Tag: digital illustration

subscription box package design

Posted on by Rhea Diehl

subscription box package design

branding | crafting | web design

Challenge:

Formulate a unique concept and design a monthly subscription box and website.

Design Solution:

For Digital Media Studio II, we developed a brand, corresponding website prototype, and subscription box on a topic of our choosing. Artistic expression was my main focus of this assignment, and this prompted my concept of an art and wine subscription box named Dabble; a brand that promotes dabbling in various arts. I’m sure that I am not the only one who prefers to drink and do my art at home, as opposed to in public. I used this common interest as inspiration for this project, and developed a wine and art box; similar to that of a “wine and paint” event. It was my intention to communicate artistic expression throughout all aspects of the brand (using brush strokes, homemade patterns, and more).

The monthly subscription box features a bottle of wine, an art project with supplies, and a cracker and cheese pairing, as well as offering several ways to get creative, even down to the lid of the complimentary supply box.

Self-Reflection:

This project encompassed an array of my skills, such as branding,  crafting physical prototypes, photography, and web layout design. I took this project as a new challenge, and used the opportunity to come up with a unique concept that was executed beautifully. From the box, to the contents, to the website; this brand and product screams “creative” in a way that is elegant and artistic. I would consider this project one of my strongest yet.

Click the button to view the working desktop prototype for Dabble Creative.

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catalog publication design

Posted on by Rhea Diehl

catalog publication design

branding | publication | digital media

Challenge:

Develop a catalog based on a product of your choosing, complete with branding elements.

Design Solution:

For Digital Media Studio I, I created a brand centered around fresh, artisan preserves. Growing up, I always helped my Grandma (Fijak) pick fruits from her gardens, and tried my best, as a five year old with mediocre cooking knowledge, to help her create her fruit preserves. To this day, I drool over the thought of her jams in my Christmas baskets ever year. I took inspiration from these cherished family moments to develop the company Fijak Gardens. Since my inspiration came from the concept of homemade, preserved memories, I chose to go a rather “kitcshy” tone for the brand aesthetic. Fijak Gardens is all about farm to table, fresh ingredients and cooking with care. When these aspects come to mind, the first thing that always comes to mind is a “homemade-grandma” vibe, so I honed in on this tone in my packaging methods, logo design, and even photo composition. 

We are set out amongst the rest of our competitors, and I wanted the catalog to shout this from the rooftops, using high-end and kitschy elements to create an all-around successful farm-to-table brand.

Self-Reflection:

The passion I put into this project is definitely more than usual, but then again, not all of my projects have a personal connection behind them. Due to this, I feel like I could really pour my heart and soul into the copy, photos, packaging, and logo. I was even able to take this project above and beyond, creating real labels with my Cricut. Crafting my own labels and taking my own photos, rather than using jar mockups, really took this project to the next level.

sticker collection print design

Posted on by Rhea Diehl

sticker collection

RI Sticker Pack Collection

digital media | typography | illustration

Challenge: Utilizing illustrations designed for a previous project write-up, create a limited sticker collection of iconic Rhode Island heritage.

Design Solution: This sticker collection was actually  a complete reconceptualization of a previous project  write-up of a window cling series. Focusing on icons of  my home state, I developed a series of  stickers based off of places that help make Rhode Island what it is, and in turn, help make me who I am. The icons focused on in this project were: Del’s Frozen Lemonade, Narragansett Lager, the Big Blue Bug beside I-95,  Iggy’s Doughboys and Clam Shack, Rocky Point Amusement Park, and the Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill (the oldest operating carousel in the US). Since I was revisiting this project specifically for the graphics, I wanted to build a design around them and make them the main focal point. 

While the window series itself was not up to par, the illustrations were fantastic! I wanted to find a better medium to showcase them on. Putting on my thinking cap and doing some research, I came up with some catchy sayings to really bring these graphics to the next level.

Self-Reflection: As a designer, it never really occurs to me to reconceptualize and re-use project elements. I always initially think to create something brand new, but turning this sub-par window project into an awesome sticker collection was super fun, and not all that time consuming at all! The success of this project will influence me to try to revisit and rethink other projects in the future to really push myself and see what else I can come up with.

*Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to some of the existing logos used in these designs.

university acceptance package

Posted on by Rhea Diehl

university acceptance package

print design | typography | crafting

Challenge:

Design an acceptance package for a university of your choosing, utilizing the five senses to create an incredible unboxing experience.

Design Solution:

This project utilized the skills I have learned in spatial design, print design, typography, and prototyping; alongside teaching me printer specifications. Aalto University, an engineering and design institute in Finland, was chosen as the muse of this project due to the modern-style, typography heavy elements that the university employs throughout their branding. The deliverables chosen for the package included the box itself, an interactive acceptance letter, a pack of colored pencils, a sketchbook, a laptop sticker, a Popsocket, and the applicant’s student ID that doubles as a portable flash drive.

I wanted to make this college acceptance package interactive but useful for the applicant to enhance the “package-opening experience”. Bearing this in mind, I made the decision to create an on-brand and fun geometric pattern to utilize throughout the package. This includes on the backside of the acceptance letter, which presents the pattern in black and white so that the applicant can use the included colored pencils to “color their future”. The Student ID/flash drive not only gets the student excited about their acceptance, seeing it “in real life”, but it’s also incredibly practical as a way to store their school documents.

Self-Reflection:

This project taught me how to follow established brand guidelines and still come out with impressive, cohesive deliverables. It also taught me how to think outside the box to create a truly immersive unboxing experience, and the importance of printer specifications in a project.

design for good brand development

Posted on by Rhea Diehl

design for good brand development

branding | publication | layout design

Challenge:

Design a branding campaign for a fictional charity, complete with a branding strategy, logo, and peripherals.

Design Solution:

As both a designer, and a compassionate individual, this campaign was right up my alley. Pawsible is a fictional organization that focuses on bettering the lives of shelter animals. I chose to create a brand that displays cohesion and creativity for a passionate subject. I developed a brand strategy to communicate a lighthearted approach to a serious issue.

The logo design intended to get the point across without being too busy. The color palette and font choices were chosen with hidden meanings in mind; how colors and fonts make us feel, and what they stand for. Print peripherals were based off of emotional movement; using headlines that hit home to convey our serious point of view. On the other hand, my apparel conveys the playful element of the brand.

Self-Reflection:

The end result of this project was integrating two themes to create a brand that is eye-catching and cohesive while spreading a message.