Responsive//Greeting cards//Illustration

Illustration is something that will be involved in designing the cards. Here are a few examples that express the style desired. 

Here are some cards that have a hand-rendered aesthetic and communicate a mixture of type and imagery. This quirky drawing style is really light-hearted and pleasing to the eye. 

http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com

These designs are from a successful card company. They are quite simple illustrations but because they come in a set the aesthetics work really well. 

http://riflepaperco.com/

These cards were just found on a blog but the black illustration on the brown paper give the cards an authentic aesthetic. The square format is a good size as well and frames the illustrations well. 

http://peachlovehearts.blogspot.co.uk/

Responsive//Greeting Cards//Ranges

Extending the greeting card brief means that a range needs to be considered. In stationary and card shops it is often a set of products with similar aesthetics so they work as a set. This increases the sales as people will often want a product they have bought to match another. Paperchase, the stationary shop is a good example. 

They have a section of the website where the customer can even search by the range name. 

Here is one range for example. This lantern pattern has been applied over countless products and not just stationery. If the company knows that a range is going to be popular than more variety of products can be part of the collection. 

http://www.paperchase.co.uk/

However, it isn't just stationary shops that use this selling technique. In clothing shops it is seen a lot. If a garment has a print on it that sellls really well, the company will pick up on this and apply to more clothes. 

For example, here this aztec patterns is put over a top and trousers. 

http://www.motelrocks.com/

Similarly, this popular aztec print from topshop was applied with denim on a hat and bag. However, they have only done a small detail of the design. 

http://www.topshop.com/

Responsive//Greeting Cards//Foiling

Foiling is another process that could potentially be used for this card brief. 

Foil Blocking (Foil Embossing)

Definition: Foil blocking is basically metal foil (usually Silver Foil Blocking or Gold Foil Blocking) which is used to create shiny metal foil effects on the paper. Mainly used as a special effect to enhance the overall look and quality of a print job.

What is it used for? Commonly used for Christmas Cards, Letterheads, Business Cards, Brochures, Annual Reports andPresentation folders. For example, a logo or text might be foil blocked. Foil Blocking can be used on dark coloured papers and boards as it is opaque.

At What Point do we do it? Foil Blocking is a printing process but is always done after the litho print element of the job but before final finishing.

How do we do it? A die is made from your design, the design is then impressed onto the paper or board by means of a coloured metal foil.

More about: Silver foil looks particularly good on dark blue or black uncoated board. Gold Blocking is very traditional and can be useful for printing formal invitations. Foils are available in a wide variety of metallic and non metallic colours. Different Effects include, Flat Foiling, Textured Foiling and Foil Embossing (See Embossing)

http://www.printbuyingdirect.co.uk/foil-blocking.html

Here are some examples of foil blocking in design work. 

Above shows Rob Ryan's outcome with foil blocked cards. The colours really stand out and work well with the lasercut aesthetics. 

http://www.misterrob.co.uk/

This foiled passport logo shows the detail in which the process can work. This design is quite intricate but is still clear and legible. 

www.papermonkeys.co.uk

This perspective cover shows the colours and effect foiling can have on just solid type. It is a simple technique but enhances the overall design.

thecreativeagent.co.uk

Responsive//Greeting cards//Artist Research

Yulia Brodskaya

Yulia Brodskaya was born in Russia (Moscow); prior to moving to the UK in 2004 she was interested in diverse creative practices ranging from Textile Painting, Origami and Collage to more traditional Fine Art practices. Following an MA in Graphic Communication (2006, University of Hertfordshire) she continued to experiment and explore ways of bringing together all the things she likes most: typography, paper, and highly detailed hand-made craft objects. She has swiftly earned an international reputation for her innovative paper illustrations and continues to create beautifully detailed paper designs for clients all around the world.

http://www.artyulia.com/

Yulia's work is obviously a very detailed and skillful approach to quilling. but her work is inspiring and beautiful to look at. 

Responsive//Greeting cards//Quilling

Looking into to Arts and crafts but specifically quilling. Finding the balance between an approach that embodies the traditional skill but not too showing an old-fashioned aesthetic. It is important that it will appeal to a younger audience. Paper-cutting was a big trend in the card industry and papercraft in general is delicate and aesthetically pleasing when done right. Here are a few examples are what has already been done. 

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=quilling+cards