This project has been inspired by Iconic imagery and Retro games. I'd researched into what sells in and around the Northern Quarter and it seemed a popular subject. I wanted to really push myself in terms of the number of designs so I went for 46 designs in total. 24 cards, 6 gift wraps, 6 gift bags, 6 gift tags and 4 t-shirts. I originally intended to produce 2 t-shirts and 2 sweatshirts but after sampling on the sweatshirts I found the designs didn't take to the fabric well aswell as the designs not sitting right on the bulk of the jumper. The designs concept worked much better on a smaller garment and on a stark white cotton as it made the design stand out more.
I enjoyed putting together the greeting cards as I did in the last project and feel I have kept a flow in the range of cards, something backed up in portfolio visits. I also enjoyed the gift wraps, I developed a concept for the gift wraps that they would be inspired by the patterned fashion garments worn by women in the alternative market. In a questionnaire I'd sent out to 30+ people the majority of guys said they prefer a gift bag to a gift wrap, while the girls preferred to gift wrap.
The gift bags hold a much more masculine style than the wraps but I think I've designed the gift bags to suit both genders, while the gift wrap does look more predominately feminine.
I found the gift bags a struggle to design, despite again liking the concept. The concept for the gift bags were that they had enough purpose other than to just carry presents. They could be dismantled and play with, while two of them had geometric shapes within the designs, inspired by kaleidoscopes and board games. A problem I didn't oversee was how the design would look once made into a gift bag and so I'm not entirely happy with the finished product. I also had to work out the maths in producing a gift bag net, not necessarily my strong put and it was very time consuming and frustrating, but I managed to come up with a net I felt happy with that had a a front as wide as I could get it so that I could get as much design on show as possible. I chose black ribbon because I felt that the colour black brought the designs together coherently, while breaking up the masculine qualities making it hopefully more broader the market.
The gift tags were an assortment of all the motifs I'd used in all of my designs. This was because a gift tag is never bought alone, it is to compliment either a gift bag or gift wrap. I layered all the motifs on an A2 sheet and cut into selected areas to create the tags, the colours and pattern hopefully have an obvious link between the bags and wraps.
For market research for this project as I mentioned before I conducted a public survey, I wanted to see if there was any surprising data I hadn't realised before and there actually was. One of the questions asked was 'What is the most amount of money you'd spend on a card' surprisingly to me the average amount of money the public would spend was 4 pound if the style and design of the card was strong enough. I thought this amount would of been much lower and with an average buy of 1 card a month per person this have been pleasing figures.
For this project I'd devised a day-to-day time plan, but I found it really hard to stick to and some of the days would get mixed up, I found myself getting behind in the schedule and it became a worry, but I got back on track until the last week. Each job I'd planned to do in the last week took much longer than anticipated, despite allocating time for any mishaps. Printing contact sheets and visualisations took a whole day longer because of the enormous queues and it stalled 3 times for various reasons such as ink changes. I didn't have time to print out one of my visualisations because of this, but I have put it on my digital portfolio. I also regrettably ran out of time to print out the questionnaire results, though I do have them on my computer so I can always refer to them in new projects.
For this project I feel I have strong concepts in my designs and feel I have done well with creativity and technicalities as I've done a lot of research and been to my portfolio visits, but I'm disappointed in the professionalism in my work, particularly the gift bags and secondary research sheets. Though I do like the professional finish on the cards, wraps and tags. I'm considering having the gift bags re-made by a professional printers as I don't like the alinement on the ones I created.
I have learnt so much from my time on the Surface Design pathway, my creative ability and enjoyment of concepts have soared and I see a direction in career I wish to take. I've enjoyed learning about the industry and making contacts and I feel excited and ready to take on new challenges. I plan to attend a workshop in business advice, I'm hoping this will give me answers to issues I have with trading and copyright and then I plan to fully go into trading.
I'm currently talking to Ceri-Ann Brown, co-owner of Livid Thorn, in collaborating with her in a new business and I plan to work with her as well as pushing Paperandfrock.
I also have the project with The Peoples History Museum to look forward to and I'm excited about the year ahead.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Portfolio Viewing - The Retro Games Shop
I contacted the Retro Games Shop in Manchester for feedback on my retro game inspired cards. They seemed pretty interested to look at them even though they weren't already selling any, and told me to email them small res files. I've decided to just email for feedback instead of selling my work because I want to complete a workshop with information on business and trading before a pursue this.
The response I got was generally positive and it has encouraged me to want to pursue contact with other subject related stores.
Carla Brown, owner said:
- Retro computer game theme cards were strong and linked the subject
- Colours worked coherently with the subject and era
- Humorous and bold
- I'd created a flowing range
- Enjoyed the visuals and creative style
- Currently not in the position to buy
It was reasurring to know from someone that is so passionate about retro products that she liked them. Positive feedback like this pushes me to aim for bigger retro stores around the country, but I will need this business workshop under my belt so I've more understanding about what it is like to be in the position of trade. I thanked Carla Brown for my feedback as it has given me confidence in my card range.
The response I got was generally positive and it has encouraged me to want to pursue contact with other subject related stores.
Carla Brown, owner said:
- Retro computer game theme cards were strong and linked the subject
- Colours worked coherently with the subject and era
- Humorous and bold
- I'd created a flowing range
- Enjoyed the visuals and creative style
- Currently not in the position to buy
It was reasurring to know from someone that is so passionate about retro products that she liked them. Positive feedback like this pushes me to aim for bigger retro stores around the country, but I will need this business workshop under my belt so I've more understanding about what it is like to be in the position of trade. I thanked Carla Brown for my feedback as it has given me confidence in my card range.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Portfolio Viewing - MADE Afflecks Palace
I visited MADE in Afflecks Palace as I'd heard it was a new boutique. Yenna sells revived vintage clothing, handmade bags, accessories, greeting cards and postcards, under the label Yenna (also her name). The shop itself markets itself into the gift industry and I thought this combined with it being newly opened was ideal for a portfolio viewing as Yenna would have a lot of interest in looking at new designers work, but the opportunity to collaborate with.
Yenna was really approachable and eager to look at my designs. She was really enthusiastic looking through the range and like previous portfolio visits commented on how they were humorous. She said the styling was eye catching because the colours are bold, which she said was a good characteristic to have because it would keep a consumers interest in the shop which I thought was an interesting theory. She liked the styling of my bird cards (above) but I'm still considering putting these cards into a different product and we discussed how they'd make cute cushions or purses without the typing "one for sorrow" etc, see above with no text. I think this would work well and would have some qualities about them which would sell better as cushions and purses are a much more personal purchase.
I didn't show my unsuccessful cards, such as the cross cards (above), as I think they pull my portfolio down and I wouldn't want to knock any confidence a retailer would have in my work, so the feedback was generally positive.
We talked about figures and costs the breakdown of these costs are: to buy 12 designs with a minimum buy of 25 cards per design totalling in 300 cards would cost her £450 if I sold them to her at £1.50 each. If she then sold them on for £2.50, she'd make a turnover profit of £750 and a net profit of £300.
I can't reduce these figures as it currently costs me too much to print them, but I'm hoping with the help from Janneke Geene, I'll be able to establish contact and a print run from a company with more reasonable print prices.
I think these figures seems a little off putting for Yenna as she told me she'd think about it, but we swapped contact details and I'll contact her again soon. At the moment making a sale isn't my mine priority as I want to attend a workshop funded by Blue Orchid to get information on how to write up a written contract, copyright issues and general business knowledge so that I don't end up in any trouble. After I've attended that I'll feel much more comfortable in making sales, in the mean time I just really appreciate any positive feedback I receive as it makes me feel as if my designs are pursuing the market they are intended for. It was a good experience as always and I've gained another contact who may be interested in collaborating or trading business.
Yenna was really approachable and eager to look at my designs. She was really enthusiastic looking through the range and like previous portfolio visits commented on how they were humorous. She said the styling was eye catching because the colours are bold, which she said was a good characteristic to have because it would keep a consumers interest in the shop which I thought was an interesting theory. She liked the styling of my bird cards (above) but I'm still considering putting these cards into a different product and we discussed how they'd make cute cushions or purses without the typing "one for sorrow" etc, see above with no text. I think this would work well and would have some qualities about them which would sell better as cushions and purses are a much more personal purchase.
I didn't show my unsuccessful cards, such as the cross cards (above), as I think they pull my portfolio down and I wouldn't want to knock any confidence a retailer would have in my work, so the feedback was generally positive.
We talked about figures and costs the breakdown of these costs are: to buy 12 designs with a minimum buy of 25 cards per design totalling in 300 cards would cost her £450 if I sold them to her at £1.50 each. If she then sold them on for £2.50, she'd make a turnover profit of £750 and a net profit of £300.
I can't reduce these figures as it currently costs me too much to print them, but I'm hoping with the help from Janneke Geene, I'll be able to establish contact and a print run from a company with more reasonable print prices.
I think these figures seems a little off putting for Yenna as she told me she'd think about it, but we swapped contact details and I'll contact her again soon. At the moment making a sale isn't my mine priority as I want to attend a workshop funded by Blue Orchid to get information on how to write up a written contract, copyright issues and general business knowledge so that I don't end up in any trouble. After I've attended that I'll feel much more comfortable in making sales, in the mean time I just really appreciate any positive feedback I receive as it makes me feel as if my designs are pursuing the market they are intended for. It was a good experience as always and I've gained another contact who may be interested in collaborating or trading business.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Portfolio Viewing - Peoples History Museum
I went on a portfolio viewing to the Peoples History Museum on the 19th April and met the Visual Buyer of the museums shop Janneke Geene, she's also an events organiser and fundraiser.
I showed her the card collection from the Dark Nouveau brief, as well as the 4 finalised tshirts for my FMP.
Janneke explained that all merchandise sold in the museums shop had some have some link to the exhibitions and what the museum is about. The museums exhibitions are about the history of society and generation, politics and historic events.
So at that point I knew my cards didn't have a link to the visuals already in the shop so she wouldn't buy and backed that up by saying the subject didn't link to the merchandise already in the shop but despite that she was enthusiastic about my work and complimented the creative style and thought they were clever and humorous, but because she liked the style and content of my work she asked me if I would be interested in producing a minimum of 6 cards inspired by the museum!
The cards would be blank inside and not linked to any occasion, the style would have a repetition to the style in my previous card collection, only the subject would change so that it linked to the museum. Janneke suggested I wait until after uni so I don't feel any extra pressure and said that there wasn't a deadline for the completion of the cards.
I'm definitely going to take up Jannekes offer of producing a card range for the museum as it would be great for my existing portfolio as well as promoting my business name.
All the cards would have a brief attachment at the back of the card, with my photograph, name, place of study and my website name. This is great for promotion purposes and I hope more business comes from this project.
We discussed how payment normally works, Janneke said that she normally runs by a 100% mark up, so say I sold each card to her for £1, she'd sell it in the shop for £2. I've found a greeting card printers where if I had 300 cards printed, it would work out at 23p per card. To pay for the additional cellophane and envelope for 300 cards it would work at an extra 3p per card. Giving me a profit of 74p per card. £222 for 300.
Janneke told me I could contact her via about any advice, ie. printing advice, quotes and she'd be happy to help.
She's already forwarded on an email a printing house she's using to print postcards she'd designed for the shop with a printing quote, I'll attach here at a later date and the contact details, which I've extracted from the email, which is below.
She also gave me a suggestion of contacting wildlife attractions, who will stock merchendise related to birds, which she thought of after viewing my magpie cards. I think it's a great idea and will think of other places to contact where the subject in my cards is relatable.
Overall the feedback was great and she has provided me with contacts, suggestions, advice and an amazing project opportunity which I can't wait to start when I've finished uni.
I showed her the card collection from the Dark Nouveau brief, as well as the 4 finalised tshirts for my FMP.
Janneke explained that all merchandise sold in the museums shop had some have some link to the exhibitions and what the museum is about. The museums exhibitions are about the history of society and generation, politics and historic events.
So at that point I knew my cards didn't have a link to the visuals already in the shop so she wouldn't buy and backed that up by saying the subject didn't link to the merchandise already in the shop but despite that she was enthusiastic about my work and complimented the creative style and thought they were clever and humorous, but because she liked the style and content of my work she asked me if I would be interested in producing a minimum of 6 cards inspired by the museum!
The cards would be blank inside and not linked to any occasion, the style would have a repetition to the style in my previous card collection, only the subject would change so that it linked to the museum. Janneke suggested I wait until after uni so I don't feel any extra pressure and said that there wasn't a deadline for the completion of the cards.
I'm definitely going to take up Jannekes offer of producing a card range for the museum as it would be great for my existing portfolio as well as promoting my business name.
All the cards would have a brief attachment at the back of the card, with my photograph, name, place of study and my website name. This is great for promotion purposes and I hope more business comes from this project.
We discussed how payment normally works, Janneke said that she normally runs by a 100% mark up, so say I sold each card to her for £1, she'd sell it in the shop for £2. I've found a greeting card printers where if I had 300 cards printed, it would work out at 23p per card. To pay for the additional cellophane and envelope for 300 cards it would work at an extra 3p per card. Giving me a profit of 74p per card. £222 for 300.
Janneke told me I could contact her via about any advice, ie. printing advice, quotes and she'd be happy to help.
She's already forwarded on an email a printing house she's using to print postcards she'd designed for the shop with a printing quote, I'll attach here at a later date and the contact details, which I've extracted from the email, which is below.
New Leaf Press (Salford):
My contact there is Billy Lucas – he’s lovely.
Explain I suggested you contact him.
0161 205 0405
Mandy Bowden’s dad runs a printing plant and the details are as follows:
You’ve have to explain you got the contact from me and that I suggested to check with them...
They’re very nice.
It's great to have Janneke has a contact as she seems really helpful and has given me a great oppotunity to produce work for the shop, I'm really excited as to where else this may lead.She also gave me a suggestion of contacting wildlife attractions, who will stock merchendise related to birds, which she thought of after viewing my magpie cards. I think it's a great idea and will think of other places to contact where the subject in my cards is relatable.
Overall the feedback was great and she has provided me with contacts, suggestions, advice and an amazing project opportunity which I can't wait to start when I've finished uni.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
PDP Contact List
Roger La Borde - Phoned and emailed PDF files to sarah@rogerlaborde.com
Bellybutton Designs - Phoned and emailed PDF files to rachel@bellybuttondesigns.com
Firebrand Art Ltd - Phoned and emailed PDF files to info@firebrandart.co.uk, though Guy Chief Director said they are not looking to commission at the moment but is happy to give me feedback
Lime Cards Ltd - Phoned and awaiting call from Mandy Burstat for information on portfolio viewing
Loveday Designs - Phoned and told they are currently not in business but PDF files can be sent to info@lovedaydesigns.co.uk
YCUK - Phoned and was told they only deal with business from South America
Pink Pinapple- Phoned and emailed PDF files to peter@pinkpinapple.co.uk
Peoples History Museum - Contact Janeka, arrange portfolio viewing for 19/04/2011
Bellybutton Designs - Phoned and emailed PDF files to rachel@bellybuttondesigns.com
Firebrand Art Ltd - Phoned and emailed PDF files to info@firebrandart.co.uk, though Guy Chief Director said they are not looking to commission at the moment but is happy to give me feedback
Lime Cards Ltd - Phoned and awaiting call from Mandy Burstat for information on portfolio viewing
Loveday Designs - Phoned and told they are currently not in business but PDF files can be sent to info@lovedaydesigns.co.uk
YCUK - Phoned and was told they only deal with business from South America
Pink Pinapple- Phoned and emailed PDF files to peter@pinkpinapple.co.uk
Peoples History Museum - Contact Janeka, arrange portfolio viewing for 19/04/2011
Thursday, 7 April 2011
October Textiles Ltd
Click image to enlarge.I contacted October Textiles Ltd, a printing firm for a quotation on 4 digital printed tshirts.
This was originally for the kaleidoscope design so would roughly have 12 colours.
One colour cost £4.09, so times that by 12 and you're looking at £49.08, times this by 4 tshirts plus services, carriages and VAT brings my bill to £274.
On that note, I will be printing them myself, using either flex or transfer paper, I will experiment with the quality of both so see which has the best results.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Quitting Hollywood
I sent Quitting Hollywood the above email, hoping to get some relevent information about submitting artwork to them. I thought if I could submit my card designs to them, this could be used as a portfolio viewing but I have decided against using them as one of my portfolio viewings from the below response.I received this email below, which answered all my questions. As Quitting Hollywood work on a one price fixture for any designs submitted I will not be sending any designs to this company
as I will not be able to sell them to other companies.
Click on each email to enlarge it.
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