[ANIMAL WATCH PACKAGING NEW BRIEF]

So yesterday we were briefed on the next part of the unit. As part of a Live Brief we are to produce watch packaging for Animal. To get us started and to get us right in the deep end we were set a one day group activity. We were split into groups of around 6 and were to spend the whole day researching and brain storming ideas and concepts. By the end of the day we had to produce a presentation to show Neil and Claire, which would show our ideas and concepts for the packaging. Below is my groups presentation (click on each image to make larger) -








We decided to target 16-24 year old males that have particular interests in extreme sports. More specifically the sports that Animal currently have an association with. We split this up into four elements - water, snow, wind and dirt. We then researched into Animals main competitors in this range of market. Picking out Fat Face, Oakley and Quicksilver as the strongest competitors. We specifically researched into their watch ranges. We also researched into the range of watches that Animal currently has to offer. We found them to be quite different from their competitors. As well as the buckled and steel straps found in other brands, Animal use a velcro strap for extra strength, (especially during extreme sports) that they invented. Their watches are known for their sturdyness as well as being water resistant. They have very reasonable prices ranging from £60-£100 for their main range. However they also offer a flagship range.



We then produced a colour scheme that would be associated with the four elements (water, snow, wind and dirt). We particularly looked into the dirt range. Using Adobe’s Kuler, we were able to come up with combinations of colours that complimented each other well. We added the CMYK colours at the bottom to show how they still could be used with bright colours. We also briefly researched into the events that Animal run for extreme sports, and how we could maybe associate the packaging with a particular event, or Worldwide Freeride (the name given for the collection of events).

We then collected examples of illustrations from the Animal website, and compared them to example that we had collected throughout the day which kept in with the brand. We also looked at photography, as well as typefaces which we found to be a mixture of bold sans serif and hand rendered.

As a group we felt that an important part of the industry today is to produce eco friendly and recyable packaging. We mainly researched into easily obtainable recycable materials such as newspaper. But also looked into materials such as tyre, that could be linked in with sports such as Mountain Biking and Motocross. Whilst researching into this we found a purse featuring imagery to do with travel, that we felt could be strongly linked with the nature of having to travel far and wide to partake in extreme sport activities.

As our a concept we produced a rough mockup of how newspaper could be formed into a cube box and used to hold the watch either within the main packaging, or even just on itself. Now we are to push our ideas forward, taking ideas from todays group session or even branching away completely.

[THE INK BAR PROGRESSION]

Another update on The Ink Rooms rebrand. Back on Monday we had a quick meeting with Matt Desmier regarding the whole situation. We had become confused with what we were actually meant to do, after having several emails sent to us saying different things to what we had been hearing. In the end we were told to continue with our ideas, and to try and persuade Chloe Partimer away from 'The Office' idea as we all felt that it wasn't strong in the slightest.

So within our group of Megan Corkhill, Luke Bonner, George Russell, Vicky Martin and myself we pursued with our idea of The Ink Bar, leaving the other group to pursue with The Office. Yesterday we battled on with our ideas, of logos, and ideas for artwork etc. By the end of the day we had our presentation ready (the main slides are below) -








I went into the meeting with an open mind not really not knowing what reaction to expect from Chloe. But after showing and speaking about our ideas the response was very positive. Chloe really liked our presentation. She could see the potential with our ideas and could see them working very well for their bar. We then all sat down around the table and discussed why we didn't think 'The Office' would work. She took all our opinions on board, and agreed with them all.

The next step is for Chloe to take our presentations to her boss, to try and persuade him away from the idea of The Office and towards our idea. We have exchanged contact details, and will find out more tomorrow after Chloe has presented the ideas in a meeting. There is also the possibility of further work which excites me.

[BUDA REBRAND]

Whilst in the swing of the whole rebranding thing, I decided to rebrand my identity. Now presenting what I think is a lot more professional and clean identity -


Using my new favourite font 'Myriad', but also keeping my CMYK identity.

[INITIAL IDEAS FOR THE INK ROOMS REBRAND]

With the deadline for The Ink Room rebrand closing in I had an hour bashing out logos for 'The Office' name idea with Megz last night-


After being told by Matt today that we should continue pursuing our own ideas, as they may change their minds on the name of the bar, I continued with my idea of Bar Ink -


After a further chat with Matt we've decided to work as a group, and to take our ideas forward to the next step ready for the presentation on Wednesday.

[PAL SESSION 3]

Today I arrived 5 minutes late, but it was great to see the session in full flow already. The group had been split into three smaller groups, allowing more people to speak. Our original plan was to go through the theory unit with them in some detail, but between the PAL leaders we felt it was a bit too early to go into too much detail.

Instead we organised a writing activity. We gave each of our group a small piece of paper and got them to write on it, what they struggled mostly with when it came to writing activities. After collecting in the pieces of paper we were able to categorise them into 3 main issues -

• Planning (how to prepare and begin)
  
• Repetition (repeating the same word over and over, and describing the same thing differently when there is no need to)
  
• Structure (how would you go about writing what you need to say and in what order)
  
• We then got them to stay in the same small groups and got them to solve these issues using a mind map. I found this to be successful as it got good interaction within the whole group, and got them to realise that they know the answers deep down. 

Next week we are covering time management, whether in the form of a diary or a timetable, as a lot of the first years feel they will benefit from this as their first unit deadline comes closer.

[ISTD - INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF TYPOGRAPHIC DESIGNERS=

A small group of us had a quick meeting with Sally today regarding the new ISTD briefs. Even though I feel like I'm working non-stop at the moment, I'm really enjoying this 'new' me, and am looking forward to taking part in this. I haven't had a chance to look through the briefs properly yet, but from what I heard of them discussed in the meeting, they sound really exciting and something that I definitely want to take part in. With Sally being an examiner for ISTD as well, I need to make sure I keep in contact with her closely to determine that I produce a successful final piece.

I know it's all extra work but we have until March to complete this, but I do need to watch out as I'm sure these next few months are going to fly by. Will need to keep a steady grip on these briefs.

[THE INK ROOMS LIVE BRIEF]

Our task it produce a complete rebrand of The Ink Rooms on Richmond Hill, adjoining onto the prestigious Print Rooms. Neil had mentioned this brief the other day, and it was something that really interested me. Today we had our first group meeting for this brief. At first it didn't seem that interesting, as they had decided on a new name of 'The Office', or 'Small Print'. These names I thought were pretty poor, I like the idea of 'The Ink Bar'.

As the meeting progressed, the group were throwing around some excellent ideas, not just for the the two name they had suggested but also some new names that we had come up with. This excited me and I looked forward to taking part in this brief even more. The only problem with this brief however is the timescale. We've only got 2 weeks to come up with a complete rebrand - logo, name, menus etc.

We've got a further meeting with Chloe who is the marketing manager for the bar, so we have been split into smaller groups to progress with the ideas that we currently have. I've been put into two groups to work on the ideas of The Ink Bar, and Just Off The Square.

[PAL SESSION 2]

After the relative success of our first PAL session I went into todays with a lot of confidence. As discussed last week with our group we went through PPRD and blogs. We gave our group our blog addresses and let each of them go on a Mac and read through our blogs to give them an idea of what they need to do for their PPRD. We then got all of them to set up a blog, so it is to hand if they did decide to take the blog path for their PPRD.

It was great to see that some already had set up a blog after hearing about it last week, and for these individuals we showed them how to customise it so it fitted their personality.

As well as blogs, we also brought in some of our own work from last year so the first years could maybe get to know us better through our design. Next week as a group they've decided they want to cover the theory unit, as they are all a bit confused!

[PAL SESSION 1]

Well its finally over and done with, our first PAL session. After all the training, it felt totally different to be stood their with a group of first years all looking up to you, waiting on what you have got in store for them. It was a slow start as we all found our feet, but after a couple of minutes we all got into our stride and the session went great.

We lightened the mood, and showed the first years that we're all human too by doing an icebreaker. It involved us having a celebrity written on a post-it note place on our heads, and with us having to answer questions to guess who it was. I failed miserably! Who thought Father Christmas was so hard to think of! Lewis and Dan both failed pretty poorly too, with Neil Armstrong and Dave Benson Phillips. But Lianne surprised us all by guessing (an easy celebrity) Katie 'Jordan' Price.

We then took the group through the basic concept of PAL, and then split them into 4 small groups of 3. We took this oppurtunity to speak to each of our class on more of an individual level and work out how their year had started and what issues they wanted to cover.

Next week we are covering PPRD, and also bringing in some of our work from the first year to show them.

[GREETING CARDS]

Just been set our new brief for this unit. Our task is to produce a series of six innovative greetings cards; all of which must be part of a set and must be clearly indicative of one particular target audience.

During the Placement unit last year, one of the live briefs was to produce a couple of Christmas greeting cards for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. I found that I struggled quite a bit with it. But I'm determined to continue my good start to the year and produce a successful set.

We've got a new lecturer called Claire, who works in the greeting cards industry. She has cards present in shops such as Clintons, WH Smith and Asda. It was interesting listening to how this part of design works, and was also really helpful to see how she went from mood boards to her final design. She has given us a list of websites to have a look through to generate ideas, so I better get researching!