Final Project Evaluation

Since the beginning of September, I have been learning packaging and pattern techniques through three sub-projects called:

- Penny a Drawing

- Surface Patterns

- Packaging Design

In Penny a Drawing, our task was to draw and digitally arrange a chosen object once for each penny it cost. Since I chose a lollipop that cost 20p, I created a digital collage of 20 lollipops.

In Surface Pattern Design, we learnt how to create hand drawn patterns, creating our own tile, and replicating it to create a larger pattern. We created our own stamps by choosing a food or drink item, drawing it onto a rubber, and etching the rest of the rubber to create a stamp. We used our stamps to create six repeat patterns, each page displaying a different type of pattern arrangement. In digital pattern making, we learnt how to create patterns in Illustrator with the Pattern tool.

In Packaging Design, we learnt about and researched innovative packaging design, and the integral elements for good branding. We covered typeface, colour pallet, as well as packaging terminology such as ‘open display’, and we explored environmentally friendly packaging. We researched and analysed gimmicky packaging, considering practicality and environmental impact. After our research, we were asked to redesign existing packaging for a food or drink or create our own food or drink item and design its brand and packaging.

Final Project Outcome

This week is the final week of our Repeat Patterns and Packing project. Our final task this week is to create a final surface pattern, re-design existing packaging, or design packaging for our own company.

I decided to create a surface pattern with the theme 'Tea and Cake'. I've embedded the link to our class Padlet where we've shared our ideas with each other. Take a look!

Originally, I was going to create one purely traditional and one purely digital piece, however, I ended up creating a final piece that combined both.

Initial Designs

These were was the first design I completed in order. I used Adobe Illustrator and the Pattern tool to create these repeat patterns. I created my own symbols using the various shape tools, and the ever helpful Shape Builder tool!

I was happy with the outcome of these design, however, I felt there was something missing. This inspired me to create a traditional tile using collage.

If I were to revisit these pieces, I think I would add a few things to make them “pop”. I would add shadow, make the elements closer together, and change the colour scheme.

Final Design

1) I began by creating shapes using coloured card and paper.

2) I photocopied the cake symbol and used the tile method to create a pattern tile from my symbols.

3) I finished the tile by putting all the symbols on the page.

4) Then, I scanned the tile, and using Illustrator, I recoloured the symbols and touched up the edges, whilst still keeping the hand made appearance. I added a background.

Work in progress pattern

I felt that this design, once the cake symbol was connected, would be a great print, but I didn't feel that this arrangement would work well on a large-scale surface pattern. So, firstly, I combined the separate quarters of the cake slice symbol and used it as one full symbol. Next, I duplicated the sweet symbol, rearranged and resized the tea cup and the biscuit, and finally, I removed the dots in the background

6) To finish, I added a cream coloured background

Final Result:

Overall Project Evaluation

What primary research have you done for this project?

As I started college after the project began, I was unable to source a physical object as my primary research due to time. Instead, as a substitute for what would have been part of my primary research, I used a picture of a strawberry Chupa Chup lollipop to use as a reference.

What secondary research have you done for this project?

I did lots of secondary research, which included: researching existing packaging and surface patterns online, and sourcing images as reference objects for my designs. This research inspired my work and gave me a starting point for my initial ideas.

How did your research help develop your ideas?

My research gave me new knowledge, lots of design inspiration and offered great reference points. Researching about packaging design taught me how companies use certain tactics to promote their product and brand. Gimmicks are a popular way of grabbing attention. I learnt how good marketing makes the brand popular. My research into existing products on the market similar to my brief gave me a springboard of ideas for creating designs.

With Blue Riband, I researched what the term meant. I found out that it was a sailing award, which inspired me to create a nautical themed box design. I chose to redesign the packaging in a round doughnut-shaped box that was designed to look like a life ring, referencing the nautical theme. I used blue and white as nautical colours that replicated the original blue colour palette.

Which artists, designers or brands have you looked at as part of your research?

For my projects, I looked at several artists, designers and brands: Chupa Chups, Blue Riband, Paperchase, as well as independent artists on Etsy.

How have these artists, designers or brands inspired and influenced your work?

My chosen brands had products I chose to re-design that appealed to me and sparked idea for innovation and redesign. The designers and artists I research inspired my work and designs by giving me art style, colour palette and typeface ideas, as well as ideas for elements in my designs.

What traditional materials and techniques have you experimented and developed with during this project?

Through pattern making, I have experimented with traditional materials and techniques as well as digital methods. I created my own pattern tile and learnt how to replicate it quickly to create a surface pattern. For my final piece, I used paper to create icons for my traditional tile.

What digital software and techniques have you experimented and developed with during this project?

In regards to digital techniques I have developed through the project, I learnt how to create patterns on Illustrator, and I made some digital mock-ups with my surface patterns. I created my own mock-up of my re-designed Blue Riband packaging.

What materials and techniques have been most successful?

I think all the techniques I tried have worked well for this project, but I particularly enjoyed creating my own tile using traditional methods. I enjoyed the process and loved the hand-made outcome.

Were your final outcomes successful? How and why? If not, explain why.

All in all, I believe my final outcome was successful. My design looked professional and full of fun! It fitted the brief set by my lecturers. I think my design appeals to all genders, but it probably appeals to women more due to gender stereotypes with the colour scheme and design theme.

What did you learn during this project?

This project taught me that designing can take time, but it can also be a swift process depending on what techniques you use, and whether you have an immediate idea or not. Creating ideas can take time, but ideas can help inspire future work too. No time is wasted time, and that’s a valuable lesson. We can be self critical and think, “I wasted time doing this”, but no time is wasted in design!

What new skills, knowledge, techniques, and processes have you learned during this project?

During the project, as mentioned previously, I learnt how to create a pattern on Illustrator, and learnt how to create a surface pattern with traditional art methods, drawing and printing. The former was a technique I was vaguely familiar with, and the latter two methods were something I had never done before. I found that I really enjoy the mix between digital and traditional art and finding ways of putting them together to make a finished product. For example, for my final piece of the project, I created my own tile using collage, scanned it in, uploaded it to Illustrator, and made finishing touches to it on the programme; I added a solid colour background, and did some colour correcting by making every respective hue the same. This method was an idea I had from previous work. In this project, we hadn’t scanned our handmade patterns and finalised them digitally, but using knowledge from coursework at secondary school, I re-visited the method. I was very pleased with the outcome. This would be a brilliant technique when creating a pattern that looks best uniform, such as wrapping paper. Digitalising a piece can look more professionally finished whilst still looking handmade if you chose. On that topic, I chose to keep the handmade look, the imperfect edges and the cut-out look (whilst still making the colours uniform) because I felt that it gave the design a humbling, sweet quality, and that was the idea of my tea and cake themed pattern.

Is there anything you could have done differently to make your project more successful?

In terms of what I would do differently next time, I’m not sure what I would have done to make it more successful. Overall, I worked well, and I understood how to use the techniques once shown. I learnt which techniques are best to use for specific projects and briefs (information I found valuable). That said, I would always like more time to experiment.

Conclusion and Additional Points

In essence, I thoroughly enjoyed this project! I have learnt new skills which I know I will take pleasure in using as I continue the course. Moving to college, having art teachers, their expertise, and access to art facilities have been invaluable, and have ignited my artistic interest further. I have loved hearing my lecturers’ feedback; this has allowed me to improve and build on my work. I have truly valued the positive feedback too. I like being questioned and asked about my work. It is very important and valuable to me that my lecturers, who have such great art and graphic experience, have told me they like my work. When I did my Graphics GCSE, I did not attend a physical class for Graphics, and I studied myself from home, only receiving e-mail correspondence and feedback, so, expert feedback is a very important and new experience to me.

I am so glad to have worked on this project. I have had so much joy from it, and I have loved every second. I now have lots of new techniques to take away and use, and new art and graphics knowledge too!