An Ode to the Ootcuts - Small Starts to the Obscure

I started the week sorting out the latest developments for the label from comparing different companies, we have decided to go for brushed steel hang tags we feel this links well with the backstory. I also got a chance to go down to The Kelpies to take more photos to help get a good angle for the label, I also managed to get the bags stamps so I brought them along for product photos with a nice backdrop. Towards the end of the week, we have been working on the finishing touches of the portfolio and making sure everything is ready for hand-in.

Having these past few weeks to reflect on our creation and again filtering this into a lesson plan has made the conclusion to this work placement a great one. Having such an uptake to our idea and pack from a wide variety of users, expertise and people from all walks of life really has presented how open people are to help, assist and be part of something totally abstract, but I suppose that's what makes the Ootcuts.

We've still been having chats with The Altered State, and production seems to be growing ever more likely which seems to have light shining on the Ootcuts becoming a product to be seen on the shelves, with a reduction in costs seeming ever more promising.

To look back to our simple beginnings to what we've been able to create, to the people we've encountered and the opportunities created during the placement has been a boost and we're glad that it has extended to become something more, not only for us but the people that shall take on our pack, to see how they make the next obscurity.

Looking over our work it is amazing to see the range of different ideas and concepts that were made at the start and how they have developed into something new. We have both learned so much through this process helping us gain more confidence and experience within design.

Feedback of the Ootcuts

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Some feedback on the Ootcuts Journey...

Pitch to the Sculptor...

Towards the end of our placement, there was a chance to discuss our project that brought the creation of “OOTCUTS” to Andy Scott, the Sculptor behind the magnificent beasts.

Gaining inciteful views and endorsement of the concept and the various outcomes produced provided a boost and helpful backing, as well as an understanding of the project from the angle of the artist.

Having this conversation provided an observant perspective, towards typeface, colouring and shape choice. There were nods to the fact there were no instructions present, letting people dive in, which was similar to our first conversations when chatting about Lego. Where there was more enjoyment as a kid when you were given a large box of pieces, rather than being given the millennium falcon set with a step by step process.

There were also possible connections drawn between abstract and figurative art, allowing those to create their own personal sculptures taking the space as inspiration. When in conversation, it has been said that the Kelpies up close represent abstraction in individual pieces, but when stepping further back, the figures emerge. This overlaps itself with the idea behind the Ootcuts allowing for creations to appear when placing each obscurity together. From these discussions, further deepens the layers of the Ootcuts subjective nature, and could possibly open itself up to other markets, such as artists and designers, with other creatives in-between.

We've also been looking into alterations of the tag attachment for the bag, slight tweaks to increase a fluid flow into opening the bag up, and to ultimately intrigue people to pick up the product. From this, we'd hope that the creation of a high quality/attraction would lead to people keeping the tag as an extra memento, which links itself well to what's inside the bag.

For our week ahead we are collating our placement experiences, as well as applying final tweaks to our Daydream Believers Pack, which hopefully demonstrates our process well enough in a simplified, approachable format for the young designers to take on!

Pitch - The Ootcuts

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Portfolio branding

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label development

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May 4th label designs

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Week 13 - Wee Discussions and Labelling Up

This week brought to the front the chance to get in conversation with companies across the U.K. to try and bring the Ootcuts into final fruition at a reasonable price point. From Glasgow to Angus, and Oban to Ipswich, it was great to get feedback on the product we've been spending the past few months creating. Some companies provided great tips and insights into the manufacturing world, which was a great learning and truly shows the amount of detail and precision required to carry out these large runs. It looks as though there may be a glimmer of hope for getting the Ootcuts underway with "The Altered State" and "Funky Lemon Laser" taking a shine to the product, and having lengthy conversations it seems hopeful, with ways of reducing steps in the process and limiting manufacturing methods. This will definitely occur after the placement finishes, which may need some sort of funding to aid us in production of the product and packaging alike, but learning from this has been positively eye opening!

"Eliminating waste that the customers aren't interested in paying for...", ties this up well, trying to provide a high quality product with little wastage and a steady production line to ensure the quality is accessible to a wide scope of people.

We also focused on developing the label into a range of different formats to see if it enhanced the packaging. Changing the design into different layouts, I feel the long tag shape works best as it is easy to read and clearly illustrates the information about the product without cluttering the drawstring bag. Researching into different companies that could help us produce the shapes as well as the bag design. From this research, we found that a stamp would work better for the design of the bag as it allows more grit and personality to the packaging. Following up from last week I continued to see how the tags would look in silver foil, I feel this brings emphasis to the tag and will add character.

We've also made advancements on the Daydream front by incorporating videos and doodles to aid the lesson presentation and engagement, as well as designing the layout for the slide show so it followed more of a youthful tone which shall hopefully be grasped by those that would potentially use it.

week 13

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Assisting Companies and Organisations

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