Product / Range / Distribution... Alice in Wonderland

When looking at how to go about creating packaging to do with Alice in Wonderland that is unique, I decided to start with researching images of how others have portrayed the characters in this story. I've not really got a design direction at the moment so hopefully this will spark some ideas.

eyeflyhigh

This designer has done loads of work for Alice in Wonderland things, some with quite different styles but all looking really good in different ways. What I like best is the typeface used, as it manages to capture the theme of Alice in Wonderland in it, even including the symbols from playing cards in the text. I want to include playing card symbols in my designs as they are an important part of the story. 

I like the idea of creating an Alice in Wonderland pattern to use on my packaging.

 

This is a clever idea to put quotes in to the shape of relevant imagery. I want to include lots of quotes from the book in my designs, meaning that the focus will be on type. And if I can mix type with imagery this is a perfect way to display the theme.

rachelbeyer

These styles are based on the vintage books, and the way the text is laid out is a bit like the swirly route the poem in the book takes.

Type Ideas

http://aguinaldo.tumblr.com/

Creating images from type is something I could do... I like the mix of playing cards and letters, there is a possibly of creating my own typeface to make it relate to the theme.

http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2010/04/jag-nagra/

These gorgeous invites have been my biggest source of inspiration so far. I love how simple they are, letting the text stand out. The simple, limited colour scheme and basic imagery makes something which could be childish relevant to an adult audience. It looks fashionable and stylish and is type based, something that I want my imagery to be.

Book Covers

I've looked at the Alice in Wonderland book covers to help give me a starting point, as initially I was going to answer the Puffin brief as well as the YCN one.

Food // 

I need to consider what will go in the picnic carrier, and I've found a few examples of alice in wonderland inspired foods...

EVERYTHING ALICE

I've taken these photos of a book I have about Alice in Wonderland with crafts in. I really like the paper cut imagery, this could work really well creating a similar vector style. This book has helped me to consider some of the contents for my picnic pack, such as what the drinks will be.

http://www.motifpersonnel.com/exclusivites-motif-personnel/

These Alice in Wonderland patterns are really cute and appealing, but they are more feminine and for children, whereas what I am aiming to create is for both males and females, and for an older age. I really like the font used in the patterns, I think more quotes written out in this font would work really well.

Product / Range / Distribution... Stylish Packaging

As packaging is something I haven't looked at in a while, I thought I would look through some design inspirations websites to see some clever and well designed subject specific examples. This is a starting point as I don't have a design direction at the moment.

http://www.thedieline.com/

category: http://www.thedieline.com/blog/category/industry-food

What you can do with wrapping paper... I could create wrapping paper which is basically a page from the book to wrap the products..

http://www.clipper-teas.com/home

These teas are Alice in Wonderland inspired. The simple vector characters are instantly recognisable and look fun, but not too young. This would be perfect to create something like this. The packaging itself is simple, letting the design speak for itself. I like how the text is a feature of the characters, and I could do something like this but using a quote from the book.

http://wearebuild.com/archives/t-and-cake-id/

Lots of products in this range:

These examples are simplistic but stylish. I like the idea of sealing things with a sticker, this is something I think I'll do. Maybe I will keep my designs as simple as possible like in this example, as it means everything works as a set and looks sophisticated, so it appeals to the target audience. I like the extra finishing touch of the use of ribbon, so I would like to add a finishing touch to my packaging.

I like how the images on these bottles feature different patterns. I've tried creating patterns before and its something I've enjoyed, so if I could communicate some of the memorable imagery from alice in wonderland in the form of a pattern this could be a nice way of presenting my work.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Tea-Room-Cafe/1587319

Another nice simple packaging range, showing the importance of stock choices, which is something I need to think about. The colours stand out well against the stock they have been printed on. A good range of products are covered, and this is something I would like to do, rather than just spend time creating one product.

http://lovelypackage.com/

I like how the images come off the side of the product here rather than being placed right in the centre. I will have to experiment with the positioning of my images on my packaging rather than just placing them in the first place they go.

http://www.behance.net/?sort=appreciations&time=week&search=tea+shop

Again, another use of pattern, this time for the background, working subtly to decorate this bottle. A patterned background is something that could work for me to allow the type to stand out in my design, which is something I decided I initially wanted to do.

Another example of tea bag packaging. I like how each different flavour has its own limited colour scheme, with a decorative patterned background, but the band around the middle ensures the important information is easily readable. I will have to consider readability of my text especially if I am including long quotes from the book. I am going to be working to a limited colour scheme also, as this is something that was written in the M&S brief.

A good mix of type and image here. The packaging is really simple so that both elements can stand out without being too over powering. The contrast of black and white adds to the packaging. I think I could create something like this and hopefully this would allow my products to appeal to my target audience.

This packaging has a mix of modern with the type choice and vintage with the illustrations. As Alice in wonderland is an old story that I bringing to a modern audience, I could try and mix the two styles together to appeal to the audience but to keep the original charm of alice in wonderland.

Another mix of type and image that works well, with a simple colour scheme to stop it from look childish.

Here a good range of products have been designed for, so that everything that is needed is included. I like how the packaging isn't just a simple box, but is different to what else is available. I want to find an interesting packaging net so I will have a play around with different nets before deciding. 

I like the little labels around these examples of packaging. This is something I will be doing as the 'drink me' bottle Alice picks up has a label around it. I like how in the first example the product is wrapped up to make it seem even more special, this could be a nice luxurious touch to add to my designs.

Product / Range / Distribution... Vector Illustrations

I found these gorgeous books, illustrated by Alison Oliver, and would love to create something like this. The books are aimed at babies but I think these designs are more for those who appreciate design and illustration. I would love to be able to illustrate like this and I think trying out a new style could be good for me.

I included the photos of these lovely books on my design direction boards, however, after deciding on my target audience, the response in the crit was that these books weren't really suitable for the target audience and were more appealing to women rather than men. It was suggested that I should concentrate on a type based design, and if including illustrations they should be simpler. However, I do really like these books and would love to create illustrations inspired by these in the future.