Major Project 1

Week 01 - Week 03
Tiffany Tan Xuan / 0362472
Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) In Creative Media
Major Project 1 - Task 1 Proposal Developement


INSTRUCTION




Proposal Presentation Guide


Task 1 / Proposal Development

Timeframe:
Week 01 – Week 03
Description:
We are to work as groups in presenting an innovative concept that introduces unique social, cultural and/or economic value to the intended target audience within your chosen field of specialization. 

We are to conduct research on current technology and design trends that influences and benchmarks your area of specialization. Case studies with analysis reports on product/service functionality and effectiveness, technical innovations and challenges, aesthetics and design appreciation are required to support your new project proposal.
The project must address the ‘gap’ where you have discovered and realized ideas and solutions that creates and captures value in a novel way.



The first week was all about team formation and brainstorming ideas. My team consists of Junteng, ShengXiao, and Tong En, and together, we started exploring different brand directions. We tossed around ideas like stationery, household items, rebranding KOI (a beverage brand), and even pet products.

While Junteng took the lead in researching market trends and analyzing competitors, I focused on idea development and creative exploration. I made some research of our initial concepts for potential products and branding elements. 






In Week 2, we focused on refining our ideas and giving our brand a clear purpose. While Junteng continued analyzing market gaps, I took on the role of developing the brand story. I worked on defining our brand’s core values, mission, and vision.

I asked myself questions like:

Why are we creating this brand?

What emotional value do we want to bring to our audience?

How can we make our brand stand out in a crowded market?

This was challenging because it required me to think deeply about our brand’s identity and how it would connect with people. I also collaborated with ShengXiao to create a mood board that captured the visual tone we wanted for our brand—something warm, playful, and inviting.

During our discussion with Ms Vitiyaa, we received feedback that our ideas lacked a clear narrative. This pushed me to refine the brand story further, ensuring it had a strong emotional hook. By the end of the week, we were closer to finalizing our direction, but there was still work to be done.

Week 3 was a big week for us because we finally confirmed our brand concept. After much discussion, we decided to create a cultural and creative brand named “Pawffy”, featuring a cute dog as our IP character. The idea was to combine fun character design with practical lifestyle products that bring emotional value to our audience.



My main contribution this week was design exploration. I worked on sketching different versions of the dog character, experimenting with styles, colors, and expressions. I also explored typography options for the logo, trying to find a font that matched our brand’s playful yet modern vibe.





However, we faced another challenge when we presented our concept to the lecturer. They pointed out that our brand lacked market differentiation and a clear purpose. This feedback was tough to hear, but it pushed us to rethink our approach. We decided to pivot our IP character from a dog to an alpaca, which better aligned with our goal of creating a brand that brings warmth and healing to people.


Task 1 Presentation Deck:





Task 2: Week 4 - Week 5


Week 4 was all about refining our brand identity and making some big decisions. One of the most exciting changes was switching our IP character from a dog to a llama. At first, I was a little sad to let go of the dog concept, but I quickly realized how much more unique and versatile a llama could be. It gave us so much more creative freedom, and I loved the idea of building a brand around such a distinctive and charming character.

My main focus this week was on design exploration. I sketched out several versions of the llama character, experimenting with different styles, expressions, and poses. It was challenging to strike the right balance between cuteness and sophistication, but it was also a lot of fun to play around with ideas. I also worked on our brand’s visual tone, pulling together colors, textures, and imagery that reflected the warmth and playfulness we wanted Lalallama to embody.













Another big task was planning our product lineup. I brainstormed ideas for how we could integrate the llama character into items like stationery, stickers, and tote bags. I also started thinking about packaging design and how we could make our products feel special and memorable for our customers.

Week 5 was a crucial week for our team as we solidified our brand positioning and implemented some significant changes. One of the most notable updates was the revision of our brand name. Initially, we had chosen “Lulullama”, but our lecturer pointed out that it was too close to Lululemon, the popular sportswear brand. This feedback was a bit of a setback, but it also highlighted the importance of brand clarity and originality, which was a valuable lesson for me.

After some creative brainstorming, we landed on the name “Lalallama”. It felt fresh, fun, and uniquely ours. I loved how the name sounded—it had a playful, cheerful tone that perfectly matched the vibe we wanted for our brand. It was a great reminder that sometimes, challenges lead to even better ideas!

This week, JunTeng and TongEn also worked on refining our logo design. They sketched out several versions of the logo, experimenting with different typography and layout options. It was challenging to find the perfect balance between simplicity and personality, but we enjoyed the process of iterating and improving.





Task 3: Week 6 - Week 8

This week, our team focused on polishing the key branding elements to ensure everything was cohesive and well-documented. One of my main tasks was collaborating with Junteng to develop the brand guideline book. This included defining the rules for logo application, typography, color palette, and overall branding structure. It was a detailed process, but I enjoyed working on it because it allowed me to dive deep into the visual identity of Lalallama and ensure consistency across all platforms. 




Tong En took the lead on finalizing the website design and creating social media promotional materials. While I wasn’t directly involved in this part, I contributed ideas for the overall aesthetic and messaging to ensure it aligned with our brand identity. We also prepared posters for the upcoming launch, which was exciting because it made the brand feel more real and tangible.


While Sheng Xiao worked on packaging designs. We wanted to make sure that every product—whether it was socks, mugs, t-shirts, or tote bags—had a consistent and recognizable look. It was challenging to adapt the llama character and brand colors to different items, but it was also rewarding to see how everything came together.



This week, we focused on brand storytelling and rationalization, refining the narrative around Lalallama to emphasize how the llama character represents warmth, joy, and creativity. I worked on crafting the brand’s story and values, ensuring it resonated emotionally with our audience.

As we prepared for the branding presentation, we also made progress on our e-portfolio, documenting all our work for submission.


PPT slides:



These are the feedbacks we received after the presentation:

1. Logo Versions:
The black-and-white and reversed versions of the logo need refinement. Please revisit the brand guidelines and ensure these versions are optimized for visibility and consistency across different backgrounds.

2. Social Media Engagement:
The social media posts feel somewhat static and lack interactive elements. To boost audience engagement, consider incorporating features like Q&A sessions, polls, or challenges. These additions will make the content more dynamic and encourage audience participation.

3. Poster Design:
The color scheme in the poster design needs adjustment. The sudden use of orange text feels out of place and doesn’t align with our brand’s refined and lifestyle-oriented aesthetic. Consider using a more cohesive color palette, such as blues or greys, to enhance readability and maintain brand consistency.

4. Clothing Label Design:
The layout of the clothing label design could be clearer. Adding more detailed application scenarios or examples would strengthen the presentation and make it more impactful. Ensure the design reflects a modern, minimal aesthetic that aligns with our brand identity.


Next Steps:
  • Review the brand guidelines thoroughly to ensure all designs adhere to them.
  • Experiment with interactive elements for social media to increase engagement.
  • Refine the color palette and typography in the poster design for a more cohesive look.
  • Revisit the clothing label design to improve clarity and presentation.

After refining these problems, here's our final presentation deck:





FEEDBACK

Week 1:
I contributed to brainstorming ideas like stationery, household items, and pet products. After initial research, we presented our ideas but received feedback that they lacked depth and purpose. This pushed us to rethink our approach.

Week 2:

We refined our ideas and decided on a cultural and creative brand named "Pawffy," featuring a puppy as our IP character. However, after presenting, the lecturer noted our brand lacked differentiation and a clear purpose, so we needed to improve.

Week 3:
We pivoted our IP character from a puppy to an alpaca to better align with our brand’s goal of bringing warmth and healing. I focused on refining our brand message and ensuring it resonated with our audience while working on a clearer problem statement.

Week 4:
Following feedback, we changed our IP character to a llama and began redesigning the brand logo, color palette, and typography. I helped create a mood board to establish a stronger visual identity and worked on aligning the brand’s tone with our target audience—young consumers.

Week 5:
We finalized the brand name as "Lalallama" to avoid confusion with Lululemon. I contributed to refining the logo to make it cuter and more cohesive with the brand’s lifestyle store concept. The lecturer emphasized the need for a compelling brand story, so I worked on developing why we chose a llama and how it connects to our brand’s purpose. Additionally, I focused on ensuring our visual design direction was consistent and appealing.

Week 6:
This week, I focused on finalizing the remaining branding elements, such as the logo guidebook and packaging design, to prepare for the upcoming branding presentation. I also worked on completing the e-portfolio to meet the submission deadline on Friday, ensuring all required materials were polished and ready. Additionally, I continued to refine the presentation slides to ensure they effectively communicated our brand’s story and identity.

Week 7:
The black-and-white and reversed logos aren’t in correct form. Social media content feels too one-sided; consider adding polls, Q&As, or challenges to make it more engaging. The poster’s orange text doesn’t fit our aesthetic—opt for a more refined color scheme like blues or greys. Also, the clothing label layout needs improvement; include more detailed application examples to strengthen the presentation.




REFLECTION


Week 1 - Week 3

Looking back at these three weeks, I faced several challenges that pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. One of the biggest hurdles was translating abstract ideas into practical designs. It was exciting to brainstorm creative concepts, but turning them into tangible products or visuals required a lot of trial and error. Another challenge was building a strong brand story that resonated with our audience. Crafting a narrative that felt authentic and meaningful took a lot of thought and refinement, as I had to dig deep into our brand’s purpose and values. Additionally, adapting to feedback was tough at times. Receiving criticism wasn’t easy, but it ultimately helped us improve and refine our concept, making it stronger in the long run. Despite these challenges, I’m proud of the progress we made as a team. I learned the importance of creativity, adaptability, and teamwork, and every setback taught me something new, pushing me to think outside the box and approach problems with a fresh perspective.

Week 4 - Week 5

These two weeks were filled with both excitement and challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was letting go of initial ideas (like the dog character and the name Lulullama) and being open to change. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the creative process.

Another challenge was balancing creativity with practicality. While it was fun to dream up wild ideas, I had to constantly remind myself to stay grounded in what would work for our target audience and market.

Despite these challenges, I’m really proud of how far we’ve come. I’ve learned so much about branding, design, and teamwork, and I’m excited to see Lalallama come to life.


Week 6 - Week 7

The week came with challenges, such as maintaining consistency across all branding elements and managing time effectively with multiple deadlines. However, by staying organized and collaborating closely with the team, we were able to overcome these hurdles and bring everything together cohesively. It was a rewarding experience that reinforced the importance of planning, teamwork, and attention to detail.



FURTHER READING





The elements of typographic style is by Robert Bringhurst is indeed an excellent recommendation for a book on typography. It is considered a definitive guide in the field and is highly regarded by designers and typographers.

In "The Elements of Typographic Style," Bringhurst covers a wide range of topics related to typography, including typefaces, spacing, layout, and the historical development of typography. The book is known for its insightful analysis, in-depth exploration of typographic principles, and its elegant and well-crafted design.

The book provides practical advice and guidance for typographic decisions, making it valuable for both beginners and experienced designers. Bringhurst's writing style is engaging and informative, making it an enjoyable read for anyone interested in typography and design.



"The Elements of Typographic Style" is widely considered a must-have resource for anyone working with typography, from graphic designers and typographers to writers and editors. It is a timeless reference that will help you develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art and craft of typography.


In a conclusion, I think this book is really fun and helpful for those beginner learners. It offers a comprehensive guide to the art and practice of typography, covering topics such as typefaces, spacing, punctuation, and much more. So, I will introduce this book to those who are interested to Typography.


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