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.