[INITIAL RESEARCH]

After some background research into what the web is and what it's future looks like I've decided to crack on with researching other designers portfolio sites.

A few that I've stumbled upon that I particularly like at this stage are -

- http://superlover.com.au
- http://aeiko.net
- http://dieneuemodern.com
- http://inside.nile.ru
- http://vault49.com

The main pages that I have been looking at are the home (index_ page, the gallery, and the about me/info page. As I feel these are the main pages that need to be designed, as they will either be containing a lot of images and/or text.

It has been interesting seeing the vastly different galleries ranging from tiled to sliding to lightbox. One thing I have noticed is that I have only been looking at really dark sites so far, so need to go in the search of some lighter ones!

[NEW UNIT - WEB DESIGN]

Finally just handed in everything for Visual Communication in Context 2 which is a huge relief. But no sooner as I get some weight off my shoulders I have something new jumping on. Today we were also given our brief for Screen Based Communication 2. I have been looking forward to this brief for absolutely ages, after seeing the then second years working on it last year. The main aim of the brief is for us to produce a web portfolio, which will house our work, acting as an online portfolio and curriculum vitae.

I really want to do well in this unit. I previously did ICT at A-Level and gained experience in Dreamweaver then, as well as taking part in the ABC Dreamweaver course (which I need to complete and hand in!). This unit isn't just about learning a new program and getting a grade, it is something that will be integral in getting my name out there and getting work.

There are lots of things to consider in this unit. The first point of call is for me to produce an identity for myself. Something that people can look at and get an idea of who I am and what my work is. Do I see myself as a graphic designer or as an illustrator, or both? Will I go under my alias 'Buda' or my name? I also need to think of what I want on my site, and how my site is to be navigated through. I need for my website to be unique and simple, something that people will enjoy looking through, and keep coming back to, to see what's new. This is all going to take a lot of research and hard work but I can't wait!
Was set our new brief today. The outcome is to be an online portfolio website that is easy to navigate and that represents us. I've been looking forward to this brief since I saw last years 2nd years building theirs. It feel that this is the first project to be of 'proper' use to get a name for ourselves, as we are presenting all our work that we have done so far, and showing off our web design skills on the way.

[INK BAR LAUNCH PARTY]

Last night we attended the Ink Bar launch party. It was surreal seeing all our work everywhere. Seeing my logo on the window graphics, the menus, the invitations, the flyers and even the key fobs! Its been a tough few weeks but it all feels so rewarding now, seeing our work printed and in the flesh.

We arrived at around 6pm and drank champagne till around 11.30pm. Was a great night and definitely something that I could get used to. We got to meet a fair few important people such as Andy Price (owner of the Ink Bar, Print Rooms, West Beach and Aruba), who congratulated us. We were also interviewed by Liz Lean the PR, and had our photos taken by DV8, the local newspaper and other publications. Is good knowing our hard work has been recognised. There will be a further meeting for us to collect examples of our printed media, and there has also been talk of a meal at the Print Rooms as a thank you!

[INK BAR LAUNCH T-MINUS 24 HOURS]

So after all our hard work we will see if it has been successful in less than 24 hours. Ink Bar officially opens today but there's still time for more work. Had a phone call earlier today from Chloe saying how everything is going to plan so far and even better that their expectations. My invites had been distributed, and they had already received over 100 replies. With the capacity of Ink Bar being just 90 people that is exciting news. With this success she was keen to get some more invites out, but fancied a change of colour. Chloe suggested green, but I felt that it didn't look too appealing so also put forward a blue version, which got chosen -



Also it's been confirmed that there is going to be press coverage there, and they will be interviewing us as well as taking pictures. So need to dress to impress!

[ANIMAL WATCH PACKAGING FINAL PIECE]

Here is my final watch packaging made to a 50% scale. Made with greyboard and complete with shredded newspaper protective insides -


Really happy with how it turned out. The package itself is really sturdy, proving that I picked a good net to work with. The illustrations stand out really well against the colour of the packaging.

[ANIMAL WATCH PACKAGING FINAL CRITIQUE]

Just had the final crit for the packaging project. Due to having a lot on with the whole Ink Bar live brief, I have been given an extension for this unit. I therefore didn't have a final piece to show in the crit.

I did have my final net complete with illustrations though -


My design went down well, and I received positive feedback. I discussed with everyone how this was to be made out of grey-board, and have shredded newspaper to protect the product. The idea of completely recyclable and simple packaging was well received and everyone seemed to be excited to see the final piece.

One thing that I did take out of the critique was that the final piece didn't have to be full size. This will make it easier for me to source the grey-board, as it now doesn't have to be so big. I'm thinking a 1:2 scale.

[FINAL ILLUSTRATIONS]

Here are the scans of the illustrations that are to be placed on the net of the design. Each panel represents a different aspect of design. Whether it is snowboard tricks interpreted with type, to a hand illustration of the product inside the box, it all links to together with a certain amount of movement and fluidity.

I have based this packaging on the Snowboard side of things, but it would be easily transferable to another sport that Animal is linked with, simply by chasing the snowflake symbols to a more related symbol, and changing the tricks to tricks related to the sport.

These simple changes would mean that all the different sports ranges of the watch packaging, would all link together and could be displayed as a set within a shop.

[FINAL NET]

This is the final net of my packaging complete with accurate measurements in mm.

[PACKAGING DESIGN CHOSEN]

After lots of experimentation I finally found the perfect template for my packaging. Tuck and tongue with gusset flap uses the bare minimum material, without the use of glue, meaning that it is very eco-friendly. This mixed with the Greyboard material choice make it a strong design, and meets my aims of it being recycable as well.

it is of simple design, and is also strong and sturdy. To protect the watch inside and to keep with the whole recycable and eco-friendly side of things I have decided on shredded newspaper. This is a good source of protection as well as being very cheap, and also links in I feel with the hand rendered type of the outside of the packaging, due to the contrast of digital type on the paper. The whole package is very durable, so links in well with the durability of my chosen watch range Mega Sport.

[MATERIAL CHOSEN]

Throughout this packaging project one of my primary aims was to make the packaging eco friendly and recycable. The main factor in achieving this will be the materials used.

After reading extensively into different materials that can be used for packaging, two really stood out for me. Them being Corrugated board and Greyboard.

My illustration graphics would either be printed onto the material directly, or onto brown paper that would then be wrapped around the material (like a parcel).

After experimenting with greyboard, and knowing its values and background, it became the obvious choice. The illustrations printed onto it look excellent, and has left me with the hard choice of whether to make it more parcel like, with having the graphic printed onto brown paper instead. However this would lead to a waste of materials, as in hindsight it isn’t actually needed.