Final Major Project evaluation

For my final major project I was asked to produce and present concepts and finished visuals for a new specialist retail outlet that would act as “Cupcake Heaven” for the devoted aficionado. The outlet will provide fresh cupcake products, custom commissioned cakes, party food and accessories and cupcake memorabilia for sale. The cupcake store will launch in a selected shopping retail outlet, in summer 2013, and will be a standalone premises, not a franchise or chain of stores.

The essential items I was asked to produce were a name and brand for the outlet, stationery, window display concept, boxes, tags, crockery, t-shirts and staff uniforms. I was successful in completing all of these and they were all presented in my display for the show. I wanted my display to look like it were an actual store that was selling my products. I printed onto mugs, t-shirts, notebooks, IPhone 4 cases and glass jars with the help of ROLAND. The outcome of these items turned out exceptionally well and I was extremely pleased.

Challenges that I faced whilst doing this project were thinking of new, unique products that hadn’t been done before and deciding on the brand and theme of my outlet (colour schemes). I solved both of these challenges by undergoing thorough research that included visiting existing cupcake outlets and also the internet. This helped me to see what products were already out there and how I could better them. I wanted a unique approach, and this was through the art of typography. Instead of designed images to do with cupcakes, I found clever, interesting quotes and sayings. With these quotes and sayings I used a wide range of typefaces to create my own series of typography; this also included my own typeface work. These pieces were printed onto my products.

I have enjoyed creating new pieces of typography; it is an area of graphic design I now feel good at and am more confident in. There are so many interesting things you can make with words so it made it an enjoyable process. As a big lover of cupcakes myself, it was fun to create and design items to do with them. Everything I designed I would buy myself. Another part of the project I have liked was coming up with an idea for my display for the show. I am extremely pleased with the outcome as it showcases all of my work just how I wanted. My works tends to be quite feminine and ‘pretty’, and this was made obvious through my work and display.

From the whole FMP process, I have learnt that research, organisation and planning are extremely vital parts! I wouldn’t have got to where I am now and what I have achieved if I hadn’t done all of these.