The British Pound — Studio Brief 01 — OUGD505

With over 180 different types of different currency in circulation, it is needless to say that money is a very complicated concept.

Researching into the GBP will help me gauge what is defined as 'the norm' in currency printing.


The Great British Pound

The British Pound is a very traditional take on banknote design. With the most focus on influential/historical figures, and of course — the queen.

Here is an interesting infographic explaining all of the designs from the Scottish to Welsh banknotes:

This is the stereotypical approach within note designs, detailed drawings with a figure of significance on the front/back. This is not something that will be beneficial within the final outcomes as stated in the previous blog post, avoiding the 'norms' within banknotes will reflect the brief; '...to complete your own proposal for the future of the banknote.'

However, when it comes to coinage, the Bank of England got it right with its most recent redesign by the young graphic design Mathew Dent:

One great way to move the current note designs forward would be to use a similar concept to this to provide a more consistent theme throughout the currency. However, this is not rethinking the wheel and requires no solid conceptual thinking behind it.

Design Thinking — Study Task 02 — OUGD505

Today we were set a task to think about ideation in a different way. By using post it notes, it was possible to merge the ideas with the other three members of the group and generate more appropriate responses to the issue.

The freedom to choose whatever outcome we wanted meant we could span from anything as vague as furniture, not being restricted to to a visual design outcome meant that the ideas would be more applicable to things like D&AD competitions where the idea needs to be the strongest aspect of the project.

We thought of using a partnership with Graze to take advantage of the reputation they have already gained for themselves. This avoids any need to establish a brand and also means their current customer base would be more likely to take advantage of the unusual yet 'healthy' aspect of the promotion.

It would be beneficial to launch a product like this into Graze, mainly as customers could choose to have it mixed with their current products and this would give the product a better chance of taking off rather than remaining a novelty within western culture.

Overall, this task has helped me realise how certain briefs need to be tackled by thinking of ideas that are not even closely related to design, this maximises the chance for a successful outcome whatever it may be.

License to Print Money — Studio Brief 01 — OUGD505

This brief allows the imagination to run wild. Having the opportunity to create our very own currency means many possibilities, however exhibiting along side Level 4 means an intuitive yet individual response needs to be thought of to avoid the use of the same ideas and concepts.

Initial thoughts on the brief pointed towards executing a design within something you are interested in. Having free reign to think of anything is a great opportunity to take advantage of your individuality from not just a design pint of view, but also to influence the outcome by you are interested in.

At this time, possible concepts include:

• A modern take on the Japanese Military Banknote
• Mars One Mission — 'Martian currency'
• Universal currency
• A currency that celebrates Science rather than history and power

The possibilities are endless, however more refinement will take place throughout the research stage of this brief, enabling a more specific/individual concept to be executed.

Project Report — Studio Brief 03 — OUGD503

Snapchat Geofilter — Studio Brief 01 — OUGD503

Secret 7 Design Boards — Studio Brief 01 — OUGD503

UCC Presentation Boards — YCN — Studio Brief 01 — OUGD503

UCC Design Boards — YCN — Studio Brief 01 — OUGD503

Youni DesignBridge Design Boards — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

Youni Presentation Boards — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

The presentation boards explain our journey somewhat more comprehensively and in a satisfying visual way that would help the judges understand our vision:

Youni Website — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

Youni Final Mock Ups Presented — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

Youni Incorporating Colour — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

Following up from the feedback received. We started to add some colour that would not make the products neither manly nor womanly.

The feedback after this responded better, with most people saying they could see it on the shelf at a supermarket. This was good, however we noticed something not quite right with it and I later realised the rectangle around the logo was causing the packaging to look more masculine.

Youni Display Typeface — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

By choosing various amounts of different typefaces, it was possible to do a side by side comparison of what would suit the brand the most effectively.

An obvious theme of geometric typeface's has obviously taken influence from the concept and makes the product stand out from the rounded edges of the softer icons.

The typeface we decided on was Biko, this was because when in lower case, it maintains the sharpness yet adds a subtlety that compliments the rest of the packaging.

Youni Initial Packaging Idea — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

To expand on the idea of the packaging having a consistent icon pattern, we've taken it upon ourselves to mock up some visual ideas that will help us gauge how people will react to it. This making it easier to make any changes after this.

It is obvious to see where this has led. By not using colour it makes the products feel luxurious and slightly more prestigious than any other run of the mill care product.

The feedback we received from these designs was only positive. However when they were asked for another opinion most people wanted to see colour, once we told them what demographic we were aiming for, they thought it was definitely appropriate to incorporate colour to engage the younger market.

Youni Icons — D&AD — Studio Brief 02 — OUGD503

As a starting point for this brief, I set about making icons that could be used for the brand throughout all of the products that would make it easily recognisable.

As a concept has already been laid out, the icons needed to best represent this Japanese 'unity' feel and still be considered gender neutral.

These are going to be vectorised and used in the backdrop of all of the packaging. A spot UV varnish on a matte backdrop will work best for this and will stand out in the noise of the care product shelves by catching the light.