OUGD405: Research, Collect, Communicate

Over the Christmas period we were given a topic to research, I was given 'Elvis'.

OUGD405: Research, Collect, Communicate; Product

For my research Topic I was given Elvis. I looked into his life and the music and fashion scene. I took my research down the route of the fashion and looked at rockabilly's.

The given brief asked us to explore information graphics through: Product and Packaging.

I came up with a few ideas but decided on one final idea. I decided I'm going to package a novelty comb. The packaging will include information graphics guiding the user on how to use the comb to create different styled hair. The hair styles are going to reflect the rockabilly style. I decided the comb would be sold in Urban Outfitters as they include a section in the store for novelty goods.

I decided to look at the Urban Outfitters website which includes a novelties section:

The novelty section is the perfect area for which i can sell the novelty comb. Here are a few items which are sold online:

A few of the images actually are sold as 'retro' items, which is useful for the comb and would fit perfectly into this category. If i was to add this to the collection of 'retro' items I'd have to consider making a similar packaging design, something which i wouldnt want to do as my product would be sold as an individual item.

Below are a few ideas of packaging i could consider from the Urban Outfitters website:










Depending on the style of comb i purchase for the project the packaging will differ. I like the idea of having a box but i think it could be a bit to complex. Where as if i have a small paper packaging it will be simple, it will unfold so the infographics can easily be accessible.


I've researched into retro logos to get an image of what i could aim to design.













 



 http://designshack.net/articles/inspiration/105-remarkable-retro-logos/

Above is just a few of the logos i looked at. The first thing I'm going to take into account is the font. I need to pick a font which is reflective of the 1950's, 1960's or 1970's. The colours in the logos i noticed are not vibrant, no colours hit you in the face with there intensity, so neutral colours is something i may consider. There's a lot of circles used, something which i already have been incorporating in a few logo designs i have produced. I'm going to use illustrator to try out a few different designs before deciding on the final one.

Alternative shops to sell the product

My product could be sold in Primark, they often have small novelty gifts lying around. Again they have a similar audiance to urban outfitters so it would be targeting the right audience!




Making a quiff

I need to research the most simple and quickest way of creating a quiff. With the packaging opening up into an info graphic the styling instructions will have to be able to fit onto a 12 x 21 design, so being simple is key.

So I've found the best help for styling is on You Tube, there are thousands of videos explaining how to get a stylish quiff. I'm going to analyse several reliable videos, take the steps which are most important and use these for the design. As the comb is more of a novelty item the instructions are going to be very loose, nothing intense and very easy to understand.

 First video here shows how to create a dry textured quiff, the instructions are pasted below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ihlKT2J5Ls

1. Shampoo and condition with suitable product (texture blast and add volume).
2. Apply volumising spray and sea salt spray root to tip.
3. With your dryer on high heat, dry your hair from root to tip in the desired direction.
4. Use fingers to get tension and maximum length.
5. Follow direction required.
6. Dry front/fringe area in all directions to stop "leaning".
7. Use cool air to help fix shape.
8. Add more KMS Sea Salt Spray lightly.
9. Blast in with cool air.
10. Add some dry wax spray (at arm's reach) and check for finish.

The styling below was done mainly adding product:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMXotyCBGCs

1. blow dry the hair
2. add product
3. blow dry again pushing back
4. add a second product to help volumize the hair
5. shape into your own specific style


This video does actually feature a comb in it which is helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66DqWh0xnGY

1. Blow dry the hair backwards
2. Add product, evenly separate it through the hair.
3. Use the comb to style it into the shape you desire.

 This one here shows us how to create a 'pompadour/rockabilly' quiff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4IZpgZl_9U

1. add product and comb backwards
2. make a side parting. separation in the hair.
3. Flick the front section of he hair up bringing it down at the back
to create the quiff effect.
4. Go back over the hair perfecting any loose ends.

 Another pompadour hair styling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jkGzPpYdSg

1. Start with product in your hair and comb the hair back
2. Add a side parting and brush down the sides
3. Brush the front up and down at the back shaping with
your comb and your hand.
4. perfect with the comb

I've realised that designing an info graphic which runs you through several types of styling techniques for quiffs is going to get pretty tedious, as all stages are pretty similar apart from the way you flick the quiff. I've decided I'm going to instruct the audience through one style, and add optional techniques for different quiffs.

OUGD405: How to... research.

So as a group we've decided to tackle exercising amongst students. We decided if we were to get someone to try something new the most effective solution was to try get students to incorporate exercise into there weekly routine schedule. As we are students we are able to understand our targeted audience, and we will look at the best possible ways to try and make students, who are not fond of exercise and who are fond of exercise, to try out specific, easy exercises which will leave them feeling more awake therefore increasing there productivity at college.

We decided that we would make an interactive poster and an app which specialised in helping students incorporate exercise into their weekly routine. We will research into quick and easy exercise routines which can easily be done at home. We plan on creating a questionnaire which will help gather data about who exercises, how much time is spent exercising, and if they don't, why?

One thing i think students lack is the motivation to get up and actually partake in exercise. I've looked at some tips from 'Mens Health' on how to stay motivated:

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/cardio-exercise/the-best-fitness-motivation-tips

1. Listening to music
2. Keeping track of the distance you’ve covered improves your performance as it gives you the confidence to release even more energy reserves.
3. Training partners are a great way to get more out of your session.
4. Think positive

A few of these may be helpful towards motivating students to try our exercise routine.

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/building-muscle/bodyweight-exercises/home-workout-9427?click=main_sr

I found a home workout on mens health. Very straight forward, but if our exercise is unisex we may have to tweak the exercises, or add exercises which are more acceptable for time purposes.

Hear are some interesting infographic workotus which could help with the creation of our work:

I've noticed that simple block colours and the simple illustrative design is a recurring theme through the info graphics. Backed up by important and helpful information the graphics are easily readable, and its easy to find your way around them. I'm thinking that we could possibly design a folding exercise routine which you can pin on your wall. I believe approaching the audience with quite a relaxed tone of voice will be more engaging for a student. If the poster was serious it would bring in an element of strict routine, where as if we're more relaxed it'll allow the student to take a more relaxed approach.

Picking which exercises to incorporate into the design has to be vital. We want the exercise to be unisex, so anything which is going to be difficult or off putting for either sex will have to be left out.

There are a couple of exercises our group has decided to look into:

Sit ups
Press ups
Crunches
Wall sit
Jogging
Lunges

Sit ups

From my own knowledge i understand sit ups are a great way of toning your abs if done correctly! A lot of people mistake sit ups for helping you lose weight, when in fact they strengthen the abs, tightening your stomach helping flatten your tummy.

Press ups

Press ups can be varied, depending on the placement of your hand you can train very different muscles. The most simple press up targets your biceps but also effects your forearms, your pecs, your back and your shoulders. Other pressups can train your abs and your triceps.

Crunches

Crunches are an advance on the sit up and target directly your abs. These may be difficult for some people.

Wall sit

Wall sits are really easy and can be done anywhere with a free wall. The wall sit targets your hamstrings, your quads and your bum. I think this could be a brilliant exercise for a student.

Lunges
Lunges are similar to the wall sit as they train your hamstrings, quads and your bum. They can also help tone your abs. We dont want our exercise to be grueling so we have to consider how hard each indivual exercise may be.

Jogging

Jogging is a great workout for the legs and abs, and is very good cardio. The problem with jogging is that you have to leave the flat, and we are wanting our routine to be quite stationary! We could maybe add it as an alternative!