Tree Display

In my last blog I wrote about being surrounded my countless of tree models; well, I can finally say that the tree display shown above is my last and final tree. For the last model I decided to use yellow card stock paper for the lining of the display instead of the hot pink paper that I used for one of my study models. Also, I did not use orange card stock as the lining because the orange hue will implies the fruit is an orange instead of a grapefruit.

I made scaled versions of the grapefruit package to give viewers a sense of scale of the tree display. Overall, I am happy with the end result because the construction was clean and the concept behind the project was clear and obvious.

Display Project Update

At this time I am working on the finishing touches on my tree display stand. I changed the shape of the tree by making it slightly wider and the branches a little more spread out. Therefore, the stand still have the natural organic shape of a tree but the branches are intentionally placed. Now, I just have to get orange cardstock paper to cover the corrugated cardboard pattern similar to the study model shown above (sorry my camera is not that great so the pictures have a lower quality). I really enjoy the color paper creating this subtle outline to the tree stand because orange color will relate the tree to a grapefruit tree and it will make the viewer travel around the display stand. However, I still worried about adhering the paper to the cardboard because glue guns are too messy and Sobo or Elmer's glue is also a nuisance. But, this project will look fantastic for this upcoming Thursday critique.

Trees, trees, and more trees.

For the next project, I have to create a free-standing display for my grapefruit and grapefruit bag. So, I researched different display stands online and at local stores such as Macy's and Urban Outfitters. My ideal is to create a display stand that resembles a tree (since it is a grapefruit) and you can hang a bags on the branches. However, I did not know what material I should use; at first I wanted to experiment with clay but I had a vision of me burning down my dorm while trying to bake the clay in my oven. Also, I am on a tight budget so I want to use a very cheap material; therefore my choices are limited to form core, chipboard, or cardboard. I made models of each medium and I preferred cardboard (because I get free cardboard at work). Also, I am using a slotting technique to connect my trees together and the scale is 1 1/2" = 1' since my display is technically 5'-2". I have made about seven models and counting since this project began. I am officially surrounded by a forest in my dorm.

Grapefruit Package

After understanding the "essence" of my object, the grapefruit, and branded it to attract a specific audience, I needed to create a package or container that connects the ideas from the first and second projects. However, I ran into a problem. How can I package a grapefruit or grapefruits that provides protection and the visual identity? When you walk into your local supermarket, you will notice that the majority of fruits are placed on top of each other in a cardboard box. Usually you do not need some visually engaging sign or package to promote fruits because their natural shell entices customers. Hence, I had three objectives my package needed to meet:

• The package must keep the grapefruits fresh
• The package must support the weight of the grapefruits
• The customers need to hold or see the grapefruits

Initially, I kept thinking of different ways of packaging grapefruit in a box. To connect my branding assignment to this project I can place a repetitive pattern of the grapefruit dude's head on the lid of the box and then cut holes where his eyes are suppose to be for air quality. In order for people to view the grapefruits, I can cut three rectangular openings on the side or front of the box and add a plastic film to prevent the grapefruits from falling. However, to execute this idea, I have to make sure that the material that I used can still retain its structure or strength when I cut it.

     Another idea was a small reusable bag that will hold two to three grapefruits. My intended audience was college students that do not buy food or products in bulk and that have to walk to supermarkets. If the bag is made out a strong material, it will support the weight of the grapefruits and supply air quality. However, customers have to take the grapefruit out of the bag in order to view the fruits and that can be an issue. Throughout the project I created very small and basic constructed models.

In in the end, I decided to create a reusable bag for the package project. Due to strict budgeting, I used felt as the structural material and I used Photoshop to tweaked the grapefruit dude graphic. However, I wished I used a different color or material for the bag because the ivory felt did not evoke the summer and fun feeling of the grapefruit. But the size and proportion of the bag is great because you can easily transport your grapefruits from point A to point B.

What's Up with Grapefruit?

Project two for design foundations was 'branding'. The objective of this assignment is to promote an object "unique qualities, its assets and its potential uses." To me the assignment was asking me to create an advertisement with a logo. But my professors advised me to think about my intended audience and try make the graphic representation iconic. Hence, I wanted to show the health benefits of grapefruits and my audience is people in general. Of course I wanted to add humor to my representation. Therefore, I sketched three people at a bus stop; two people that eat grapefruits become grapefruit people(their heads turn into grapefruits) and there is random guy freak out by this.

I played around with photoshop to practice my beginner's level skill. One of my professor suggested to make the background black and white and leave the grapefruit dude in color so he can pop. I received a lot of good feedback and suggestions during my critique; so once I find a computer with photoshop I will changed and add a few details to the end result. Basically, if you eat a grapefruit, you will become a cool grapefruit dude; there will be a few haters, like the young woman on the left, but they're secretly jealous.

Grapefruit + Ants = Crazy Imagination

For my first design project, I made a 4x6" postcard which expressed my reflection/analysis of my object of choice, which was a grapefruit. At first I did not understand what my professors wanted; they just wrote "let the post card 'breathe' the essence/style of the selection." What exactly does that mean? Should I fill the entire page with grapefruits to the point that I'm sick and tired of seeing grapefruits? Is the essence of a grapefruit its sweetness? I do not know; therefore, I started sketching and brainstorming ideas.

I was going to pick lemons for the postcard project. Since, citrus fruits evoke vibrant colors, fun, and summer; and I wanted to incorporate that into a postcard. But how? My first idea was a small town obsessed with lemons. Every store or inhabitant was associated with lemons such as a Starbucks that only served lemon flavored coffee or a farmer who only grows lemons. However, I thought this idea was a bit of an overkill and overpowering for a 4x6 card. So, back to the drawing board.

During class, I draw or doodle on my notes to stay awake. I'm sorry but astronomy and art history of European decorative arts is sooooo boring. It is truly a struggle to stay awake. I draw whatever comes to my mind and the little characters always look cartoonish (probably because I still watch cartoons). In astronomy, I came up with this idea of ants enjoying summer by chilling on a lounge chair, playing volleyball or swimming just like humans. Of course, an actually swimming pool will seem like the vast oceans of the world to ants; but a fruit is a great alternative; especially for greedy sugar ants. Also, I changed my fruit from a lemon to a grapefruit because grapefruits have two hues that give me a lot of options when designing. So, I started sketching again.

My choice of medium for the end product was watercolor on cardstock. I had some left over cardstock so I might as well use it. I used watercolors because I wanted to experiment with a medium I never used before. Thank God the postcard turn out decent because it would be embarrassing if my professors tore me apart for crappy craftsmanship.

Summer Days

Sketch Blog Inspiration

Suzanne Cabrera's Plant Man

Recently, I visited several sketchblogs in order to compare how people approached blogging their thoughts with graphics. Needless to say, all the sketchblogs inspired and motivated me to start my own sketch journal that will document and reflect my experiences with design, art, and life in general. Suzanne Cabrera's blog, http://www.anopensketchbook.com/, is my favorite because she blogs about the most random things but her sketches makes them so captivating, humorous, and her personal style is charming too. For instance, Suzanne posted a sketch about a imaginary man who grows out of the ground instead of a daffodil. The sketch is cute and quirky; it allows me to relate to her on a comedic level because I like to incorporate humor into my work whenever I can. Besides, who doesn't like to laugh.