Friday, December 07, 2007

Trexi Designs

Below are 2 of my 3 trexi designs. My 3rd idea isn't as strong as these 2 (though I will be uploading it soon) but any feedback on these 2 for the moment would be appreciated.

This first idea uses the idea of some sort of tape surrounding my figurine. The yellow tape will contain some sort of text, though at the moment I've not decided on what.



For this idea I tried to keep away from my trexi being a character and used my design of 'spilt coffee'. From initial feedback it has been noted it looks more like a cow than spilt coffee and to recreate the idea of coffee on a computer could be a challenge but it is not a reason not to try.


As I said, 3rd idea to come shortly. Watch this space.

9 comments:

Craig Burgess said...

A point mentioned to me is that you've not got to forget that this is assessable so there's a limit to how simple you can take your design. I think that the coffee stain design may be a bit too simple, and the yellow tape idea is also quite a simple choice. Maybe go for a more complex design for your third one?

Out of the two I think your yellow tape idea will be the strongest, but it's difficult to say at such an early stage. I've got a sneaky suspicion that while the idea sounds good on paper it might not look as impressive on a trexi and when it's digitised. The only way to assess that however is to digitise it.

I think for the yellow tape idea to work the text on the tape has to be very carefully considered, and not just saying something like: "POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS". Try a play on words of that phrase, or something completely different.

The text will have to be just as much considered as the design though, that's for sure. Hope that helps in some way.

Julian Dyer said...

I also think that the tape idea is the strongest. I think it could do with something written on it, but I’m not sure what. You could always strategically place to to make it easier to digitise.

I think this stage of the process when you apply one of your designs for the product is one of the hardest. It relies almost totally on luck, if you don’t have an idea which will fit you’re effectively stuffed. Also, with the rules being so strict on how you can make the design fit the product, it just makes it more difficult and less relevant.

I personally think it is unrealistic to convert an idea from a page of A4 onto such a challenging 3D product, with very little alteration. I think the reverse design process can only work effectively if ideas can be altered to fit the product. Isn’t this what’s called an ‘appropriate solution’?

I’m expecting to see a lot of very mediocre products being created at the end of this assignment.

Craig Burgess said...

This is part of the challenge Julian - to completely rely on your technical skills to create a good design from your drawings. In many ways, it's the perfect assignment for testing both your creative skills and technical skills.

If nobody has anything in their sketchbook that could be applied to a 3d object then they've clearly not been diverse enough in their ideas.

In some ways also, this is the time when we've got to be the most creative and figure out a way to transfer our flat artwork to the products.

Mirhad Kalabic said...

The police tape will work mate, if you apply it propperly and in some sort of complex way, rather than just plonking it on. Use the spinning head to your advantage, and try to come up with something a bit different, kind of like what Craig B mentioned in the feedback session. Possibly when you turn it one way it spells out something else, and playing with the words will be a neccesity, because it will take an otherwise simple piece of design, and turn it into something a lot more intellegant snd something that you can see you have thought about...

Good luck with whatever you choose. My choice would be one.

Craig Allington said...

Cheers lads.

I realise it's got to be assessed Craig but at the same time I've got to do something I feel I can do too, especially with such strict time limits to get it completed.

I have very little technical knowledge of working with FH or Illustrator (I used FH for the co-id last year and that was it) so anything is going to be quite difficult for me.

I think as has been said the text will help to lift the design, especially utilising the spinning head functionality of the product.

Scott Dunwoodie said...

Is number three going to be posted before Wednesday so we can all offer feedback?

Regarding the other two designs I will go along with the majority and vote for "yellow tape" as this is the strongest concept.

I thought there was some black in it too? If not you may consider using this colour scheme to give it added "hazard" appeal!

The "udder" design, erm I mean other design...could this not be adapted to look more like a cow if this is how it is being perceived?

Chris Towell said...

Oh dear Scott thats baaad oh wait wrong animal!!.

I like everyone agree that the police tape is the best so far. It does need something written on it even if it is only once or twice. I think too much writing could ruin it, but at such a small size could you really see it clearly?

I do like the 'cow' idea too. I'd suggest having a good play in Freehand to see if you can produce a vectore version of it.

Good designs though.

Marc Pugh said...

It's a hard choice to make. I really like one of my idea's but it is simple, and were not allowed to modify it much. Whereas my other 2 designs are quite complex, especially as I chose the 3 inch model and not the ten inch one. The detail could look cluttered.

I think that the spilt coffee idea could be quite interesting. You could have various shades of brown which could create some great effects.

As for the tape idea, are you allowed to add text on? Even if its not in your design idea? I thought modifications like that were not allowed.

Craig Allington said...

Text is in my original design Marc, I've just not added it onto my design yet as I'm not sure what it's going to say yet.

But yes Scott, there was black on the original design (my text) so it would be used somewhere on my design yes.

And Chris, good point about the text. It would be something I would have to try first I think.