OUGD405 - Brief 4 - Ideas Discussion

Today following our crit session for brief 3 we had time to discuss our initial ideas and concepts for brief 4. These brief run simultaneously do it is going to be challenged to spread myself across the two bodies of work and give enough attention to everything. 

For brief 4 we must identify in 'issue' or 'problem' that needs solving from the research we gathered for brief 2. We then have to resolve the issue through design, by producing 'packaging' for a 'product' that is directly informed by the broad range of research gathered. 

My interpretation of the brief:
In this brief the terms 'product' and 'packaging' can be applied very loosely and viewed in a very abstract way. Most people would see these two words in the literal sense, but in relation to this project the words 'product' and 'packaging' can mean literally anything (in the context of graphic design and visual communication). So there is pretty much free rein in terms of what is produced as the final 'resolution' to this brief. It's wide open. As part of this project, I must re-write the brief to make it as targeted and specific as I can to my individual interests, concerns and research. 

My product is going to be related to the collection of images that I have. the images are not mind, they are appropriated. They are completely unrelated to one another yet I think it will be interesting to draw comparisons between the images and forge connections and relationships with them. 

The issue I have identified from my research is that not many people have much knowledge of what slides are or what they do. I found through my research that people think analogue film photography is fairly redundant as a medium and is overpowered by digital mediums. Slides as objects are fairly obsolete in 2015 but I want to make people aware of their fantastic unique qualities

. I feel that my generation, living in the digital age don't have much knowledge or appreciation of analogue photography, especially funny little objects such as slides. 

Digital photography for me creates a void between the photographer and the photograph where as analogue physical photographs connect the artist to their images. I want to inform and entertain people about slides, and the way that I want to do this is through promotion.

I want to promote a series of exhibitions, talks, workshops, films etc all about 35mm slides. This is my PRODUCT, the events. My PACKAGING will be the promotion articles and pieces of graphic design. I want to design posters, flyers and other printed pieces of design that promote the events. 

Here are the dictionary definitions of the words:

Product:

Definition: an article or substance that is manufactured or refined for sale.

A thing or person that is the result of an action or process.

Packaging

Definition: The wrapping material around a consumer item that serves to contain, identify, describe, protect, display, promote and otherwise make the product marketable and keep it clean

1. Processes (such as cleaning, drying, preserving) and materials (such as glass, metal, paper or paperboard, plastic) employed to contain, handle, protect, and/or transport an article. Role of packaging is broadening and may include functions such as to attract attention, assist in promotion, provide machine identification (barcodes, etc.), impart essential or additional information, and help in utilisation. See also packing.

2. Practice of combining several related goods or services into a single offer. See also bundling

Packaging is the technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Packaging can be described as a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. Packaging contains, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells

Things to consider when designing 'packaging'

Packaging is more than just your product's pretty face. Your package design may affect everything from breakage rates in shipment to whether stores will be willing to stock it. For example, "displayability" is an important concern. The original slanted-roof metal container used for Log Cabin Syrup was changed to a design that was easier to stack after grocers became reluctant to devote the necessary amounts of shelf space to the awkward packages. Other distribution-related packaging considerations include:

Labelling. You may be required to include certain information on the label of your product when it is distributed in specific ways. For example, labels of food products sold in retail outlets must contain information about their ingredients and nutritional value.

Opening. If your product is one that will be distributed in such a way that customers will want to--and should be able to--sample or examine it before buying, your packaging will have to be easy to open and to reclose. If, on the other hand, your product should not be opened by anyone other than the purchaser--an over-the-counter medication, for instance--then the packaging will have to be designed to resist and reveal tampering.

Size. If your product must be shipped a long distance to its distribution point, then bulky or heavy packaging may add too much to transportation costs.

Durability. Many products endure rough handling between their production point and their ultimate consumer. If your distribution system can't be relied upon to protect your product, your packaging will have to do the job.