A manifesto is ‘a public declaration of policy and aims’ (Oxford Dictionary), in my case I will be using it to show my values as a designer and what design means to me.
My Values
My Life Values
My Design Values
This process is extremely helpful to me, it means that I can refer back to it and can always add more beliefs at a later date.
My Manifesto
I want my manifesto to flow, like a story, I want it to be short but understandable, I want it to be personal and represent me as a designer.
My Manifesto
Design is …
Embracing mistakes,
Pushing Boundaries,
Making a change and
Learning from others.
It’s about
Exploring the mind,
Finding new inspirations,
Saving Everything
Being your own worst enemy.
IT’S DOING WHAT YOU LOVE AND
ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT
Designing My Manifesto
Things to think about -
- Name?
- How will it look?
- What media?
- Is there packaging?
- Size?
- Layouts?
- Materials?
- Colours?
- Textures?
- Processes
- TIME
Possible outcomes and process -
- Etching
- Posters
- Type setting
- Screen Print
- Laser Cutting
- Embroidery
- Clothing
- Packet
- Box
- Envelope
- Books
- Postcards
- Pop Ups
- Flip book
- Embossing
- Zine
Paper Porn -
To get started I decided to take a look at some different paper available.
These are the three that I decided to try out -
- Hanemuhle White
- Somerset Newsprint Grey
- Somerset Velvet Black
Embossing/Debossing
Embossing creates a raised impression in stock. It pushes the desired image or type above the paper level – step up.
Debossing creates a depressed impression on stock. It pushes the image or type below the paper level – step down.
Both processes are very similar, both need a plate with the reversed image on which the paper is then pressed onto.
I decided to try out this process as I like the clean look it gives off. It’s simple and pure which is something that I value in design.
I made test plates that I designed using Adobe Illustrator which were then cut into using the laser cutter on acrylic. From these I made a number of test pieces using different stocks and colours. Some of the results weren’t particularly great because I didn’t cut into the plates deep enough.
I really enjoyed this process, once the plates were made the rest was easy and quick. I will be using this for the packaging of my manifesto and am now considering to do this throughout.
I feel that debossing worked better. It appears to be much clearer and more suitable for the typeface that I have chosen (Bodoni).
Before I can move on I need to develop my idea for my package and manifesto name.
More Debossing
This time I used the name of my manifesto, Pocket Principles. It’s short and catchy and I always enjoy a bit of alliteration.
The deboss appears to work best on the Hanemuhle White stock, I feel that it looks a lot more pure and clean that the others. – This will be the chosen stock for my packaging.
Designing Packaging
I want to create a sleeve for a book or postcards (a pocket) where it/they will be protected. I want it to be small for easy storage and movability (travel size).
I have designed a net on Adobe Illustrator that has been cut using a cutting machine (forgot the name).