creating packaging

This week I have been developing ideas for the house-shaped boxes for my final scarves. After researching similar house-shaped packaging I decided to combine my two favourite box designs together so that my box will be unique and innovative.

This was one of my first box mock-ups. I chose to make this one up because of the similarities it has with a house or bird-box shape. However I felt it appeared too similar to an easter egg box. Plus, my scarf would simply sit in the bottom of this box. 

I like this origami style box because it unfolds out into a complete square shape, which means my scarf could unfold out with the box, making it more exciting to unwrap.

I began to combine these two packaging ideas to create an unfolding box with a pointed lid. However the lid wasn't very stable and I thought it would look more pleasing if I made the sides of the lid the same length as the box within. This also gives the appearance of a box in a box which is more intriguing.

I then chose to practice some boxes with coloured paper so they look more inviting and professional than the plain white. I chose colours which match my colour palette and I believe they look a lot more sophisticated and exciting. The designs of the various houses will also all fit onto the flat sides of the box evenly, so long as I ensure the boxes are measured precisely with the measurements of my designs.

After researching whether my boxes could be laser-cut for a sharper edge, I have decided to cut my final boxes by hand because the laser-cutter would not match up exactly to my design printed onto card and I feel it is more important to have my design digitally printed onto card for a more professional appearance. The image above shows my prototype box which I have made on photoshop and then digitally printed onto a textured card. However, I may need to re-think the textured card because it tears on the folds. I will also add more detail and possibly make the colours more tonal and less block colours.

drawing British birds

I have been focusing on the drawing of British Birds this week because I feel it is one of the most important and dominant aspects of my final scarf designs.
I have continued to simply draw birds, but will now look at their characters and how I can make them more human-like.

drawing! drawing! drawing!

I am really enjoying drawing with watercolours at the moment. They can give a lovely soft texture when used lightly and layered up for texture. Below are a few of my bird paintings at the moment. I am happy with the amount of detail they have but I will need to start thinking about other features and patterns that they can be put with to form interest on my scarf designs.

Colour palette

Aiming my scarf designs for spring/summer 2016, I haven chosen a colour palette I am really appealed by because it reminds me of bright, fresh and stylish 1960's colours.

I also want to put a modern twist on the British Union Jack colours; red, white and blue because they have an obvious relation to Britain, a theme I am looking into for my research report. To do this I will use the above colour palettes as well as possible grey tones to make it a less obvious and cliche red, white and blue. 

MADE IN BRITAIN!

Researching for my dissertation; "does the Made in Britain label add value to a textiles product?" I was lucky enough to tour the David Nieper factory in Derbyshire. It was amazing to see the garments made, from start to finish, all in one building. From the design, pattern cutting, stitching, examining, finishing and then selling in their factory shop. The garments are undeniably of the highest quality and hearing that many customers return to repair garments which are many years old, they stand the test of time.
The images below show my tour of the factory

print dyes colour testing

I have tested some sample colours of both procion and acid dyes on silk to achieve colours similar to a palette I have chosen to design with. I have found that the acid dyes did give a brighter colour, however, I found the procion dyes blended and dissolved together a lot easier and were also closer to my colour palette tones.

 Acid dyes.

 Procion Dyes.

 Colour Palette.

Drawings Birds

Here you can see how I have begun drawing British birds with watercolour pencils and gouash. I really like the thick quality to the gouash as it gives a really strong colour, however, I am also pleased with how the watercolour pencils allow detail and can be blended for various tone. I believe the drawings with a coloured background gives a bolder appearance and I have also started to think about pattern by repeating birds near one another with branch-like lines and patterns which I have created from looking at the birds feathers.