Art Portfolio 2 Project: 'Ryu Tea' - summary and final conclusion

Art Portfolio 2 Project: 'Ryu Tea' - summary and final conclusion

This was last term of the my very first year on DeMontfort University. This blog was created for purpose of  Art Portfolio module. In last term we were asked to create project in which we will include four 2D outcomes and one 3D outcome. We were given three themes and I choose the most interesting for me and ones that I had most ideas - 'Oriental Surprise'. 

From my few ideas I choose one to create brand identity for fictional Tea Shop. My inspiration was a article about Japanese Tea Ceremony written by Anna Willmann - hd_jtea.htm. I thought that is not commonly known topic and it would be interesting to have places in Europe where you can try and taste this tradition. 

I started this project with research about tea ceremony. However, I couldn't figure out what I want for a logo and in which direction I would like to go. The final idea came to me when I was making an exercise for classes. Tutor asked us to write a story behind our projects. I decided than to write something like a legend. So I decided to research through Japanese Mythology. 

During this research I become more familiar with mythical creatures and one of them was Ryu. Japanese dragon that appear in Japanese legends, architectural, paintings and even it is use as a name. At that point I knew that I want use a dragon in my brand. 

I started by thinking about logo, however I couldn't think of anything. That is why I started by designing a brand character. It was new experience for me. I have never design a brand character, however I find out it interesting. Designing a character helped my to develop my designing skills as well as a illustrating skills. It was creative way to connect both aspect of designing. In this part of the project I learned what brand character represent and I developed character creating skills. 

Then it came time for a logo. After hours of thinking I decided find something that reminds me of tea. I tried using dragon wings, dragon face. I tried connecting it with leaves, cups and tea bags. After many hours I end up with final result that I was proud of. The logo was the harder part of whole project. However I developed here my skills in using digital programs. I wasn't using it for a long time, so I had to remind yourself how it works. 

The third important part but the most enjoyable for me was to create colour pallet. I knew that I want to use a green. I had to only choose a good hue. I thought that it will be good idea to choose the colour of matcha. The rest of colours was an intuition. 

Next things to design was easier as I already had a logo, colours and main idea in which direction I want to go. In next designes I mostly learned about Japanese styles and kawaii style. I researched few artists and designers. This researches helped me understand what I need to include and mostly I learned how to use mockups and how to present them. I never used mockups before so that was a new experience for me. However, I find out it fun to do. It was pleaser to looks on your designes and how they could look in the real world. I think this was the best part of creating the project. 

The last point in my project was a 3D outcome. I decided to create mascot representing brand character designed by me. It was new experience for me and I knew nothing about sewing. It was different, because even I have never creat things like mockups I did now how it works. And about sewing I new nothing. I develop here all skills that was necessary to make this outcome. It include: using needle, planing, cutting material and using sewing tools. It also developed my spatial visualisation skills. I am not fan of 3D design and 3D projects. I am more into flat designes. This was part of the project where I had to make something I do not like. Stepped out from my comfort zone. 

In conclusion I think whole project was interesting end I enjoyed this project the most of all the projects. I mostly developed my skills in graphic design such as: creating mockups, using graphic tools and programs and creating flat designs end 3D designes. The whole new experience was sewing. I had to learn the basics to create my 3D outcome. It wasn't as enjoyable as a 2d designs, however it was new experience and I am glad that I choose this method. I also get to know new names and facts about designers and artist. Everything together made me more experienced and better designer. Especialy theme that I choose, because I had to explore something in different culture. I think this was the most important part of whole project that I broadened my horizons and stepped out of my comfort zone.