Packaging Studio - Year 3 - Vanessa

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ENTRY #11 AND #12

December, 5th, 2017

Today we had our final day of classes and studio time. I am overall content with project 2. Although, definitely continuing to learn the balance between being ambitious and perfectionistic in design and what is possible in the time given.

As there is always things I would change making the label a bit smaller in height, and decorating the tops but I invested my time in the main elements. In retrospect have learned a lot from the challenges/realities of package design. For example, the berries above took about an hour or so each to make on illustrator. I invested the most effort in the vocal point of this project. Although,  definitely learned how I could refine it even further and make considerations a lot quicker. 

All in all a brief overview:

1. always proof your print on the item

2. devil in the details 

3. measure measure measure

4. getting the product printed on the right paper

5. give yourself vast amount of time to cut and put together the product

6. Usability and sustainability of the product 

and viola! that’s the main points I have learned over and over again this semester in Packaging Studio!

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BLOG ENTRY #10

Nov, 21st, 2017

Today we had two members from Hired Guns do a critique for our class. They were excellent to discuss with a brought up many valid design functions and creative solutions for each packaging product. For my fruit basket for my berries syrups we discussed making one handle for the basket and to reduce the amount of cuts within the package to make it stronger to also encompass all the flavours inside by either the out packaging or by bringing the top off to show the tops of the lids and therefore the flavours. 

Also, different tips in tricks as keeping the barcode vertical and practical ways to display a product so it functions properly. Overall, many considerations to take into account but I am excited to see where the design goes for both the outside and on package. Really hoping to nail the colour palette to make a delightful product for the consumer and give them that sense of a novelty item.

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BLOG ENTRY #9

Tuesday Nov 14th 2017

1. Project status/ update

The project thus far is in the very beginning stages as I am just starting thumbs and going to make revisions in my project brief. Definitely know that every part of the design process counts and need to really make clear decisions to the vision of the final product is in a specific direction. Otherwise, it’s easy to get lost in the details without having an articulated goal. Thus, I want to develop this week a strong sense of my brand identity and styles guide, so I have the foundation to work on as I progress within this program. 

2. Visual design brief

The visual design brief takes in many considerations in how the product is made and how it will be perceived and utilized by the consumer. I have began sourcing different imagery and products that emulate the ideas that I am playing around with for my berry syrup products. A lot of them have bright pops of colour and have a personal/vintage kind of logo or aesthetic. Want a mix of the old and new to make a unique and charming product to entice the end user. Finally, want to establish soon what elements are going to be more of a focal point, is the type going to be the main element or will the berries or can I mix both without them conflicting. 

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BLOG ENTRY #8

Nov, 7th, 2017

For class we headed off to Coombs to check out the shops and get a break from the studio which was awesome. The goal was to find a series of brand packaging and answer the following questions:

#1 the Cape Herb and Spice:

1. The branding is consistent across the packages because of the design elements such as type, imagery, colour, and hierarchy of type. SO they are all white back drops with one main vocal image and then the type of spice is the first seeing in the typographic hierarchy.

2. The design differentiates among flavours by changing the vocal image and the first level of type to a different font.

3. The brand is a collection of herbs and spices that are modern and the imagery used ties into where or what the spices/herbs apply to so for taco spices they put a photo of a taco and for the ghost pepper they show a real photo of a ghost pepper etc. Plus, the use of red is seen a lot to give that sense of heat within the containers. Thus, overall looks legitimate and fun because of the imagery and the conniptions behind some images. 

# 2 TREE ISLAND YOGURT

1. The branding is consistent in this example because the use of space, imagery, layout, hierarchy. The packages all showcase the brand TREE ISLAND and also show a picture that represents the flavour of how the yogurt will taste. An example with the chai latte, lemon, and hasp yogurt being display and keeping a pretty centre focused vocal point on the packages. Plus, this is a sense of lightness and delightfulness with the use of energetic colours and using elements from the sky as backdrops. 

2. The design differentiates from the other flavours by changing the main pictures that inclose of the flavour labeled in the middle and by also choosing different colour palette for each flavour. 

3. The brand concept comes across as very organic, local, cozy, delightful. Seems like a personal product that people can enjoy indoors or outdoors but would feel refreshed and energized by. They are designing modern but friendly designs on the yogurt containers to subconsciously give people the experience of the landscapes and those feelings of being in nature through the designs.  

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BLOG ENTRY #6 AND #7 

Oct, 31st, 2017

Today we are on the finishing ends of out redesign project! These are the current before and after package designs side by side. I am overall very content and pleased with the outcome of my design. I found when designing I was over complicating things with colours, shapes, and type there was just too many elements, therefore I decided out of frustration to simply the overall look and this is what I arrived at. I was must more pleased once I discovered that it would still be eye catching and elegant even with just one vocal image with the cherries. And as per usual printing was my biggest tool in getting the right scale and look. I printed out tons of different copies just constantly referencing the feel of the project when I wrapped the paper around the bottle. 

So, definitely learned to make distinct design choices and not get caught up in fiddling on a piece that just isn’t working and that’s it’s okay just to restart with an entirely different look in mind as I find I make clearer and more effective design choices, and that’s what happened here. Also, just really enjoying working with a physical design project.

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BLOG ENTRY #5

October, 17th, 2017

Today in class we worked with year 4′s in ideation of our products. It was helpful to get their input on the logistics of the product’s package design as well as give insight to what materials they have used or think could correlate well with my vision.

For my project, I am redesigning a Jamieson vitamin bottle. There are so many plastic bottles that are quiet large and are not recycled properly. So, I am playing around with the idea of changing the shape to more of a cylinder so first it can take up less space, second to stand out from the other hundreds of plastic bottles, and thirdly have the product be more portable because it would take up less space (someone can put it in their backpack or purse). Also, want my product to remain looking legitimate in that it’s trustworthy to the consumer but also add a lot more colour from the generic white and one colour. Want to definitely experiment and continue to investigate methods in which I can actually create the package. 

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BLOG ENTRY #4

October, 3rd, 2017

Today in class we finished our first assignment with packaging design and it definitely taught me a lot regarding the digital to physical relationship and the importance in a designer being able to focus in on the finest details yet be able to back up and look at the design as a while without overly fixating. 

Printing the work always puts things into perspective especially when this type of design is meant to existence in a tangible way. 

Finally, always ways to improve I think it is possible to perfectly make a original package but it is a extremely tedious task. It truly makes you consider the smallest nuances of what goes into the design from colour, type, size, etc. 

Now, towards the second half of class we watched “The Clean Bin Project” which was really engaging and eye opening. It always astonishing me how humans let their actions continue for the sake of being comfortable and making money instead of considering the future for the human race. Re-instilling that we have a obligation to respect nature and all it’s creatures and it is a privilege to be here on our blue planet. Definitely makes me want to see and be a part of that change to act environmentally friendly and consume efficiently because it is possible.

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BLOG ENTRY #3

Tuesday, September, 26th

So today we had studio hours to work on finishing our replications of the package we were given. It was a smooth process once the main layout and colour/bleed , just had to collect all the additional information!

Everything is in the details, so I went as far as recreating the wore in UPC barcode but that way despite seemingly possibly excessive is the best way I sought to make it identical to the original.

I am really enjoying the digital and physical aspects of working on screen then with my hands. It’s creating a more strong understanding of what and how I create things on a screen can form into an actually product. Also, just being able to be more accurate with assumptions on screen so the product isn’t as distorted when it’s actually printed. 

Finally, the food was wonderful and it was nice meeting people as I met a fourth year in Interior Design who was from Mexico originally but lives in Saskatoon which is very close to my native city. Small world hah but we discussed internships which was a interesting topic to get her opinion on as our programs are similar.

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BLOG ENTRY #2

Sept 19th!

So today in class we are working on moving from the sketch mock up now to the digital. We switched packages and with our partners and now are referencing their information and drafts with all the measurements. Thus, putting things in perspective again about the importance in details given and received. As it’s easy to make a mistake if you are not paying high attention. For example, almost started to move forward in designing my new package when I realized the upper and lower tabs were on the wrong plane. 

This is just a reminder  that the foundation of design is so so crucial in that it’s the most important. The reason being, that if the structure is off even by the slightest bit, the overall outcome of the design will suffer. 

So, I learned to take things nice and slow and not rush through the details. And to measure, measure, measure for reassurance as a designer to make sure you are working towards the right direction. Precision is key in creating templates and replications. 

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BLOG ENTRY #1

Today in class we are replicating a package we choose. I picked a TATCHA brand and this is a well refined design, and everything is in the details. So, as I am tracing and getting the measurements it’s incredibly difficult because I have to focus on each increment. a few cms or millimetres and the design goes astray. Also, I admire the amount of negative space still found within this layout despite the fact that it is such a small canvas. For example the front panel being 2.5″ x1.5″. So, it’s interesting how the package still functions and gives that sense of simplicity yet can still display all the information the viewer needs to know what they are buying. 

Finally, I definitely sense the higher need for the designer and printer relationship because of the physicality of packaging design. Making sure your communicating not only to the potential client and consumer but also the people at the print shop have to understand what the final product should look like. Overall, though I really enjoy thinking in a 3 dimensional frame of mind.

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Hello this is Vanessa K and here is my blog for packaging studio!