Firstly I have never even worked with a client before, or done any branding for a real person, normally a fictional company or some form of non-specific design. This was a nice change, I didnt fully enjoy the mundanity of creating a range of branded pieces as it tends to be repetitive in a cut and paste way. But it did give me valuable experience and gained a new accomplice, who will be retaking photos of my work for my EOYS portfolio. Win.
The stress of the brief coupled with my lack of knowledge in the field made this a project I thought I would struggle with, until the logo itself came to fruition and the project got under way. Normally these sort of branding briefs are the staple diet/practice of most designers, whilst I did not fully enjoy it as it was outside my comfort zone, I felt as though I gained alot of experience in working with a stressful client who didnt really know what they wanted.
The end result of the deliverables were not to a standard I would have liked, but that is down to the fact I spent the least time on this brief in regards to the other briefs I worked on during FMP. I did enjoy the processes used to give the brief a professional look and managed to make the project appear as a 'whole'.
The solander box was outsourced due to my afore mentioned lack of craft skills, but also because I wanted Jenny to have the highest quality lookbook possible and also so I had something that looked pro for my portfolio. The concept for the lookbook was the strongest and I was pleased that I could produce something that was out of the conventional designs other members of the course were working with.
The spot varnish/foil effect for the entirety was the driving force behind the brief, which I think really helped support my SOI and my general intentions of trying an testing a range of print processes I had never really had the time or money to make. The business cards were once again outsourced due to me wanting Jenny to have the best looking products possible without the expense of time or money in regards to production and managing multiple briefs.
Overall I believe that despite my personal preference and time spent in total on the brief, I think this was one of my strongest projects and one that could have been turned around a lot quicker in hindsight.
The project cost a lot more than anticipated, but it gave me a real idea of how to work to a budget despite there not being one in place, it certainly gave me professional insight into external/outsourcing work if and when needed on a job. I also gained a valuable ally who appreciated my work despite the outcome and will be able to work together on most creative endeavours in the future.
