the largest dimensions that will fit on an A2 sheet and only fits three apples in. To keep my printing costs down I am trying to keep to A2 or less. The lid fastening is quite cumbersome this size although these boxes would stack well on a shop shelf.
The original hexagon box made was to hold a single apple. This works from a display point of view and really sets the apple off however I would not propose using this. I cannot justify the re-usable element in the same way I can with the four apple holder. People would be unlikely to re-use for a single apple even if it offers protection. People buying single apples are generally often going to eat them straight away.
The paper bag ideas developed after the crit in an attempt to appear more environmentally friendly. The window was to 'display' the apples. The hexagon was a last minute inspiration which fitted with the continuing hexagon theme. I was initially designing this to add a handle on however once I had made the bag up it felt that the top should just be rolled down or stuck down with a sticker.
The bag is also strong as there is lots of space to add the Sweetie apple strap line and other benefits.
Brown paper bags/apples look 'right' as connotes recyclable but are not going to make the Sweetie Apple stand out on the shop shelves.
Continuing with the transparent theme I had always imagined the blossom label would be transparent only displaying the green 'w' however the label in practise just got lost. So for the crit I designed a label with a White background. Again this did not quite work in terms of visibility, so I am going to try with a green background
Monday, 14 November 2011
Packaging Illustrator design development
Open publication - Free publishing - More illustrator
I have annotated each page in the Issuu document in bright pink. These explain reasons for my decisions and other technical information
Please use the single page view in Issuu as this make the annotation large enough to be readable.
I have annotated each page in the Issuu document in bright pink. These explain reasons for my decisions and other technical information
Please use the single page view in Issuu as this make the annotation large enough to be readable.
Limited edition and Standard apple packaging
Evaluation of progress with packaging so far...
The acetate mockups I have made are successful aesthetically however when I put apples in them them the acetate is not strong enough without extra 'bolstering'. The plan was always to make these out of Polypropylene which is a much stronger substrate so I don't believe strength would be an issue. The problem is of course as pointed out at the crits is that it is not perceived to be sustainable packaging. Through various research I have proven there are sustainable benefits to using polypropylene, particularly where the object is re-used several times. Perception though is a consideration particularly with a 'natural' self packaged product such as an apple.
The following solutions could get around these issues:
1. Still proceed with a re-useable transparent container to introduce the product to the market in store. This would be a limited edition' gift' style package with an offer attached to encourage the customer to both re-use the container and also buy more Sweetie apples.
2. Design a more environmentally friendly alternative as standard packaging such as a paper bag like the M&S one I saw in my initial research for What is good.
The acetate mockups I have made are successful aesthetically however when I put apples in them them the acetate is not strong enough without extra 'bolstering'. The plan was always to make these out of Polypropylene which is a much stronger substrate so I don't believe strength would be an issue. The problem is of course as pointed out at the crits is that it is not perceived to be sustainable packaging. Through various research I have proven there are sustainable benefits to using polypropylene, particularly where the object is re-used several times. Perception though is a consideration particularly with a 'natural' self packaged product such as an apple.
The following solutions could get around these issues:
1. Still proceed with a re-useable transparent container to introduce the product to the market in store. This would be a limited edition' gift' style package with an offer attached to encourage the customer to both re-use the container and also buy more Sweetie apples.
2. Design a more environmentally friendly alternative as standard packaging such as a paper bag like the M&S one I saw in my initial research for What is good.
A re-usable alternative could be a 'cotton jute' type bag which again could have an offer attached to encourage re-use.
The print options could include a tag attached to the bags at point of sale or like the turtle bag above a small box .
3. I had always imagined the apples would be displayed loose in boxes so customers can chose their own and this would be necessary to enable any re-usaeble packaging to work.
I am also re-visting the Pink lady campaign info I found earlier in the research:
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