design studio

In order to de-learn the previously learned meanings of simple shapes (circles, squares, and triangles), students were tasked with researching, conceptualizing, and executing a design project based on their findings. The conclusion I reached focused on the inherent qualities of circular objects. Circles are known in most cultures to represent unity, connection, and balance. More specifically, circular characters and mascots from Japan have resonated with millions around the world, making kawaii (cute in Japanese) an important cultural export. From my research, I conceptualized a mobile game app inspired by the plethora of circular, visual artifacts Japan has given to the world.

To get an understanding of students' creative inspirations and styles, my professor asked students to recreate the traditional poker deck, suits and all. The theme I chose for this project was Feudal Japan, trading kings for Buddhist & Shinto deities and traditional poker suits for the four elements (fire, water, air, and earth). After designing and making prototypes of 54 cards and a box to contain them, students took their designs to makeplayingcards.com to have them professionally printed as a final deliverable.

For this project, I had to pick an existing product and re-design both the packaging and the product Itself. I decided to work with the NattyRems 1000mg live resin cartridge. I felt that choosing something In the cannabis industry would be relavant since I am based in Colorado.

Originally, the cartridges came In rectangular cardboard boxes. I felt a tube container would be more ergonomical and modern. I chose to utilize an angled grid for the brand name on the packaging to express the its modernity and eccentric style.

I used a web application to build the basic shape of the cartridge Itself. Then I Imported the shape Into Adobe Dimension to modify the object's textures, emulating the live resin inside the cartridge as well as add detail to the components of the product. I build the package design using Illustrator, which was also imported to Dimension, then applied to the container.