Tuesday 20 October 2009

Random

In an attempt to trigger off new ideas i'm trying something that is suggested by Edward De Bono in one of his creative/lateral thinking book (reference to follow).















What I did notice was how quickly I revereted back to previous experiences in lookinf for inspiration. I'm going to have to think about this more.

Monday 19 October 2009

Ah ha - banana leaf research pays off

http://www.igreenspot.com/banana-leaf-is-a-good-source-for-food-packaging/


Intial Ideas

Ok, I said I was concerned with getting bogged down with triangles and I said I was worried about getting to close to existing designs.


On this sheet I originally planned to just look at the maths & physics behind a package, volume, space, protection etc. I just had to confirm for myself some numbers.

I seem to be starting a sheet and then going away, leaving it in the background, and then popping back every couple of hours to scribble bits in. I've started to number them in order to try and keep track of whats going on.

Although I had the camera bellows idea first, I drew the Banana Boat Idea up first and then came back to the bellows, I think because I'm not convinced the bellows idea has a real future. I did a camera years ago and so that idea is straight out of experience. The banana boat idea I'm not so sure about I just wanted to draw a 3D Hexagon prism and it came from there. The spine was a direct idea from thinking about protecting something long - spinal cord. and then back to the triangle, i'll be honest that was just to fill that corner of the page.

I'm gonna open another sheet just to think about packaging design, logo, colours etc and I think I'm gonna knock up a couple of card structural models.

I'm going to start another sheet as well, based on something random, I do this with students and sometimes we get some good results (practice what you preach).

And a plan, I've a deadline for tuesday next week and I need to be sorted really before the weekend starts.

Friday 16 October 2009

Researching

Friday 16th October 16:00 Ok time for a little serious (ish) research.

I've given my self half an hour to collect together what ever I can about bananas. Shocked to find out that we eat only one kind of banana commercially the 'Cavendish' as the 'Gros-Michael' died out due to a fungus and that it could happen again. See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana

I've opened a word document and as I'm working I copy and paste the website addresses in case I need them again and also so I can reference them appropriately later on.

I'm searching using Google images rather than web pages, I just scan for images that catch my attention, dip in see if there's anything useful, cut & paste ( plus web address ) and then move on.

The existing banana protection packages exist, there seem to be three main products available. Main issue with these are that they're plastic, not that thats a bad thing but the brief did mention sustainability.













My first reaction is to stay away from these, they're somebody elses  ideas, but there's alot to be learned by evaluating existing designs, maybe they missed something or maybe there isn't a better way of protecting a banana.

The other thing is the banana triangle...I have to be careful not to let that one idea dominate my thinking, I need to stay open and explore other options.

Oh and I checked with a student canteen, they sell about 20 bananas a week on average, doesn't seem like a lot, I wonder if it could be increased with the right packaging?

Investigate & Clarify the problem

This seemed like a good idea at 4am. Ok here goes.........This blog is about a self reflection on the creative process.

Thursday 15th October 18:30 - I have the brief to package one banana. One? yep just one. First thing I did, write the word banana (never quite sure how to spell it, I can start spelling it ok it's just knowing when to stop). Draw a banana around it and colour it in (stalling for time now) ah ha! wrap the banana in it's own leaves.


Do they have leaves?
How big are they?
Are they any use?
Could I make Banana Leaf Paper?

Answer---->WIKIPEDIA :)

Yes.
3.5metres long (that'll be one bulky wrapped banana).
Very useful fibres.
There's already banana paper, two types in fact.

21:00 Collect other thoughts.
There's already been an individual banana package (see dragons den programme)
Perhaps I could use pulp paper like an egg carton?
Could the pulp card be throw away?
Could it be seeded so when you throw it away it grows something, cress, wild flowers?
Would this encourage 5 a day in children?
Why Package something that is already Packaged?

Friday 16th October 04:01 Dare you enter the Banana Triangle?
I've woken up thinking about a banana in a sort of triangular tube, with foldy bits to hold it in place. Quick line sketch to get it out of my head so that I can sleep and leave it till the morning.

08:00 Talking about project at home
I ask why would you need to package a package?
My wife tells me that it would be useful for the banana for the toddler not to be squashed all over the bottom of her nappy bag.
I'd never thought of that what else?.....laptop bags, students, executives etc.
Maybe there is a need.


12:00 Start Blog
Work up sketches with a bit of outline, shadow & colour.
Scan them in.
Take some context photos.
Post them on here.