Responsive//Creative partners//Gemstones

Gemstone shapes

http://students.cis.uab.edu/spatel89/page1.html

Diamonds

Diamond Gemstone meaningThe diamond is the hardest gemstone and one of the most valued. It does come in yellowish colors, green and blue, but the clear or white is the most used in jewelry. Most diamonds come from South Africa. It is said diamonds are good for coughs and mucus problems.Diamonds are the symbol of innocence and constancy. Diamonds have been prized as Crown jewels. They are used today as an engagement ring.

Healing properties of diamondDiamond does not have a specific healing nature. It does supplement the energy of other gemstones. The Diamond will increase the power of the Emerald and the Amethyst to a higher level. Healers often have rings or necklaces set with Diamonds surrounding the Amethyst.Care must be used when wearing a Diamond necklace as it can block the energy flow if the wearer has negative thoughts or feelings.

http://crystal-cure.com/diamond-gem.html

www.gembeagles.com

Emerald

Emerald Gemstone meaningThe emerald is the sacred stone of the goddess Venus. It was thought to preserve love. The emerald has long been the symbol of hope. It is considered by many to be the stone of prophecy. For some the emerald acts as a tranquilizer for a troubled mind. The emerald is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring.Lucky for love, give your lover an emerald to stay faithful.In several cultures the emerald was the symbol for fertilizing rain. In the Christian faith it is the symbol of faith and hope.

Sources of EmeraldThe proper name for the emerald is beryl, but there are different colours of beryl. Emerald green is the color as well as the stone. Most emeralds have inclusions (bubbles) in them. If the stone has too much blue in it, it is then an aquamarine. Pink beryl is Morganite, yellow beryl is golden beryl, yellow-green beryl is heliodor. There is also a rare red beryl. The best beryl comes from Colombia and Brazil. Emerald can also be found in India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. An emerald of the right shade of green can be more valuable than a diamond.

Healing properties of EmeraldEmerald is used by healers to help heal the heart. The power of the Emerald is highest at the full moon.Some cultures thought the emerald would heal any disease of the eye. The emerald would be placed in a container of water overnight and the water would be poured on the eyes the next day.Emerald is a stone of great harmony, wisdom and love. Giving your lover an Emerald will bring the lover closer if the giver's motives are pure love. The Emerald can be a bridge between 2 people. The Emerald vibrates with love.

Metaphysical Properties
Sapphire has long symbolized truth, sincerity, and faithfulness.
Tradition holds that Moses was given the ten commandments on tablets of sapphire, making it the most sacred gemstone.
Because sapphires represent divine favor, they were the gemstone of choice for kings and high priests. The British Crown Jewels are full of large blue sapphires, the symbol of pure and wise rulers.Since sapphire symbolizes sincerity and faithfulness, it is an excellent choice for an engagement ring. When Prince Charles chose a sapphire engagement ring for Princess Diana, couples all over the world were inspired to revive this venerable tradition.Sapphire is also the birthstone for September, the month when the most babies are born. Ancient lists also name sapphire as a birthstone for April and the gemstone for the sign of Taurus.

http://www.gemstonegifts.com/stones/sapphire.htm

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

Pearl

The pearl is the oldest known gem, and for many centuries it was considered the most valuable. Unlike all gems, the pearl is organic matter derived from a living creature - oysters and mollusks. There is much folklore and tradition about the pearl. In fact so much history accompanies this stone that five months claim it as a birthstone - February, April, June (traditional), July and November. 

The pearl is an astral stone for the signs Gemini and Cancer, and astrologers link it to the moon. It was said in some early cultures that the pearl was born when a single drop of rain fell from the heavens and became the heart of the oyster. Pearls have been called the 'teardrops of the moon'. Some believe that pearls were formed by the passage of angels through the clouds of heaven.

Over time, the pearl has become the symbol of purity and innocence and it is often sewn into bridal gowns, or worn as jewelry by the bride.

http://crystal-cure.com/pearl.html

www.winterson.co.uk

Responsive//Batiste//scents

Part of the brief is coming up scents for each of the bottles. In order to get a better understanding of what is out there, here are some products with welcoming scents. 

Bodyshop are know for feminine scents. 

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk

Here are four of perfumes of that are considered good for all occasions  Obviously perfume isn't the same as shampoo but it is interesting to see if a link can be made and taken from it. 

What's best for evening: Rose-and-jasmin-infused Chanel No. 5 Eau Première is still elegant, but it's lighter and fresher than the first, more of an everyday spritz.

What's right for evenings: Sarah Jessica Parker Covet Solid Perfume, $40, is a provocative, sensuous floral with honeysuckle, Sicilian lemon, chocolate, and musk. Somehow it all smells quite luxurious.

What's right for weekends: Marc Jacobs Daisy, $70, is free-spirited and sunny, with notes of violet leaves, wild strawberry, ruby-red grapefruit, and vanilla. Playful and sparkling, it feels effortless.
Read more:

What's right for weekends: Diesel Fuel for Life, $95, is energetic, vibrant, and fruity, with notes of black currant, jasmine, and patchouli. It's the one to spritz on when you need an instant boost.

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/

Responsive//Creative//Partners//Bottle shapes

Perfume bottle shapes

For women's perfume, it is normally quite easy to tell which gender it is targeted at because of the bottle shape. A lot of women's perfume bottle are decorative and have a feminine colour way. 

For example, Marc Jacobs did a perfume range named after flowers, therefore this concept was followed through with the bottle. The lids represented a flower that was suitable to the name and scent of the perfume. It is a really simple concept but communicates effectively. 

boots.com

Equally recognisable are mens perfume bottles. A lot of them have dark aesthetics with harsh outlines. The idea is obviously for the perfume to look 'manly'. As mens perfume is becoming more and more popular, the design has to be something that is well though out. 

boots.com

For example, both of these bottles shapes above communicate control, strength and a hard exterior. The colours are also very dark. The slate grey and the black gives a sophisticated look. 

Both of these male and female bottles definitely indicate a clear target audience. However, are they too obvious? With the mixture of the bottle shape, colours and overall concept, they have created a very clear gender identity. 

As the brief has asked for a selection of unisex perfumes, it is interesting to see what is already out there and how the bottle shape communicated this. 

D&G recently did a new collection of unisex perfumes, each one connected to a D&G model. The bottle shapes are all the same, a simple rectangle. The only aesthetic that changes is the colour of the perfume that shows through. The bottles are pretty generic looking but they need to be like this to appeal to both male and female. 

Responsive//Creative Partners//The brand

L'Artisan

www.osmoz.com

L'Artisan Parfumeur is a French niche perfume house, established in 1976 by Jean Laporte. He later left the company to form rival Maître Parfumeur et Gantier.

L'Artisan is based in Paris, but now has outlets worldwide.

It specialises in unusual fragrances, working with master perfumers such as Michel Almairac, Evelyne Boulanger, Bertrand Duchaufour, Jean-Claude Ellena,Dora Baghriche-Arnaud, Elisabeth Maier, Karine Vinchon, Olivia Giacobetti and Anne Flipo.[2] The emphasis is on scents from nature.

Many of L'Artisan's creations are soliflores (Verte Violette) or unexpected combinations which evoke moods or places (Jour de Fête, Timbuktu).

The company sells candles and home fragrances as well as perfume.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Artisan_Parfumeur

What is good//Product Task

Task: Find a range of 5 products to compare, consider:

• Stock, sustainability
• How does it go together?
• How is it produced in the industry?
• How can it be reproduced in the studio environment?
• Time, how long will it take to produce?
• What are the methods of production?

Product Range: Instruction manuals 

1. Benefit Eye make-up

This make-up tutorial is in the form of a brief constantina leaflet. Each side of the square format publication features a different stage of the process. The stock is a light card that sturdy enough to stand on its own but also foldable. As leaflet is not too big it can be mass produced and printed quite easily. However it isn't an 'A format' which means more time cutting and folding needs to be taken into account. Once all the illustrations are created, putting the publication together wouldn't actually take too long to produce and could easily be assembled in a studio environment. 

2. Jamie Oliver cook book

The Jamie Oliver cook books are full of different recipes. This book in particular is pretty big, a double page spread being bigger than A3 format. The cover in this case is hard back meaning it is more expensive to make therefore to buy. The binding well constructed and professional. It may be quite tricky to produce this in a studio to this level. Some of the stock is glossy and others have a clean matt finish. As this recipe book is filled with so much content and professional pictures, to get a publication like this finished to this standard could take quite a while. In terms of creating it in industry it follows a simple book format so it shouldn't be to complicated to produce in mass numbers. 

3. Ikea furniture

Ikea sells products that are often designed to be put together buy the buyer therefore the instructions need to be simple and clear. They also need to be quite cheap to make as every product will need their own stages of the process. The stock is quite thin and only black ink is used therefore making it cost efficient. In terms of legibility, the instructions are very simple outlines with little type to make it easily understood. As the instructions are quite simple they wouldn't take to long to take and a lot of them could be made at once. Their isn't much special about them in terms of methods of production, they are made for purpose which is to instruct the buyer. 

4. Cocktail Info graphics

This info-graphic poster reflects a fun way of instructing the audience how to make cocktails. The A1 poster is well laid out with useful content and eye-catching imagery. The format of a poster is good because it can be displayed anywhere and therfore easy to read in most cases. Because it is presented on A1 paper format it would be very easy to make a lot of them as no special printing skills are required. This would also make it cheaper than say presenting these cocktail recipes into a book. The stock is white card so relatively cheap and durable. 

What is good//Logo task

Knitting logos

1. B-Town caps for cancer

This logo is for a charity in which people can contribute their knitting skills to produces hats for cancer patients. The logo is eye-catching because it is quite simple but the tagline and imagery link together and it is obvious that the craft of knitting is involved  The concept as well is all about helping other people and using a traditional practice of a way of giving support. 

http://btowncaps.org/index.html

2. Sit 'n' Knit

'Sit 'n' Knit was an even set up in 2008 in New York City. It is a social event for keen knitters. The logo is again very simple but it has a contemporary feel which targets a younger audience. The typeface is clean and simple which also suggests sophistication. The name of the event itself is quite quirky and fits well with the concept. 

http://eventful.com/newyork_ny/

3. Fickle Knitter Design

This logo caught my eye because it has a modern aesthetic and the colour is vibrant. The type is strong but also has a feminine feel. Also, the phrase 'Fickle Knitter' leaves room for curiosity. 

http://www.fickleknitter.com/archives/2012/05/why-knitting-isnt-free-by-michelle-miller-the-fickle-knitter.htm

4. Threads of life

'Threads of life' is a knitting shop in Leicester, UK, which also does knitting workshops. The concept of the wool being in the shape of a heart is simple but appropriate. It shows that the company is passionate about the craft. The name of the company is also thoughtful and meaningful. 

http://www.threadsoflife.co.uk/

4. The Big Knit

'The big knit' is a concept supported my innocent drinks. The idea is to raise money for the older generation through the craft of Knitting. For example, on their smoothies they sells mini knitted hats on the lids. This quirky little gesture raises awareness and also looks good. I think it is good that such a well-known company is encouraging the craft and also helping others. 

http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/bigknit

Responsive//Batiste//Existing shampoo

Even though the brief is focussing on dry shampoo, it is still competing with other products on the shelf. Here are few examples of some shampoo bottles. 

Herbal Essences

Herbal Essences is a very popular everyday shampoo. The bottle shape is a bit different and is well thought through. In terms of the aesthetics, they are quite feminine and vibrant. It is more about the colour ways than the actual pattern, maybe it is this that makes them stand out on the shelf. 

designbote.com

Charles Worthington

Charles worthington shampoo is a salon shampoo brand. It is quite chic looking with is clear, simple type and bold and compact shape. It has a very different look than your average shampoo bottle. The lid makes it look more sophisticated. 

lovelypackage.com

Head and shoulders

On the opposite end of the spectrum, head and shoulders is the most bought shampoo in the UK. The aesthetics are very much aimed at both male and females. Their is something quite generic and clinical about the packaging. The white bottle communicates cleanliness and freshness. 

www.dooyoo.co.uk

What is good//The Big Knit

What is the Big Knit?

- Supported by Innocent -

'The Big Knit' is relavent to the 'What is good' concept because not only is it helping people but it is encouraging a craft and applying it to the real world. It is also lighthearted, fun and about getting involved which is something that should always be top of the list. 

The phrase 'Knit one, help loads' is simple yet inspiring. The concept and aesthetics go hand in hand. When you think of knitting, wooly hats reflect the craft. So innocent have taken this idea and applied it to their products. 

The typeface, colourways and imagery are very relevant to the concept of the project. It is quite quirky and bubbly. 

Innocent drinks is quite a popular brand and well-known to a wide audience so in terms of encouraging people to try something new, they are a good brand to promote this. It is good that they are taking on the craft and attempting to teach it to a younger generation.  

http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/bigknit

What is good//Learning to Knit

Knitting is mainly seen as something that older people do. Teaching and learning knitting is not really widely known and not a hobby that is seen to be cool. However, this may because of the way that knitting is promoting. If you want to learn to knit there are numerous websites and books that you can go to. But they aren't exactly that great to look at, the design is dated and the instructions are quite complicated. 

This website above 'learn 2 knit' is a bad example. The logo and name is quite tacky, the layout is chaotic and the illustrations are not eye-catching. Learning to knit is a tricky process, especially if you are going to learn through the internet or a book. The design needs to be carefully thought out and be intriguing to the audience. When encouraging younger people to learn, the craft needs to come across as simple and fun. 

http://www.learn2knit.co.uk/knitting.php

Similarly, you can tell by the aesthetics that this book is targeted at older people. Even though these knitting books are technically good and have good content, the design really lets it down. 

http://www.knittersreview.com/

What is good//Knit the city

Knitting has quite a specific stereotype. Many people think it is only old women who knit. However over the past few years knitting  has revolutionised and become something within the environment.

'Knit the City make street art. But not as you know it. We are a band of sneaky stitching graffiti knitting and crochet artists. We have an ongoing mission to guerilla knit the city of London, and beyond that the planet, and bring the art of the sneaky stitch to a world without wool.'

Here on the left shows a knitted telephone box in the heart of London. It turns something generic into something unique. The colours and textures give the telephone box a patchwork look and almost like it is a cartoon. This kind of craft applied to the real world attracts toursits. 

'Our squishy street art does many things'
Street art in England can be seen as a criminal offence and an act that is frowned upon. However this 'Knit the city' concept has changed the perception of street art. It has made it innovative cultural.

Knit the City’s Yarn Corps weren’t always of tight-knit band of guerrilla knitters. They were lone woolly wolves, going about their yarnstorms in their own style and stitches. Some of them didn’t even know they had it in them to take their knits to the streets.

It would take a twist in the thread of fate to bring them and their knits together. It may never have taken place, but the thread of fate had other ideas…

A master appeared on the yarn-wrapped horizon. A wandering sensei of the stitch arrived from a far off land. London’s first guerrilla knitting event cast on its first tentative stitches, the South Bank of London was littered with the sneaky knits of a hard day’s yarnstorming. 

http://knitthecity.com/