These images are shocking. They make you feel disgusted. They are powerful and deliver a hefty message. The only problem is i think they are took shocking, people will look at the picture and not want to read the message. Which makes the point of them well..pointless. I like the shock factor in images but sometimes you can take it too far. I intend to use the shock factor with my project but not to this extent, it just doesn't work.

UNICEF - merchandising

In order to further my research in 'Good', i'm looking into what established global charities do to raise money other than the events they hold. Unicef has quite a wide range of merchandise, its interesting to see what they produce. They cover everything from children to adults with a variety of products within each category.

1. 2. Stacking boxes - Count on UNICEF to build dexterity and number skills! Make a tower or nest the blocks away, one inside the other. Colourful play-together toy featuring children and their animal friends.

Ten cardboard blocks. Stacked height: 80cm. Tidy away box.

PRICE : £12.95

2. Global Friendship Bracelet - Celebrate friendship with this beautiful South American beaded bracelet, designed exclusively for UNICEF.

Fifteen ceramic beads, two silver plated beads and one silver plated charm. Stretch bracelet. Transparent case.

To give or to keep our unique bracelet is a very special accessory.

Handcrafted. The Peruvian Touch Artisan jewellery makers from Cusco and Lima imaginatively combine ancient Inca traditions with contemporary designs to create original handcrafted beads. Cast, painted, glazed and threaded by hand, the beads feature geometric and spiral patterns inspired by nature. Extra shine comes from delicate silver plated elements. The handcrafting of jewellery generates sustainable employment for skilled Peruvian artisans.

PRICE : £9.95

3. South africa pillar candles - Three candles, each 10 x 3.5 cm. Approx nine hours burning time. Handcrafted in South Africa.

These elegant candles feature distinct ethnic designs, hand-painted onto richly coloured wax.

Specially created for UNICEF by a socially responsible South African company providing employment for local artisans.

PRICE : £8.50

4. Handcrafted mugs - Eye-catching set of two mugs made from natural Chiang Mai stoneware clay from Thailand, hand painted and glazed by creative artisans.

With handcrafted mulberry paper gift box. Dishwasher/microwave safe. Thai Traditions. Artisans use fine white river clay to create high-quality ceramics, painted and glazed by hand.

Handcrafted in Thailand.

PRICE : £18.95

5. My unicef activity book - Draw, count and trace - a fun way to discover UNICEFs activities around the world.

Children keep busy and enjoy learning, then wipe clean to try again. Strong recycled cardboard pages, easy instructions and two handy clip-on pens. 20 pages. Multi-lingual instructions. Recycled.

Made in China.

PRICE : £9.95

6. Diary -An international art collection on your desk. Each week a famous image or fresh talent, inspired by children around the world.

Elegant hardcover agenda with art book quality and smart ribbon marker. Week-view and numbers, address pages and international holidays. FSC paper. Supplied boxed.

PRICE : £16.95

Where i am now.

Within Wednesdays session, we focused on our what is good? project. This was good because i was struggling with where to go with my project and where to focus my research. I had already organised and interview with Jacinta Kent, from LAST. Which would give me more of an insight into what they did and the trafficking industry as a whole. So in this session i came up with some headings to help focus my project, and answered them while talking to my fellow course mates:

What is my good:

To promote and inform people about sex trafficking.

What specifically about?

That it informs people about sex trafficking, what happens, whats going on and what you do to help.

What form will it take?

A range of distribution forms that innovative and interactive.

What device do I use?

Shock, controversial info, compassion

How can you frame it as a product?

The product is to persuade people to take more interest in the topic and get involved with charities and campaigns that help.

Audience?

Students, theres thousands of them in Leeds and they are a market i can focus on and know how to make it appeal to them.

After i managed to work out what it was i was looking into. I then began thinking of simple ideas that i could use in order to get my message across and what forms it would take. I also had a very interesting talk with Lorane, i discussed the idea of using a passport because the trafficked women have them removed so they can never escape. I was also thinking of tickets, stamps, driver licenses and that involves transport. Also another idea is to look at the noun trafficking, and the associations that go with for example cattle. My only problem is i want this to be controversial but i dont want it to disturb people because they wont want to get involved i also dont want to guilt people because talking to people that have worked for charities, has made me realise that if you guilt someone they chances are they will walk away.

PAD PRINTING

This print process is for printing on 3D objects. Taking something from 2D to 3D. Examples of this are: mugs, pens, calculators etc.

Its a fairly simple process to understand, i found it a lot easier to understand after watching the video.

SCREEN PRINTING

We looked into the industrial side of screen printing which I never knew was possible until i saw it. The whole process can be automated. They use this technique on inflatables, which tend to be printed on a flat surface and then stitched together.

DIGITAL PRINTING

This is the technique that i am most used to. Computer to print. There is a specific software used called 'RIP' rasta image processor, it's machine specific software and its what makes the images good. The ink is stickier and tend to sit on the top of the substrate. Today this technique produces very good quality images and it makes small jobs viable and its very cost effective.

"In desktop raster image processor is the process of turning vector digital information such as PostScript file into a high resolution raster image. that is, the rip takes the digital information about fonts and graphics that describes the appearance of your file and translates it into an image composed of individual dots that the imaging device (such as your printer or an imagesetter) can output.

Think of the RIP as a translator between you and your printer. You give it instructions in the language of your desktop publishing application and the RIP translates your instructions into the language of the printer . If your language is too complicated for the translator or it misunderstands your instructions the file doesn't rip."

These are examples of digital print, they are one off prints so it is more cost effective to just print digitally print them.

ROTARY PRINTING

LITHOGRAPHY

This can be sheet fed or on a roll. It prints 'positive-reverse-positive'. The design/images get broken down and then printed. The substrates that are used tend to be paper based, such as news prints, magazines, anything thats largely flexible.

'WEB OFFSET MACHINE'

This is a much larger form of lithography, they use huge rolls, its a high speed production. This is roll fed opposed to sheet fed.

ROTOGRAVURE

This is a more refined process of printing. They use copper plates set between 2 rollers. This works on a reverse image basis. It's very expensive but because of the copper plates they last longer. Larger runs tend to use this technique, and if they are printing on a tough substrate. It has a really dense ink coverage, and its a deeper etch.

Floor coverings tend to use rotogravure, also some magazines use this technique. I was curious whether you had to change the plates every time you had a new magazine for example, as there would be new images and text. It turns out you would have to, this can prove to be extremely expensive.

The accuracy with this print technique is very good.

FLEXOGRAPHY

This is made from a rubber polymer on a cylinder. It uses a positive mirror image. The only problem with this technique is that the registration isn't as accurate. They use the CMYK process, the image is raised about 2-4mm. The tend to print on bottles, plastic substrate, cartons, food bags such as kit kat bags or minstrel bags.

Aluminum cans, they tend to be printed on a flat surface and then its rolled around the can.

Print Workshop

Today we had a workshop on print. To be honest i never gave thought to mass produced print and how complex it is. I now realise how important it is and what it means to me as a graphic designer. We learnt a variety of different technical terms, and i found it really interesting. this is defiantly something i want to master by the end of the year. We learnt a variety of technical terms, and over the next few posts im going to look into them more specifically to help my understanding.

PACKAGING...

Really love this packaging, especially as i am an avid Cravendale drinker. The packaging is so stylish. I really love the illustrations, they work so well offset with the type. I like how the illustrations are similar across the board which means that there is continuity. Its also a nice way of incorporating the actual milk style with the colour instead of just a red/blue top. its a really good marketing tool because its getting you back to nature. The single use of colour is something i really want to try and use with mine, nothing to complicated keeping it simple just like these designs.

PACKAGING...

I really love this packaging, again its very simple. But what i really like is the fact its on a miniature scale and still successful. I particularly like the gum packaging because of the individual characters and their facial features. Adding character to it really makes it feel personal to you. Which is something im trying to do. I also really like the variety of colours used with different facial expressions, making them a set that works on an individual basis.
This product is very interesting to look at. The illustrations are very eye catching and detailed. There is no real structure to what they are and what they represent but they work because its creating a very visually pleasing and engaging product. The vibrant colours compliment the illustrations and it really makes the product stand out.

My only problem with the product, and i think its a key one, is i don't actually know what the product is. It has something to do with cream and 25oz but its not obvious. I think they spent too much time on the illustrations and not enough on branding the product successfully, which is something i am really going to have to keep in mind.
This is a new take on your average salt and pepper set. I really like the illustrations and how they instantly tie in with the product inside. I also like the format that they take, which is just a simple box but its the same across all the product giving it a good level of continuity. What's also impressive is how they tied the colours to the designs and products themselves. I.e using the blues for the whales, this is something i really want to do and i think its important because it helps give the product an identity. The type faces used arnt all the same, they relate to the product and its style. Generally really good packaging idea and think it works well on every level, which is what i want mine to do.
This is a very clever packaging design. taking something completely mundane as a jar and turning it into a unique stylised product. The branding and logo is simple and easy to read. The colour coding is clever across all the products to show the change in what the product actually is, seeing as you cant see inside. I would probably buy this product without caring what is inside, this is a very successful marketing tool.

This is a beautiful and elegant design. Really has a summery feel about it with the colour and the illustrations working together. I like the way they flow around the can and seem to create a continuos pattern. It is a very feminine design, which i'm not sure works for the whole bran but as one of a unique design its effective. I also think the colour is effective in denoting a summery feel, which is something i need to look into for my product. i need to look at what colours would work best to show a summery feel.

PACKAGING...

Im not really to sure about this. I really like the illustrations and the use of negative space using the black and white, but i'm not sure it does anything for the product. After all its illustrating wine, so surely the illustrations should mimic that in some way? Or try and advertise what's inside, instead of having images of birds. Its pretty, yes, but it does not really have a purpose.

The designs for the Burton packaging are very complicated but the individual illustrations themselves are very clear, i must bare this in mind in future development. I really like this style where all the illustrations create a scene, this is something i want to try and do with mine. The packaging for the boots is clever because of it ties in with the product inside It makes the packaging as important as the product itself. the illustrations all relate to what the product is, which is important and i will definitely be trying to do this with mine.

Drinks for kids and adults. Its good to look at these illustrations because they are simple but using a character will help children relate to the bottle of juice. Plus it appeals to adults because it seems very friendly, due to the pastel colours and smiley characters. Which in turn will make parents trust it and give it to their kids. This is a clever using of advertising and packaging, combing both to create a user friendly product.

Simple design hat shows so much. very simple illustrations with thick type that stands out against the brown background, making it readable and just as bold as the illustrations. The packaging really draws you in and grabs you attention straight away, some people would buy it just because of the image itself, instead of the drink. They are selling artwork as well as a product. Its a nice idea characterising the can, which is essentially what i will be doing and here just shows how successful it can actually be.

speaking from experience

BROOKLYN - MARS

Packaging design for a photo book. The design is smart and sophisticated, i really like the idea of the dust cover and how it compliments the visuals. I think the black and white silhouette is powerful especially with a lot of negative space surrounding it. The gold embossed type works well as when the light hits it, it creates a variety of different hues which makes is eye catching. Everyone loves something shiny. Its a very simple but effective colour scheme. The whole packaging is professional and has a strong urban feel mimicking the product itself and what its for.

Speaking from experience

Japanese bound book. Really like the clarity of the front, its seamless and elegant. The colour scheme ties in with the title f the book. I like the fact they have just changed the hues and opacity of the book so that it has a level of continuity. I also like the fact that the book is in a cellophane wrap. It gives the book a gleam and makes it have a smooth texture when you're holding it, which contrast with the rough texture once its opened. The layout is very simple and uses a simple grid scheme, there's a lot of dead space surrounding the type which works well to draw the readers eye right to the text. im not sure that the black and bright yellow text works, it think it clashes and may not legible or readable.

Speaking from experience

Speaking from experience

Using origami in a new way. This fold out 'fortune teller' style is a very different way in showing you information graphics. I really like the style, and its interesting to see how ppaer can be utalised in order to show a message in a completely different way, instead of just a generic poster. Im not that sure about the type itself and not sure how to type relates to the 'fortune teller' itself, but still a very interesting way to show information.

speaking from experience

This contemporary book resembles the bible. Using a solid cover and embossed gold/yellow font really makes it look like the bible. Also a really nice idea using a natural material to bind the book. Like the fact that the book is durable and textured, the cover looks elegant. I also like the fact that its a 'picture book', it has a very simple layout, focus on the images not on the type. there is also a lot of dead space surrounding the images which draws your attention immediatly and it also gives the image a clean and crisp surrounding nothing detracts from the image itself. The whole book is elegant and sophisticated.

Speaking from experience

Here i am look more specifically at layout and type. I really think the type faces work well together and i like the idea of blending two type faces to create an image in itself which illustrates what the type is saying. I also like the simplicity of the layout, its effective because there's a lot going on with the text and images and unless the pages were set out clearly i think there could be a real danger of it looking messy and unclear. However they have got the layout right, you focus on the text and images and then read the descriptions, the image and type hierarchy works really well.

Speaking from experience

This is a book design for a companies end of year annual reports. I really like the style of this book, the fact the contents is on the outside and the you draw it out to reveal the rest of the book. Its a nice new layout and its clarity works well for the book over all. This book has given me some ideas for the packaging of my product, it has a lot of potential for the future. I wont be making a book but i can use the fold out idea in the future possibly.

Speaking from experience

i really like the bright colours with the packaging. I think as a set they work really well together. I am looking more at the packaging with this then the product itself. The packaging is interesting because of its unique way of using dots. The type face is clear and readable. It has a clean look and its textured because you can run your hands down it and feel the holes in the cover. I also like the fact the type face is clear and written in mirrored which makes it a little harder to read, but you can still make sense of it. This is an interesting design and has some potential for development in the future.

Speaking from experience

CARDBOY

CARDBOY

Cardboy is a simple packaging design that takes a cardboard box to a whoolleee new level. Its a unique box turned into a boy and sold to create a collectable 'toy'. you can download a PDF. and print it off and build it ourself or order one and build it that way. If you order one it arrives in a box and you turn it inside out and then it becomes 'cardboy'. the reason i am looking at it is because my product is a 3d buddy made of cardboard because of the robust qualities of the stock. I want to see how they are put together and what qualities they have. When it comes to the PDF these are fairly simple, you just cut them out and fold accordingly. However the actual order one, is harder. there are a loot of tabs and although once you have built it its satisfying its hard to get the hand of and can be frustrating at times. I really like the illustrations they are not complicated and makes the box look very visually pleasing. I want to do something similar to this, except my box will fold out with information within it.