I feel that the final outcome of this project was not as I'd hoped. Various complications which arose from my own lack of investigation lead to me making design decisions based on the limitations that I had given myself accidentally. Firstly, in my initial design I used the colours black, white and grey, thinking that this would not be a problem as we were limited to two colours plus stock. However I did not consider the fact that whit would not be possible to digitally print onto black or grey, or double sided, leaving my only possible stock colour as white, which I didn't feel would communicate the image I wanted the mail shot to have. This meant after being satisfied with my colour choices, I had to re-evaluate the whole colour scheme.
Secondly, I made my prototype in thin printer paper, in my mind assuming this would be substituted for a better stock. However, I didn't consider the fact that the fold up instructions worked perfectly on this stock, and for my final piece I wouldn't be able to use two different stocks to achieve the same effect. This meant that I had to try and meet somewhere in between and use a stock that would fold down, but also support the pack inside. I don't think that the end result of this was a disaster, but I certainly think that the instructions would work better if they were on a different stock; for instance a thin but nice quality paper, perhaps slightly glossy to prevent the creases from wearing as quickly.
Another issue with my final piece was the fact that once printed, I found that the ink didn't come out as well as I had hoped. I don't have much experience printing with different stocks, and I think that I simply learnt my lesson the hard way! The black is readable, but not as clear as I'd hoped. Again the orange is viable, and I wouldn't go as far as saying the instructions are hard to read, but they certainly aren't as clear as I'd tried to make them. Also I wanted my mail shot to have strong visual impact, which I feel it really doesn't have with this colour scheme and stock. The black and white design worked so much better; smarter, sleeker and more business-like and masculine. I think the brown works in terms of its earthy, hand-made quality, but I think it lacks impact with the lack of contrast between the colours.
Annoyingly I was ill for most of this week meaning that I missed the the evaluation crit on Thursday. Although I wouldn't have felt confident about it, I wish I had been able to receive the feedback just to see what others thought of it. My progress crit I felt went really well; my group were all positive about my idea. Some commented that they weren't sure what to expect when I had set myself the brief to promote sewing to men, but were impressed with what I had come up with, including the colour scheme. I'd be interested to hear what they have to say now!
On a more positive note, I think that the sewn element to seal the envelope works well. I think its a simple way of furthering the theme, and makes it more tactile. I still like the 'home sweet home' font, and I'm glad I continued to use it for this. I like the way that from a distance it looks quite block-like and digital, tying in with the re-birth of old fashioned crafts.
I am pleased with the instructions which I think are clear in terms of content. Also, because I created the diagrams on illustrator, which is the first time I have chosen to use it! It took me a very long time, but if I keep using it practice will make perfect eventually!
I am impressed with myself for coming up with this design, purely because I've never designed anything like this before, but I think perhaps I threw myself a bit out of my depth in terms of trying too many things that I wasn't experienced with at once! However I know we are supposed to be experimenting and making mistakes, I just hope I learn from them!
