JC - Graphic Design

Graphic Design

This section is dedicated to projects focusing more on graphic elements instead of structural solutions. Throughout the course, we utilized lines, texture, and patterns to create eye catching graphics that convey ideas and product information and create emotional connections.

Coffee Pouch

Here's an example of Heron and Japanese themes mixed together. In this project, I explored minimal and maximal packaging design as well as integrating bilingual text. For this coffee pouch, I took inspiration from the new Starbucks packaging which has intricate abstract designs in the background relating to where the product originates. I wanted to create a similar design, representing Japanese culture and mythical symbolism. Herons have deep meaning in ancient folklore where they represent stillness and strength as well as sorrow and death. I hoped this would spark emotional connections to the product. Additionally, I found the water lily background to complement the heron image nicely as it represents its natural habitat.

One issue with this design is some of the Japanese text isn't very well translated since I just used Google Translate. Also, some of my peers gave me feedback that the nutrition facts and ingredients panels should be combined. I agreed but struggled to find space for this given the folding sides panels.

Ultimately, my instructor praised my work and asked if she could keep this as an example to show the class. I agreed that this is some of my best work so far.

Perfume Carton

This project was based around creating a package for a perfume bottle. I went with the first idea I thought of which was to make a Japanese themed package shaped like a shrine. Structurally, this required cutting slitted windows into the front and creating a gabled roof which was more challenging than I expected. I opted for a Houlihan style bottom capable of holding a heavier product without opening than a slit tuck bottom. This was more complex and difficult to execute than I initially thought, and having observed packages with similar bottoms since, I have more ideas of how to improve the strength and ease of assembly of this carton.

While I was pleased with the look of this package, I realized that the theme was poorly researched and mostly based on my limited knowledge of the Japanese culture. Furthermore, I was dissatisfied with the quality and realism of the marketing text. This led me to decide to tweak the structure and redesign the theme entirely.

Semester Redesign Project

This is my redesigned perfume carton as seen below. As I mentioned there, I completely rethought the theme and changed the graphics entirely. At this time, I had become interested in Great Blue Herons, in awe of such a large majestic bird being a common sight in lakes and rivers right here in Virginia. I also noticed that they are common subject of artwork, specifically paintings hung in coastal hotels. With that, I decided to base the package off of a beach house and implement the heron as the logo a simple yet recognizable logo. I used the materials tool in Adobe Illustrator to set a wood texture background which I colored blue. I also placed most of the text inside white outlined boxes to look like windows. The palette is monochromatic, providing a sophisticated look, except for the two splashes of orange denoting important, product-specifying information.

Album Cover Redesign

This graphics based project involved creating an alternate design for a music album of my choice. I decided to redo Jason Isbell's Southeastern, a beautiful compilation about finding sobriety, falling in love, and confronting death. I spent a lot of time grappling with how to visually represent these intricate themes. I settled on a less is more approach, depicting a magnolia flower growing out of a bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey. This is tied into Isbell's prior habit of drinking whiskey during shows as well as the lyric in Cover Me Up "'till someone needs medical help or the magnolia's bloom," in which magnolia flowers may represent the flowers placed on the casket Isbell would have ended up in had he not committed to rehab. I've interpreted this visual as a symbol of duality and hope, representing how something beautiful can come out of an ugly past. Alternatively, it could be viewed as appearing healthy on the outside despite that image being supported by maladaptive behaviors. I like that this cover is ambiguous enough to be interpreted in many different ways, allowing it to be impactful to individual experiences just like the music it illustrates.

Chocolate Wrapper

This was the first project for my Design Fundamentals in Packaging class which was focused on graphics. The first version on the left utilized lines to create an interesting visual effect. However, due to not having any significance towards the product, I later opted to create a pattern of faint raspberry outlines as seen in the image on the right. This project represented a significant improvement in the quality of my graphics, with advancements such as utilizing image tracing, using greater text contrast, and boldly placing graphics outside of color boxes.

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