Saturday, 13 May 2017

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Presentation Feedback

Today I presented our final presentation to the DBA team. Chris and Joel were unfortunately not able to attend due to the presentation being rescheduled. 

The feedback that we received on the presentation was:

The overall design treatment was really nice but possibly too 'pretty'. Although the visual design treatment was good, it possibly was leaning more towards women due to the flower like illustrations that were supposed to represent herbs. 

The progression from the first logo ideas we presented in the intrim-crit was impressive. The way we recognised that those initial logos didn't fit with our concept and how we changed our design approach was extremely beneficial.

Another point they made was that it appeared that we had jumped from our initial concept to our final designs and missed out a large part. We should of explained our concept in depth more and how it related to our final brand.  

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Final Presentation

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Final Packaging

Our final products consist of 4 different flavours, apple, blueberry, strawberry and an unflavoured product. Each flavour has a different illustration and is colour coded accordingly. The sachets will sold in a cardboard box and in various quantities. The choice to make the product a powder rather than a pill means that the brand appeals strongly to our target audience. The sachets will be a lot easier to open as opposed to a child proof bottle of pills. Using a powder rather than a pill also subtly appeals to our target audience with the idea of them not having to add another pill to their daily routine. This idea will also most likely appeal to our middle-aged target audience who feel as if they're getting old and think Nootropics could benefit the aging process. The powder is similar to that of a berocca and can just be something you put in your drink to start the day. A lot more approachable than a pill which elderly people usually have to start taking later in life. The powdered combination also ties in nicely with our Panacea/Remedy concept.

Colour Theory

When choosing the colour scheme for our products, we referred back to the tips that we had found when researching into designing for the elderly. We wanted colours that create contrast so the information and each product is easily distinguishable. We achieved this by using one block colour on an off white background and bold black type.

Typography

The typography is sans serif and set to a readable size. The information is limited to avoid confusion. 

Illustrations

Each illustration is unique to the flavour and helps to create diversity in the products. The hand-drawn nature of the illustrations makes the product friendly and approachable for our target audience. These hand-drawn illustrations also help our brand to be unique within the nootropics market compared to the existing packaging we have researched into.



PPP - DBA Nootropics - Further Design Experiments

Joel used the illustrations to create a pattern that would cover the sachets. We then came up with the idea of flavouring the product, the illustrations were colour coded and the flavour was added beneath the brand name. Development was made to the typography, selecting something that reflected our running theme of the Greek goddess Panacea. 

The pattern eliminates unnecessary white space that was making the packaging look clinical. The pattern resembles a herbal tea packet and a brand that is approachable and trust worthy, it seems appropriate for our target audience.



PPP - DBA Nootropics - Design Experiments

Using vector illustrations, I created some experiments for possible design treatments. Our first idea was to have an illustration that was relevant to how the different effects of the 3 products. For example memory - there would be an illustration of a brain. However, after trying this out the packaging appeared quite sinister and wasn't what we were looking for.

We then went onto using hand drawn elements that reflected our herbal remedy concept. These looked a lot better, a lot friendlier and appropriate for our target audience. The illustrations also compliment the pastel colour scheme we are using.



PPP - DBA Nootropics - Illustration Collaboration

Moving forwards with our idea of incorporating hand drawn elements into the design of our packaging. As a group, we decided to collaborate with an illustrator as none of us were strong at illustrating.

We gave Charlotte from illustration some reference points and she hand drew these illustrations with ink and brush. These illustrations reflect the herbal remedy concept we were trying to achieve. The illustrations are much more approachable and appropriate for our chosen target audience.

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Handdrawn Elements

Responding to the feedback received by the DBD team, we decided to experiment further with the herbal remedy concept that we had established. As a group we decided that incorporating some sort of hand drawn elements would make our brand much more approachable and appeal to our target audience more.


PPP - DBA Nootropics - Logo Ideas/Intrim Crit

Here are some of the initial logo ideas that Joel initially came up with. He was trying to use our concept of combining the powders to make a 'stack'. Using three blocks to represent the 3 products and how they come together to form a structure.

After having a group discussion on the logos, we decided that they seem quite clinical and probably not that appropriate for our target audience. The three blocks remind me of a racing car branding and I think the use of a cross is too obvious. However, the subtle use of the three lines under our brand name could work with possibly a different colour scheme.







Here are the initial logos Chris came up with. Chris also used the concept of the combination of powders to form a structure. He came up with this symbol that is based on blocks forming on top of one another and creating a stack, similar to our product. The pattern also has a similarity to typical Greek patterns.

Although the designs fit our concept and look nice, I don't think they fit our target audience or brand ethos. The thick black lines and sharp edges, are not approachable and I don't think fit with out concept of herbal remedies.




Interim Crit

After an interim crit with the guys from DBD where we presented our concept and idea so far. The team seemed extremely keen on our idea, however, after presenting our logo ideas so far they thought that we should change the direction we were heading in. They suggested that we build on the concept of herbal remedies and the Greek goddess idea. They referred us to Neil's Yard for packaging inspiration and to Chris Mitchell for character illustrations. Our current logos appear clinical and don't appeal to our target audience. They explained that our concept was strong and that we should work that into our design work further.


Neils yard:













Chris Mitchell:




PPP - DBA Nootropics - Packaging Research

Here are a few of the first packaging examples that come up when searching for Nootropics. As you can see the majority of them are definitely not target towards an elderly target audience. The packaging is extremely shiny and almost futurist in colour scheme. They look like gym products and something that elderly people most likely wouldn't be interested in.

As well as the overall design of the packaging, the language and terminology that they have used isn't very approachable. These are prime examples of what we want to avoid when designing for our products. Obvious things such as brains and neutrons should definitely be avoided to appeal to our target audience.






PPP - DBA Nootropics - Concept/Packaging

Now we have picked our brand name and the 3 products we wish to sell, we then needed to decide how the product would be packaged. Keeping our target audience in mind, we needed something would be easy to open. We decided that a powder in sachet would be appropriate. The sachet would be easier to open than a child proof bottle containing pills and can also be marketed as 'not just another pill' that elderly people would have to take and also appeal to a younger audience that are starting to feel old. The sachet would appeal to the younger audience of not making them feel old by now having to start taking pills to maintain there health.

Building on from the idea of using a powder in sachet, we came up with the idea of a set of three powders that could become a 'nootropics stack'.

"A nootropic stack, simply put, is the combination of two or more supplements that have beneficial effects on memory, learning, focus, or motivation, in order to create a synergistic effect in the brain greater than any increase in cognition than the supplements you “stack” could create on their own."

Using this concept of combining the nootropics to create a stack also relates back to our chosen brand name of Panacea and the idea of creating a remedy.

Example packaging


PPP - DBA Nootropics - Design for the elderly

When researching into points of consideration when designing for elderly people, here are some of the top tips that were provided:


  • Use serif typeface for print materials
  • Make type size at least 12 point, 13 point, or 14 point. 
  • Allow for white space. 
  • Use upper and lowercase letters. 
  • Double space body text, where possible.
  • Try to limit the use of italics, underlining, and bold for emphasis. 
  • Align text to the left margin. 
  • Don't wrap sentences around a graphic. 
  • Keep normal spacing between letters.
  • Avoid awkward breaks at the end of lines. 
  • Carefully select paper. 


https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/making-your-printed-health-materials-senior-friendly

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Colour Theory

When researching into colour theory for elderly people the advice given was to avoid colours such as yellow, blue and green in close proximity. It is also advised to create contrast by using pastel colours with dark type.

  • Avoid yellow and blue and green in close proximity. As we age, these colors may become increasingly difficult to tell apart. Using blue or green text on a yellow backdrop or vice versa may make the words appear to blend in with the background.
  • Create contrast. Use dark type against a light background or use black type on a white background. Avoid patterned backgrounds. Text appearing across photos or other graphic designs is also hard to read.


PPP - DBA Nootropics - Brand Name

Now that we have our chosen target audience and the 3 products we wish to sell, It was time to come up with a name for our brand. As a group we started to write down any names that sprang to mind that may be relevant to nootropics or our chosen target audience.

After brainstorming for a while, we settled on the name 'Panacea'.


PPP - DBA Nootropics - 3 Products

After researching into all the different chemicals, here are the 3 that we choose that would benefit our chosen target audience:


Noopept - Energy

Modafinil - Memory


N-acetylcysteine - General Health

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Target Audience

After researching in-depth about all the different chemicals and what they actually do, we decided that we should pick our target audience. Once we had our target audience we could carefully select 3 products that would best suit that specific target audience. 

Quite quickly as a group we decided that the elderly would be an interesting target audience to design for. With Nootropics being a relatively new thing, we would be designing to introduce our target audience to the new drug. Through the initial research we carried out, we also found that most of the websites that are promoting these Nootropics are aiming them at a younger target audience. We wanted to try something different.

Existing packaging:









PPP - DBA Nootropics - Initial Ideas

Just after the meeting Me, Chris and Joel met up for the first time to discuss any initial ideas we had and research into what nootropics actually are.


"Nootropics is an umbrella term for a class of chemicals — some naturally-occurring, some manmade — that give cognitive benefits to the human brain.  
To get really technical, in order to be a nootropic, a substance must meet five criteria set by Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, the man who coined the term “nootropic.”  The substance must…
  1. Enhance memory and ability to learn.
  2. Help the brain function under disruptive conditions, such as hypoxia (low oxygen) and electroconvulsive shock.
  3. Protect the brain from chemical and physical assaults, such as anti-cholinergic drugs and barbiturates.
  4. Increase the efficacy of neuronal firing control mechanisms in cortical and sub-cortical regions of the brain.
  5. Possess few or no side effects and be virtually non-toxic."
 After getting a general understanding of Nootropics actually are, we looked into them in more depth and what the various chemicals actually do.

PPP - DBA Nootropics - Brief

This brief was set by the Design Business Association and is to create a brand for Smart Drugs, also known as, Nootropics.

Nootropics - also called smart drugs or cognitive enhancers—are drugs, supplements, or other substances that improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.

We must choose a target audience and also 3 products to base our brand on. The deliverables are then to name the brand, logo, packaging, website, campaign and any other outcomes we feel necessary. 

Tuesday, 25 April 2017

PPP - Grammar Studio - Whordes of Babylon

Since I've been working at Grammar studio I've learned so many things already but one thing that both Adam and Pete have stressed to me is that it's easy to get caught up in trawling the internet for inspiration but the best inspiration is all around us.. in the real world!!

Grammar studio isn't a cliche graphic design studio with bright white walls and minimalistic decor. Grammar studio is situated in the attic of a working mill and full of what Pete likes to call the 'Whordes of Babylon'. Pete collects inspiration items such as retro toys, old adverts/magazines or just about anything that may influence the way he works. When he is given a brief instead of just doing a generic google search, he can look through boxes of old magazine or adverts for inspiration and actually take the time to look over the real deal in person.

This advice and way of working has really inspired me and something that I am going to start doing myself.









PPP - Dr Me Workshop

DR. ME a studio from Manchester came in to give us a workshop in the studio. They came in with loads of old magazines scissors and glue and told us to create our own publication using only image. This was a really great workshop as it allowed us to experiment in a different visual way and get away from the computer.

Some of DR ME work:





PPP - COP Results

As I have said numerous times within PPP, I have never really enjoyed writing essays. I personally don't think I have ever been very good at them. In first year I was graded only 48% and slightly better in second year achieving 60%. 

In my final year, I recognized that I had to put more effort into COP3. I had always left COP to the last minute due to me not being so keen on the essay side of the module. To ensure this didn't happen again, I took a considerable amount of time to think about my research question for the dissertation. I made sure I chose something that I was personally interested in. I also made myself a strict timetable that I stuck to ensure that I didn't put other modules before COP this year.

This year I achieved 64%, although I would have really liked to of finished the final COP module with a first, it's evident that my time and effort has payed off and displays a drastic increase between my first and final year grade.

Monday, 24 April 2017

PPP - Visiting Professional - RAW

Robert Walker from Raw came in today to give a talk about his career as a graphic designer and how he came to start his own studio.

Throughout Robs presentation he had a series of quotes that were extremely relevant and motivational;

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do"

"Everything you can imagine is real"

Rob explained that his studio lived by a motto of "Do good work for nice people". After building up a reputation Rob has come to the point where he will only work for clients he feels comfortable working for and turn any down that don't have positive values.

The second part of Robs presentation was all about self-initiated projects. Rob explained that some briefs that clients can set will not give you much creative freedom due to budget or the client having a specific picture in their head already. Rob told us about self-initiated projects that he had worked on straight off his own back (sometimes even upaid) which have been for a good cause. These self-initiated projects have always come back around to help out the business, in terms of exposing or making contacts.

He finished this section with the quote "Do good, feel good"

Rob finally ended the talk by telling us about Colonel Sanders and how before he made it with his famous Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe, his recipe was rejected 1,009 times!! but he didn't give up as he believed in himself.





Sunday, 23 April 2017

PPP - Design strategy presentation preperation 2nd year

On reflection of my second year presentation, I remembered that I had changed to label myself as a 'Creative Thinker'.. Looking back I think this is slightly cringey and I think I may have just wanted to be different rather than just being a typical Graphic Designer. The reason for changing it to Creative Thinker was because I didn't want to limit what jobs may be presented to me, however, after professional talks such as Studio Build I have come to realise that graphic designers get all kinds of jobs and its up to yourself not to limit yourself.

Looking back on my 'what I need to work on's was Essay Writing.. I have never liked essay writing and admittedly didn't do too well in first and second year, however, for my final cop project, I ensured that I really thought about my chosen subject. In second year, I took the easy option of choosing a very typical graphic designer topic..'Is print dead?' In third year, I chose something that I was personally interested in and new that I would genuinely find enjoyable researching into. My chosen question was "Has branding within fashion become more important than the product itself?" As I am extremely interested in fashion and branding.

Under personal aims I had Placement and Competitions, both of these things I kept in mind in the final year and worked especially hard on. I contacted various studios and managed to land myself a part time job at Grammar studio!

As for the competitions its evident through the various briefs I have already blogged such as Creative Networks, The Lifting Tower and DBA Nootropics.

Who am I?

Creative Thinker

What I need to work on

Illustration
Developing Ideas
Essay Writing
Not sticking to one style

Personal Aims

Travel
Placement
Exhibition
Competitions

Professional Ambitions

Work within other areas of design
Make a name for myself
Creative Director (ambitious) 

PPP - Design strategy presentation preperation 1st Year

In order to create a successful and well thought through design strategy presentation for my final year, I thought it would be useful to look back at my previous presentations. Below is my first year presentation. I described myself as a Graphic Designer with a love for working with type and a strong interest in physical publications, as well as handprinted designs. I can say with confidence that this hasn't changed at all!! and something that Grammar studio picked up on in my interview. 

Although the design of my personal branding has changed, the principles I have listed below still apply.

Who am I?

I would currently label myself as a Graphic Designer. I love working with type and have a strong interest for physical publications, as well as handprinted designs such as screen print.
What have I learned?
Through COP and design skills, I have taken a strong interest into modernist principles. I like clean and simple typography which I hope to represent through my identity.
What skills do I have?
I have realised through past briefs that I need to practice within illustrator and overall I am not too interested in illustrative work. However, I have a strong understanding of InDesign and Photoshop and love working with type and image.
What do I believe?
I believe that form follows function and that you should always be designing with a purpose. I like Vignelli’s idea of that you should only be using a handful of typefaces and you don’t need a certain typeface to express your intended message. As I have said before I have realised I’m not very good at illustrating but as Jan Tschichold says There are no born masters of typography, it requires practice and knowledge which I hope to carry out.

“There are no born masters of typography.” - Jan Tschichold


Personal Branding


What information do I need to include?
Name and Contact information but also a title for myself such as ‘creative thinker’, ‘illustrator’, ‘graphic designer’ etc.. Also a link to an online portfolio.
What formats can I use to effectively communicate or promote this information?
When designing my identity stock and type choice were the key elements. I also looked at unique design techniques I could use to differ myself such as embossing or laser-cutting.
What tone of voice best reflects you, your practice and your ambitions?

As the root I want to take is simply as a Graphic Designer, I think it is important to keep a level of professionalism within my tone of voice whereas someone labeling themselves as a unique quirky title could have a more laid back approach.

PPP - Creative Networks - Feedback

Unfortunately, our group was unsuccessful for this live brief but the creative networks team gave us some really positive feedback and also explained what we could have worked on. 

One of the deliverables for Creative Networks was a video element which allowed me to fulfil my aims and ambitions for second year of exploring other areas of design. I had never used Adobe After Effects before so this brief gave me the opportunity to develop skills in a completely new area of design to me.

Again this was a great opportunity to collaborate similar to a working environment and also follow a brief that a client has supplied. 





FULL RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT CAN BE FOUND ON EXTENDED PRACTICE

PPP - Creative Networks - Live Brief

Creative Networks is another live brief/competition brief run by Leeds College of Art itself.

Creative Networks is a networking scheme where talks and other events are held at Leeds College of Art. Visiting professionals give talks about their work, ranging in different backgrounds and ages. This event gives creatives the opportunity to meet people who they would have never have had the chance, and to listen to a respected voice in their sector.

The brief is to produce promotional materials for the Creative Network events. These promotional materials cover a wide variety of formats, from posters to vinyl signage. For this brief however, the team wants 2 x A3 posters and a moving image file designed for when the guests are about to speak.


"We want to see your work. Following the brief below, please provide a 1xA3 PDF and/or a moving image file designed for the next guest speakers. One design for Mike Mignola and one for Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF 30) with a guest speaker of your choice. This could be someone you would like to see talk at Creative Networks or someone you have seen speak. DEADLINE 14th October, 5pm"


I've chosen to work with Megan Edwards and Charles Worrall for this collaborative brief, as it's recommended to have a group of individuals working on the Creative Networks branding due to its expansive nature.




PPP - The Lifting Tower - Reflection

Looking back on The Lifting Tower project; it was a great opportunity for me to broaden my design skills and collaborate with an animator which I have never done before. James from animation was able to show me how to use Adobe After Effects which I had been wanting to learn for a while now. Collaborating with James also gave me a sense of what it might be like working in industry with me creating basic illustrations which I could then pass onto an animator/developer. 

In my PPP design strategy presentation for second year, I said that I wanted to enter more competitions, even though I had never animated before, I challenged myself with this brief and it certainly paid off. The Lifting Tower was also a great experience in terms of working for a client to produce something that would be presented in the real world at such a big scale.

(We also got paid for completing this brief which was nice!)

PPP - The Lifting Tower - Final Animations

 Here are my two final animations that will be projected onto the lifting tower. I came up with the concept and illustrations and James from animation brought them to life.

THE FULL BRIEF CAN BE FOUND ON MY EXTENDED PRACTICE BLOG




PPP - The Lifting Tower - Brief

Due to my aims and ambitions in second year to try work within other areas of design, I am going to challenge myself to enter The Lifting Tower brief, which involves creating a short animation. Another aim was also to enter more competitions, so this seems fitting.

-

Propose 3 visual concepts for a set series or sequence of 1 minute animated projections based on the theme of Independent Creativity at Xmas.

Your visual concepts will need to communicate a contemporary, creative and ‘cool’ representation of a xmas or winter theme. Think - Harvey Nichols meets the independent music scene in Leeds or John Lewis meets the Brudnell Social Club. Your response will need to appeal to a wide audience of 18 to 50 year olds who look beyond the traditional but still want to feel festive.

The client is not looking for traditional representations of Santa in a sleigh or cheesy looking elves dancing around. They are not asking for a critical or moral discourse on the validity of xmas. They want cool, festive and creative.

The moving image based projections will be mapped onto the Lifting Tower building on Wellington Street (see attached images) and should aim to interact with the features of the surface. The scale of the projection will be approximately 10m x 10m and so you will need to work to a square format. You will also need to consider the use of simple high contrast imagery on a dark background in order to maximize the effectiveness of the projection media and surface. 


Stage 1: Proposal and Selection
Deadline
07 / 10 / 2016

Stage 2: Project Development
Deadline
11 / 11 / 2016

Stage 3: Project Submission / Final Artwork
Deadline
25 / 11 / 2016

Stage 4: Production & Delivery
Deadline
TBC