Final Patterns

I wanted to choose two patterns (since I am developing a transportation method for two paint containers) and, after debate, felt that the designs seen above were the most suitable. They both appear elegant and are inspired by floral motifs. They also take colours from the Edward Bulmer company. I didn't want their colour schemes to be identical, however, so felt the contrast of one dark and light design worked particularly well together.

Pattern Development

After creating thumbnails (see my learning journal) of patterns that could go around the outside of my paint container, which could then be used as a flower pot, I chose the most promising and mocked them up in Illustrator. All my patterns were floral, linking the design back to the secondary function of a flower pot.

This was my first attempt of a pattern and I felt that it was a bit too busy to work successfully.

I felt that my first design (top left) did not hold the same sophisticated look as the others and would therefore not appeal to my target audience. This design appeared more childish. The other designs, however, I felt would work well as a repetitive pattern and looked simple, yet elegant.

This pattern was more complex than the others. I took inspiration from the wallpapers designs I had been researching and was pleased with this look. The design shape took inspiration from a flower, with the circle being the flower and the two leaves below that, though I made this a more stylized design. I flipped this shape and repeated it to create this pattern.

I felt this was the most subtle and simple of my patterns, with just the one image of two joined flowers being repeated. Yet this simplicity is what makes it so elegant.

Inspired by the shape of a leaf. Elegant curves. Stripes add further splash of colour.


Seen above were not the finalized colours and I felt that I would be able to promote the Edward Bulmer company further with these designs if I was to instead use their logo colours, which can be seen below.

Colour experiment.

Flower Pot Pattern: Wallpaper Inspiration

As mentioned in my previous blog post and seen in my Learning Journal, I have decided to design my paint container so that it can be reused as a flower pot. Shown in my designs, a label would be wrapped about the aluminum paint container, clear and simplistic, showing the brand identity and crucial information for the decorator's (as the target audience are likely to hire one) benefit. This label could then be removed after use, to reveal an attractive pattern, printed onto the metal container, so that it could be used as an aesthetically-pleasing flower pot. I mentioned in the linked blog post that the pattern seen on the metal would have to be sophisticated and premium in appearance to attract my target audience. I therefore looked at patterns seen on high-end wallpapers for design inspiration.

Sophisticated, repetitive patterns. One strong, bold colour against a plainer cream backdrop.

Shown above is wallpaper by Edward Bulmer's main competitor, Farrow & Ball. I therefore think that this is the kind of sophisticated patterns that Edward Bulmer would like, as the client expressed his admiration for Farrow & Ball's overall design during the client meeting. I also feel I am therefore on track with this research.

 

Floral inspiration on patterns. This would work well on a flower pot, the pattern linking to nature.

I also looked at Harlequin, a website that I found advertised in the Country Homes & Interiors magazine during my inspiration search, a magazine that my target audience is theorized to read.

The following wallpaper patterns were found on Harlequin's website:

Harlequin

These wallpapers I looked at were premium, ranging from £49 to £116 in price. They are designed for the same target audience who I am looking into.

Their patterns have obviously been influenced from traditional wallpaper designs. They are repetitive, intricate, subtle and made up of no more than three colours. Most colours used are not particularly vivid (with some exceptions) but rather use soft, complimentary tones. I felt like the patterns that were influenced by floral and botanic imagery could be especially fitting for the purpose of my designs.



References:
http://www.tangletree-interiors.co.uk/
http://www.harlequin.uk.com/harlequin-wallpaper.aspx

First Prototype and Feedback

Last week I mocked up my first prototype. My comments on the design a week ago:

 

"I have been considering a number of materials for my packaging. Recycled metal seems to be the most suitable solution for a paint container, for example steel and aluminium. However. I have been looking at tinplate, which is suitable for paint packaging and is endlessly recyclable. It is also strong and light. For the transport solution, at the moment I am thinking of using card, to reinforce the eco-friendly look.

 

For my transport packaging solution, I was influenced by Ivan Maximov’s design for takeaway packaging for beer. His design has been made from recycled cardboard and at the base circular shapes have been cut out, meaning it neatly slots the cups in place. I have also been looking at creative examples of paint packaging such as Trixol, Colorcril and YOLO Colourhouse, taking inspiration from their shapes.

 

My packaging will be made out of material that is 100% recyclable. I have been looking at origami packaging that often has a secondary use, so perhaps this is something I could research further.  

The two paints will be nestled in a secure cardboard structure during transportation. A handle will be attached to the transport packaging to make it easier to shift. The two paints will sit back-to-back, meaning that they are balanced, making movement of these heavy paints much easier.

I am planning to research further into how my containers will work on a shelf. I would like to find a solution of them perhaps clipping together somehow, though this has been difficult to accomplish thus far."

 

I took my initial sketch and created a template so that I could piece the design together. First, I used card to create my mockup to check that the template would work:

The comments I received from the group were that they thought my paint would be damaged during transportation. 

Obviously, the paint would find more securely nestled in the packaging in my final design (the cylinder paint container was made too small in my mock-ups) but this is something I will take into consideration. After evaluation, I'm not sure if this would be the safest traveling method. Furthermore, after researching more about sustainability, I also think that this packaging may take up a lot of room in the truck. I think I would rather my packaging be stackable, so to conserve space.