Final Major Project- The Real Flower Company

Recently working on my major project I wanted to develop the concept of growth. I have been browsing on Whitney Woods and became inspired by their direct mail ideas. Having an idea similar to the above image I decided this concept could be worth developing. My next step is to hand make the pop up examples and see whether they work as well as I imagine. My concept is adjusted from the image at the bottom. This concept will be a direct mail idea, when unfolded the last page has a flower popping up which will interpret a flower 'blooming' once I decide whether this concept is worth developing I will begin to refine what type of information I will be putting in and what will be relevant for expressing the brands voice.

Practitioners Report

Over the past year we have had my creative’s visit the college to give us lectures about their career and experience within the industry. I have decided to compare and contract mike Rigby of the chase and Louise Vormitagg of container plus. I have decided to discuss these two individuals as they approach design in different ways but still have similar thoughts on the industry.

Mike Rigby of the chase has studied design for 4 years and worked for many well known design companies including pentagram London, mark studio, true north and Interbrand Australia. Mike’s career is dedicated to graphic design in a way of designing for brands and advertising. Mike believes graphic design helps give people a voice. Mike explained that a job in design can be competitive, long hours, and lots of pressure. Mike also believes design can have negatives effects on the environment this is due to over packaging and also believes we are contributing to consumerism. Louise has studied design for 7 years and has worked amongst the company container plus which was created in 2002.

At the time, Louise and her friends thought it would be beneficial to merge their styles and strengths as they felt integrating would provide more services. Container plus enjoy designing within the environment and actually hand make and produce on set design. Louise enjoys designing in this way as she feels making things by hand give a different quality. I find the difference between mike and Louise quite interesting not only because they practice design in different ways but mike has been more of a independent designer throughout his career. Louise has worked within container plus which would be a different atmosphere. Working at container plus Louise feels she has become more of a manager than a ‘doer’ which she believes is a shame.

When it comes to inspiration, like myself Louise doesn’t like to look at very well known people and likes to look in a variety of places. Louise explained she can find inspiration from a single conversation. One similarity I noticed between both practitioners is that they both find it important to have breaks from the industry. Mike decided to rejuvenate his design for design by traveling to south east Asia, Vietnam, Australia and many more. He then felt the time had come to get back into what he enjoyed most- design. Louise believes that container plus work so well because they have breaks from each other and keep their work and private life separate. Louise believes that it is important to ‘test’ people out before you collaborate and make sure they are reliable with the same commitment.

At the beginning of mikes career his starting out salary was £13,000 and mike stated that he wouldn’t work for less. Even being in the industry a long time Louise still finds herself having to do other jobs to bring more money in as the design side isn’t too reliable. When it comes to attitude towards your work and other people mike and Louise have similar views. Mike believes that rejection is all part of design. No doesn’t mean you are not good enough, you may just not be right for that company. Mike expressed that you needs to take a professional pride in everything you do and if you don’t get a job straight away you need to keep yourself interested by keep doing briefs. Ask yourself why you are doing it, are you committed? However, having confidence is different to arrogance. Louise believes that putting yourself first within a group does not work. And suggests that for the good of the group there is no room for egos.

On conclusion of both practitioners approach to design I found mikes lecture very honest, humourous and inspiring. He made me realize that there is no rush and you need to enjoy what you are doing and keep yourself committed. I found Louise’s lecture and presentation very interesting because her approach to design was very different. I find handmade design fantastic and I would like to bring more handmade elements into my own design work in the future.

Images taken from: http://www.containerplus.co.uk and http://www.thechase.co.uk/homepage/index.php

Final Major Project- The Real Flower Company

Scented Direct Mail: As the Real flower company pride themselves on their exquisite scents direct mail would seem ideal to send out examples of the scents. Lid is opened to reveal smell.

Real Flower Brochure /(Flip Book): This brochure is used to reinforce the brands message and values. This will explain why they are different and will reinforce their view of ‘createing flowers without costing the earth’. Each page interprets the growth of the flower.

Flower Calendar: At the end of each month the perforated petals can be ‘picked’ off. 

Growth: This I feel is one of my strongest concepts in which I feel I would like to pursue. Throughout my major project I was certain that I wanted to keep my concept simple and non complicated. Thinking of other ways I could send out a message I realized there was a concept within the mechanics of the stationary. I realized that the unfolding of the stationery interpreted the flower 'growing'

To develop this idea I will be looking into paper folding techniques and I will also be looking at refining the idea using much more sophisticated, suitable images for the appropriate object. This concept could be used in different areas.

Benwells Print Specialists

  

Whilst working on my major project looking at different types of print finish I came across a company called Benwells. Benwells are Print Specialists in embossing, foil blocking, die cutting and printing. Whilst researching I realized how important the finish of a design is and realized this should be taken into account when ideas are being developed and not just at the end. Whilst working on my major I realized that the finish of a design can add a whole different perspective.


Images:http://www.benwells.co.uk/

Mike Greer Lecture

Today (14th April 10) we had a lecture by Mike Greer. Mike Greer is a copywriter who has done work for Love, The chase, Mccann Erikson and Amaze. Mike studied design in Blackburn for 4 years. When feeling that he wasnt good at graphics Mike moved onto advertising before eventually moving onto copywriting.

Most of Mikes lecture was dedicated to the hard hitting facts of what happens when you leave University. Mike expressed that there are 150 other courses of design being studied up and down the UK explaining that realistically there are too many people for too little jobs. Mike expressed it is about YOU getting YOURSELF a job and believes there will always be someone out there who is working harder than you. This means it is extremely important to work hard and to keep on going. Mike also explained the importance of building relationships with people in industry and believes motivated people will succeed.

When contacting agencies Mike says most creatives are receptive to students getting in contact. Mike recomended that you should get in touch with agencies and ask for briefs. Answering these briefs will show that you can work to industry standards and believes working in a live environment makes you take design seriously. Mike says work placements are VITAL for getting a job.

Mike also says you need to make yourself invaluable in work placements whether it be working on the rubbish stuff people don't want to work on. You should be prepared to do the rubbish stuff to do the good stuff. When it comes to graduation Mike believes that agencies dont look for the finished article in graduates. It is said that agencies like somebody they can nurture, and people who are keen and eager.

Mike's suggested gameplan is that you should make a list of 5/6 agencies you would like to work, get briefs off them and go back to show your work. Having regularity, keeness, and lots of commitment is extremly important. Mike says you should never dismiss any avenue. The less avenues you begin with results in less chance of you getting a job. Mike explained each place is different and it is important to see where you fit in and where is right for you.

When it comes to freelance Mike says it is a bad idea to be doing freelance straight after you graduate as he believes that you dont have enough experience. Mike explained how he enjoys freelance because it is nice to go to lots of different places. Coming back to Mike being a copywriter by trade, Mike feels that copywriting is becoming a dying art he feels that the industry is becoming more and more visual.

Blackpool Zoo Logo

I came across this logo whilst browsing online. This is the logo for Blackpool Zoo. I really like this logo because its modern and up to date. I also like the abstract style of the waves that create the elephant.

Images: http://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/

Whitney Woods Direct Marketing and Advertising

Whitney woods is a company I have previously been looking at. I have came across this company and their products before but by chance got looking at them again. Whitney Woods is dedicated to ideas and products in advertising, marketing and promotions. This includes pop ups, interative mailers, paper crafts and much more.  I would definately recommend you browse their website, as it shows you a whole new way of thinking when it comes to ideas within direct mail and promotions.

Images: http://www.whitneywoods.co.uk