M&S Card Design Development

I wanted to upload this development to show nothing is perfect and to show where I went wrong and to prove I improved my designs for the better to use in my portfolio. First of all the wreath design did not work it was very hard to see and represented a halo which was not the original concept. Also the typography styling did not work based on the layout as it was all out of line going down in a straight path. The colours where wrong at this point also as they did not look like a set as they where to vibrant, to solve this I toned down all of the colours and added a multiplying blending to mode to take my design and apply it within the card itself. However one advantage I do like the circle the wreath creates and the writing going down over does begin to create a ballon image which could be used for another card range in the future.

M&S Card Design

I really love these card designs. The brief was all about designing a set of cards that could be sent to a loved one just because. They where to be a range for Marks and Spencer's. I had slight difficulty getting to this final stage within this project based on layout but I got there eventually, the problems I suffered will be evidenced in another post. When looking for inspiration for this brief I believed that the brown card texture was the best way to go to make the range be suitable for both genders and to suggest how they can be recycled which means they are friendly to the environment, always  bonus. I was really set on just making this deign mostly about typography, however when I had layout issues and realised the wreath pattern I was using before was all wrong it lead me down this route, the right one. I really enjoyed creating the images used within the cards as I think I have progressed in Illustrator a lot lately based on previous digital skills sessions. I had already settled for the font choice earlier based on legibility, how attractive it is and how much attention it grabs. Personally if these cards where not my own and I saw them I would buy them defiantly. Finally I also love that the range was meant to been unisex however I have been able to create a outcome for both but in a separate card that still continues to create a set.

Inspiration / Development

These supporting images show where I started simply with a logo and really had to think about where I could take the brand with the issue given. They also show how I started with the cup design and how boring and flat it looked until I realised a 3D effect was the best solution to the problem. The images then go on to show how I changed the gradient and colours to make the cup more interesting and realistic which lead to my final outcome. This piece also supports where I started with the croissant and panini to the final outcome that I used which is evidenced in all the other pieces uploaded supporting this brief.

Leaflet / Billboard Advertisment

My final visual was very simple as most of the elements had already been created to make up the poster and cup / banner. However I knew I had to add something a little bit more to this one to show that I did not just copy over each element from the beginning and changed the layout as that would of not been creative in the slightest. I then thought of all products that Starbucks sell and thought about how I could make them fit in with the issue also. Once I had chosen which elements to use I researched a image of both a croissant and a panini and traced the image using the pen tool, making it quite rough and cartoon like to fit the theme, when they where cut out I filled them in with the necessary colours and added some wings to make them resemble bees also. Based on making the images quite rough and free hand I decided to add an effect to the wings and slightly roughen those also. Overall I am very pleased with the outcome and believe these pieces are ready for my portfolio. I also have some supporting images to show where I went wrong and where my idea first came from shown above.

Cup and Banner Visual

This final image makes it more clear where I took my idea next, because even tho the cup is included in the poster it is hard to see what it actually has to say. As already said I wanted to play with the words of the issue and create something different and in no better way than images. I wanted to stick with the simplicity of the design and did not want the images to look to serious to take the excitement away, so again using the shape tool to manipulate simple shapes into a bee / coffee bean, a plant, a flower and a tree and still manage to get the logo in where it is necessary proved to be the right choice. Once I had all the right elements in place I created the cup shape simply again using the shape tool to draw one half and using the extrude and bevel effect to make the shape 3D. Once I had the cup shape ready by tweaking colours and gradients to get it just right and look as realistic as possible it was all about applying the art work. To make sure everything sat right I warped the type into a arc to bend round the cup as well as the supporting type underneath and added the finishing touches. Which lead me to my final piece of promotional material, a leaflet / billboard advertisement.

Starbucks Campaign Promotional Material (Poster)

The poster was the first piece of material I felt was necessary as it shows off how each element has come together. The flower was based around simplicity as I wanted it to relate to the issue but not make the typography that has supported the information look lost as it would if I was to of used a lot of colour. It was simply made up using Illustrator and the shape tool, by drawing out a oval shape to start, I went on to select a anchor point using the direct select tool to change the shape instantly to have one side pointed just like a petal and repeating this step several times created the flower as a whole. As for the middle of the flower I thought there was nothing more fitting than using the Starbucks logo to really hit the nail on the head of what specific brand I am working with. Which then lead me to focus on the words given to support the issue and wondered where I could go next.

Urban Outfitters Packaging

This brief consisted of designing a range of packaging for a chosen brand. I leaned towards Urban Outfitters as I believe I can relate well with the brand as it it is young, modern and on trend with todays markets. I believe my outcome has worked well for many reasons however there is defiantly room for improvement in some areas. I stuck with one of the previous colour schemes Urban Outfitters have used themselves based on how vibrant and attractive they are, as well as considering the design to be unisex. I worked with the colour in some areas to emphasise certain elements and to create a simple pattern. The colours have defiantly worked well to set a theme and made each outcome look well suited as a set. I really like the textured background I went for this style based on making the design look recyclable and environmentally friendly, as well as resemble the real life materials that would be used if this design was to be taking further. I went on with the tissue paper and the stickers to show the importance of safety when packing a product and the business card was just a extra as a little hand out to receive with a purchase. However I believe my disadvantages are the legibility of the design some of the edges have proven to look rough and distorted when close up. I believe I have came to this problem because maybe I chose the wrong programme to work in and because I have lacked confidence in some  areas. I see where my mistakes lie and simple tweaks would be easy if necessary in the future.