Reflection/Evaluation

Strengths 
Due to the openness of style in this brief, I was able to explore a range of different directions and apply my own creative interests to the outcomes. As this was a client based brief, feedback was received throughout the process. This was beneficial to the development of the outcomes and it was constructive to my practice to be able to process and apply this feedback. 

Weaknesses
The weaknesses within this brief were due to the print technician at the university being absent. This caused issues when printing the egg box stickers and meant that for submission and alternative had to be made. This was explained to the client and an alternative will be explored to deliver the stickers to them.


Time Management
Due to the period when this brief was completed, full commitment was able to be provided. Having a time schedule for this brief ensured that feedback was received by the client and therefore meant it could be applied to the development of the outcomes.


Final Outcome
The final outcomes were presented to the client as scheduled. It is reassuring to my practice when the final outcome receives positive feedback from the client as it reassures that the outcome is what they envisioned. It is also a brief that I feel passionate about and this has been reflected in the outcomes.

Outcome

Images of the final outcome were taken in a photography studio. This gave me the opportunity to practice lighting and camera set up skills alongside a photographer. 

Poster for Advertising

To extend the brief further, a design for an advertising poster has been developed. The main piece of inspiration can be seen below. The advert aims to advertise poster for the fruit and vegetable stall that is placed outside the farm gate. This outcome allowed me to apply my own illustrative style to the process to produce a decorative yet informative poster. 

 

Inspiration.

At first the design was constructed using gouache paint. Once this image was scanned in there was a texture present. Although this adds detail to the piece, it did not look effective when reprinted. Further experiments were completed using Adobe Draw for Ipad. Text was then applied to these images in illustrator. As decisions on the logo and typeface progressed, the experiments were made clearer and continued in the same direction as the other outcomes. 

Including information such as the location and times the produce would be available to buy was informed by feedback. This feedback identified the need for this information to make it clear to the audience who would see the advert in local noticeboards. 

Development

Development, following feedback:

Boards to client:

Feedback:

- The red design is more eye catching

- The white outline adds structure and allows the design to stand out more

- 3rd design is favourited. Having the address underneath the tractor brings it all together. In the other designs there is a lot of text and it is hard to differentiate between the information.   

Development & Feedback

Logo Development. The designs and colour palette have been inspired by the explored research and existing identity features of the farm. 

Business Cards experiments. 

The following boards were sent to the client to receive feedback. Presenting a brief to a client in this way is something that I have learned through freelancing at LeedsBID. 

Feedback:

- I can see the reference of the plaque in the first design and think that this would helping the farm update itself. It is identifiable with the plaque outside of farm gate and would help people who were collecting their order from the farm.

- The business cards do need to be double sided

- Logo 1 on the front of business card design 2

- Logo 5 would be more appropriate to use of the letterheads of invoices and formal letters

- Add Morpeth and the postcode to the business card e.g 'Glororum Farm, Morpeth' 

- The red adds colour to the design, can we try the block colour with logo 1?

- 'Add something that says or shows that it is for horses.' In a discussion with the client about this comment, I addressed that many of the people who they are handing the business cards to/the places that they are being displayed would be horse owners/where horse owners shop for produce. The client went on to say that when sales are being discussed through Facebook, many ask whether it is suitable for horses. Adding 'suitable for horses' on the business card would simply overcome this. 

- Delivery is available further afield for a fee. The 'local delivery' could need rewording to make this clear to the customer

- 'Is a website possible?' Through a discussion with the client, I outlined the basic cost of having a website. Due to the size of the business, the cost potentially out-ways the level of trafficking to the site. This is something that could be developed when the business grows. Instead, a Facebook business page would be more appropriate. Such features through the social media site are already used by the client and have been successful. 

Front and back designs were initially experimented with using two different typefaces. Having two choices for the client is important as overcomplicating the design options would not be appropriate. The serif typeface reflects the type used in the plaque 

Egg Box Label.

Feedback:

- We have plain brown egg boxes so the lighter grey works well. 

- Simple design is appropriate as all who receive the eggs already know the background behind the chickens

- It is possible that we will expand this and the design would need to be changed 

Advertising, Fruit Stall.

This is an outcome that has been added on to the brief to further show how the branding can be applied to varying aspects, appropriate to the business. Through background understanding of the business, the fruit and vegetable stall is a seasonal element that can gain a lot of attraction from passers by. This cliental could be extended if the stall were advertised in local noticeboards.

Research, Invoice

Due to the nature of the business, monthly invoices are sent out. Through a discussion with the client, this process is typically done via email, with a printed copy needed for filing. The client uses Microsoft Office Word to update each individual invoice each month and therefore the redesign must be functional on this programme. 

Research was carried out to gain an understanding of the information typically present on an invoice. An invoice was also received from the client to gain an understanding of how the current invoice works. This is important in ensuring the redesign is understood by the customers. The annotation of designs allows for identification of features that work in a design and those that are less successful. 

Research, Identity

Research board. 

Using the famous Gloucester Service website, a number of business identities have been explored using the Farm Shop suppliers list. This provided an insight into existing brand identities. Extended research gathered imagery of identities for agricultural based businesses. 

This research has helped identify features of local and national competitors/businesses of a similar nature. It is important for the logo to stand out from the other branding that it will be situated with but also be appropriate for its genre. 

The Brief

Live Brief.

The Brief: Produce an identity for a family run business. The primary focus must be to advertise and promote certain produce for the farm. 

Research: Farm identities/rebrands for the modern audience. Businesses of a similar nature, farm shops/commercial brands

Audience: Existing customers, potential customers the agricultural field

Further Details:

- Family business

- Sheep and crop based business 

- Business cards will be used to advertise the sale of hay, haylage and straw in local businesses and through word of mouth

- A Facebook group to advertise sales and communicate with potential clients

- A consistency in design is needed throughout the advertising and stationary of the business

- Further advertising required for smaller aspects of the business, e.g fruit & veg stall

- Client would like to maintain a traditional appearance of the farm however appeal to the modern audience.