Display: The Final Stretch...

So despite my fears, Tuesday's desk crit went pretty well. I felt WAY off base, but I suppose it's coming together. I came up with a final sketch - after revisiting the tower-drawer concept. Four drawers will give the desired 3-D display and I was still toying with the idea of whether or not I needed something between the levels (I think, yes).

Just think it looks better with separation between each box. My model (as Professor Lechinsky pointed out) was 3x3x1 which is a half-scale of the full 6x6x2 scale I will produce.

Each drawer will open and contain a set of stationary. Professor Lechinsky suggested making the drawers into containers themselves, which a customer could take with them. For display purposes, I think they best serve as storage. For example, a customer has already purchased a card set contained in the package previously designed and they would like a refill - they would pull from this display:

The final materials will consist of museum board covered in the frosted gold Canford paper. The inside boxes I hope to cover with photos from the Branding project - we'll see how that goes...

Display: Second Round

At this point, I really do feel like I am in a boxing ring with this project - and it's winning! Argh! I am totally mentally exhausted and OVER this project! Seriously!

Now that I am done with my venting, let's get back to the project. Following the last desk crit, I thought how to scale down the size and more interactive. My inspiration was a treasure chest. My vision included a box that would gold like the previous project and as it was spun, each little window could be latch-opened and would reveal a photo, or memory, of why a customer would need multiple Thank You cards. The cards themselves would be stored inside.

From Professor Lechinsky's perspective, I was re-creating the package and seemed to be getting too far away from the product and focusing too much on the photos. So I spent much of the week frustrated. I started looking at wood and spent a couple of hours in Plaza Art bouncing ideas in creating a display stand; I thought the cards and photos could alternate on this helix-shaped stand...just couldn't quite get it to come together. So back to the box...

I started thinking I could reintroduce the drawer concept. Create it at a scale that would allow me to store 2-3 drawers...

From there, instead of windows, the photos would be visible on all sides...

Professor Lechinsky suggested that I might cover the box in the photos to incorporate them, but said to focus on the drawers - try to meld the tower idea with this one. At this point, I'm sick of models. But I've got to figure it out for Tuesday...we have to have an idea in our sketch book as well as model to scale.

Display: First Round

First Round of the display project has not really gone well. I began with a clear vision and as I spent more time on it, began to see a path of getting there. I had in mind that I could display 2 of my boxes of card (remember Packaging & Modeling...the Finale?) It could possibly be museum board covered in the gold paper like the packaging and then with photos from the 2nd Project - Branding. This would allow me to pull in the branding concept that I envision helping to sell the packaging developed. My display for Thank You cards would ideally be found in a Target or Wal-Mart. Typically, they have product displays on the top shelf of an aisle, as real estate is limited. Additionally, it could also function as a counter display in a specialty card & paper store like Papyrus or Hallmark. I thought about my target market and why this display might appeal to them...

I began with shelves that might be supported from behind, but the more I thought about the weight of my product and the actual shelf length, that might not be feasible. So I began thinking of just highligting one box, that would be positioned on a tower shelf...

Alas...good start, but not quite there yet. The display has to be 3-D and my initial ideas were only 2-D. Hmmm...but what can I do with the tower?

I liked the tower idea and began to run with it! I imagine a tower with 4 drawers; one on each side. As a customer opens each one, they see a picture - a "memory" of an occasion as to why they would buy more than just one Thank You card! Additionally, I could see this model on some type of wheel mechanism that would allow it to spin (much like the card or jewelry stands).

Again, great idea, but not on the mark. Professor Lechinsky responded positively to the design, however, there are few things that caused it to fall short. How would I support each drawer? What would this thing look like at full scale - would it realy fit as a counter display, or one of those Target shelves? I incorporated the pictures, but what about the product (how did I EVER forget that?!) I should definitely keep the spinning idea, but it needs more development. *sigh*

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Well, I just realized it is Sunday - so I will update my progress and photos late tomorrow, following my mid-term. More to come...

Packaging & Modeling...the Finale

So after a very valiant effort, it all ended in tragedy. With all the work I put into developing models, I mismanaged my time with another class and failed to complete my project on time. Not a good look! (& a major, frustrating embarrassment)!) And to magnify the embarrassment, the other two sections joined our class for a "gallery" view of our packages - with comments! I did get some positive feedback - many wished they could have seen the final product and seemed to really understand my vision. Always a bright side, right?

To my misfortune, late work is not accepted. However, the reason I walked away from my career and family to pursue this path is because I really am dedicated to successfully completing this program and becoming a successful designer. So I did it - I completed my final model! Though everyone may not see it, at least I know that it is something that I can be proud of.

Following the section crit on Tuesday, we had to present our models on Thursday and this time I was ready! I received a great deal of positive feedback, but also learned a bit as well. My final model consisted of museum board; of which I adhered onto another material with a metallic finish on one side (not quite as hard as cardstock, but definitely a quality paper).

I used rubber cement to paste the pieces together, however, Professor Leshinsky suggested that in the future I might use spray glue. In my pursuit to address the open flap box, I created a drawer box. It's great for horizontal storage, but to improve upon my design for vertical storage, another improvement might include enclosing the top of the drawer to keep cards from falling forward.

Additionally, I purposefully left some space at the top of the drawer so that the design would not be so specific to my card size and could be re-used for other stationary. However, Professor Leshinsky stated that it would be best to target the design to my specific product. I see his point, but I stand by my design. My hope would be that if someone purchased this product, they would see the benefit in recycling it - it would definitely be a major point in branding the product.

Initially, I had hoped to used fabric to cover the box and Professor Anderson was right; that is a near impossible feat (especially when limited to Sobo and rubber cement). And though I thought I might create a translucent pocket to hold the card design in the front, it really seemed to take away from the design, as opposed to enhancing. In the end, I followed the same design "rule" the original had by incorporating a sample of the product with a few embellishments. However, I was sure to keep it simple to maintain the original "muted elegance."

Overall, I learned a lot about time management, responsibility, and different ways of improving upon my current Foundations Design product, as well as tips for the future. Can't say that it was my greatest week, but definitely a learning one.

Packages & Modeling...Continued

I've decided I do not like modeling...okay, well maybe not, but for something that is supposed to encourage the design process, has been leaving me with the feeling of falling short. Okay, so maybe it's not the models, maybe it's my time management PLUS the fact that I'm taking 4 classes and I have projects in 3 of them on a consistent basis...okay, enough whining.

On to the models...

One of the areas I am trying to improve upon with the existing packaging is that it is a open-flap box. In other words, if you were to sit the box of cards upright, there woudl be no way to keep the cards from falling out unless it was sitting between two objects or at least leaning on one side. See?


So on Tuesday, I presented my first model. It is composed of 2-ply chipboard (that's all Plaza had at the time!) and it is actually quite sturdy. I went with the suggested idea of designing an oversized package. I expanded the dimensions based upon the size of the stationary envelope and incorporated a technique we learned during our modeling demonstration with Professor Anderson. By creating small slits, (approximately) equally-spaced apart, I was able to create a top that would fold over. Wrapping the pieces with fabric and covering the inside, my idea was that I would get a chic box that could sit up-right on a shelf that would still be attractive to my target market and hopefully not increase the cost. Additionally, the package could be used to store future stationary as well as pens if a buyer wanted to keep them on their desk.






However, that model was not very well-received. The oversized-box was a bit "too oversized" - my desk crit suggested that I continue with the idea of designing something sustainable or recyclable, but also consider that it shouldn't be an eyesore or impede upon desk space. Additionally, other peer suggestions concluded that I might pursue a "drawer" type of design or if I continued with the fold-over design, be sure to design the internal pieces to match the fold.

Back to the drawing...or rather chipboard, we go...

We were rained out of class on Thursday (I was up at 6 anyway trying to salvage a 1-ply chipboard model that had gone awry the night before), but I did make it in to see Professor Lechinsky on Friday. He seemed to appreciate the direction of where I was going - despite the fact that the model was incomplete. In the midst of a pre-nervous breakdown and panic (i.e. I was trying to line up the inside pieces, cut too much, threw it all down in a tantrum and headed to bed), I began to welcome the idea of a drawer design. This would address my major concern with the current design and assist - in addition to me cutting down the size - in making the design less of an obstruction. Professor L suggested that I try "musuem board" and develop another study model prior to the final. Musuem board actually has two sides...one of which is more of a laminated / glossy finish. This would definitely provide the chic look I am looking for inside the box and it would be more sturdy than the 1-ply chipboard.



Just sad...won't even stand up. *sigh* But it IS a definite improvement in size.

Unfortunately, I was unable to secure the museum board over the weekend (working / catching up on other projects / the quarter-million people attending the rally downtown on Saturday), so guess who's going to have a busy Monday evening?

At this point, I am grossly annoyed with my own excuses, but I am in the process of trying to regroup. I will get better! In the meantime, I have the pleasure of reviewing my classmate Rose's blog...