OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 2: A Design Presence (Stock Choice)

If I had more time I would have been able to contact Fedrigoni for some paper samples to print on for this brief. However, I decided that, due to the time restraints as well as cost, it would be more cost effective for me to buy the stock locally instead. 

I visited Paperchase and WHSmith to see what they had. I found some which I loved in Paperchase but they only had it at A4 scale and I need some of my print outs to be on A3. I then went to WHSmith and found some stock which is the perfect shade.

I bought some which is 100gsm, 120gsm and 140gsm as they had limited stock. This works well for me though because I won't need to print my invoice out on stock which is really thick. When I decide that my branding is suitable enough to distribute and give to clients I am going to have it printed professionally and I am also going to print all of my branding on Fedrigoni stock, as I have now luckily got a contact who is in direct contact with them in Italy all of the time. This means that I will be able to get hold of stock quite easily. It is just a shame I didn't have this contact earlier. 

OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 2: A Design Presence (Presentation Development)

When I was trying to decide on a layout for my presentation I took a few screen shots which are shown below. I experimented with using a black background and inverting my logo, however this isn't consistent with the rest of my branding so I decided that a white background would be more appropriate.

OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 2: A Design Presence (Photographs of Final Branding)

Below are all of the photographs I have taken of my final pieces of printed branding. Unfortunately, due to the photography studios being fully booked and due to time (wanting these images in time for my presentation), I had to set up a small studio space at home. I was fortunate enough to be able to use an SLR with a grey back drop.

I am quite happy with the outcome of these photographs but will be photographing them again in the future when I decide to add my work to my Behance portfolio. Although I may wait and get this work reprinted professionally and sent off so that I don't have to cut everything down to size individually and instead have it all finished off using machines instead. 

Having said this, I am really pleased that I have been able to photograph it all myself as I feel as though I am gaining a lot from doing this. I now feel that when I finish this course I will be able to photograph my work confidently and will have enough experience with composing my work so that it is laid out in the best possible way. 

OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 2: A Design Presence (Final Website)

This is my final website design. I wanted to try and keep it as clean and simple as possible. I also wanted to try and create a website which I could transform to become a live website. Obviously, at the moment, for the purpose of completing this brief it isn't really important for me to do this, as it is likely that I will change and improve my branding over the Summer. 

I did a bit of research into how I could create a website online, and decided to use Weebly. Weebly allowed me to choose a basic template and then adjust elements of it in the CSS coding. Initially, I experimented with different templates to see whether I thought this website was suitable for me. I found it quite easy to use and thought it would be one way that I could demonstrate my website without it simply being a static image on the screen. This way I can thoroughly consider navigation as well. 

I have decided to use three different pages as I feel as though anymore would be unnecessary. I like the idea of having sections such as 'work', 'about', and 'contact'. I can cover all of the relevant information using these categories without overcrowding my website.

I have incorporated a divider in between each of the projects to allow my website to look organised and ordered. I am really happy with the outcome of this design decision as I think it works really well to separate one project from the next.

I have applied all of my images and a small description to my website in a linear format. I wanted to incorporate a lot of negative space to draw attention to all of the different briefs. Once I had added all of the different projects to my site, I then added a button to the bottom of the page so that the user can easily navigate to the next page without having to scroll all the way up to the top again.

My 'about' and 'contact' pages are very clean and simple and straight to the point. I didn't want to bombard the user with too much information as I don't think they would take it all in.

On Weebly, it gives the option to show what the website will look like on an iphone. I find the option really beneficial as it has allowed me to view what it will look like without me having to change the format manually.

Overall Evaluation

Overall, I am really pleased with the outcome of my website. I think it serves its purpose to promote me as a graphic designer. I am considering using Weebly in the future to create my own website and I may upgrade to the improved version. At the moment my website is live but I haven't included it on my printed materials as I know that I am likely to change the address for it when I build it properly in the future.  

OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 2: A Design Presence (Moo Samples)

Today I received my Moo samples in the post. I was really pleased as they have arrived just in time for me to make a definite decision about whether to use their services or not. At the moment I am in two minds because I am aware that I will no doubt improve my self branding even further over the Summer and therefore I wouldn't want to get 50 of everything printed in case I change it. This is something I need to consider carefully, as it isn't exactly a cheap process and I would have to ensure I was positive about it before ordering everything online. In addition, for this submission, I like the idea of producing enough to demonstrate my branding but not go overboard with the cost as I would like to be sensible and not push the budget too far for something which could develop a lot further.

I also feel as though, at the moment, because I know that I have a paid placement for the whole of Summer, my branding is something I can be working on in my spare time, in time for me to contact more studios in third year and be completely certain about what I produce before distributing it all. 

The first thing I noticed when I received all of the Moo samples, was the quality of the constructed envelope/holder. I love how they have tried to be as sustainable as possible and use every possible space to show even more examples. It is also quite an interactive way of presenting work, making it inspirational in terms of packaging design (in my case) as well as demonstrating what they have to offer.

As demonstrated in the photographs, the presentation is really clear and concise and extremely inviting and I am extremely impressed with the quality of the print. They have provided all of the different types of stock which they offer, allowing the customer to make a well informed decision before ordering.

I really love the idea of using mini cards to showcase work. I think this is a really unique and interactive way of engaging with a client. However, as they would all be separate, it might not be the most appropriate technique, as the client may prefer to have everything neatly contained in an order.

Decision Time

I am so pleased with all of these samples. I heard about Moo from someone I know who is currently setting up their own studio at the moment and so they are printing all of their work at the moment. They have been extremely pleased with the service and will be using them again. I therefore feel as though this is a definite option for me.

I have had an informed discussion with him about whether it would be appropriate for me to get everything printed in time for the PPP presentations and hand in, and we both came to the conclusion that it would end up being quite costly, and as I know that I will probably tweak a few things before mass producing it all, I think it is a wise decision to think of an alternative instead.

I will however be using Moo in the future, perhaps over the Summer period to get everything printed in time for third year, or at least print everything at the start of third year when I have the opportunity for my peers to review it beforehand.

OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 2: A Design Presence (Final Printed Materials)

This blog post shows all of my development leading up to my final pieces of work for submission. I ended up printing my work in the digital dungeon at college as I couldn't justify spending the money on Moo printing for something which is likely to develop over the Summer through to next year when I have discovered myself even more having had a placement involving packaging design for the whole of the Summer period. 

Portfolio

I wanted to create a portfolio which could be folded away easily but also represents me as a designer. Rather than supplying the recipient with a box in the post (as it is bound to get damaged) I decided to create a simple fold out portfolio which can be transformed into a box to showcase my work. I am really pleased with this concept and feel as though it has worked quite well. The only thing I am slightly disappointed with is the quality of the print on the stock that I have used across the whole range. 

This is something which isn't a huge issue however, as it can easily be resolved in the future when they are mass produced. I think I would also like to get some feedback over the Summer when I am doing my placement to see what they think about this idea, as I may end up wanting to alter it slightly. This feedback would be invaluable and so relevant as I have already been told that I can work for them when I finish college and so they would be a potential employer who would receive this in the post. 

The idea is that the box can be folded one way to create a box and then it can also be reversed to reveal my contact details on the inside. 

Business Cards

My final business cards have been designed with a really simple layout design. I spent a lot of time cutting all of the cards out as I wanted them to be as accurate and as neat as possible. I have also tried to recreate the 'sandwich' effect by attaching each of the cream business cards to two pieces of black card in the centre. 

When I received my Moo samples in the post, I loved the Luxe cards in particular, and so here I have tried to recreate them in my own way. I am really pleased that I have been able to craft all of this myself because I feel as though I have achieved a lot more and learnt even more about my craft skills this way. I obviously wouldn't do it myself when distributing them in the future but for the time being I feel as though this has been another learning curve which is really positive.

Envelope

My envelope is a simple design, with enough room to fold all of the A4 sheets down to fit inside of it. It is the same dimensions as a DL envelope and I am really pleased with the overall outcome! 

Everything Together

Here are all of my printed materials ready for me to photograph professionally. I am really pleased with the outcome of this work and I am looking forward to moving forward with this brief and developing my website.