25 January 2012

100 Things Rationale

Brief - 
Create the branding for a new Japanese fast food restaurant serving Bento - a form of Japanese packed lunch. The products created will be part of the restaurant's identity, and will also aim to inform/educate people about Bento and Japanese food. 

Who?
 Young professionals - 20 - 40, and those who have busy lives, and want a healthy fast food.

Why?
 My target audience need to know because research I have gathered indicate it is around this age people have their mid life crisis and this combined with the current economic climate, people need to be aware of happiness and money, it is subject they are currently interested in and relevant to many.

What?
 The products will all be linked to the restaurant's identity - A logo, Food packaging, Drinks packaging, A Menu, Business Card, Loyalty Card, Chopsticks packaging, and several posters advertising the restaurant and informing the audience of the origins of bento. I hope to create products that are both fun, engaging and appropriate for the young professionals market.

Primary Research Required - 
 Ask for information from a friend who currently lives in Japan.

Secondary Research Required - 
Ingredients that make up a bento, japanese dining etiquette, japanese phrases and research into other successful fast food restaurants. 

Evaluation Focus Develop

What is the problem?
Creating the branding for a new Bento restaurant.

What subject/area of study are you focussing on?
Japanese Bento food.

To what depth are you investigating this subject?
I am continually researching into japanese bento boxes, food and restaurant branding to ensure that my work looks as effective and well presented as possible.

What is the form and the amount of research you have to date?
The research I have undertaken has been mainly secondary and internet based due to the fact I cannot access Japanese food directly. I have, however, done a large amount of research on it.

What visual material do you have to work from?
The mood boards I created last week have been informing me, as has research into Japanese visuals, and also restaurant branding.

Is there an appropriate amount of work for the time you have had to develop it?
In terms of design products, I would say I do not have an appropriate amount.

If there isn't why is this?
This is because of my time management and my confusion over my direction on this project.

What is your timescale?
From the 23rd January to the 2nd February to create all ten products ready for print, as I have a print slot booked for the 2nd February.

What is achievable in the time available?
I feel like my products are achievable in the time I have left so long as I make quick decisions and focus on communicating everything in a similar way so that it looks like a set of products.


What methods are using to evaluate the progress of your ideas?
I am using the progress crits as one method of evaluation, and I am also updating my blog with my progress, which I am evaluating as I go.

What are you identifying as areas worth developing further?
The areas I need to work on are packaging and actually communicating the information I have research over this past month.

What are you trying to communicate?
A suitable brand identity for a Bento restaurant.

What audience have you identified?
An audience similar to that of Pret a Manger, young professionals in need of a healthy lunch.

Who are they?
Young professionals of both sexes, who would like to experience a healthy and tasty fast food that is convenient for their busy lives.

What problems have you identified?
Creating the menu has been a problem for me as I do not have a clear focus of what I should be displaying in it. Whether I should have more type or images.

How do you intend to solve them?
I intend to research further into other restaurant menus and then develop my own menu based on the conventions of theirs.

What further research does this require?
Looking into restaurant identities both online and in the library.

Have you moved on from your initial starting point? If so how and why?
Yes, my initial starting point was food, which was too broad. I had looked at japanese food because they are a nation obsessed with it.

What methods are you using to document this development?
I am using my blog to document my progress.

What processes will you need to use to develop your work?
I am using photoshop and illustrator to develop everything I will need to print, and I am also considering screen printing.

Do these processes require workshop access?
Screen printing would, yes.

When do you intend to access these workshops?
I intend to go whenever there is a drop in to work on any products I wish to be screenprinted, which would be from next week.

What is Graphic Design For? Information and Way Finding Design

http://www.graphicthoughtfacility.com









http://www.holmes-wood.com
























From looking at these websites, it is clear that the main focus in information and wayfinding design is communicating categorised information in a clear, simple and logical manner. Conventions include the use of arrows, sans serif typefaces and numbers, and use of universally recognisable symbols. Depending on the client, there is scope for innovation and more adventurous design, whilst still retaining a sense of logic and simplicity. 

1.CartlidgeLevene via http://www.formfiftyfive.com/category/wayfinding/


Audience - Youth Genre - School Signage Sector - Public 
I would class this an example of high concept wayfinding, and it definitely goes against the conventional and often boring signage used in many primary schools. The almost cartoon sized arrows used to point to class rooms creates something fitting for a primary school audience, and the bold y5, y6 signage categorising the classes in vibrant colours and a simple typeface communicates the information in a very effective way. 

Deuce Design via http://www.formfiftyfive.com/category/wayfinding/



Audience - Adults/Tourists Genre - Park Wayfinding Sector - Public
The wayfinding used here, for a national park that was once a fuel storage facility for BP, reflects it's origins in a modern way, utilising the industrial environment as the inspiration for it's design. Everything is sharp and clean cut, and contrasts with the nature surrounding it. It is most effective with the cut out signage, as from a distance, the silver signage may not be as readable. 


Audience - Hospital Users/Everyone Genre - Hospital Wayfinding Sector - Public
This is the way finding system for Worcester Hospital, and, due to the broad target audience, (seeing as everyone needs the hospital at some point) the design has to be kept incredibly simple, and use more conventional typefaces and designs. The use of image for the background of the signage, images of nature, appear to be used to create a less clinical environment, as many people are left on edge by hospitals. Again, it is a very effective design, as it communicates all the information in a way everyone can understand. 


Audience - Businessmen/workers Genre - Corporate way finding Sector - Private/Corporate

Ininfo are also responsible for the way finding system within 30 St Mary Axe in London, also known as the Gherkin. Due to the corporate surroundings, the design has been kept quite sleek and classic, and the black and greys allow the signage to stand out, but also blend into the environment so that they don't appear garish. The typefaces used are retain the conventions of way finding, and are modern and sans serif. 



Audience - Men and Women, stylish/high earning Genre - Department store signage Sector - Private
This is the signage system created from Premier Russian department store Tsvetnoy. Apparently their brief was the make it efficient so that they don't get lost, but not so efficient that they don't have to explore other concessions before reaching their preferred destination. The signage is clearly influenced by the high end, modern surroundings, and it retains a functionality whilst appearing stylish and cool. I think that they signage for the changing rooms works particularly well in terms of illustration, as it is easily recognisable to anyone.



 Audience - Unisex/Lawyers Genre - Corporate way finding Sector - Private
Air design have also created signage for the head offices of Pinsent Masons law firm in London. The way finding system has been kept incredibly simple in terms of design, following the conventions of typeface, colour and use of arrows and numbers. The signage works well within the environment, and as it similar in many ways to other corporate signage, it reflects the prestige and importance of the company. 

Audience - Students Genre -University signage Sector - Public
This is the signage created for Greenwich university, and the colours and style used reflect the youthful target audience, as the design is quite vibrant and modern. The simple illustrations are effective and functional, and the signage is in keeping with the modern environment of the building. 


Audience - Everybody/Tourists Genre - Centre signage Sector - Public
The Albert Dock signage looks great because reflects the industrial style of the buildings surrounding it. It has a modern feel, but doesn't look like it would date very quickly, and the information is presented in a very clear and effective way. Keeping the signage black and white also fits well with the surrounding and the classic typeface connotes a sense of history. 


 Audience - General Public Genre - Retail Sector - Private
This is the system created for Marks and Spencers, and displays a lot of innovation, in the fact that these signs can be put together very easily, and transported around the store, which is very convenient. The design retains the style associated with the brand, but also updates it with the bold use of colour. 


Audience - Schoolchildren and Adults Genre - School way finding Sector - Public
The signage created for this school is again, very simple, but also unique as many other school's signage is nowhere near as considered. The vector illustrations act as recognisable symbols, and they also work well set against the typeface used, which is simple but also adds a sense of warmth and friendliness to the environment.