OUGD405 | Studio Brief 04 - Initial Experiments

After carrying out some research, I began some quick sketches on paper. I was finding this quite difficult to help get the ideas I had down - especially in terms of type. So I decided to sketch out my ideas on illustrator. 

Initial Sketches

I began by typing out a name that had come to mind while sketching 'Super Coffee', as this represents Superlambananas and the brand - whilst promoting itself at the same time. I initially used Futura as I had seen similar typefaces used in my research. Also most of the successful brands I researched used a sans serif typeface. I increased the kerning on the letters as I felt this has a friendly and open feel, inviting people to drink the coffee and learn about Superlambananas. I also find it easier to read.

I had previously traced the outline of a Superlambanana on tracing paper and scanned it in. I then live traced this on illustrator and used it to create various vectors of the sculpture. When the vector was filled in there was no definition between the two back legs, so I added a white line here so the shape is clear. 

I then combined this with the text, initially above it. I very quickly sketched a coffee cup and sleeve to place my first design on to so I was able to visualise it as a product. I sketched strips of yellow on the top and bottom of the coffee cup to frame the design, however I feel this was unsuccessful - however this is probably because the lines aren't straight. I like the simplicity of my first logo but I definitely feel my illustrator skills need to improve as I have had a lot of difficulty creating vectors in the way that I want.

I started testing the outlines of Superlambananas in different colours and thicknesses. I personally prefer the thicker line as it makes the Superlambanana seem more appealing and striking. 

This then lead on to the creation of patterns which can be used on packaging for cakes such as wrap and bags. Because of my novice illustrator skills, I was unable to fill this vector in rather than just use outlines, but I still feel the results are effective. I feel that a line of medium thickness is appropriate for the patterns so that the shape is clear and visible. Too thin and it may not be seen, too thick and the shape may be lost.

So far in the design stage this has been my favourite design. It initially came from a sketch. I had written superlambanana in a square shape and attempted to frame this with an abstracted Superlambanana drawing. I quite liked the square shaped sketch, I preferred how it is more personal to my own work rather than a trace of the actual sculpture. I experimented with centring the text with space between the outlines. I then tried allowing the text to take up as much space as possible and appear to join to the outline. I plan to get feedback on these designs at a later stage but this is currently the design I would like to take forward. 

I then began to consider what the logo was communicating without text. I tried to add a coffee bean style vector in replacement of the O in coffee. I feel that this was unsuccessful as the bean looks like a road sign. It communicates the message to not drink the coffee. 

I then placed the one of the original designs on to a coffee cup to visualise the logo in practice. The yellow was too bright and would not stand out against the image. I need to consider what yellows are appropriate and will stand out enough to be read. I also noticed that in these examples I forgot to edit the thickness of the ear. Other than this mistake I quite like the design, but it is a bit boring. However, once I begin to develop all the details on the cups, I feel the design will come together. 

I tried the alternative logo where the text occupies the whole shape. I feel that the previous logo looks better as the text is easier to read, it is framed well and is clear. This logo looks less organised and neat. 

One element of packaging I definitely want to create is the sleeve for the coffee cup. One of my ideas is to have a speech bubble saying "Help! I'm stuck". When this is removed you will be able to see the Superlambanana sculpture design underneath - as if it was really talking. I feel this adds a unique touch to the cup. I need to consider whether the logo should displayed on the sleeve.
At this moment in time, I have just created the speech bubble. For this I used the pen/paintbrush tools to write and draw the logo - this is obvious as the design isn't very neat. I felt that handwritten type was more appropriate for this as it's feels more as it the SLB is actually saying it - I feel that by writing this using a mouse the result is not as good as actual type or drawing it by hand and scanning this in. I will experiment with these next.

I then began to experiment with the word Superlambanana. I like how I can position the 3 words that make up the word in a tower form. This creates a handy rectangular shape which creates a neat design. I experimented with the positioning of the initial SLB vector, above and below and different sizes. The 

Intended for white background

Experimenting with yellow and blue for more of an impact

I tried an arrangement of these elements on a coffee cup and I quite like the effect. I had to change the outline on the SLB to a darker yellow so it stood out from the white. The blue seems to be most effective against this colour.

One of my failed experiments was continuing the hand written type using the pen/paint tool in illustrator.  Again I found it difficult to write the text well. Since many coffee shops had used a circular logo I tried to use this in one of my experiments. I like the circular shape as this shape seems to fit well on coffee cups. However the text ruins this design. The Superlambanana was placed in the most logical space with the most space, this however feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the design.

I then considered what information to include on the cup itself. The message needs to be short but communicating a big message. I decided that I need to communicate WHAT the SLBs are and WHERE they are, and encourage them to visit at the same time. So I cam up with the sentence below. Uppercase seemed appropriate as its draws in more attention. The line spacing was set already but I liked the effect it created because I can imagine it spreading nicely across a coffee cup. I experimented with a lighter blue just to see if this worked better than the dark blue I had already been using. I am now considering using a mixture of shades.

I have also considered using the slogan "Collect us all!" to get people excited about the designs on each cup and then hopefully the Superlambananas themselves.

It is important for legal reasons to put a warning about hot contents on the cup. I plan to use a similar typeface and colour to the rest of the design for this.

I did test a few typefaces similar to those which I tested for my booklet. These included Futura, Didot, Helvetica and American typewriter. I felt that uppercase Futura communicated well and was straight to the point. However, I feel I need to experiment with typefaces more.

I finally tested my patterns on a paper takeaway bag. I feel that the pattern is more appropriate for a paper wrap for cakes rather than on the actual bag. This is because the bag is a walking advertisement so I feel the message needs to be clearer. No one will recognise these shapes, especially if the yellow is too bright. 

Over the next two days I plan to continue my experimentations, I am aiming to try and be a bit more adventurous with my designs. I will then refine and finalise the best designs. 

Firstly, I need to create the illustrations for the Superlambananas which you can collect. I am planning on creating up to 10 Superlambanana collectable cups, which will include these superlambananas and more...

Original Superlambanana

Mandala Superlambanana

Design your own superlambanana?(outline)

Supergrassbanana

Peel

The best of British? 

Yellow Superlambanana in a cage?

Peek-a-Boo

Lambmapbanana?

The Beatles themed lam banana?

Superchaiselonguebanana?

Twinkle?