Fall 2023
Overview
In this third stage of the branding project, we were challenged to design a 2 spot color 2/2 9in x 12in kit cover (pocket folder) in which we would place the rest of our branded collateral. In the real world, a kit cover would need to be printed flat, scored, die cut, glued (if used), and secured. Because of that, we had to create our entire kit cover from sketch, to design, to die-cut, to assembly. Our kit cover needed a minimum of one inside pocket and we had to remember to create an area for our business card to attach inside. We were allowed to add more pockets or panels inside if desired and for this project, we were allowed to include photography.
Research + Brainstorming
Throughout the branding project thus far, I've had a real issue with overthinking, which leads to hours and hours of extra work time that probably isn't necessary. I knew this kit cover would be challenging for me as it is, so I definitely knew I couldn't overthink and overcomplicate it. My logo is already extremely detailed, so doing any crazy integrations of logo elements as the folders would probably not be doable. I tried to look for examples of pocket folders with simple folder shapes beyond just rectangles. I really liked the folders that were shaped slightly wavy or were just cut as circles. This seemed way more doable than trying to cut out half of my logo shape as an entire side of my folder. I knew that we could have a shape (including our logo) die-cut out of part of our entire kit cover, so I tried to look for a few examples that had interesting die-cuts. I hadn't even thought to do a creative pattern cut on the top edge of the pocket, as pictured in one of the examples above, but seeing that really inspired me. I was trying to think of ways to use all my detailed logo elements to my advantage rather than having them overcomplicate the entire general shape and design of the kit cover.
Sketches + Doodles
When I started sketching, I had in mind that I really wanted to incorporate the little gear from my logo since that's the main illustration that I used on my envelope and letterhead. Plus, I thought that the gear, out of all of my logo elements, was most representative of creativity, discovery, innovation, and inspiration—basically, getting the 'gears turning' of the minds of kids. I did know that a two-panel pocket folder would be easier, but after my research, I fell in love with the three-panel idea. I thought that I had more opportunities for illustrative elements with three-panels. Also, I didn't think that I would need a glue pocket with this method.
Thumbnails
At this stage, I chose two of my stronger three-panel designs to draw tighter. Both had a fun front cover panel which would need to be cut pockets that pulled inspiration from my logo. In the first tight thumbnail, the shape of the pocket is exactly the same shape as the bottom border of my business card, letterhead, and envelope, which I really liked. In the second thumbnail, the pocket is obviously just the gear shape. I'm not great at drawing in general, especially not drawing people, but I tried to indicate in my first tight thumbnail a cute image of a child wearing a dress-up space suit that I would have as a duotone image. I was pretty torn here because I loved elements from both of my thumbnails. I also made a dummy for the planet-cover concept to test it out.
Intermediate Hand Compositions
For my intermediates, I tried to add a bit more detail within each of the panels, indicate specific photos, and above all indicate value on each of the panels. Since I was worried about how the die-cut gear would actually function in real life, I created a mini dummy to test it. As a backup plan, I also designed a concept that included the gear as a graphic and only had a die-cut small circle.
Final Hand Composition
Black + White Computer Progressions
The biggest thing I had to adjust was my slogan on the cover. I couldn't quite get it to look right initially. I also made the gear and the front and back cover images much larger.
Final Black + White Computer Full Size With Dummy
I loved how the entire kit cover looked printed. It was really hard to cut a perfect circle inside the gear, but I was so happy with how well that small cutout worked as a little thumb holder. That small detail made the cover more interactive and really elevated the entire design.
Color Studies + Applications
During my first color application, I used the brown color as the primary color in the duotone images. I found that this washed the images out, so after that point I decided to use green. It was surprisingly difficult to find a good balance between these two colors. The green can be really loud and the brown can be really dull, so it took a few tries, and another adjustment to the green duotone, to get the desired result.
Final 2 Spot Color Kit Cover
After my final branding revisions, I came back and made improvements to my kit cover to better match the rest of my collateral pieces. I also updated my custom pattern. I think the entire cover looks a lot better!
Final Assembled 2 Spot Color Kit Cover
I forgot to take photos of my assembled kit cover until presentation day, so these aren't the best photos, but they're all I have for now. Although I had brought both the full-size final assembled kit cover as well as a mini assembled kit cover, I apparently took more photos of the mini version.