DESIGN EXPLORATION : TASK 2

11.10.2023 - 08.12.2023 | Week 8 - Week 15

Ng Wai Fern | 0354966

Design Exploration | Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

Task 2 : Design Expansion

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INSTRUCTIONS :

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Task 2 : Design Expansion

In week 7, Ms. Anis give us a brief regarding task 2. For task 2, we are required to expand the design developed for the competition by emerging the context with creative technology to express “playfulness” at the heart of the experience. We are required to think of creating design and content that creates awareness, educates your audience and triggers playful reactions.

PROGRESS
Week 8 - 9 progress

For this task, I start with the ideation process. As we are required to come up with ideas based on the previous task. I came up with 2 ideas with Lunar New Year theme.

Fig 1. Idea #1

Fig 2. Idea #1

Fig 3. Idea #2

Fig 4. Idea #2

Fig 5. References

FEEDBACK FOR WEEK 9 PROGRESS:

- the interactive packaging is interesting

- how about focus more on bringing family and friends together

- Try exploring advent calendar and festive hamper

- What kind of goodies best shared together in that packaging?

- Think about integrating products and functionality? 

Week 10 progress

During week 10, I explore more based on last week's feedback and compile into a mind map. I come up with sketches based the research I did.

 
Fig 6. Mind map

Fig 7. Idea #1 - sketch

Fig 8. Idea #2 - sketch

Fig 9. Idea #3 - sketch

Fig 10 . Idea references

After consulting with Ms. Anis, I will be working on idea 2 

Week 11 progress
During week 11, I work on the details for the shelf and the content of the items. The designs on the shelf frame and doors are referencing traditional wood carving patterns on chinese shelves, doors and cabinets.

Fig 11 . Outer box details #1

Fig 12 . Outer box details #2

Fig 13 . Outer box details #3

Fig 14 . Frame details 

Fig 15 . Product details 

Week 12 - 15 progress

During week 12 - 13, I focus on work on the template. During week 14 - 15, I focus on working on the details and finalizing the template to print the mockup . The concept of the design will be explain in more detail in the rationale.

Fig 16 . Mockup #1

Fig 17 . Mockup #2 

Fig 18 . Product detail - in progress

Fig 19 . Shelf items

Rationale

For my design expansion project, I decided to create a packaging design. As gift giving is common during Lunar New Year when visiting one’s house. The objective of this project is to create an interactive packaging with content such as food, snacks or goods that are commonly found during Lunar New Year. The other objective is an interactive packaging that can bring friends and family together. The interactive packaging’s design is inspired by the advent calendar which is popular during Christmas. The objective of this packaging is to be a gift box that is interactive, can bring friends and family together and can be reused as a storage box.

Besides that, the elements that I incorporate in this project are heavily inspired by Chinese culture. The design of the packaging is inspired by Duobaoge or known as the concept of curious shelving. The appearance of Duobaoge dates back to the Qing Dynasty palace. The duobaoge is to make it convenient for the emperor to appreciate and play with priceless treasures in the palace at any time. Duobaoge means storing several or even hundreds of rare curios together in a packaging case which is not over-sized. Besides the Duobaoge, I am also inspired by the chinese medicine cabinet and the trinket shelf that I have in my house. This project allows me to share my culture and my passion for traditional Chinese elements.

With this concept in mind, I choose 8 ‘priceless treasures’ which are food and goods that are usually eaten or found during Lunar New Year. I choose 8 items as 8 is a lucky number in Chinese. The 8 items are red envelope, tea, longevity noodles, oranges, Tang yuan (sweet rice ball), almond cookies, nian gao and small treats (Tray of togetherness). For the shelf, I include items such as silver and gold ingots, vases, chinese traditional plates, chinese tea cups and tea pots. The items in the shelf are inspired by the trinkets commonly seen in one’s house and the imperial household department in Qing Dynasty palace consists of silver, satin, clothing, fur, china and tea library. The designs on the shelf frame and doors are referencing traditional wood carving patterns on chinese shelves, doors and cabinets. Overall, this project is an advent calendar with a Chinese element twist that represents Lunar New Year and Chinese culture.

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SUBMISSION

Fig 20. Overall look - mockup 

Fig 21. Shelf - mockup 

Fig 22. Shelf put together - mockup 

Fig 23. Product content info - mockup 

Fig 24. Product content info - mockup 

Fig 25. Outer look of the packaging - mockup 

Fig 26. Outer look of the packaging 

Fig 27. Frame of the shelf

Fig 28. Content of the product - template

Fig 29. Shelf box- template

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REFLECTION

Experience

This module was different from other modules as we get to choose the theme and medium that we would like to work with. This gave me the chance to explore different art styles and topic that I am not able to explore in other modules. Through this task, I  was able to challenge myself as packaging design is not my strongest suit. I was able to explore and improve my skills in terms of creating a template from scratch and learning more about Chinese culture and design. 

Observations

For this task, I was stuck and not sure what theme I should work with at the beginning however after doing some research I was able to come up with ideas that can be expanded from the first task. I was able observe my skills and improve them throughout working on this task.

Findings

From this task, I was able to learn more about Chinese culture and design. It was interesting to learn about the Duobaoge as I have a huge interest in Chinese history and design. I am happy to be able to learn and implement it into the task.