Mouse Studies
Cars and a Jigsaw
Hand Practice
I might do one or two more posts, but I'm going to take a break from posting until the new year. This will give me a chance to revamp the site a bit and decide what currently is and isn't working and if anything needs to be adjusted.
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This first set features drops of ink suspended in water.
This next one features flowing water photographed at just the right time to make an amazing photograph.
And finally ferrofluids are an otherworldly magnetic liquid that gains a spikey look when exposed to a magnetic field and reverts to a black goo when not.
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I am making a slight change to the format of this series. I will still post sketches every other week, but I am removing the prompt of what to draw meaning that you can sketch whatever you feel like and submit it for the possibility of being featured. It will also allow more variety per post and not remove the surprise of what I'll be posting. So Tune back in two weeks and see what I post next time.
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Hopefully these prove inspirational to you and motivate you keep improving your design skills. Remember if you have any categories you would like featured in these posts let me know as I am always open to suggestions.
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From Design Packaging's blog Luxcrux.com
Where does packaging inspiration come from?
Simply put, everywhere.
Traveling, a fragrance counter, a child's over-packaged toy, a late night out with friends, news, a memory, and yes maybe even Pinterest.
Last month we saw Finnish packaging designer Nikolo Kerimov's concept for a fragrance primary pack featuring an origami bellows construction displayed on Pinterest. Curious to experience it's functionality we began playing with a few mock-ups, and after 8 attempts we were able to get it to twist & collapse properly. With a functioning prototype our team discussed potential evolutions of the structural design into something new. How do you simplify the design, add an interactive unveiling process, and create a packaging design that would hopefully inspire other packaging designers to push the concept further?
By creating a 2 piece box with lid and base that thread closed we were able to create an interactive pack that makes you a part of the process beyond the typical user/pack interaction. The twisting action delays product exposure creating an anticipatory moment prior to the product's unveiling beyond the standard 2 piece box lift and open process. Material selection and visual design can either elevate the pack to luxury status or create a craft aesthetic, the structure provides the foundation for your visual direction.
Through the development process there were several brands in mind for visuals, but our recent purchases of Jonathan Adler product had him top of mind. The final packaging concept is as bold as their product, and the quirky interactive elements are definitely in tune with the JA brand.
Be playful at work.
Image used with permission.
You can download the dielines used to make the box here
I think this project just goes to show that good design builds on the success of it predecessors. You don't need to start from scratch with every design. You can take an existing concept, take it apart, see how it works, and use elements of it in your own designs along with your own creative ideas.
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Some of the advantages of 3D printing are that you can create one offs without having to create molds, and you can create intricate structures and armatures without having to worry about how you are going to get it out of the mold. This post features a variety of amazing 3D prints I have found from across the web:
3D Printed Cocoon Lamp-Yanko Design
Honeycomb Borromean Surface - Shapeways
World's First 3D Printing Photo Booth - Core77
Animaris Geneticus Parvus #7 - Shapeways
iPhone Sweater Case is stiff and flexible with a single material - Core77
3D Printed Infographic, Seizmograph of the Japanese Earthquake - Solidsmack
iPhone Cell 2 Case - Shapeways
Klein Bottle Opener - Shapeways
That's it for this week. Be sure to check back for next week's post and the results of the first sketching prompt. Time permitting, I might have another post or two by that time so keep your eyes peeled.
]]>The first of my new series will help me (and you if you want to play along at home) improve my sketching. I've been doing a lot of packaging design at work, but I feel I need to do some product design to keep the sketching part of my skill set sharp. The idea is simple. Every two weeks there will be a sketch prompt of something I've been wanting to draw, and I will sketch out a few pages in my spare time. At the end of the two week period I will post my best sketches along with any cool ones that you readers might send in. At that time a new prompt will be posted and the cycle will repeat.
If you want to participate, break out your sketching tool of choice and draw some projectors. No 3D, just sketching. you can make it simple or blue-sky, fun or serious. What features would you like when presenting or watching media on the go? If you would like to share your sketches, send them to me at JohnTurnerDesign@gmail.com and I might include them along with my sketches in the final post. The point is to practice sketching, and share your work and progress with others. Even if you don't want to participate, be sure to check back in 2 weeks on the 28th when I post what I came up with and a new sketching challenge is announced.
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Light painting is a variation of the time lapse process that involves opening the camera shutter in a dark environment, and by moving around various light sources, the photographer "paints" with light onto the camera sensor.
That's it for this week. Check back next week to see what the next topic is. What did you think? Was this cool, helpful. . . boring? Let me know what you liked and didn't like at either my twitter @ID_Johnathan or my email at JohnTurnerDesign@gmail.com
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This was a joint project between myself and Michelle Vilavahn an Intern studying Graphic Design at ASU. We had the idea of creating something that could twist and fold flat in a unique way, and after doing some research online and in origami books we created models of a couple concepts. Once we had settled on a box design I created a dieline and final model while Michelle created the branding and logo.
From the press release,
NAKA Candles, a modern packaging and product concept collaboration between Design Packaging's J. Turner, and M. Vilavahn. The origami based Naka, meaning "the middle" embodies the package and product within emphasizing the center crease that serves the functionality and overall aesthetic.
The visual approach to the candle line is powerful, strong, and focused. The simple contrast between the matte and gloss finishes that accentuate the angled surfaces of the packaging structure highlight the collapsibility of the packaging, as well as the fine line that separates light and dark.
The candle inside dramatizes the centerfold, the black soy wax visually demands attention, and the metal base is designed to leave an impression. Luxury candle packaging designed to honor traditional methods with a modern twist.
Below is a step by step of how the box collapses:
To see some of Michellle's work check out her website here.
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