Nothing

Nothing is a new commercial creative agency formed by Michael Jansen and Bas Korsten in Amsterdam. The Nothing office is built almost entirely out of cardboard. A 'no screw no glue' technique.

The Nothing team took the idea behind the company name (taking nothing and turning it into something) as the starting point for the physical design of the office; which included creating walls, signage, beams, tables, shelving and even a set of stairs out of cardboard.
Has a sustainable aspect to it which I love. So so simple, but as I've never seen anything like this, it's so so clever!

The walls will double as a blank canvas with visitors encouraged to leave their mark on the surfaces.
And when they get bored by the accumulated daubings, the studio can presumably replace individual sections of their workspace for, well, nothing much at all.

It's worth having a look at their website, fabulous!

Talk with Justin + Unpackaged

During the last tutorial with Justin, we sat and had a discussion about where I might want to take my FMP after the Easter break. I wasn't really very sure where I might want to take it, but I had made some notes and got some ideas down about a couple of possible briefs.

As my subject/theme is Sustainability Within Design, he wanted me to focus on what I mean by that. Dig deeper into what I'm on about, in a bit more detail than I have been doing.

After a bit more discussion we came onto the conversation about re-branding and packaging. Which then led onto easter eggs and too much unnecessary packaging, he proposed the idea of me looking at redesigning some easter egg packaging...which then moved onto me considering a sustainable confectioners. Creating a brand, and then proposing ideas such as no-packaging and alternatives, the promotional material etc. Along the lines of that, but focusing on a confectioners.

Since then I've had a think and I really like the idea of producing something like that for the big main brief of my FMP. A lot of research is still required before I make any final decisions.

Anyways...I've come across Unpackaged. Unpackaged, an organic local grocery store in North London, uses design to help its local customers to be more environmentally friendly by using less wasteful packaging when they buy their supplies.



PROBLEM
We use packaging like it’s a never ending resource. Every person in the UK generates about 500kg of waste each year, 160kg of which is packaging waste that uses finite resources then ends up on landfill sites because not all of it can be recycled.

RESPONSE
Unpackaged, a North London social enterprise helps people use less unnecessary packaging. It worked with designers to create a local organic grocery store which helps local customers shop in a new packaging free way.

RESULT
60% of Unpackaged customers reuse their own packs when they return to the shop and about 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions are saved by the store each year compared to if it was selling the same groceries pre packed.

Packaging is an environmental problem because the materials that make it are often from finite resources (like oil which is used to make plastic, or trees that are turned into cardboard and sometimes not replaced with new trees), and once it’s used, packaging tends to end up on landfill sites rather than being recycled. Unpackaged started as a stall at Exmouth market while Conway figured out what groceries people were likely to buy loose and got feedback on the sort of issues that would put them off buying unpackaged goods.

Unpackaged needed a brand identity that would pack an eco-friendly punch but also counteract preconceptions that self serve stores were bargain basements and that sustainability was all about knitted carrier bags and chairs made out of old bottles. A classic glass jar provided inspiration for the Unpackaged logo which uses a simple outline and modern typeface to make the idea of reusing packaging appealing for a 21st century customer

"Everything we’ve produced from the start has been not wasteful. Everything doubles up as something else. The flyers and invites are printed on bits of old cereal boxes. And when we moved from the stall to the shop I had lots of business cards left and they were stapled together and made into Unpackaged loyalty cards..... ‘We designed a flyer that uses icons with the same proportions as the Unpackaged jar to explain how the new shopping concept works. The “weigh, pay, save” process is illustrated with a set of scales, an old-fashioned till and coin purse. Once Cath moved from the market stall into the shop we put larger versions of these icons in gold foil on the door so everyone who enters the shop can easily figure out how it works.’’ - C. Conway

Salvedge Bus. Card

Since last speaking to Steve Edge about the progress of the Salvedge logo, he has chosen the one he wants to go with. He ended up choosing one of my ideas, surprisingly, as Kyle's was much better and cleverer!
Anyways, we then went away and emailed a printer recommended by Steve, a guy who's going to do the printing for him for free.
It's nearly been a week since I emailed him, but there is still no response and this project can't really move ahead until we've heard back from him.
If I've not heard from him by Wednesday, I'll email him again, but I'm conscious of being too much of a nag...

To keep my mind ticking over with this brief I'm been working on some layouts for Steve's business card, shown below.
They wouldn't be printed on this blank white paper stock, as Steve has already requested a recycled paper stock, with a bit of texture. But you get the idea.

Product Label + Internet Pop-up

I'm getting further and further to getting this Stuff-O-Meter brief completed. I've completed the website. I'm half way there with some flyers and a poster, I've created these product labels and an internet pop up. I'm also half way there with putting the submission boards together. So only a matter of days until this is out of my hair. But now I'm getting somewhere with it, I'm beginning to enjoy it again, which is nice. It's all coming together nicely.

So, the photo's above are the product labels. The idea behind this is to promote the website on the birth, life and death of a hair dryer. The brief asks you to make people aware of the cradle to grave of a hair dryer before the retailer purchases it, so I thought a good way to target the girls who use their hair dryers a lot would be on the hair products designed to help against heat damage, ie, heat defense sprays and the shampoos and conditioners.
So I've done this swing tag kind of thing. I think it works well, I created a few designs picked 3, but these 2 on the photo's are my favourite. I now just need to take some better photographs.

Below are a few ideas for an internet pop-up advert. I figured as the website has an online presence, it would be suitable to provide something else based on the web to promote it. I've focused on placing them on the sites where you can purchase hair dryers, like Boots and Argos, providing a link to the birth, life and death of a hair dryer if anyone is intrigued to find out more. So these are a few I've put together, but nothing is final...

Michael C Place (Build) and Adrian Shaughnessy in Newcastle

Yesterday I attended the Adrian Shaughnessy and Michael C Place (Build) talk at Dance City in Newcastle.

It was basically Adrian Shaughnessy interviewing Michael, Richard and Judy style. Discussing his journey from college, to the Designers Republic in Sheffield until finally ending up where he is now, in his own studio under the name 'Build' (AKA Design by Build). He also had a presentation of all selected pieces of work that he talked about which was nice.

It was interesting to hear his story as a designer, from a student and how he went about getting a job etc. But I made a few notes of the things he said that I found most interesting...

It was interesting to hear that he failed his degree course, purely for the fact that where he is now is amazing and it just shows that experience and being your own person is enough to get you through. I'm not necessarily sure if that would work in this day and age...but who knows. I'm not mentioning this because I'm intending to fail my course, but because how much the placements and experience you undertake are just as vital. It's got me thinking I need to sort myself out. Organize some more placements. And the reality that even when I get my degree I have to be prepared to do placements, whether they be paid or not.

Michael has done a lot of record sleeve designs and music related stuff, and as I've currently got the brief of producing the logo for COOKI, a DJ creating hard trance music, not something I normally listen to too. But he mentioned before he starts putting down any designs, he listens to the music first. Hearing what your designing for is important.

Other points I picked up were..
- You really really need to be able to defend your own work and talk about it. If you don't understand it then no one else will.
- Have a balance of work. Don't just focus on one signature style, people get bored of seeing the same thing all the time.
- Do your own work alongside the work your getting paid for. This will keep you sane as well as keeping you creative.

Tutorial with Justin

Whereas last time I had a tutorial with Joe, a joint one with Kyle to discuss the progress of the Salvedge brief. This time I had Justin even though we were meant to stick with the same person to discuss the action plan. But because I am going on the trip to Newcastle this afternoon and Joe has no available spaces this morning, Justin will just have to do!
It shouldn't matter too much, because I didn't really show Joe any other work but the Salvedge logo ideas.

Anyways, back to the tutorial.
I took along my nearly complete Stuff-O-Meter brief. With the website layouts I did last week and my ideas for a flyer or a poster. I took the Salvedge work, the logo idea that Steve wants to go with and the email that Kyle and I sent to the printers earlier this morning.
Finally, I took along the ideas for a new brief I started yesterday morning. Designing identity for a friend who travels around night clubs. Calling himself COOKI.

Discussion about Stuff-O-Meter:
Justin and I both agreed it just needs to get finished now. The website is done and dusted, I just need to prepare it for submission.
He also told me to use the hair illustration with the time line of a hair dryer, as he thinks that's the strongest piece to my work. Maybe a concertina folded leaflet or a huge point of sale poster type thing.
My aim is to get this complete by next week, and also prepare my submission boards for this project for print by next Friday. So I can get it printed during Easter.

Discussion about Salvedge Logo:
It's well underway. Making very good progress. Need to see what the printer says, but in the mean time, whilst waiting for his reply, have ago at looking at some layouts for his business card, letterhead and compliment slip.
Justin set a target of having this brief resolved by Easter, but Steve Edge doesn't seem in any real hurry to have it completed any time soon. So hopefully once the printer replies, it can get off the ground.

Discussion about the COOKI Logo:
Just get on with it. See what else is out there.
All Chris (COOKI) wants is a logo, he's not requested anything else. If he doesn't want me to do anything else then I'll just bulk this brief out in my own way.

COOKI Ideas

So this is what I've done so far...and I'm not sure how it's going. I'm going to have to email him these ideas and see what he thinks, and if I'm on the right track!

I'm happy with a couple of these, like the one with the simple typeface, but the headphones and it's wire wrapping around the text. Then there's the one's with the decks as the OO's. But I've got a feeling they might have too much detail.
But we'll see...

The next step is to put together a PDF to send to him. Keeping my eyes peeled in the mean time for any more inspiration with this one.

COOKI logo

Yesterday at work a guy who I work with, who travels the country Djing in various clubs has asked me if I could have a go at designing his identity. He calls himself COOKI, as his name is Chris Cooke. He produces hard trance/dance.
Something out of my comfort zone, and not too sure where so go for research. But after doing a bit of research, I think I've found some relevant stuff. He's told me of a website to look at that might help give me and idea of the type of thing he's looking for.
So here's some stuff I've found that might help inspire me with his design.

At last...

At last I've constructed the proposal for a website!
And it's only taken a matter of hours. I already had initial ideas for websites and already had a good idea of the construction of a website and how it wanted it to 'flow', but I've been putting it off for so long I could have just done it in a day, and if I had of done that then this brief would have been over and done with days ago!
Bit annoyed with myself that I hadn't done this before the crit, because I've chosen a website layout that no one picked as the one I should go with. Also, if I had of just gone with this then this would have been something I would value the feedback from more. Although I've done this, I'm still not happy that it's done. It just seems a bit...bland :s
But then, how interesting does a website about a hair dryer need to be?!
So I'm going to leave it as it is and now construct some promo material for it, ready for the tutorial next week with Joe, or if can't wait that long I'll grab some people in the studio and get there views, before I start the promo stuff.

Chosen Salvedge Logo

Today Kyle and I went along to see Steve to discuss the progress of the Salvedge logo and see which of the ones we sent off in the PDF he would like to use for his consultancy.
It came down to a toss up between one of Kyle's and one of mine which was nice. But in the end he ended up choosing the one I'd done (shown below). But it was actually a joint effort, because in the original designs that I sent over to Kyle, the symbol made out of S's was green, but Kyle altered it to the orange, to show Steve a wider range.



We then discussed the next step, that he would want a business card, letterhead, compliment slip and possibly a folder that would be sent off to people to be created.
We also showed him some of Kyle's recycled paper stocks, he seemed to like them all. In particular the darker, more yellowy colours.
He gave us the contact details for Duncan, the printer, a friend of Steve's who would be happy to print all of this for free. So we just need to email Duncan with an idea of how many Steve wants printing, to see what paper stocks would be available and any limitations there might be.
Steve decided on 1000 letterheads, 1000 business cards and 300 compliment slips. And before anything is decided about the A$ document folder, we need to find out if the printing of it would be possible.

Evaluation, focus, develop

My problem at the moment is the Stuff-O-Meter brief. Well, saying that, before the crit it was a bigger problem because it just wasn't getting anywhere, but now I've had some useful and constructive feedback I feel it's not so much of a problem and that I can get it done and dusted...hopefully by this weekend. I can't believe how long it's taken me, it's embarrassing. But at the beginning I don't think I considered how much research would actually need to be done for it to get off the ground, as it seems not many other people have taken time out to look at a hair dryer from cradle to grave, and I don't blame them!
Even preparing for the crit was useful, when composing the questions I wanted feedback to it gave me time to consider what it was I was actually NOT doing, and what I needed to do ASAP!
Up until last night, another problem I was having was that I hadn't composed any other briefs, all I had was the 2 I've been working on. But I've since written myself 3 more, all considerably short ones, so my aim is to get them completed during the easter holidays. So that's no longer a problem, I just need to write them up and set myself some deadlines and STICK TO THEM!
My proposed brief are..(they're not totally finalized yet, but you get the idea)
1. If you could..
\If you could design anything tomorrow to improve the way we live what would it be?
This will either be my own response to the question, but I'm more interested in promoting this question. Putting it out there and seeing what people come back with.
2. Delight in Design...
\How can consumers be more involved in a products development and production? To be sure that what they're getting is what they want.
3. A sustainable retail environment. Looking at the bags, receipts, leaflets etc
(this is still a maybe, as I'm not sure it's what I really want to do)

My subject area hasn't changed at all. I'm still focusing on 'Sustainability Within Design' and I'm really enjoying producing the research for Design Context for it. The only slight problem here is that sustainability as a subject is so broad, that's why I changed it to Sustainability within Design right at the beginning, to help narrow the research down and not go too crazy! It has helped, but I think I need to write myself a statement of how I want to engage with sustainability and what it means to me and my practice. What are my main concerns and what do I want to do about it kind of thing..
I'm currently focusing my research on looking at sustainably conscious design firms, such as Thomas.Matthews and designers who don't have a huge commitment to designing sustainable, but take it into consideration and are doing their own little bit in their own little way and what they've done. Then I've been looking at services and informative websites where they help inform and educate designers about why it's important that they make these little changes, what the little changes are and how they go about making these little changes etc.
I've emailed some local design companies who have environmental policies, about 6 in total, but only one lovely man has replied, but it was useful feedback. But I think my next step is to compose some questions that will provide me with really useful answers, and email them out to all these big companies who are making the biggest impact, whether it be in the UK or over the seas.
I've also emailed a company in the UK who provide only recycled paper stocks and have asked for some samples, which they said they would be happy to send me some, but that was over 2 weeks ago and I've still not received any bulky mail...but I'll give them until tomorrow and send them another email, see if they need reminding.
That's something I need to get into more, and that's collecting and discovering all the environmentally products that are out there and available.

Crit Feedback

For this crit I took my responses of the only two briefs I've started so far; Stuff-O-Meter and Salvedge logo.
This crit came at a good time for the Stuff-O-Meter brief, because I just needed a little help and a little push in the right direction. I've had enough of this brief now, it's gone on far too long, so the plan now is to get it done within the next two days and 'put it to bed' as they say.
But with the Salvedge logo there wasn't much feedback I could ask for as Kyle and I have sent off a PDF to Steve and we're meeting him this evening to discuss what he thinks to our initial ideas, but it was good to hear what people thought.

Stuff-O-Meter Feedback:

So during the crit I put up all the ideas I've had for the website ideas, a few of the posters I constructed and a little mail shot I put together yesterday. I explained where I was at, what I'd done and where I intend to go, but needed some response to some questions just to help me get moving...

The questions and answers were as follows..
C+N-Claire + Nicky
J+K-Jimmy + Ken

1. Which of the website layouts I've been looking at would be the most appropriate?

C+N - Number 4, the simplest and Number 8, the flow chart idea. But with this one get rid of the black wire squiggle in the corner.


J+K - How do we judge? See next questions for a response to this aswell...

2. Should I keep the amount of information I provide on the website as simple as possible? So that I'm not bombarding people with all the un-interesting, geeky information I found out? For example, just listing the materials inside, providing an idea of how many miles the hair dryer and it's components might have travelled before it reaches the UK? etc.

C+N - Stick with quirky facts. Nothing boring. Travel information would be interesting.
J+K - No, keep it the more interesting stuff, but make it quirky. The geekier the better. D&AD about creativity. Just making it an ad campaign, like Diesel perfume and the cowboy thing?

3. Am I taking too much on? Am I on the right track or do I need to clarify where I'm taking this?

C+N - Wrap it up. GET IT FINISHED! A blog might be easier?
J+K - No, just make quick decisions!

4. What's missing from the promotional poster and the leaflet designs to encourage people to go to the site?

C+N - It gives too much away (the poster), less is more. Pink one, do teasers, each poster with a different component. A series.
J+K - Use vector shapes as subjects to relate the life and physical aspect of a hair dryer.

5. What do you think my next step SHOULD be?

C+N - Finish it by Friday.
J+K - Make the poster brighter. Look at GHD, give it a purpose. Promote their hair dryer (a new path). Does it need to die? USe life and death as a theme.

Other general notes..
The lifetime map is the strongest piece visually.
Seeing as it links with London Underground Maps, and the type has a look at 1930s, maybe look at this style of design Stylise it using colour.


What I think...
Overall really useful feedback. I know what they mean about it needing to be over and done with. So I'm going to set myself a deadline of two days time. I'm going to focus on the website and how that's going to be constructed before I take into consideration the poster and mail shot. I might have a think about what Ken and Jimmy said about promoting a product, as I think that would work better, but it means taking a few little steps back and considering how I might do that. But I've had enough now, so I might see how it goes before I make any other decisions.

Noisy Decent Graphics

Discovered this blog today, created by Ben Terrett a graphic designer in London.

This link takes you to the "Sustainability in Design" category of his blog. There are loads and loads of interesting posts, and the good thing is that he updates it regularly. This is definitely a blog worth following...

I've added it to the 'Nice Stuff...' section of my blog.

Hidden Components pt.4 - Poster Layouts

Here are a few more proposals for the promotion poster for my website.
I feel that I'm nearly getting there with these ones, compared to yesterday anyway.
I'm going to move away from this poster for a few days now and focus on the website, as that will influence the final direction that this poster should go in.
Sine yesterday, I've moved away from the idea of a series of posters, and I seem to be focusing on just one design. But I think I would like to go back and create a series, but that will come after the website I think.

Interesting link no.2

On visiting a blog whilst doing some research for the Design Context side of the FMP, I can across a link to a blog on graphics and living by someone called Mike Dempsey.
From Caveman to Spray Can

He has written up a talk he gave to the RSA in 2005. It's about all sorts of interesting things but essentially it's an overview of graphic design.

I only read it because underneath the link to the article it said "If you're a graphic design student, you must read it"

A lot of it isn't really relevant to my FMP, but it's an interesting read.

Hidden Components pt.2 - Change of plan...

...only very slightly though.
I've focused on the the purpose of the poster, and not just a poster with the components of a hair dryer neatly displayed on it, without any actual meaning.
I've decided to not just do one poster, but to do a series. All promoting the website that I'm still composing.
The layout still isn't totally complete, but it's definitely getting there. Having played around with a few layouts, it's helped me realise what direction I want to take this in.
Each poster will have a different message, an interesting fact or something you might not know or ever consider to do with a hair dryer. Something to encourage people to find out more, be intrigued to find out what they can do to make a hair dryer live longer and the recycling process. That kind of stuff.

I've mainly be focusing on type and layout with this, which is the most suitable direction to take this in and links with my proposal in my Statement Of Intent (SOI).

8 Tips for Sustainable Design

1. Insist that every product starts with a written strategy, whose measureable objectives include a 'Triple Bottom Line': People, Planet, Profit.

2. Choose designers (certified ones, if available) who have made a public commitment to minimum standards of performance and social responsibility, and that will keep you informed of what's new.

3. Plan products that will be designed to last (or perhaps distribute electronically the content that is more time-sensitive)

4. Consider solutions that start with eco-friendly materials (preferably from nearby ethical suppliers) that reuse existing things, or that result in things that can be used (or at least recycled).

5. Offset any unavoidable carbon footprint of your project.

6. If you can't find a promise to make about your product that you'd feel comfortable making to your children or best friend, redesign your product.

7. Tell the world about your great process: lead by example and take the credit you deserve.

8. Don't just do good work. Do good.

Salvedge Logo Ideas pt.2

^
Have tried using the huge S within the logo. So that when needs be, the S could work on it's own without anything else, such as the Salvedge name or any other type.
Some of them work ok, some don't. But I'm still trying things out so we'll se where this goes.



^
All the ideas I've tried so far have been quite playful and quite unsophisticated, and I don't think that's quite what he's looking for :s
But I'm really struggling to get going with some more sophisticated ideas that have a more professional look to them. This is all I've done so far. And too be honest, I very much dislike it!




^
A couple more ideas. Again very playful. But who knows, I'm still not clear on what it is he will be looking for, so I'll keep going with trying out all things that pop into my mind!

Salvedge Logo Ideas

I've just spent an hour or so trying to get this brief off the ground. First time I've set time aside to get some ideas down since the meeting with Steve a couple of weeks ago...oops.
I've been a bit confused since the meeting as to what it is he's expecting or wanting, so I've just decided to go for it and get some ideas down.
I'm quite pleased with the outcome, using one typeface. I started working with another, and I've got some more to have a go with too. Still a long way to go, but I've started it at least...

I should explain a bit. Salvedge is a sustainable design and energy consultancy, run by Steve Edge. Kyle and I are both working on this brief together, but since the meeting we said we'd go our separate ways and get our own individual ideas down and see where it'll go from there.
So I'm not sure if the leaves and trees are very appropriate for the type of work that he does, but we'll see...it gets the 'sustainable' message across though....