Design for Print Study Task 1: What Is Design For Print?

For the first Study Task on the Brief, we need to find a minimum of 5 examples of the creative/ effective use of print in the following areas of Design;

• Branding and Identity
• Packaging and Promotion
• Publishing and Editorial
• Information and Way Finding

We need to identify the commercial/ cultural references, target audiences and creative context of the design works. 

Branding and Identity

"Milanezza" (2013) by Paola Diaz

Diaz, P. (2013) "Milanezza" [Weblog] The Behance Network 2nd August Available from https://www.behance.net/gallery/Milanezza/10171421 (Accessed 9th October 2013)

The way that this design is effective is that the screen printing and the choice of stock and layout makes for a very simple, understated yet elegant cafe brand. The target audience is social people who like to meet with friends, with the collateral giving the impression that the cafe is somewhere to relax and socialise. 

Abandon Ship Clothing Label and Sticker

The label is effective design as it comes with a free printed sticker which will encourage the target audience of teenagers and young adults to buy more as they feel as though they are getting something back from the brand. The label itself is de-bossed so it gives a textured aesthetic and a nice high-quality finish yet it also highlights the independence of the clothing brand as they feel they can give back by providing a sticker as well.

"The Cheese Shop" (2013) by Charlotte Littlehales

Littlehales, C. (2013) "The Cheese Shop" [Weblog] The Behance Network 8th April Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/The-Cheese-Shop/7855587 (Accessed 9th October 2013)

This is effective print design as it gives a completely traditional authentic presentation of the brand identity, encompassing a large area of the collateral, appealing to a target audience of middle-class villagers/ market-goers due to the vintage aesthetic.

Killstar Clothing Label

The clothing label has been foiled to give the shiny aesthetic and gives a glamorous yet understated element. The target audience is young people who like fashion with a bit of a dark edge, so the foiling  gives a more effective, commercial approach of the brand to the more mainstream culture.

Hype Clothing Label

The screen printed element of the logo gives a simple presentation due to the fact that it looks like it has been digitally printed instead and shows how the clothing brand is understated and clean, appealing to fashionistas who will appreciate the self-assurance of the label. It is the subtly of the screen printing that makes it such effective design. 

Packaging and Promotion

"JUNGHOLZ Kopfhorer" (2013) by Kristina Duver

Duver, K. (2013) "JUNGHOLZ Kopfhorer" [Weblog] The Behance Network 2nd September Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/JUNGHOLZ-Kopfhoerer/10695327 (Accessed 9th October 2013) 

Both sets of packaging for the headphones are effective and creative as it shows different methods of printing. The wooden box has been laser cut to get a very sharp ad clean cut whereas the material bag has been screen printed to give the impression of being handmade alongside the message of being ethical to the environment. The target audience is young people as the product is to connect younger people to think about the environment through the love of music. 

Chester Zoo Bag

This paper bag has been screen printed using just one colour and the material has been chosen to be reusable and recycled so that it is overall, better for the environment. This print is effective because the design and the context of being at a zoo plays on the emotions of the zoo goers by showing how the animals need there planet and the encourages them to think about there actions in regards to the planet. 

"Oak and Finch Packaging" (2012) by Marco Stoermer

Stoermer, M. (2012) "Oak and Finch Packaging" [Internet] Available from http://www.marcostoermer.com/OAK-FINCH (Accessed 9th October 2013)

This packaging arrangement for the brand Oak & Finch is beautifully crafted, using letterpress to to give an embossed quality and a high-end stock to emphasise the brand as a high-end authentic brand. It very much makes reference to the traditional cleaning brands of the early 1900's with the use of typography and the monochrome colour scheme. This would mainly appeal to designers and older people who would use it for the nostalgic element of the packaging.

Nike Cardboard Shoebox

The reason this is effective use of print is that the box is completely printed all over with the brand logo thereby acting as a form of clever promotional material for the company, attracting more and more consumers with the eye-catching large logo and bright red box. 

"Wondermade Marshmellow Packaging' (2012) by The Heads Of State

The Heads Of State (2012) "Wondermade Marshmellow Packaging" [Internet] Available from http://theheadsofstate.com/site/detail/wondermade (Accessed 9th October 2013)

This packaging for Wondermade Marshmellows is colourful and bold, with the use of letterpress to create a deep embossed effect. This is creative design as you wouldn't normal associate marshmallows with being packaged in a box thereby giving the product an instant high quality aesthetic.

Publishing and Editorial

"Bachelor Thesis" (2013) by Cecilia Longa

Longa, C. (2013) "Bachelor Thesis" [Weblog] The Behance Network 8th September Available from https://www.behance.net/gallery/Bachelor-thesis/10774645 (Accessed 9th October 2013)

The thesis shows a range of print theory by having a mixture of black and white, mixed colour and full colour pages showing how print can be manipulated and experimented with. This is effective print design as it is hand-bound giving a physical, personal quality to the presentation of the thesis so that the target audience of the designers tutors will be able to see the effort and theory that has gone into the production of the thesis.

A Chocolate Story Attraction Publication

This is effective design as it has been digitally printed on glossy paper and cheaply bound so that it can be quickly and cheaply reproduced to sell at a large amount of tourists to make a profit.

"Publishing and Editorial Design- ODM" (2011) by ANY MTZ

ANY MTZ (2011) "Publishing and Editorial Design- ODM" [Weblog] The Behance Network 15th June Available from https://www.behance.net/gallery/Publishing-Editorial-Design_ODM/1626595 (Accessed 9th October 2013)

This use of hard covers as stock makes for a very stoic approach to publication design. Due to this choice, it has had to be ring bound to be able to be strong enough to hold the book together. Saying that, it makes for a strong publication which can be passed from customer to customer and last constant use for the company.

"Graduate Fashion Week 2013" (2013) By Candy Black 

Black, C. (2013) "Graduate Fashion Week 2013" [Weblog] The Behance Network 5th August Available from https://www.behance.net/gallery/Graduate-Fashion-Week-2013/10225589 (Accessed 9th October 2013) 

What makes this effective and creative print is that the design and presentation of the information reflects the tone of voice of a fashion week. The gradients of the monochrome design is beautifully executed and the fact it has been digitally printed reflects the fast turn-around needed within the fashion industry and its followers.

"Steven King Book Covers" (2011) by Sam DeMastrie

DeMastrie, D. (2011) "Stephen King Book Covers" [Weblog] The Behance Network 28th May Available from https://www.behance.net/gallery/Stephen-King-Book-Covers/1516007 (Accessed 9th October 2013) 

These horror books covers are creative but are effective in the way that they have been packaged in a printed box that opens up and is shaped like a jaw which would instantly appeal to Stephen King readers, especially those who would be collectors or special editions.

Information and Way Finding

"TACC Store Identity and Branding" (2013) by Trushar Shah

Shah. T. (2013) "TACC Store Identity and Branding" [Weblog] The Behance Network 31st March Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/TACC-Store-Identity-Branding/7897625 (Accessed 9th October 2013)

The main reason why this is effective print is because it is everywhere, advertising the shop and targeting consumers to visit its shop. It is effective as it is consistent throughout to reflect the brand of the company so it is instantly recognisable for the public, contextualising the methods of signage. 

Chester Zoo Map

This is effective digital print as the actual design has been illustrated in a fun and engaging way to present the information to the target audience of younger people highlighting the fun of being at the attraction. By keeping the audience's attention and making it easy to understand, it is creative yet informative. The map is printed on a thin stock so that it is light to carry around and is folded up in a compact manner so it shows that it has considered its target audience in its presentation.

"Fedrigoni 2011 Calendar" (2011) by Paul Betowski

Betowitz, P. (2011) "Fedrigoni 2011 Calendar" [Weblog] The Behance Network 14th February  Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fedrigoni-2011-Calendar/973621 (Accessed 9th October 2013)

The monthly calendar acts like the traditional Russian doll where one box can be packaged into another, making for a compact design that gets smaller and smaller every month which is effective packaging. This would target graphic designers who would appreciate the stock and the concept. The print quality of die-cutting the name of the month out of each box allows for a glimpse into the next month and shows the next colour through the cutting. 

National Trust Map

This map of all the National Trust sites in the UK is to try and encourage people to visit them all or at least showing that there is a site near all of us. The thin paper stock makes the map lightweight to carry around in the car or on your person and the size emphasises the scale of the operation. 

"Bahamas Letterpress Wedding" (2010) by Studio on Fire

Studio On Fire (2010) "Bahamas Letterpress Wedding" [Internet] Available from http://www.beastpieces.com/2010/01/bahamas-letterpress-wedding/ (Accessed 9th October 2013)

These custom-made wedding invitations of the guests of the couple have definition and elegance through the use of embossing to create a emphasis on the grandeur of the occasion. This communicates the personalities of the couple but also the significance of the day with the couple being depicted as the Royals within the use of their opposing silhouettes.