Promotional Product and Application of Work to Products or Context - 12/01/2016

This small exercise is to explore the various applications that I could use my artworks on certain products. Taking into account that my works and methods of producing illustrations is through digital painting, I will need to consider the type of products that will be relevant to the images I create. From the list to choose from for me to experiment and to apply my images on chosen products, I will be choosing Print as my primary application as this will be the most relevant to me as a digital artist. This will also allow me to explore other possible promotional materials I can produce as part of the module.

I will look into various online stores to get an insight of products that digital artists or illustrators sell with their artworks printed on.

Potential products for me to experiment with my artworks are of the following:

Postcards

Screen saver/Desktop background

CD cover

Cups

Posters

Looking into the price range of particular sizes, etc. will give me an insight as to how I could price my promotional items, based on what I will discover.

Society6 Product Prices

A mixture of traditional and digital artworks of various landscape imagery, subject matters and visual narrative.

Art Prints: $15-$20 on average……………………………....(£12-£15)

Framed Art Prints: $30-$40 on average……………….........(£23-£31)

Coffee Mugs: $15……………………………………………...(£12)

Stationary Cards: $12………………………………………....(£9.50)

Canvas Prints: $85-$95 on average…………………….......(£67-£75)

Exchange rate on the currency were checked on 26/01/2016, the estimated prices may differ as time passes afterwards.

Papio Press Product Prices

Mostly focuses on traditional prints in terms of visual imagery. Feels traditional-based. Personally I don’t think my digital artwork would be suitable as an illustration to be sold on this website as it would feel out of place. It seems to be aimed towards customers who have interests in these particular type of illustrations. Most illustrations all have a theme related to nature or animals.

A4 Prints: £17

A3 Prints: £25

A2 Prints: £50

Postcards set: £6

I will choose one artwork from the past year or two and see its visual outcome on various products by editing the illustration on to the items for visual mock-ups. I will also choose other artworks to see the comparison and to find out which ones are more suitable and appealing than the other on the products. 

CD cover mock-up

I had chosen one of my final artworks from the self-publishing module for a CD cover mock-up. Out of other artworks from my personal works and past projects, I feel this type of visual imagery can be applied to many products and digital uses for visual appeal, simply because it feels more applicable than other illustrations I have created that would involve heavy usage of characters, or focuses on a particular theme that would otherwise feel narrow and only fits into certain type of products (imagery that are created and designed to fit into particular products such as book marks, mugs, etc.) 

Testing the artwork as a desktop background on my computer to see the results.

Screensaver/Desktop Background

The artwork being displayed as a desktop background for a mock-up looks really suitable, although there would probably be a few adjustments needed on the measurements just so it will fit in nicely as whole within the frame, as the original size of the image could potentially stretch/squeeze itself if it were to try and fit to scale. 

Phone covers (IPhone case)

Phone cases are probably the easiest product to apply artworks and illustration on to. Not a lot of difficulty to arrange the image in place.

Coffee Mug

Was really difficult to implement some of my artworks onto the mug mock-up as the illustration would have to go all around the product, as I was having a bit of trouble editing it. I personally feel that small illustrations would look more appealing than full artwork around the mug.

Postcards

Artworks are most applicable on postcards. 

Wall Poster/Canvas

Similar to postcards, artworks are a lot more suitable as framed prints. 

Other personal artworks being applied to the same products to see their visual outcome. This will allow me to compare which artworks looks more suitable on each one. 

After various mock-ups, the product(s) that I think will look suitable with some of my artworks are the CD/Album Cover, Wall Poster/Canvas and Desktop background/screen saver. From what I know, the desktop background/screen saver will be a digital downloadable content, as you cannot obtain this as a physical thing. Though the downside, if this were to be a digital download for a desktop background, people can just save the image by searching it on the internet and freely use it, unless I state that this wallpaper is a free content then yes, otherwise if it is something that customers will have to pay for this digital content, they would potentially find other ways in obtaining it for free. 

I can see CD/Album covers could be something I can be commissioned for, as it is one of the things I wouldn’t mind doing. Phone cases is debateable, as some artwork does work as a cover, while some doesn’t, and personally I don’t have the feeling that phone cases could work for me, maybe because there could of have been a better illustration for it, or an illustration that is designed specifically around the phone case.

Canvas or posters are without a doubt a product I can see my artworks being displayed as, since all of my illustrations are fitted towards prints. Postcards or any other print-related products are also something I can sell, however, there wouldn’t be much of a variety. 

PROMOTIONAL ITEM - Business cards creation - PART 2 - Finalisation and end product

Continuing on from the development of my business card which I think is the important promotional item for me to have, I have made small various adjustments based on the feedback from tutors I was given after revealing the selected few that was improved from the first initial designs. I had borrowed some elements such as text and layouts from the recent designs to inform and to create the final text layout for my business card. 

Finalised Business card text and layout of my contact details and social media

For the visual imagery on the other side of the card I was considering a new original illustration (characters or landscapes based from my FMP content) to showcase my recent works, however the tutors disagreed and say it is better to use one of the landscape illustrations that I had considered using, back at the initial stage of my business card design and layouts. Initially I thought those illustration don’t really display the viewers what I currently do (as I just used them to see what they will look like), however they do have a point where the illustration needs to captivate the overall ‘style’, or content and it doesn’t have to be of a recent illustration, otherwise, putting a recent illustration on my business card would mean I would have to update it with a new illustration every year or so, which will lead to causing me to keep changing it and would be costly in doing so to print them. 

Chosen illustration of a personal work done in 2016 to be used for the business card’s visual presentation.

I have used an online printing website for business cards called ‘MOO’ in order to get these finalised design for my card printed. With a little help from a classmate who has recently used this site to print her batch of business cards, I go through the process of choosing the type of paper, corners and finishing touches to my liking. The cost of getting a batch of 50 business cards printed (as well as the choices I chosen to customise my card) is around £28, which is a pretty good price compared to other printing sites that costs more.

My printed business card the illustration at the front and the name/social media details on the back. As I received my batch through the post I also received a nice little box for storage, as well as for display for people to take a business card from. The illustration was printed nicely and it was the only thing I was concerned as I do not know whether the colours are being printed correctly, as I have a few experiences in the past where I get something printed online and some of the colours looks different, affecting the overall image quality. The illustration on the card looks perfectly normal and I cannot see any minor differences compared to the illustration when viewed digitally.

If I were to print more batches for my business cards, I would definitely use ‘MOO’ again, as the prices to print them are pretty fair and it is easy to follow the steps, in terms of customisation, paper quality and using its service. 

Tutors assessed the overall quality and has given positive feedback, only thing that they say it is needed is my website which is missing on the contact information side. I have not made my website at the time hence it is not on there, however once I get a website for my online portfolio I will add it on the design and will print a second batch of business cards with the added website address. 

Website Review - 12/01/2016

As part of the portfolio and promotion module I am to review two websites from artists who I am currently following/interested in and to answer the following questions for each website.

Stanley Lau, Digital artist. Website: http://artgerm.com

1. Describe the overall aesthetic and branding, including typography, layout and space etc.

Rotating imagery of visual artworks in the background on the home page. Each imagery representing some of the works he does (personal artwork to represent personal works, commercial illustration representing the commercial work he was involved in, etc.) Typography is simple and the text is at a bare minimum as the website is focused primarily on the visual presentation. Minimum colours, mostly white and navy blue to keep things clean.

2. Include Pictures

Mostly digital artworks he has produced, though not all of them (such as his recent works) are on the website. Sketches, doodles and/or pieces of illustration that he has produced as part of his teaching to students are excluded, maybe with the exception of a few.

3. What attracted you to this person’s website?

The professionalism and the presentation of the website. The layout doesn’t feel cluttered.

4. What immediately engages you with this site?

The website is visually appealing with the showcase of his artworks as the primary focus for attention.

5. Are the pages categorised?

Yes. The pages are divided into categories and sub categories (tabs) that allows for easy navigation around the website.

6. Is the site easy to navigate?

Yes, as explained above.

7. Are the images clear?

All images are clear and in high resolution with the option to view at a large scale.

8. How many images are there? Is this too much, too few, right amount?

Within each category (commercial work, digital art, traditional art and fanart), the gallery consists between 50-70 images, so personally I feel that’s the right amount, given that the consistency in each of his works are equally produced at a high standard.

9. Is there any writing? What does this tell you about the illustrator?

Minimum writing on the front home page, though there is a dedicated section in the “About Me” section where there is information about himself as an artist and his input within the art community as a professional. Not a lot of information was provided, though there is enough that reveals his educational past and his influence in the entertainment industry.

10. Client list? Links? Social media?

Each artworks are linked to various social media such as Google+, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. Links to other social websites such as Instagram and YouTube are also included as well as other artists he has collaborated (other founders and mentors of the school).

11. Does this site feel professional?

Yes, since the artist is a teacher and a professional within the art community who has been drawing digitally for the past 20 years.

12. Does the imagery convey a consistent language of work? Or a range of styles? How would this make you feel as a client?

The consistency in his art style are recognisable, so as a client it will be easy to identify his work, especially since he is a known artist and teacher within the art community for his digital works.

13. Does the website show a range of projects on different themes?

A few, as most projects are focused on popular entertainment which are nearly similar to each other.

14. Summarise the website in a few bullet-points of handy tips that you can use for your own website.

- Categorising and grouping particular artworks that associates a theme or different projects.

- Keeping the text to a bare minimum and have a dedicated section for biography and contact details.

- Consistency is important. 

Feng Zhu, Digital Artist. Website: http://fengzhudesign.com

1. Describe the overall aesthetic and branding, including typography, layout and space etc.

Very professional and really well organised. Well-structured in presentation and space. The typography is simple and the overall space is not cluttered despite a lot of text for some information in regards of services, the school tuition application and free online tutorials.

2. Include Pictures

The website includes an image gallery of all Feng’s artworks, which also shows some step by step visual tutorials as well as design boards.

3. What attracted you to this person’s website?

The website holds some online tutorials (via YouTube) and they are very useful resources for learning new skills and educational purposes. For people who wanted to learn and to hear general Q&A directly from the artist, the website is directly linked to its dedicated YouTube channel for free tutorial videos.

4. What immediately engages you with this site?

The presentation and layout of the website. Everything is organised and not cluttered, despite a lot of text.

5. Are the pages categorised?

Yes.

6. Is the site easy to navigate?

Yes.

7. Are the images clear?

The image gallery showcases all his works in high quality though you cannot click each one individually to view it at a large scale.

8. How many images are there? Is this too much, too few, right amount?

There are many, many images of his artworks and visual tutorials in his image gallery, though it is not categorised, however it is ordered where you will see the recent illustrations first and as you scroll down you will view his previous works over time.

9. Is there any writing? What does this tell you about the illustrator?

There is a lot of information which includes the founding of the school, the artist’s history in the community and his success with working with big companies in the entertainment industry. A lot of vital information is provided on the website for online applications and services. Despite a large amount of text in some pages they are very informative and direct.

10. Client list? Links? Social media?

There is a large client list under the “About FZD” tab, that showcases all the various companies within the entertainment industry that Feng Zhu has worked with on AAA films and AAA games, as well as working with well established directors in Hollywood such as James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. Social media includes Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube for his free online video tutorials.

A list of clients that Feng Zhu has worked with. Most are big studios from the entertainment industry. 

11. Does this site feel personal?

Not really as it feels more commercial based.

12. Does the imagery convey a consistent language of work? Or a range of styles? How would this make you feel as a client?

His works are very consistent in terms of quality and visual output. His sketches and design boards are slightly different compared to his final artworks, though with a mixture of final artworks and design boards it adds a bit of variety to the website’s visual presentation. As a client I would say his expertise on anatomical design and visualisation is excellent.

13. Does the website show a range of projects on different themes?

It shows a variety of works that he has produced, though none of them are labelled as to what it is for. From what I know most of his works that are featured on the website are tutorial works or class demonstrations. Professional works that he has produced for clients and big companies are nowhere to be seen.

14. Summarise the website in a few bullet-points of handy tips that you can use for your own website.

- Professional presentation with limited colours to keep it clean and clear.

- Easy navigation.

Write your own bio/intro for your website – 3-4 short sentences that introduces you, your work and inspirations.

“I am a UK based artist and have begun digital painting in early 2013. Graduated from University studying Illustration and wanted to pursue digital art as my professional practice. Interested in popular culture and entertainment in games, movies and Asian culture which my works are based and influenced from. Characters and visual narratives is what most of my works centred around in."