Effecktive...

Greig Anderson's self promotion mail out, created to find himself a new job in Australia. I really like the way the entire thing folds down into a booklet, and is jam packed with information. His layout is strong, and uses type as a focal element. I like the use of extra overlapping elements that make the overall design more intriguing and considered.

Creative Layouts...

An interesting layout for an Oscar Wilde retrospective from Dhnn. The use of strong coloured segments and varied sizes of texts makes this document interesting and quirky. I like the idea of creating something that uses strong type and colour.

Creative format...

From a website called Graphic Exchange, which showcases interesting and forward thinking design, submitted by a wide range of designers. I really like this piece; Kutchi Book. I think that the sectional design and the way the information is presented could work really well for my context and the subject matter I am working with.

I like the idea of breaking my work down from being just one book to becoming sections of a package of information. This will allow me to design the individual sections as well as how they will be packaged and presented. I am also thinking of producing the timeline on a much larger scale, so that it folds out and could be hung on a wall....

Creative layouts...

In my tutorial with Fred, we discussed the option of making my design context a more creative piece, rather than a simple printed book. I have looked into various formats and design styles that could work for my subject matter...

Nicholas Feltron

Annual reviews of his own data, presented in interesting and varied layouts.

I like the way the numbers are presented and then secondary information is smaller. It cerates hierarchy to the design, and focus within each individual page.

More examples to come...

Stock choices...

I have printed some tests onto different stocks. One side is laser print and the other is inkjet. I have done this to see which stocks I could use for my context books, and which is the best way of printing them.

The colour of the images below isn't great, but they do give a good idea of what stands out against each stock. I have tested mid-blue, pale grey, dark grey and a cream/off-white. I am settled on using either cream or white for the interior pages, but I wanted to see if a coloured cover stock would be suitable for the cover. I don't think the coloured stock works amazingly well, it drains a little of the impact from the coloured print.

I have deduced that the laser printed tests are much stronger than the inkjet prints. The colours are more punchy and the overall impact is much better. I am going to print my books through the laser printer. The colours will be stronger and it will also ensure that the back to back printing is spot on. I am going to use a heavier, possibly cream or off-white stock for the cover, as the colour will stand out well, but it will create a little more depth and texture to the overall document.

Building Blocks...

I have had an idea for packaging my children's tea. I am thinking about using building blocks as a visual tool in within the packaging. I have had a look for some building blocks that show an iconic representation of the toy...

3 Approaches...

From my research I have collated the design styles that I think could work for my product. into 3 categories. I have found some examples of the type of styles that I mean and will try to explain them in more detail below....

1. The Minimalist Approach

Using simple, elegant and clean cut styles, incorporation or exemption of colour in a considered and informed manner, spacious and modern styles, presenting information in a strong and confident way.

2. The Decorative Approach

Using type and image as decorative design, incorporating pattern, inclusion of traditional and decorative type faces to create an embellished and visual design.

3. The Traditional Approach

Using type and image, along with texture, stock, applied design elements such as; labels, swing tags, stamps; and a traditional approach to printing techniques, information and language.

Luxury Products...

I have researched a range of luxury products to get a better feel of how the styles and design elements they use. I really want my Luxury tea to have a high-end feel, so getting a little inspiration from current products is going to help me design a stronger product.

All of these designs below (sourced from The Die Line) have things in common, but are all very different from each other. There is no set of written rules when it comes to designing a luxury product, but I am going to analyse these designs and create a list of considerations/and techniques for myself to follow when I go into fully designing the tea packaging.

• Refined - All of these pieces have a sense of refinement and purity. Their design has been considered deeply to create a personality that represents the product and reflects the type of person who it is aimed at.

• Embellishment Vs. Minimal - Some of these products are heavily embellished and others are very minimal, but in each case the option between these two has been chosen in connection with the product. The decision to keep a product very minimalist or to create a beautiful background pattern to complement the branding is important because it will affect the personality of the product, and therefore influence the end user.

• Serif Vs. Sans Serif - The options of type are very important to overall feel of the product. Mixing styles is not usually an option, but in some cases it can work well because it brings across the traditional and modern elements of a brand.

• Colour - The use of colour will be one of the first things a consumer will notice; either the abundance or lack of it. Sitting in the middle of these two options could be dangerous as the product will blend in with others around it. Making a statement with colour will help the product to have an initially strong impact.

Considering all of these points, I feel that I can make a start on putting together some design styles for my luxury tea and finding something that will make it stand out from other products.