Thursday, 12 June 2008
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Reflection;
Overall I am very pleased with the outcome I have developed to date. I feel that it successfully ties together the architectural nature of the product with its' obvious association to the fashion world. It has an alluring appeal which is mimiced in both fabric and the concrete product itself.
Producing the packaging myself has been a satisfying undertaking in that I was genuinely surprised at the level of finish I was able to acheive by myself. Understandably, the finish would have been even crisper had I have managed to get packaging manufactured professionally. This would have particularly be the incase in regard to the recessed foam tray; both sample and look book would have slotted in better if I had been able to get a high-density routed foam inlay produced.
Overall I am very pleased with the outcome I have developed to date. I feel that it successfully ties together the architectural nature of the product with its' obvious association to the fashion world. It has an alluring appeal which is mimiced in both fabric and the concrete product itself.
Producing the packaging myself has been a satisfying undertaking in that I was genuinely surprised at the level of finish I was able to acheive by myself. Understandably, the finish would have been even crisper had I have managed to get packaging manufactured professionally. This would have particularly be the incase in regard to the recessed foam tray; both sample and look book would have slotted in better if I had been able to get a high-density routed foam inlay produced.
Assembly;
As can be seen below, I have been preparing and piecing together all the relevant parts in the production of my packaging. It needed a little fine tuning along the way to try and make sure it was sturdy enough for its' purpose, but the shell came together relatively painlessly, albeit the process was time consuming.
I suitably gridded-up the wallpaper so that it was ready to attach. Pasting the wallpaper to the shell itself was also laborious as I am intent to keep it free from knocks and blemishes where possible. I'm glad to say that by the time I'd finished putting it together it was relatively pristine and the colour was looking beautifully seductive.
Book Binding;
Went to the binders I sourced in St. Pauls today to have the book bound. I had a couple of copies made, so I have spare if for any reason there should be problems. Each copy had to be bound twice because of the fabric. Once with buckrum and then once again with the fabric. The books were velo bound so that the spreads would sit correctly in the page without any white creeping in the centre, in between the pages.
As can be seen below, I have been preparing and piecing together all the relevant parts in the production of my packaging. It needed a little fine tuning along the way to try and make sure it was sturdy enough for its' purpose, but the shell came together relatively painlessly, albeit the process was time consuming.
I suitably gridded-up the wallpaper so that it was ready to attach. Pasting the wallpaper to the shell itself was also laborious as I am intent to keep it free from knocks and blemishes where possible. I'm glad to say that by the time I'd finished putting it together it was relatively pristine and the colour was looking beautifully seductive.
The foam tray in the base was a bit trickier than I had imagined as the concrete sample did not really fit as I had first anticipated, so I needed to make some minor adjustments to the routed tray so that it slotted in without any trouble. The lid that houses the look book was a little easier to fit, but does not grip the object sufficiently to have it suspended within the box whilst it is flush to the foam, so it has had to be recessed a fair bit. This is a great shame, but without purpose built high-density foam it just simply cannot hold properly when flush.
Ultimately, the inner workings of the packaging has had to be compromised somewhat to allow for these factors (sample size, grip, access, etc). To be held tight and flush to the foam it would have meant really squeezing in both the sample and book, but this would render access to them really frustrating. A compromise had to be made, but it still keeps the overall aesthetic and concept of the product. It could have been far worse.
Book Binding;
Went to the binders I sourced in St. Pauls today to have the book bound. I had a couple of copies made, so I have spare if for any reason there should be problems. Each copy had to be bound twice because of the fabric. Once with buckrum and then once again with the fabric. The books were velo bound so that the spreads would sit correctly in the page without any white creeping in the centre, in between the pages.
On the whole, I am pleased with the result of the binding. I think the book looks really great and fulfils the purpose that it was required to do perfectly. The cover, I feel, is a strong aspect and has come out beautifully. If I was being particularly picky, I would have liked a better quality of print as I feel some of the quality and colours of the imagery have not come out as I would have expected. However, as I said previously, on the whole, a very pleasing result indeed.
Attaining samples;
This evening I went up to the studio to speak with the guys and to pick-out a sample from the workshop that can be used for submission. As I mentioned previously, I am still hoping that for the show they will be able to cast several much smaller samples as I believe it will really benefit part purpose of the packaging - to show their product.
Many of their existing samples had gone over to the factory as they are being used to help prepare further casting. I did find two suitable samples, both of the same larger size (slightly larger than A5 approx). They should be perfectly fine to demonstrate how the samples will be incorporated.
This evening I went up to the studio to speak with the guys and to pick-out a sample from the workshop that can be used for submission. As I mentioned previously, I am still hoping that for the show they will be able to cast several much smaller samples as I believe it will really benefit part purpose of the packaging - to show their product.
Many of their existing samples had gone over to the factory as they are being used to help prepare further casting. I did find two suitable samples, both of the same larger size (slightly larger than A5 approx). They should be perfectly fine to demonstrate how the samples will be incorporated.
Concrete samples;
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to acquire the samples that I wanted to for submission, which is disappointing. The recquired personnel did not show at the factory so the casting and cutting of the concrete could not be completed, but there is still the possibility of having them in time for the show the following week.
I have had to adjust the design of the recessed foam tray to take a larger and more bulky sample, which also means it will be quite heavy, though it still maintains a suitable overall aesthetic.
Workshop;
After working on the show yesterday, I stopped in to see technician Tim in the workshops to question him about cutting the foam down. He suggested using chicken wire, but this morning we found out that it would cause toxic gases when it burnt, so that was a no-go. Another technician put us on the right track and suggested simply cutting it with a fine blade, so after measuring up what I wanted to do, Tim kindly cut a wooden guide for me to literally saw the diced foam in half (thickness).
It was relatively easy to do with the guide and I'm really glad to get it sorted as solving this particular problem had been lingering in the back of my mind even before I purchased the foam.
Sourcing materials;
I've sourced some 3.5mm grey box card for constructing the packaging with. It is obviously very stiff which is ideal, but also it has the correct colouring and feel about it. The card is ever so slightly textured and really looks like concrete itself, so it will fit perfectly. Of course, I intend to cover the box, but the base will be visible from the inside once either the sample or look book is removed, so it is still an intergral part of the overall design.
After trying to source blocks or 'trays' of foam a moment of inspiration from someone else helped me out a great deal. She said to look at spare inlays for camera cases and, true enough, you can buy 'diced foam' inlays. These blocks come pre-scored in a grid format, so you can pick out the shapes necessary for your needs, which is ideal.
I was on the phone in a flash to try and find a store that had them in stock. This was more complicated than I first thought it would be and I found only one retailer who had it in stock. I had some poor employee go down to the basement with a tape measure to tell me the exact measurements of all 3 sizes that they had.
Delivery;
Hurrah! When I returned from doing some show things this afternoon, the fabric I ordered had come through. It looks better than I remembered it being, perhaps because I'd been getting nervous while waiting for it to arrive. The reverse of the fabric is actually quite appealing, so, depending on the colour choice of the concrete samples, the fabric could be used either way. Having said that, I much preffer the black side as it reflects the essence Concrete Blond product so well.
I've sourced some 3.5mm grey box card for constructing the packaging with. It is obviously very stiff which is ideal, but also it has the correct colouring and feel about it. The card is ever so slightly textured and really looks like concrete itself, so it will fit perfectly. Of course, I intend to cover the box, but the base will be visible from the inside once either the sample or look book is removed, so it is still an intergral part of the overall design.
After trying to source blocks or 'trays' of foam a moment of inspiration from someone else helped me out a great deal. She said to look at spare inlays for camera cases and, true enough, you can buy 'diced foam' inlays. These blocks come pre-scored in a grid format, so you can pick out the shapes necessary for your needs, which is ideal.
I was on the phone in a flash to try and find a store that had them in stock. This was more complicated than I first thought it would be and I found only one retailer who had it in stock. I had some poor employee go down to the basement with a tape measure to tell me the exact measurements of all 3 sizes that they had.
Delivery;
Hurrah! When I returned from doing some show things this afternoon, the fabric I ordered had come through. It looks better than I remembered it being, perhaps because I'd been getting nervous while waiting for it to arrive. The reverse of the fabric is actually quite appealing, so, depending on the colour choice of the concrete samples, the fabric could be used either way. Having said that, I much preffer the black side as it reflects the essence Concrete Blond product so well.
Rather amusingly though I must have come across a bit feminine in John Lewis' when I was ordering the roll, as it was delivered to a 'Mrs. Nicholson'.
Fabric;
Who would have thought finding a suitable black damask fabric could be so much trouble? Well, it is and it was today. I'm sure it was in part due to my fussy nature - I wanted it to be just right if possible.
Before the weekend I spent a little while scowering the internet for possible fabrics and ordered a couple of samples to take a look at. They arrived this morning, but are dissapointing to be honest. Their colouring is off despite the pattern on one being really nice. The flocking on the blue sample is horrific! I shall be staying well clear of that in future.
Who would have thought finding a suitable black damask fabric could be so much trouble? Well, it is and it was today. I'm sure it was in part due to my fussy nature - I wanted it to be just right if possible.
Before the weekend I spent a little while scowering the internet for possible fabrics and ordered a couple of samples to take a look at. They arrived this morning, but are dissapointing to be honest. Their colouring is off despite the pattern on one being really nice. The flocking on the blue sample is horrific! I shall be staying well clear of that in future.
Instead, I've had to travel around London hunting for the ideal fabric to be used as the look book cover. I went to some places in west London that just were not of the standard required - they only stocked naff fabrics for dodgy curtain choices. I had more luck in the big stores, particularly Peter Jones and John Lewis. They stock a wide array of fabrics for clothing, curtains and upholstery. I spent a few hours rifling through the hundreds of different designs, but finally settled on the strongest colour and pattern combination I could find. Now I just have to wait!
Production methods;
I've been diligently searching and making many phonecalls in a bid to try and source either a manufacturer who would take on the job of producing the whole packaging, or those to produce the components seperately. For example, I've been in contact with several plastics and foam companies trying to locate someone willing to manufacture a specially designed insert. This insert would house samples in one side of the packaging and the printed work on the other.
However, I'm drawing a complete blank so far. Most are just not willing to go in to production for a run of such small quantity, whereas others just have such a large lead time that it becomes impossible to have things made in the time frame available.
It is because of these problems that I've come across that I'm beginning to think that I will have to try and construct everything apart from the look book myself.
On a more positive note, I refused to admit that there were only the two book binders I currently know of in the capital (Sheppherds and the Wyvern)! It took me a little while, but I did locate a few other binders. I had a phone around spoke to them all about what I was doing and the possibility of hard binding with my own material. This should be okay, depending on the fabric - it musn't be too thin or the glue will seep through, nor can it be too thick as it won't bind properly in the size I am looking to print.
The only type of packaging that was on offer through the binders was slip cases, which I see of little use to my project other than an unnecessary extra. Especially as I plan to use a very distinctive cover for the print work, which would be criminal to cover.
On the back of this I had a wander in to the nearest (but definitly not the cheapest, Sheppherd's) book binders to have a look at qualities of stock and of covers, should it transpire that my material isn't suitable.
I've been diligently searching and making many phonecalls in a bid to try and source either a manufacturer who would take on the job of producing the whole packaging, or those to produce the components seperately. For example, I've been in contact with several plastics and foam companies trying to locate someone willing to manufacture a specially designed insert. This insert would house samples in one side of the packaging and the printed work on the other.
However, I'm drawing a complete blank so far. Most are just not willing to go in to production for a run of such small quantity, whereas others just have such a large lead time that it becomes impossible to have things made in the time frame available.
It is because of these problems that I've come across that I'm beginning to think that I will have to try and construct everything apart from the look book myself.
On a more positive note, I refused to admit that there were only the two book binders I currently know of in the capital (Sheppherds and the Wyvern)! It took me a little while, but I did locate a few other binders. I had a phone around spoke to them all about what I was doing and the possibility of hard binding with my own material. This should be okay, depending on the fabric - it musn't be too thin or the glue will seep through, nor can it be too thick as it won't bind properly in the size I am looking to print.
The only type of packaging that was on offer through the binders was slip cases, which I see of little use to my project other than an unnecessary extra. Especially as I plan to use a very distinctive cover for the print work, which would be criminal to cover.
On the back of this I had a wander in to the nearest (but definitly not the cheapest, Sheppherd's) book binders to have a look at qualities of stock and of covers, should it transpire that my material isn't suitable.
Photography;
Fortunately, the current range of 'Walled Paper' that Concrete Blond have produced, has been photographed as recently as a couple of months ago whilst I was working with them on a previous project to compile a quick and functional website. At the time Toby Summerskill was commissioned as the photographer.
A lot of the photographs needed a fair bit of work, so I have been beavering away trying to re-touch many of the images, so they are better representations of the style that the product already has.
Fortunately, the current range of 'Walled Paper' that Concrete Blond have produced, has been photographed as recently as a couple of months ago whilst I was working with them on a previous project to compile a quick and functional website. At the time Toby Summerskill was commissioned as the photographer.
A lot of the photographs needed a fair bit of work, so I have been beavering away trying to re-touch many of the images, so they are better representations of the style that the product already has.
Look book design;
I've been diligently looking around and going out to various suppliers/stores to get a feel for both fashion and architure editorial design. Obviously, there are differences between publications within each field, but it was a good process to understand better how these areas are currently visually represented.
I've been diligently looking around and going out to various suppliers/stores to get a feel for both fashion and architure editorial design. Obviously, there are differences between publications within each field, but it was a good process to understand better how these areas are currently visually represented.
Aims;
I aim to design and manufacture a unique catalogue for the bespoke concrete design company Concrete Blond. We have also identified the need for samples to be included within some for of packaging for promotional purposes. Ideally this would be able to be distributed to current and prospective clients.
I aim to design and manufacture a unique catalogue for the bespoke concrete design company Concrete Blond. We have also identified the need for samples to be included within some for of packaging for promotional purposes. Ideally this would be able to be distributed to current and prospective clients.
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