Blog for Natasha Carter Design
- New Designers
I’d previously visited New Designers for the past thee years and as a recent graduate couldn’t wait to get my chance to exhibit!
As the university had selected Free Range to exhibit at this year I decided to curate the stand ourselves. Chi Gavhure and myself hand picked an additional seven of the most creative individuals graduating from UEL to exhibit alongside us.
Once again there was some really amazing talent there again this year. Every one of the UEL team managed to get additional exposure through sites showcasing our work and some of us (including myself) have been approached about possible freelance work. Definitely a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. I’m already hoping to exhibit at One Year On!
- Cycling in London
Brief – To create a poster promoting cycling in London.
A selection of the line drawings I created for the final image. I then ran them through live trace in Illustrator and filled them using live paint.
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Final image
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Detail on the St George’s part of the Union Jack
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A few examples of how the logo could be used for other items such as leaflets.
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- Illustration FMP – Metamorphosis
For first hand research I went to Earnley Butterflies in Chichester to get some ideas for my metamorphosis project.
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Prototype for my butterfly
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Plan of layout and dimensions for Showcase and Free Range
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- Visual Identity Redesign
SUNDAY 20th MARCH 2011
Ok, so at the moment I’m re-developing my identity as a freelance designer so that i’m ready for my emergence into the big wide world of graphic design which is now just weeks away
Months ago I created a logo which at the time I wasn’t happy with, but now I’m looking at it in a different way and beginning to realise it’s true potential…After creating my initial logo designs for my FMP I’ve realised just how hard it is to create a logo with a double meaning, or an ambigram to use it’s correct term. An ambigram is a ‘typographical design or art form that may be read as one or more words not only in its form as presented, but also from another viewpoint, direction, or orientation.’ Douglas R. Hofstadter describes an ambigram as a ‘calligraphic design that manages to squeeze two different readings into the selfsame set of curves.’
My initials NC form the shape of the logo. On second glance you can see that it can also be read as the letters G and D (Graphic Design). This logo plays with the idea of symmetry and optical illusion, visual elements that I love within design. The logo falls into two categories of an ambigram; it is rotational (it appears the same when rotated 180 degrees) and also a spinonym (where all the letters are made up of the same glyph).
It still needs some work, but I’m now considering scrapping Zeal Creative altogether (the company name I set up for the website design brief for uni) instead creating a website which focuses on this logo instead. The fact that this logo appears the same when rotated 180 degrees seems a challenge too good not to take up. The current issue I have with the Zeal site is that it’s very static, this is the ideal opportunity to get to grips with flash a little better…
- Royal Bank of Sustainability
A selection of my initial sketches
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As the world doubles up as a coin I might try to turn my logo into an animation. At the moment because the logo is flat it may prove difficult to show it’s double meaning. I’ve been looking at the Channel 4 idents, as all the individual elements eventually form to create an overall image. I could do something similar with my own logo.
Line art drawings, development and final image.
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I have also screen printed the final image, photos will be up soon!
SCREENPRINTS
FREERANGE
NEW DESIGNERS
- Graphic Design FMP – Altered Picture Element logo/ campaign
Graphic Design 3 Final Major Project - Draft One
Provisionary titleDigital manipulation education and awareness.
Format
Print based in the form of a series of completed logos and promotional ad campaigns creating awareness of the logos purpose.
(Subject to amendment after additional research)Description
The idea that graphic design is a powerful tool that can be used to both inform and alter the viewers’ opinion on particularly controversial subjects fascinates me. Throughout the course briefs that have gained my interest the most have been those conveying strong messages and raising awareness on previously untouched subject matter.
For my final major project I will be focusing on creating a series of logos that state when digital manipulation has occurred, and informs the viewer of the level of tampering. I will be applying these to a range of products and their supporting ad campaigns.In today’s fast paced society technology has evolved to the point where ads are rarely published without some form of retouching. We have long ago surpassed simulating the real world, and have moved on to striving to achieve the ‘perfect look’. The digital age has radically altered our perceptions on life. But the images that we see and possibly aspire to are not real; however this is not always realised as technologies have become so advanced sometimes it can prove almost impossible to tell.
The increased exposure to images that have been enhanced in some way can warp our ideas of what beauty in its natural state is. Images containing no alterations have become second best. Instead so many now look towards a perfected or hyper real ‘version’ of human form.
In a world that puts so much value on these unattainable ideals failure to obtain the ego ideal can damage self-esteem, creating feelings of insecurity and inadequacy in the viewer. This is a disturbingly worrying trend in teenage girls, who have grown up in the digital age and acquire a rejection of normality. The negative underlying effects on their health and well-being can result in eating disorders and conditions such as Body Dysmorphia.
Cosmetic surgery is now heavily used to ‘correct’ flaws people believe that they have. Many people opt for extreme measures in order to obtain their ultimate self, choosing to undergo surgery in their quest for perfection and obsession with the cult of celebrity.
In similar subject matter I have become increasingly annoyed with talentless individuals saturating the music industry and altering their voices with the excessive use of Autotune. It has reached a point where young people are now trying to emulate this in their voices, as they believe that is how you sing. This is an area that has annoyed me for some time, and has only grown worse with the introduction of ‘live’ talent competitions such as X Factor.
I believe these deceptions are effectively false advertising, how can it be legal to boost sales by using false eyelashes in mascara adverts or promote anti-wrinkle cream featuring someone who looks have been digitally altered to the point that they resemble a child? How can pop stars justify not performing live or being unable to sing in tune? Advancing digital technologies such as Photoshop have created the current situation where some cannot differentiate between reality and the hyper-real. It seems only right to make attempts to repair the damage by highlighting these simulations to the viewer. People should have the right to know if an image or product has been altered in some way. Increased awareness of digital enhancement would create a more educated viewer with fewer false aspirations, which ultimately would lead to a more psychologically balanced society.
A2 portfolio layout for brief
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I began by researching into how powerful a tool image manipluation is within the media and how it can effect people both physically and emotionally.
I managed to find some evidence of major Photoshop disasters on the internet and a lot of before and after pics of celebrities.
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The images below caused a lot of controversy.
Giselle’s stomach was flattened out completely for the London Fog shoot, despite being several months pregnant at the time.
L’Oreal was accused of deliberately lightening Beyonce’s skin in this hair colour advert.
It appears that Demi Moore’s body may have been imposed onto a models for the cover of W Magazine.The promotional shot for Oil of Olay featuring Twiggy received numerous complaints and was subsequently banned.
Keira Knightley has previously spoken out about her disapproval of America enchancing her bust for mive promotional shots. However she seemed to have no issue with the same thing occuring whilst being the face of Coco Chanel.{image 16}
There is a minority of people trying to raise awareness of the negative underlying effects of digital manipulation. Britney Spears and Sarah Murdoch both agreed to release pre-airbrushed images of themselves.
Fed up of skinny models and having to fatten them up through Photoshop post-photoshoot Brigitte magazine now will only use images of real women.Toscani caused outrage at Milan fashion week with his imagery of French actress Isabelle Caro. The campaign created for fashion label Nolita supposedly broke advertising law and was withdrawn.
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Doves Campaign For Real Beauty has won awards worldwide. Their website contains information for all ages. I think that the area dedicated to young girls is the most effective and well thought out with interactive games that encourage learning whilst still being fun.
Storm Thorgerson has created album artwork for a number of artists within the music industry. He prefers to produce imagery without resorting to the usage of computer programs.
The Pink Floyd artwork was created by using coloured paints swirled around in a try to create a marbled effect.
The effects on the Biffy Clyro cover were created by under exposing and over exposing the two subjects.{image 15}
I researched into existing signage, paying attention in particular to the shapes and colour frequently used.
I thought about literal representations of what message the logo was trying to communicate. I felt that hands and eyes could play an important role in the logo, as it is the has that has manipulated the image and the eye which views it. A pictorial image that represents a word is called a Rebus.
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Initial sketches and ideas for my own logo.
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I have decided on a name for the campaign/logo - Altered Picture Element. Pixel is the shortened term used for picture element. As this campaign is about issues arising from pixels being altered I thought this name fitted well.
I like the idea of a logo which contains a hidden meaning. The logo I am going create is there to highlight that something is being masked or hidden. I’d like to incorporate this idea in some way.
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Researching into signage further I looked at the history of the Olympic pictogram. My logo has to be timeless, bold yet simple in it’s design. It has to communicate an idea clearly. The best example of this is the signage series designed by Otl Aicher for the 1972 Munich Olympics.
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Ofcom Product Placement commercial
Blue Zoo, an animation studio specialising in CGI character animation was commissioned to create the TV commercial for Ofcom.
Each product was handcrafted in paper then replicated and animated in CG.
27th March 2010I’ve begun considering what will need to be produced to support the logo in the ad campaign to raise awareness of the new ‘legislation’. Below is a list of outcomes that will be created to explain and familiarise the public with the new ‘rulings’.
A printed ad campaignTo include several variations, one for the media and another for billboard advertising.
A TV commercial
Explaining the new ‘legislation’, introducing the new logo and possibly when the changes are coming into effect. The logo MUST appear and be the prominent element within the commercial to familiarise the audience with it’s appearance.
A downloadable PDF version of the legislation details/ explanation of the different levels that will be used to identity how much manipulation has occurred.
The legislation guidelines
That state when and where the logo should be displayed and the airbrushing level guidelines.
An online presence
Possibly in the form of a website created specifically for the logo. It will contain all of the necessary information and include the downloadable PDF guidelines. The ad will also be able to be viewed on here.
I also need to consider whether I will be producing a level guide for the media to place within their publications, or if that will be up to them to design and provide their readers with the relevant information.
A2 portfolio layout for Product Placement research and considerations for my own campaign
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After studying the new Product Placement logo I think that it is important not to just have my logo appear without additional information. I think that it should state the level of manipulation that has occurred by a level system. America currently uses two level systems, Defcon (used by the Armed Forces) and the Homeland Security System (informing the public on the current threat of terrorism).
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My level guidelines (subject to amendment)
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Initial logo sketches and transforming some of them into Illustrator vectors.
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I drew out some more experimental ways to represent an eye
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After a crit I decided to focus on the process of alteration eg displaying the levels through stages of imagery
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Taking some of the ideas from the second round of logo designs into Illustrator.
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{image 6}I’ve been looking at stylised eyes, in particular the Eye of Horus. It’s meaning ties in perfectly with my ideas as it is divided into five parts - sight, hearing, thought, taste and touch. If I was to create a logo which also covered autotune and false food imagery (one of my initial ideas to role it out across all these areas of falseness) I could do something with the parts sight, hearing and taste/touch.
The issue i’m concerned with though is that people will associate it with the Egyptians and may not understand it’s meaning in this context.
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Even though I don’t think that colour will work on magazine layouts as it will interfere with the design too much and may not stand out on certain backgrounds I have decided to experiment a bit with colour anyway to rule it out.
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Narrowing it down to the most visually pleasing and favourites chosen by the public. However a lot of these have various issues, detailed on the layout.
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I went back to designing, this time focusing on the pixel idea I had at the start but hadn’t developed.
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Notes on issues arising with trying to incorporate the level system
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Developing the final three selection and trying out the logos on an image.
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I found these images of Kelly Brook modelling for Reebok on Next’s website. Kelly is proud of her hourglass figure so I was shocked at the amount of image manipulation that has been allowed to happen on these images, particularly the first. Kelly’s body has been altered so much her head appears to be too big for her body.
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The finalised logo on various magazine layouts and how it would appear on the iPad as a PDF magazine download, online publications and downloads are becoming very popular thanks to the iPad. Some of the logos I have made more prominent than others to display variations in how the logo can be used.
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A2 portfolio layout for the guidelines I have created for the media to explain the purpose of the logo and it’s correct usage. The page layouts are simple as corporate guidelines usually are. There is no need for any fancy graphics. It’s purpose is to communicate how the logo should be used correctly.
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{image 20}A2 portfolio layout for the guidelines created for the public to introduce the new legislation and logo and explain it’s purpose and usage. I wanted to give the overall look and layout a magazine feel as it most likely to be seen in this context by the public.
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- Red Studio
THURSDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2011
Chi and I began working collaboratively on the mission statement layout for the studio. I created a repeat pattern from the logo which we incorporated into the layout design. loving the feel to it! The cream background really adds to the constructivist/ retro feel.
FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2011
Went to look around Islington Metal Works, the venue for the UEL Alumini event that we will be responsible for creating the signage and promoting Red Studio.
Created brand identity guidelines for the studio so it’s clear to everyone the uniform style we will adhere to. Began to work on the layouts for the presentation on Monday.SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2011
Created layouts of the development work for the mission statement and pattern with Chi.
A2 portfolio layout of identity and mission statement
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Development of pattern and T-shirt design{image 13}
Chi and I began researching possibilties for the signage event at Islington Metal Works. As the building is very dark and has black walls we thought it would be a good idea to use UV lights or some other form of lighting to brighten the place up and draw attention to the signage.
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- Money Deconstruction
One day project
Brief – To create something out of money.
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I have decided to take this project further by creating a series of patterns which I will develop into a printed book.
After having problems with the resolution of some of the images as they were taken from the internet decided to use real notes and scan them in myself where I could.
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An online preview of my book on Blurb
- Altered Book
A few photos taken whilst preparing the space and working out my layout for the exhibition.{slideshow}{image 2}{image 3}{image 4}{image 5}{image 6}{image 7}{image 8}{image 9}{image 10}{image 11}{/slideshow}
A short synopsis of my work written for the exhibition.
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After the exhibition has come down I’ll be working on the Operation game further, adding a pattern design from the book onto the sides of the box and lid. I’ll also look for an alternative typeface for the title, as think I can find a better font than the current one I’m using.
I’ll be creating an eBook version of my altered book to bring it up to date with modern technology. As it’s out of print and very fragile this will ensure that the illustrations can be enjoyed long after the life of the book. The spine is too delicate to scan so I have researched into various alternative methods. I’ll be photographing the book, keeping the pages flat by laying a transparent sheet of acrylic over it. After I have photographed all pages i’ll be consolidating the images into PDF format.
A2 layout for portfolio
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- Self Initiated Project – Subvertisement
WEDNESDAY 27th OCTOBER 2010
Brief -To select either a D&AD brief from this years competition or create a self-initiated project.
I looked online for alternative competitions, as I felt that it would beneficial to have some more in my portfolio.
http://www.airwalk-design.com/competition/
I found a competition to design a poster based around the theme of ‘Water is Life’ for the UN.
http://www.graphiccompetitions.com/jump.php?contest=water-is-life-international-poster-competition
There didn’t seem to be many competitions at the moment, most of them had already passed the closing date.
FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2010
I have decided to focus on the method of subvertisement, a process which involves altering the original meaning of an advertisement or product to produce an outcome the opposite of what it was usually intended.
Art can be a very powerful force, throughout history it has been utilised to get controversial social and political messages across. During the riots of May ’68 culture jamming was a technique commonly adopted by the Situationists.
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/design_riotThis quote by Picasso seemed relevant.
“Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war for attack and defense against the enemy.”
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Greenpeace campaigns
I seem to keep missing some really good briefs from Greenpeace, over the summer I missed one for a redesign of the BP logo. I’m going to make sure that I keep up to date with their current projects, as I find their approach to campaigns interesting. I saw their protest against Nestle in East Croydon in March, and thought that their attack against HSBC with subverted cash machine at Glastonbury was brilliant.Greenpeace target the Eiffel Tower to protest against France’s nuclear energy policies
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/makingwaves/archives/2008/07/culture_jamming_the_eiffel_tow.htmlCulture jamming the Esso logo at a petrol station near the Germany-Luxembourg border.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/multimedia/photos/culture-jamming-the-esso-logo/
An inventive entry for the BP logo redesign using Hershey’s choclate syrup.
http://systemoferror.com/void/?cat=122
http://www.greenmyapple.org/
This subverted website, created by Greenpeace won best activist site of the year in 2007. Apple has such a strong loyal following the stance that Greenpeace decided to take with this campaign is ingenious.
By stating that everyone undeniably loves Apple, they were just campaigning for a greener company they encouraged fans to participate in persuading Jobs to make changes, without alienating the corporations fanbase.{image 2}
I researched into unethical and immoral companies such as Nike and McDonalds.{image 31}
WEDNESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2010
I decided to start focusing on exposing corporate companies whose unethical actions show blatant disregard for consumers and/or are destroying life.
BP oil spill images of devastation caused to wildlife
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/caught_in_the_oil.html
Chevrons rainforest chernobyl
http://chevrontoxico.com/about/rainforest-chernobyl/
Royal Dutch Shell polluting Nigeria
http://royaldutchshellplc.com/2007/08/20/the-seattle-times-nigerias-oil-fires-stoke-claims-of-villagers-to-spoils/Polluting factories leading to surging cancer rates.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/07/china-cancer-villages-industrial-pollutionBig Pharma dumping toxic waste in waterways
http://www.naturalnews.com/025415_water_Big_Pharma_chemicals.htmlThe 100 top toxic polluters
http://www.peri.umass.edu/toxic_index/Monsanto
Greenpeace feature story on Monsanto’s crimes
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/monsanto-are-wanted-for-crimes/
Monsanto dumps toxic waste in Anniston Creek
http://mediaroots.org/monsanto-hid-decades-of-pollution.php
Monsanto causes thousands of Indian farmers to commit suicide
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html
Focus on Microsoft
Microsoft’s unethical business practises
http://www.rantroulette.com/2009/06/a-closer-look-at-microsofts-unethical-business-practices/
Microsoft opposes legislation on limiting toxic chemicals in products
http://venturebeat.com/2010/01/08/apple-has-microsoft-beat-as-far-as-greenpeace-is-concerned/{image 35}]
I’m a PC ad campaign and subverts
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Focus on the Gates FoundationFoundations questionable investments
http://www.aliveandwell.org/html/the_bigger_picture/Bill_Gates_Philanthropist_or_Polluter.htmlhttp://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_60581.shtml
http://tabacco.blog-city.com/santa_claus_exposed_bill_gates_humanitarian_foundation_is_a_.htm
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - The Truth Revealed
Foundation invests in Monsanto
http://techrights.org/2010/04/19/monsanto-puts-npr-lies/
Article about the foundations investments in Monsanto published in the Guardian, interestingly funded by the Gates Foundation!?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2010/sep/29/gates-foundation-gm-monsantoFarmers and civil society organisations outraged by Gates-Monsanto connections
http://techrights.org/2010/08/30/bill-gates-monsanto-backlash/Foundation invests in companies causing people to lose their homes and comapies that infringe human rights
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003514469_gates08.htmlGates blunders on energy efficiency, renewables and near-term climate action whilst embracing Bush’s way of thinking
http://climateprogress.org/2010/01/26/bill-gates-energy-efficiency-insulation-renewables-and-global-climate-action-bjorn-lomborg/Gates Foundation uses money to increase control
http://techrights.org/category/bill-gates/Our Future We’ll Make campaign and subvert
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Living Proof campaign and subvert
I’ve decided to create a series of postcards based on the Living Proof project. based on the idea that there are twio sides to every story, I’ll be creating double sided postcards. One side will use images from the Living Proof campaign and text extracted from the Gates Foundation website. The reverse side will reveal the extent of the foundations unethical investment policies under the subverted heading ‘The Hidden Truth’. Each postcard will be about a different corporation that the foundation invests in, and reveal the devastating effects they have inflicted on the environment and humans. These postcards will also appear on billboards and advertising spaces, either alongside each other, back to back on bus stop shelters or one after the other on moving signage/ screens.
An alternative way of making the postcards more interesting would be to use techniques that are along the same lines of image moving techniquesSource for Shell Niger Delta images
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2010/mar/05/curse-black-gold-nigeria#/?picture=360077822&index=6{image 36}
Completed postcards{image 20}{image 21}{image 22}
Idea change
I didn’t feel as if the message was strong enough in the series of postcards to make people react. Charities constantly bombard us with campaigns based on shocking imagery to the point that people almost switch off to it. In a way the images become less shocking, as we have a high level of exposure to this sort of imagery it loses meaning. We become de-sensitised.What’s missing is the answer of what people can do to change the situation.
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I decided to focus on the foundations connections with Monsanto. The corporation has recently purchased Seminis and De Ruiter Seeds. I researched into what products they manufacture, with the idea that I will replace original packaging with my own subverted designs within shops to raise awareness within the general public.
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Seminis Bellaverde Broccoli, a product sold in Waitrose and Sainsbury’s supermarkets will be my chosen target to subvert.{image 24}
I had intended to include further information on the reverse of the label. After buying packet and trying to remove the label at home I realised that this would be too hard to do in-store and too time consuming. I will produce a subverted website containing information how the consumer can make a difference.
Shop Dropping
I found this article on Shop Dropping, which is a form of reverse shop lifting. A product label is replaced by another, in this case an example of the artists work and then taken back to the store and placed back onto the shelves. Here it works a an inventive form of self promotion.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/19/news/funny/shopdropping/
I also found other examples
http://shopdropping.net/pages/press.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/24/us/24shopdrop.html?_r=2&oref=slogin
http://www.hangnguyen.org/Seeds
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2006/apr/02/features.magazine37{image 17}
If I wanted the product to still be scannable I would either have to leave the barcode uncovered or look into recreating one. Using sainsbury’s online guidlines about barcodes (http://www2.sainsburys.co.uk/sid/info_dep_bci.htm) I found out the type of barcode and created one using the program Macbarcoda. I scanned it at one of Sainsbury’s self-service checkouts to check that it worked.{image 30}
MONDAY 10TH JANUARY 2011
After weeks of trying to get hold of the product in Sainsbury’s they finally have it back instock! I printed the labels off at Staples, however i’m not happy with the colour of the green. As it’s coming out fine on my printer i’m going to experiment with printing it off at home and reshoot instore at Sainsbury’s when i’m happy with the finish. I’m also looking into ways to adding a metallic finish to the gold parts of the design. So far the cheapest I have been quoted to have a short print run done professionally is £150 (http://www.labels-uk.com/) so it’s likely that i’ll be finding an effective process myself. Jon suggested that I look into dry transfer rubdowns, although the circular logo may be too small to add any finish to. Alternatively he suggested that I find a printer which coats selected areas first to give a glossier effect on the chosen parts.
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Footage of instore subvert at Sainsbury’sWebsite subvert
I’m currently working on the subverted website. I originally chose the Bellaverde site as it was the product I subverted, but I switched to the Gates Foundation as I felt that it would not be clear enough to the viewer who I was attacking.
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