Label Concept #4 (choosing an idea to work on)

In the last stage of my label development, I looked at my basic rough idea sketches from stage #2, and created more polished concepts from them, placing them onto a very basic label template, matching Wylam's official dimensions.

Below I will show my progress so far for each concept idea, so a clear indication of my development can be seen, and it will also act as a recap, keeping me on track.

The illustrations that you see on the basic draft templates below, aren't necessarily the final concepts, it is just an idea of what I could do, and all of the concepts are open to being changed and tweaked, something which I want to experiment with.
I expect that in the next concept stage, there will be noticeable tweaks to a lot of the concepts seen in this blog.

The illustrations featured on the templates, don't mean they are to be stuck with, they can be tweaked at anytime.

Roman military theme:

Stage #2 (Rough sketch).

In stage #2, I created a rough concept doodle featuring the use of a Roman military theme, and the sketch shows how the theme could possibly be implemented as part of a label.

Stage #3 (a more refined sketch of a Roman military helmet).

Stage #3 (placing the concept onto a basic template).

In stage #3, I took my concept idea, and made a more developed version, with a higher quality illustration, and later placing it onto a very basic label template, to show how a more developed image could work with the specified Wylam dimensions.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Roman Figures:

In stage #2, I looked at the possibility of using historical key Roman figures as part of the bottle label design.
I looked at the possible use, of the following, as I found them to be some of the most influential.

• Marius
• Augustus
• Julius Ceaser
• Nero
• Hadrian

Stage #2

Stage #2 (rough sketches)

Stage #3 (a more refined sketch, of Emperor Hadrian.)

Stage #3 (placing the concept onto a basic template).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roman Animals:

In stage #2, I looked at the possibility of using the theme of animals as part of the bottle label design.
This was due to the colosseum, and mythology.

Stage #2

Stage #3

Stage #3

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caraway:

Due to the Wylam brief discussing that the basis of the 'Chara' brew, is based on the theme of the caraway seed, I thought that it would be good to work with this theme, as one of my concepts.

Stage #2

A very basic caraway doodle can be seen above.

Stage #3

Stage #3

I mentioned about the possibility of tweaking this concept to better suit the size of the label, perhaps by making another version of this illustration that features a smaller portion of the plant, zoomed in so that the detail can be seen better.
In the next stage I will be tweaking the concept, as well as the other concepts that I mentioned in the previous blog.

I really do like this concept, and it is the one I feel like I am warming to the most, however this doesn't stop me from incorporating elements from other concepts into my design, no matter which route I choose to go down.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that I have had a recap of what I have done so far with my label, I will move onto developing my ideas and concepts further.
I must begin to think about such aspects as colour, and typography, and I will look deep into these aspects soon, but for now I will provide a brief overview, which will include some research and ideas.

http://www.designingfortheweb.co.uk/images/colour_wheel.png < image reference at this link.

http://www.liquidbubble.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/typography-unnamed-cbffa-x-hd-jootix-66808.jpg < image reference at this link.

Both of these are very important when it comes to design.
I will first focus on typography, as it is a very important aspect, and could possibly be used with the illustration, as the images below highlight this example perfectly.

Typography is very important when it comes to the design of a lot of things, from products to advertising, etc.
It can help to enhance the meaning of a product, and the images below are perfect examples, and hopefully will provide a good understanding of this.

http://doublemesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Heinz-Seriously-Good-Sauce-Print-3.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://s2.favim.com/orig/33/illustration-plants-typography-Favim.com-266368.jpg < image reference at this link

http://cupcakedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSC00355-Gardener.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://illustrationfriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/botanical_garden_05.jpeg < image reference at this link.

I will now move onto the subject of colour, focusing on Roman colours.

Colour:

Colour is a big part when it comes to design, as it can be the difference between a product/item being successful on the market, and it being a failure.

http://media.creativebloq.futurecdn.net/sites/creativebloq.com/files/images/2013/08/logo-color-psychology-wheel.jpg < image reference at this link.

As the image above shows, colour can be tied to different moods, and meanings. For example, the colour red often is used to symbolise power, violence, passion, and aggression.
The colour yellow is often tied with such moods and emotions as happiness, optimism, danger, and caution.
Think about the yellow of a bee or wasp, or the yellow of a hazard sign, and hopefully you will get an idea of what I am talking about.

http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/590x/wasp-416968.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.incolor-inc.com/assets/images/osha/danger/danger%20shock%20hazard.jpg < image reference at this link.

The Romans were known for using a varied assortment of colours and tones, and some tones were commonly bound to certain things.
For example, such neutral colours like browns and greens, were often used as a colour on civilian clothes and robes.

http://www.daviddarling.info/images/peasants_exchanging_goods.jpg < image reference at this link.

More brighter colours were often worn by higher class people, such as scholars, architects, politicians, and philosophers, as the pigments that made these strong colours were often much more expensive than weaker colours.

http://www.historyonthenet.com/files/fs/romans/images/togaman.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451586c69e20148c86d3d89970c-320wi < image reference at this link.

Colours used in the Roman army often commonly consisted of bright reds, and bright yellows, as well as silver, bronze, and black.
The strong colours (red and yellow), were used as a tactic to intimidate, and scare the enemy.

Note the Roman shields, as they combine the red and yellow, which is a very intimidating look in my opinion.

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/upload/yuiupload/905476727.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/romans/images/soldiers/shield.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Romeinse_vlag.jpg < image reference at this link.

I want my label to be very eye catching, so I want to try working with colours of a strong tone.
I would like to try going down the route of using such colours as the ones listed in this section of the research, those being notably red, yellow, bronze, black, and silver.

As of writing this blog, I really want to try experimenting with the idea of using an illustration of the caraway plant.
I love drawing nature, and I struggle when it comes to illustrating such things as the human form.
I feel that due to this, working with something that I feel confident with may be the best approach to go with for my future developments.

The other day when I was in Café Nero, I noticed a bottle sitting on the shelf above.
It was a syrup used as an ingredient in coffee, and the bottle had a very simple and gorgeous, colourful illustration/design featured on the label.

http://cafemoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/monin_bottles.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://yhc.ie/eng_pl_Monin-Syrup-Almond-700-ml-292_1.jpg < image reference at this link.

I really love this style, and as I was sitting with my drink, pondering over the design, it made me think about the Caraway seed, and how a similar approach to design may suit the particular imagery.

http://www.gardensablaze.com/Caraway.jpg < image reference at this link.

In the next few stages of developing concepts, I want to sum up my concept idea, and work with developing upon the idea of using the imagery of caraway as part of the design.

I will research additional illustrators who are creative in the botanical field to see their interpretation of working with the imagery of plants/nature.

I will also be experimenting with the use of colour, and working with the use of typography as well, and will provide additional research and exploration.

Thomas.

Luke Pearson

Luke Pearson is an artist/illustrator based in Bristol.

He is well known through work published by the London based company, Nobrow, as well as through illustration magazines.

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130918215506/horadeaventura/es/images/c/cb/Luke_Pearson.jpg < image reference at this link.

He is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Hildafolk series of graphic comics, as well as Everything We Miss, Some People, and a varied assortment of work found in a number of anthologies.

http://lukepearson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hil5.jpg < image reference at this link.

He is a very successful illustrator, who understands the concept of adapting his style to suit his markets.

His Hilda series has both a young and old audience, and so he has created a product that fits both markets, as they have different needs. 

I have been a big fan of him for a number of years, and I even met him at a gosh comics book signing in March of 2014. 

I love his quirky style, and his use of a limited colour palette.

I work in a different style to him, but I love his usage of colour, which is something that influences me heavily in my own illustrations.

http://www.thepaintingcave.com/blogs/colour/colourwheel.jpg

He is the illustrator who allowed me to notice Nobrow, and this enabled me to find other great illustrations who produce similar work.

He is currently active on social media, and of course this is good, free publicity for artists/illustrators, as well as a way to shout out to the world.

I use social media too as I find it to be a way to engage with an audience, and also a way to show off your work to the creative market, which is very important when it comes to the possibility of selling your work.

https://twitter.com/thatlukeperson < image reference at this link.

Thomas.

Sally Pinhey

Sally Pinhey is what is known as a botanical illustrator.
A botanical illustrator is a practise which involves the illustration of such imagery as plants, seeds, foliage and flowers.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/resources/images/2707209.jpg?type=articlePortrait < image reference at this link.

http://www.sallypinhey.com < image reference at this link.

I have decided to look at her work, as one of my concepts feature botanical imagery, in the form of the Caraway plant.
I wanted to get a better look at the different ways in which other illustrators work, so I have decided to look at Sally Pinhey.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Carum_carvi_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-172.jpg < image reference at this link.

Sally Pinhey is an established illustrator, and her work is well known for containing a lively charm, as well as a superb level of detail.
She uses a good level of colour, that is very accurate.

http://www.contact-creative.com/lgthumb.php?src=users/SallyPinhey/web/fi/Shiraz_A.jpg&type=2&s=700&di=32428&off=0 < image reference at this link.

http://www.swsba.org.uk/public/images/members-work/swsba-031-Sally%20Pinhey%20dandelion-1.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.creativecoverage.co.uk/media/k2/items/cache/cd66a7a18d37d7e5dd969c249e9a1ecb_L.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.contact-creative.com/lgthumb.php?src=users/SallyPinhey/web/fi/00000007.jpg&type=2&s=700&di=4458&off=0 < image reference at this link.

http://www.sallypinhey.com/uploaded_images/images/sally-pinhey-plums-6.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.swsba.org.uk/public/images/members-work/swsba-033-Sally%20Pinhey%20blackberry.jpg < image reference at this link.

Sally is a tutor at Kingston Maurward College, and has been since 1999. She also offers distance learning.

She has also been associated with the Eden Project in Cornwall, and The Springhead Trust, in Shaftesbury.

She originally trained in her practise using a distance learning method, participating on such courses as "Drawing for Botanists", and "Plant Morphology with Watercolour".

She has illustrated a total of three specialist books, those being "Pears, "Plums, and "Natural Dyes".
They all feature the botanical imagery.

http://mwbooks.ie/media/catalog/product//2/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/155889.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.sallypinhey.com/uploaded_images/images/books/glplums.jpg < image reference at this link.

http://www.sallypinhey.com/uploaded_images/images/books/DyeBookFront.jpg < image reference at this link.

She collects such plants as ferns, and wine grapes originating from both New Zealand, France, and Australia, as well as a wealth of other different species from across the globe.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0uHipkvmdOxImSWyXdtF-ihh-r3qSaooxi1NRFE-hLHx2v0NEeJkXTAaaY0Wszp7Ms5KbLTFy6biXlb7f5DuBz5ySacWeUiPdsGNt8pk5QFzLYNLgsM-WL0iSepctSRfzGBLLJ45Aw/s1600/hero_keyfacts.jpg < image reference at this link.

Sally accepts commissions in the fields of publishing and commercial work, and impressively has never missed a deadline. She creates cards, and is a full member of the AOI, known as the association of illustrators
She holds many RHS awards, and she also exhibits at RHS shows too.

http://nbarnett2.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/rhs_green_primary_lowres.jpg < image reference at this link.

Below are some of my plant based illustrations, to compare to Pinhey's.

Thomas.