Illustrated Package Design - Text

After looking through my collected research I began looking through a variety of typefaces that have potential usability for my packaging.

These included -

Real Ale Real Food – chalkduster

Real Ale Real Food – 

Cracked

I went for types that had a rough look to them and if possible look hand done.

The chalkduster makes me think of the small advertising boards that small shops have outside, just a simple advert, hand done instead of a flashy digitally made advert.

The cracked typeface gives the more weathered look that reminds me of the hop sack from WVB, its something used in the physical labour and the type shows this.

The last type I found was Handwriting - Dakoto, I liked this even though it didn't show the roughness of cracked, it gives a more personal hand done look. It makes me think of a company making the product and signing it to give it a personal touch and as well almost showing how proud they are of their product, its locally made with high quality ingredients, their going to want people to know this.

After having another look at the Legges site I realised that with their tagline and other pieces of text they actually use a form of Handwriting - Dakoto.

This further proves my thoughts about this typeface and for my next step I will see how this will look on my packaging. 

http://www.leggesofbromyard.com/

Beer and Food Matching Research

As one of my packaging's alternate uses will be to give information regarding a specific recipe or a general good combination of beer and food, I had a look online to see what people have already discovered works well together.

The site of interest that I came across was the campaign for real ale site. This had a section (linked below) that was dedicated to looking at what types of ale go best with each specific food.
Using this would mean the potential idea of having a variety of different recipe's on each of WVB's ales, which would then allow the consumer to collect a vast amount of knowledge of combining the ales they buy with their everyday meals. Of course this is just a potential and not plausible for this brief as it would require many different designs for each individual ale.

Using this information now allows me to find a tried and tested food recipe that will go great with a specific ale. The packaging will be dedicated to the specific ale instead of a general this can go OK with any ale recipe

http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=282021
Edit - Recently the site has prevented me from viewing its pages and i believe this is to do with making an account with them first as I don't think this was around previously.

Whilst looking back at WVB's site I found that already their dropping hints about some good ale and food combinations. Their beer of the month which is "Christmas Whiskers" has extra information about how it goes well with Game, Plum Pudding and Mince Pies, perfect for the winter weather.

http://www.wyevalleybrewery.co.uk/beers/index.html

New Twine, New Look

Following further feedback regarding my twine use I invested in a more natural and rustic looking twine.

One trip to Homebase and I now have a more natural looking twine that is also compostable, making the packaging even greener.

Using the new weaving pattern I used my previous prototype as a tester for the twin to see how it works and looks.
Unlike the previous twine it goes with the packaging far better and almost blends into it, instead of sticking out as it was white. The texture of the twine is also slighter rougher which again helps with this rustic look that the packaging portrays.
I think this is a large improvement over the previous twine and the overall packaging benefits from the new look and texture.

Research into Rustic

From feedback received a more rustic feel from the typeface would be more suitable for my packaging.

From taking the word rustic sort of feel that I get from my research is a handcrafted almost rough look. Its a look that's been done by hand, its unpolished and has a personalized look that looks like its come from somewhere local and natural.
For an actual package design if made from wood, this would be quite a good technique to use as it gives a real rustic/handcrafted look but wouldn't be as affective at meeting the brief and generally being as plausible as cardboard.

http://www.nicecarvings.com/home/how-to-tutorials/distressed-wood-tutorial

A fantastic example of the sort of type I will go for was shown from the brewery itself. This is one of the hop sacks they used which is on display in the brewery. The text used is the style I require for my packaging, it has the hand done, rough look to make the text and packaging go together and suit the style of the brewery.

As well after looking through this style of design I have also decided to stick with keeping the packaging to its basic cardboard colour. This means that there will be a huge amount less ink needed, which is helping towards its cost and how green it is and I feel it will go with the rustic theme that I will attempt to implement. All together though I feel they will all tie in together and the packaging will have continuity.

Use of Twine/String in Packaging Research

Before and whilst using twine/string in my packaging I had a search around the internet to see what kind of use it has had previously within package design.

A nice simple use this, it can hold the package together with a small amount of it and all it needs is a small knot in it. This is what I wanted to be present in my packaging, minimal use of a material whilst it can easily hold it together.

http://sunnyfionadesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/laurel-denise-2011-calendar.html


Another good use of string/twine and woven materials. This example gave me the idea of using some sort of bag like design to transport the bottles and a simple pull string to hold it all together, simple and uses few materials. Unfortunately these wouldn't be stack-able, wouldn't be very practical when lining them up on a shelf for selling and wouldn't be able to display the product inside which is essential for this brief.

http://www.bagsonline.in/cotton_draw_string_bags__pouch


Another area of string/twine I looked into was how it can be used for handles. Having this as a material for handles due to it being environmentally friendly and being extremely tough, this does not pull apart easily like cardboard would. This would have good potential when mixing it in with my design and would increase its life line in terms off keeping it from falling apart. The current design a cardboard handle that does work but I am considering replacing it with twine.

http://wubbahed.com/2007/07/10/jute-a-lo-handbag/

Illustrated Package Design - Drafts Board

Now my design is at a more advanced stage I have begun to create some of the imagery in illustrator. Beginning this I drew up the drafts board and tokens that will be inside the box.
Making half the squares black and leaving the other squares un-coloured (Cardboard colour for this prototype) will distinguish the two players easily and would save ink with the printing, which would then save the company further money.

Prototype Improvements - Tabs

From testing my prototype i realised that the current tabs used are not strong enough to hold the top of the box together.

With their current simple square design they have a habit of sliding out of the slot. Looking at this issue I returned to looking at other tab designs that would work better for my packaging.

As I wanted someway for the tabs to hook inside the slots to avoid them slipping out, this seemed a suitable solution. Using this style of tab allows it to hook inside the slot and at the very least provides much better support than a flat square tab. This style of tab will be worked with to make it suitable for my design and should improve the quality and strength of the lid of the package.

Prototype Improvements - Twine Sides

Feedback received from the group and Jennie showed that it was a good idea but wasn't entirely plausible with the amount used. Now knowing this i worked on a few more ways I could still use it but make it more appropriate for this brief and more useable in industry. I will also collect a brown twine for the final package to give the more natural/rustic look, CAT had some good bundles made from hemp of this but unfortunately this idea wasn't at this stage for me to know to grab some. I will collect some from Homebase to give it the closest possible look that I would like the final package to have.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=880790&Trail=searchtext%3ETWINE

Idea Number 1

This first design does the original weaving pattern but reduces the amount of twine used by half and halves the amount of weaves done. This makes it must faster to put together, is still strong enough to support the bottles and cuts the material usage making it cheaper.

Idea Number 2

Looking at the previous idea I wondered if i could progress on it further, I think i have accomplished this. This uses even less twine and less weaves, when tested with the bottles it was capable of supporting the weight of the bottles and still keeping the integrity of the box intact. This can be done in literally seconds making it far more plausible for industry use, it meets Jennie's feedback for making it more useable for WVB and helps it meet the brief. 

This idea will be taken forward.

More Advanced Prototype

Following the design in the previous post I created a prototype for it.

This new design has had a large reduction in the amount of cardboard making it much greener, had an alteration to the locking system which now uses tabs and slots and now incorporates twine.

I have also shown the potential design layout of text/logo's to receive feedback on how it is and how it can be improved.

Potential Improvements from Feedback

After having my new prototype looked over by my learning team I began to see some simple improvements that I could do that would strengthen and make the packaging better.

Firstly the point of would it be safe in transit and when being held. It was measured to fit the bottles together snugly which would avoid them clanging against each other, this was tested yesterday with all three bottles in together, they fit and don't clang off each other. For the carrying issue though I realised that I had not given enough material for the handle, its capable of holding the bottles but with strain that looks like it will give way. For the final the handle will be looked at.

For the drafts pieces I had them pop-out able along the bottom of the box but it was discussed that this would damage the strength of the box, they will be moved to an upper area of the box on the final.

People would like the small illustration of the front to be more visible/larger and potentially extend to the back of the box. This is something I will consider for the final.

The text was the last potential improvement from my group. At the moment people think it doesn't suit the look of the box enough and that a more rustic typeface may work better. This is something I will definitely look into and may implement into the final design.

After having Jennie have a look over my design I got quite positive feedback about it. The bit of feedback I did receive was to do with the twine holding the sides together. While it does look really nice it will require time to put together and a company will not hire someone to just do that. To fix this issue the solution of reducing the amount of twine used, reducing the amount of cross-overs by half would make putting it together much faster, still prevent bottles falling out and still holding the packaging together. This will definitely be worked on for the final design and it will make it much more useable in the industry.

Alterations to Original Design

With my original design (early POC) it was functional and did its purpose but it had a major flaw.
From feedback I realized that my package was using too much cardboard and was edging away from being green. Knowing this I went back to my original design and looked at how I could improve it and reduce the amount of cardboard while keeping it functional.


This is a drafted net of my new design

The first thing I did was to remove the sides and tabs, the purpose of these were to stop the contents falling out and holding the lid together.
To replace this holes are dotted down each side that can then have twine stringed through them to form a mesh. It will be done so it is easy to take off when needed but can support the bottles if they lean against them.

Next was the issue of how the lid was going to hold together. To fix this I shrunk the size of the handle on both sides and extended out tabs on one side. These tabs then go into slots on the opposite side and hold the box together.

I have also made a few small alterations to the sizing of the package, when I create my prototype I found that the bottles had difficulty fitting. With some alterations the bottles should now fit snugly in and be held tightly to avoid them clashing together.

For the second uses of the packaging it can do a few things.

• It can be re-used to transport more bottles or other object.
• The inside of the box will have a drafts board printed onto it and there will be tokens that can be popped out and used for it.
• Behind each bottle will be a food and beer combination recipe which is specific to whichever product it is behind.

This new design now uses a good portion less cardboard, uses tabs effectively and is still just as strong as the original.

This is how I wish the final box in terms of design to look at this moment in time, this may change as the project progresses -

Centre for Alternate Technology Visit

Going to the CAT was quite beneficial, it gave me a better insight into what some people are doing to become more green and how they are trying to make people more aware.
 
Its really good to see a place like this being as self sufficient as it can without government funding, their doing this through dedication for what they believe must be done with making people aware of whats happening to the planet around them. 

I collected a bunch of pictures from around CAT, some showing some of their own work and information areas, they began making me think of what I learnt in information graphic design back in year 2.   

Blog Task Questions

Q Materials lightness, suitability for purpose, minimalising of materials use and 'clever or smart' usages of materials were all considerations discussed at CAT with Jo. With your present designs for the WVB package mixed with the research that you've done to date and some of Jo's discussions suggest 3 ways in which you might minimise your materials use with your package.

• My current package design does use a bit much cardboard, even though I have given most of it a purpose. Firstly to minimise it I will go back to my design, look at how the package holds itself together and the products in place and remove/simplify sections that don't have as much purpose, such as the sides to the box, if the package can hold the bottles firmly in place then they would not be needed.
• Secondly I may alter/add more second uses for the package that uses less space but still keeps the package being used after it has transported the products. If I alter the design of the package this may force me to change my second use, designing shall continue.
• Finally with my current design I had planned to use some colour on it, but I am now considering leaving it the colour of the cardboard, this reduces the amount of ink to just logo's and small sections of text making it a lot more green.

Q CAT is in part about educating people about how to live more sustainably. After seeing a wide range of displays on practical methods to lower dependence on a high carbon lifestyle [and bearing in mind where you chose to stand in the 'line' between tech solutions and/or a simpler life] - what two things might you yourself do to lessen your own carbon footprint in the future?

• Replacing some windows that are not keeping in any heat and are letting the warmth of the whole house go down, which then requires more power to be wasted by keeping it heated.
• Having the heating on less, it currently gets used a bit much and as the insulation is quite good it doesn't need to be left on too long.

Q Describe 1 example of information display that you saw while at CAT: What it was, how it was presented graphically and in what context [i.e. covered area, out in the open, specialist display etc]. Could the display you saw be improved and how do you think this could be  achieved?

• One information display that I saw was the board outside the solar dome that discussed the Zero Carbon Britain 2030 target. It is presented on a long board that follows a linear step by step guide of how you can help towards their goal for zero carbon britain.
  I think this could be improved by if possible reducing the amount of text that is on the board, the large arrows split it up well but seeing that amount of writing in small text really puts me off reading it.

A bit more packaging research

Having a mooch around the internet, I collected some clever examples of packaging that makes good use of its materials.

Clever little idea for transporting Chinese take out food, 100% recyclable and good use of materials.

http://blog.esko.com/index.php/2011/10/12/eco-friendly-chinese-take-out-packaging-menu/




Not really that green but still a great little bit of creative packaging that helps you to make your tea a little easier and a bit more comical.

http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/06/23/ten-creative-packaging-concepts/



Good use of tabs and slots on this design and as well no glue.

Really clever design this, the packaging become part of the product, this is a is a great way to give the packaging extra life and last just as long as the product itself.

Another good example of use for the packaging instead of being thrown away, the box is used as the cutting board and can be then used afterwards as storage.

Lastly just an example of a drinks holder which I think uses glue but I think could be done using slots and tabs, still a good bit of packaging.

http://jayce-o.blogspot.com/2011/04/50-eco-friendly-recyclable-packaging.html


Before continuing I thought it best to research into some of the properties of potential materials that I could use for my packaging.


Cardboard

After looking at some existing examples and some online research I gained a bit of extra knowledge about how it could be used and about its properties.

Like most of the examples above, cardboard is a widely used material that can be adapted for nearly any packaging solution due to its customize-ability. With its multiple thicknesses and ability to be folded, bent, shaped and cut it can be used in a variety of creative ways and be merged with other materials.
Its durability also makes it a good material to use, its light but doesn't tear easily, the corrugation makes it difficult to puncture and it is capable of holding a significant amount of weight.
Cardboard is also a very green material as it is recyclable, sustainable and will not impact upon the environment.



http://www.ehow.com/about_6514103_properties-cardboard.html










Wood


Wood was my next choice for a packaging due to how it can be crafted in practically any way.
After looking through some examples online I think wood would be a really creative way to go with this brief and I think it would suit the look of the brewery.

As its wood its extremely tough and can easily protect its contents but at the same time as its a rigid material it become difficult to flat-pack. Cardboard would be a much better choice for this as it is flexible. Wood would also be more costly to use which is going against some of the briefs outlines. It would be a great material to work with but i think cardboard will be more suitable for this brief.






http://www.ekanconcepts.com/