Product Mood-board

Moodboard: I am planning to design a calendar, some postcards and some notebooks. However, due to time constraints I might only end up producing one of these items.

• The calendar will be small, perhaps A5 and will have a selection of pictures on it, with the dates placed next to it.
• The postcards will have the same pictures on it simple text overlayed on them (perhaps the name of the place where the picture was taken/the name of the picture).
• The notebooks will be similar to the postcards, the inside will be either all blank pages or a mix of both blank pages and of random pages recycled from elsewhere (magazines, newspapers, etc).

The product will be packaged in very simple brown (recycled) paper wrapping, with perhaps a bit of string tying it together.

Brand Packaging Comparison: T2 (New Zealand Black Tea) & Woolworths Homebrand Black Tea

What colours, typefaces, graphics does the company use on the packaging? What does this say about the value of the product? & What materials are used in the packaging (ie. card stock, foils, speciality papers, print treatments)? What do the materials tell you about the product value?

Both Woolworths and T2 use sans-serif typefaces on their packaging. Woolworths uses varying typefaces, colours and sizes to show hierarchy on their packaging while T2 uses a single typeface and colour and utilises typeface sizes and the principle of scale, to show hierarchy on their packaging. Woolworth's packaging, with its graphic of a cup of tea and variety of colours and typefaces though simple, lacks the elegance of T2's non-graphical, less-is-more approach to packaging due to it's use of the principles of balance and harmony. T2's packaging also gives the impression of a much higher quality product than that of the Woolworths packaging. T2's use of design principles like contrast, emphasis and scale make their packaging more elegant than Woolworth's packaging.

The ordinary plain white and red cardboard packaging of the Woolworths tea gives it the appearance of a cheaper and somewhat lower quality product when compared to the black glossy embossed metal packaging from T2 which appears to be more premium.

Resources:

Woolworths (Unknown). Homebrand Black Tea Bags 200pk 360g [Homebrand Black Tea Bags 200pk 360g]. Retrieved from https://www2.woolworthsonline.com.au/Content/wowProductImages/medium/260182.jpg

T2 (Unknown). New Zealand Black 30g Tin [New Zealand Black 30g Tin]. Retrieved from http://www.t2tea.com/assets/Images/Products/Heroes/532x361xNewZealandBlackHero2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.st8XlZDMUV.jpg

Stationary Brand Research: Smiggle

What is the company's "brand story" and how does is this communicated in the design of the products and packaging?:

Smiggle was started in Melbourne in 2004 with the idea of creating "colourful, fun, fashion-forward stationery." The name Smiggle is a conjunction of the words "smile" and "giggle". Over the next few years, they gained popularity and the number of stores grew to 20. In 2007, they were bought by the Just Group, who also own companies like, Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Peter Alexander & Dotti. In 2008, Smiggle opened its first overseas store in New Zealand. Then they expanded to Singapore in 2011 and the UK in 2014.

Who is the target market of the company? How do you think they address this target market (ie. use of colour, graphics, type of products):

Smiggle's target audience is kids & young adults although they have been trying to expand this to a larger range of ages. They target them by utilising bright colours, fun designs and graphics and by providing school-type stationery. Recently they have started to sell more non-stationary items like toys (e.g. balloon animal sets, batons, etc).

What type of packaging does the company use (branded carry bags, tissue paper, branded boxes etc.)? What does the packaging say/make you feel about the brand?:

Smiggle uses a lot of clear plastics paired with bright coloured cardboard in their packaging, giving their products a happy, excited air. None of Smiggle's merchandise has price tags on them as Smiggle is considered a gift shop. Interestingly, Smiggle does not do gift wrapping, however, they do sell wrapping paper if you're interested in wrapping it at home. When you buy something they place it in one of their trademark paper bags (see inserted picture). The simplicity of the design on these bags gives them a feeling of refinement (over ones that are overloaded with design elements). 

Resources:

Smiggle (Unknown). About Us [Version Unknown]. Retrieved from Smiggle website: http://www.smiggle.com.au/shop/en/smiggle/about-us

Retail Week (2013). Analysis: Australian stationery retailer Smiggle at a glance [Version Unknown]. Retrieved from Factiva website:
https://global-factiva-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=RETWEE0020130813e98c00004&cat=a&ep=ASE

JMP Holdings (Unknown). Smiggle Bamboo Paper Bags [Smiggle Bamboo Paper Bags]. Retrieved from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N50EXpgmS4aydue1hhtefjg1shyaFXK7fCmeaIha48c3B0be6PMlDB_06ua6wW9oIplHh7kpgbxn_DOb9ECvyo2YgHGCX-K76Egp9dQs3UnC0SnYB11FCaixNsxwkEuryGDX2XQRwjXx/s1600/SmiggleBagSmall.jpg

Blog Creation

Hi there,
This blog is my Process Diary for Packaging and Environmental Graphics :)
I will be updating it over the course of this semester with my research and other stuff for this Unit.