Today has been a very productive ‘sketchbook day’. This has involved going back to the sketchbook individual pages, and ensuring it is in a coherent order. Whilst doing so I ensured that there was nothing missing which would result in a fragmented understanding of the work process.
There were a few pieces which I was aware that were missing at the beginning of the day, namely the contacts sheet from the photoshoot, and also the mock photoshoot write up. These were successfully completed by the end of the day.
I was acknowledged that the sketchbook would have to be bound. I should make a decision as to whether I would get this bound at home (Melton Mowbray) or back at University, in Preston. I decided that I would get as much of the work completed at home as possible, in order to eliminate any stresses on the return journey.
With regards to the report, at the stage it is nearly completed! It is still just over the word count (about 300 words over), however continuous reading through of this should enable me to get the word count down. I was necessary for me to distinguish the persuasion section of the report, as – at present – this was interlinked into the promotion section, which might be questioned where marking is concerned.
What next?
Tomorrow is my last full day at home, therefore I must finish things are finally as a possibly can. This will involve a finally check through of the sketchbook, finalisations to be made to the customer profile box (including an association to the appendix). Moreover, the timelog should be printed off, up to date, and a creative cover to link in with the rest of the project should be considered.
Friday, 8 January 2010
Monday, 4 January 2010
Continued work on the report
Over the last few days work has focused primarily on the completion of the report – a contents page has been created, and each section has been numbered accordingly, therefore the report is really taking shape! It is, however, necessary to considered that page numbers will be different when the report is put onto its A3 scale format.
This will be much narrower as the report will sit into the Wellington boot as if it is a sock (linking to the sock touched on in the report, given away at the promotional launch). It is therefore not necessary to spend a lot of time at present focusing on the structure itself, rather it is more important to concentrate on the content.
The report is still over the word count by 1000 words which is a very significant number. I was necessary to discuss whether sections could be interlinked in order to produce a more coherent report, which was within the word limit. It was desired that the report was visually impacting, as this is what research has pointed towards throughout. Therefore images were included as figures, and referenced in a figure list.
The bibliography was constantly updated with the redrafting, ensuring that if references were taken out of the main body, they were likewise taken out of the report.
What next?
I must continue working on the report, redrafting it. I must also revisit the sketchbook, and make further progress in completing this. It is necessary to likewise revisit the customer profile box to make a few changes/ additions to this.
This will be much narrower as the report will sit into the Wellington boot as if it is a sock (linking to the sock touched on in the report, given away at the promotional launch). It is therefore not necessary to spend a lot of time at present focusing on the structure itself, rather it is more important to concentrate on the content.
The report is still over the word count by 1000 words which is a very significant number. I was necessary to discuss whether sections could be interlinked in order to produce a more coherent report, which was within the word limit. It was desired that the report was visually impacting, as this is what research has pointed towards throughout. Therefore images were included as figures, and referenced in a figure list.
The bibliography was constantly updated with the redrafting, ensuring that if references were taken out of the main body, they were likewise taken out of the report.
What next?
I must continue working on the report, redrafting it. I must also revisit the sketchbook, and make further progress in completing this. It is necessary to likewise revisit the customer profile box to make a few changes/ additions to this.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Considering future developments
Today I got round to writing the conclusion of the report, as specified by the report template this should include a SWOT analysis (as produced for the PowerPoint presentation), and a section on possible future development for the Signature Boot. With the benefit of hindsight it is possible to discuss modifying decisions regarding the Signature Boot.
There is the opportunity for additional features to be added, for example handles. This is a feature adopted by top designers Wellington Boots yet something which could be transferred to high street level. This would be a useful feature as many people care their Wellington’s once the festival is over. The Wellington could therefore become a handbag for bits and pieces accumulated over the festival. Moreover, if successful, the product could be produced with a male consumer in mind, sold through Topman.
The customer profile board accompanying this report considers this. It would not be possible to produce a ‘unisex’ Signature Boot because of gender differences in physique and preferences, yet the boot would have slight variations in style and colour ranges, being slightly taller to accommodate for the new prospective customer, and would be available in larger sizes, up to size 11 as sold by Topshop presently. The price would have to be altered accordingly. Possible future campaign for the Topman launch of Signature Boot.
What next?
I have reached the end of the report now with regards to writing it, however it is necessary to continuously redraft this in order to reduce the margin for any errors. It is also necessary to consider a creative format. At present I have considered creating a really long (A3 length) report, and having this particularly narrow. This could then sit inside the Signature Boot. The front cover would be stripey as if it was a hippy persons sock. It would then bound accordingly.
There is the opportunity for additional features to be added, for example handles. This is a feature adopted by top designers Wellington Boots yet something which could be transferred to high street level. This would be a useful feature as many people care their Wellington’s once the festival is over. The Wellington could therefore become a handbag for bits and pieces accumulated over the festival. Moreover, if successful, the product could be produced with a male consumer in mind, sold through Topman.
The customer profile board accompanying this report considers this. It would not be possible to produce a ‘unisex’ Signature Boot because of gender differences in physique and preferences, yet the boot would have slight variations in style and colour ranges, being slightly taller to accommodate for the new prospective customer, and would be available in larger sizes, up to size 11 as sold by Topshop presently. The price would have to be altered accordingly. Possible future campaign for the Topman launch of Signature Boot.
What next?
I have reached the end of the report now with regards to writing it, however it is necessary to continuously redraft this in order to reduce the margin for any errors. It is also necessary to consider a creative format. At present I have considered creating a really long (A3 length) report, and having this particularly narrow. This could then sit inside the Signature Boot. The front cover would be stripey as if it was a hippy persons sock. It would then bound accordingly.
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Reading for Report Writing
Last night I commenced my report writing. I initially looked on-line for advice and guidance about how to write a report. I decided that I would initially focus on report content, before moving on to consider a creative format.
Books which I initially looked at to references included: Living with Colour – the workbook for managing the colours in your home. The book by Dereyck Healey proved very useful when discussing the selection of colours I chose to produce my products in.
A further book which proved useful was Fashion Brands – Branding Style from Armani to Zara. I used the index page in here to locate any information on the brand Topshop which could be used to support my arguments for choosing this brand.
Colour in Industrial Design, written by Dale Russell was invaluable when it came to discussion colour both in my product and my forms of promotion, resulting in a well-rounded argument as to how I made my ‘colour ways’ decisions.
The most useful book that I looked at up to this stage was actually quite dated, however Fashion Advertising and Promotion, by Arthur A. Winters and Stanley Goodman proved very useful in content regarding my methods of promotion. It also included diagrams which would be extremely pertinent, and should be used as figures within the report to illumine claims and discussion.
What next?
Next I should continue to read the above book Fashion Advertising and Promotion. I have extracted quality quotes and made note of page numbers of diagrams. By the end of today I should put these in their relevant sections of the report, enabling myself to structure the report around them. I must also continue to read other texts.
Books which I initially looked at to references included: Living with Colour – the workbook for managing the colours in your home. The book by Dereyck Healey proved very useful when discussing the selection of colours I chose to produce my products in.
A further book which proved useful was Fashion Brands – Branding Style from Armani to Zara. I used the index page in here to locate any information on the brand Topshop which could be used to support my arguments for choosing this brand.
Colour in Industrial Design, written by Dale Russell was invaluable when it came to discussion colour both in my product and my forms of promotion, resulting in a well-rounded argument as to how I made my ‘colour ways’ decisions.
The most useful book that I looked at up to this stage was actually quite dated, however Fashion Advertising and Promotion, by Arthur A. Winters and Stanley Goodman proved very useful in content regarding my methods of promotion. It also included diagrams which would be extremely pertinent, and should be used as figures within the report to illumine claims and discussion.
What next?
Next I should continue to read the above book Fashion Advertising and Promotion. I have extracted quality quotes and made note of page numbers of diagrams. By the end of today I should put these in their relevant sections of the report, enabling myself to structure the report around them. I must also continue to read other texts.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Starting to write the Report
I have just returned home for Christmas. The practical part of this project was handed in on Thursday – in time for the deadline. It is now time to commence on the report writing. It is necessary to refer to the PowerPoint I completed in Dragon’s Den style.
I looked at the different sections included here, and intertwined this into my research and former knowledge into report writing and compiled at contents list which, at this initial stage, included the following: List of Tables and Figures, Abbreviations, Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People and Persuasion. When researching into formatting a report I came across a section for inclusion entitled acknowledgements.
It is from here that I was inspired to include Collin Williamson, for accompanying me around his plastic factory, and Sarah, Mike and Laura from Wedge Wellies for helping me realize the weaknesses in my product and helping me overcome them. Research also taught me that the front page of a report (the title page) is very important for setting the tone of the report and thus should not be overcrowded.
It did however suggest that a company logo could be included. This inspired me with regards to my ‘creative format’ I considered that I could write this report from the perspective of a company. It was up to me to decide whether this would be an official from Topshop, a Glastonbury festival representative, or somebody from a creative agency.
What next?
I must continue my report writing. I will utilize the holidays wisely, paying particular attention to the desired writing style as well as the topic, reading behind the subject. Future blog updates will contain information about books that I have read.
I looked at the different sections included here, and intertwined this into my research and former knowledge into report writing and compiled at contents list which, at this initial stage, included the following: List of Tables and Figures, Abbreviations, Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People and Persuasion. When researching into formatting a report I came across a section for inclusion entitled acknowledgements.
It is from here that I was inspired to include Collin Williamson, for accompanying me around his plastic factory, and Sarah, Mike and Laura from Wedge Wellies for helping me realize the weaknesses in my product and helping me overcome them. Research also taught me that the front page of a report (the title page) is very important for setting the tone of the report and thus should not be overcrowded.
It did however suggest that a company logo could be included. This inspired me with regards to my ‘creative format’ I considered that I could write this report from the perspective of a company. It was up to me to decide whether this would be an official from Topshop, a Glastonbury festival representative, or somebody from a creative agency.
What next?
I must continue my report writing. I will utilize the holidays wisely, paying particular attention to the desired writing style as well as the topic, reading behind the subject. Future blog updates will contain information about books that I have read.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Progress made since last update
On my last blog update I state that I would have to get started on the web design element of this project. Instead, however, I focussed my attentions on the forms of promotion generally.
One was to be a press pack – at present I have the gift sorted - a Wellington boot soap, and have written the press release and have some samples to put inside the pack. I have a theme in mind - a sort of festival wash pack that I am aiming to create.
I must then create the aforementioned website – however to do so I must have all graphics etc completed before this stage. I must then create two other relevant forms of promotion – one would be my blog and Facebook group – I must consider interesting ways to present these.
I felt that billboard advertising would be effective; therefore I started creating the graphics from these, using images from the internet. However, billboards can be seen as an easy-get-out form of promotion, I therefore considered ways in which I could make them more interactive etc.
The images I created were very effective and could be used as banner ads alongside the website. This would ensure continuity throughout the site.
At present I am dabbling in web design for another brief, consequently skills that I learn there can be implemented into this website design; making it holy relevant to the customer.
What next?
Next I must focus on finalising these forms of promotion, I must also work on the elements that go alongside the press pack, even if I finish these in draft at least it is a step in the correct direction. This must include a list of relevant journalists to invite, therefore I will continue along this line of thought.
One was to be a press pack – at present I have the gift sorted - a Wellington boot soap, and have written the press release and have some samples to put inside the pack. I have a theme in mind - a sort of festival wash pack that I am aiming to create.
I must then create the aforementioned website – however to do so I must have all graphics etc completed before this stage. I must then create two other relevant forms of promotion – one would be my blog and Facebook group – I must consider interesting ways to present these.
I felt that billboard advertising would be effective; therefore I started creating the graphics from these, using images from the internet. However, billboards can be seen as an easy-get-out form of promotion, I therefore considered ways in which I could make them more interactive etc.
The images I created were very effective and could be used as banner ads alongside the website. This would ensure continuity throughout the site.
At present I am dabbling in web design for another brief, consequently skills that I learn there can be implemented into this website design; making it holy relevant to the customer.
What next?
Next I must focus on finalising these forms of promotion, I must also work on the elements that go alongside the press pack, even if I finish these in draft at least it is a step in the correct direction. This must include a list of relevant journalists to invite, therefore I will continue along this line of thought.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Recent Achievements:
Progress over the last couple of days:
Great progress has been made since the last blog update. Research has been conducted into Guerrilla Marketing techniques, as explored by Levinson. The analysis of art work I the form of dressed trees was also an area that was looked into.
I took inspiration gained from the analysis of these ideas into photoshop, and experimented with trees and Wellington boots simultaneously – the outcome was more experimental than desirable!
Most notably I managed to create another form of promotion. This came as a blog, this was linked with a widget to my Facebook ‘Signature Boot’ page, and facilitated updates that a typical fashion-related blog site would launch, for example updates, forums of discussion and debate – facilitated by the commenting option. I had to think about how I would present this to my peers in the most effective way – a book? On boards??
Next I considered a ‘relevant’ form of promotion, by this I meant something which specifically related to my product and customer identity. I therefore chose badges. I used Illustrator as the software to create these badges. Through research I discovered that there were two main sizes – 77mm and 58mm, therefore I worked along these guidelines using circles to represent the edge of the badge.
This in itself was a form of promotion, and a fairly effective one – people would go around wearig these badges, consequently it links to bandwagon advertising, people would spark up conversation centred on the badges, and by the end of the discussion they would feel as though they ‘had’ to have the badge.
I would send these off to a professional company to get made up. Again I had to think of a way that these would be presented – would I superimpose them onto garments on photoshop, or would I present them physically on a garment or board for my hand in.
I also chose my press gift – this was to be a Wellington boot soap – green in colour, consequently it linked to the concept of the environmentally friendly Wellington, whilst also coinciding with previous areas explored throughout the campaign – ensuring continuity.
What next?
Next I must work on the four forms of promotion, starting with the website design – this will be my primary focus for the next few days.
Great progress has been made since the last blog update. Research has been conducted into Guerrilla Marketing techniques, as explored by Levinson. The analysis of art work I the form of dressed trees was also an area that was looked into.
I took inspiration gained from the analysis of these ideas into photoshop, and experimented with trees and Wellington boots simultaneously – the outcome was more experimental than desirable!
Most notably I managed to create another form of promotion. This came as a blog, this was linked with a widget to my Facebook ‘Signature Boot’ page, and facilitated updates that a typical fashion-related blog site would launch, for example updates, forums of discussion and debate – facilitated by the commenting option. I had to think about how I would present this to my peers in the most effective way – a book? On boards??
Next I considered a ‘relevant’ form of promotion, by this I meant something which specifically related to my product and customer identity. I therefore chose badges. I used Illustrator as the software to create these badges. Through research I discovered that there were two main sizes – 77mm and 58mm, therefore I worked along these guidelines using circles to represent the edge of the badge.
This in itself was a form of promotion, and a fairly effective one – people would go around wearig these badges, consequently it links to bandwagon advertising, people would spark up conversation centred on the badges, and by the end of the discussion they would feel as though they ‘had’ to have the badge.
I would send these off to a professional company to get made up. Again I had to think of a way that these would be presented – would I superimpose them onto garments on photoshop, or would I present them physically on a garment or board for my hand in.
I also chose my press gift – this was to be a Wellington boot soap – green in colour, consequently it linked to the concept of the environmentally friendly Wellington, whilst also coinciding with previous areas explored throughout the campaign – ensuring continuity.
What next?
Next I must work on the four forms of promotion, starting with the website design – this will be my primary focus for the next few days.
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