The aim was to create a stamp that promotes renewable energies. While traditionally a graphic design brief I tried to make the process of informing people more tangible. The stamps use thermochromic ink which, when heated, turns transparent. Two different colours are layered to create a nice effect. Body heat is enough to activate the… Read more →
The exhibition space is an important part of presenting the work. A bad idea can be perceived as a ‘fair’ idea if it is presented with very good graphics and layout. So by that logic a pretty good idea could be perceived as a great idea. Last year each student was given two large boards… Read more →
For the final presentation tomorrow, boards have to be prepared to the specification of the RSA brief. In the case of the postage stamp brief this means four A3 boards and supporting documentation explaining the ‘big idea’. Two of the boards must show the stamps at actual size and enlarged size, the other two must… Read more →
The permanent thermic ink is not suitable for the needs of the concept as they are unable to be activated by body temperature and are limited to grey or pink. A different approach was needed to allow the stamp to perform it’s function without compromising the concept and restarting from scratch. The direction was to… Read more →
After re-reading various pieces of information provided by Augustus Martin, the previous designs are null and void. If thermic ink were to be used then it would appear and not disappear, unlike the designs shown that have the opaque layer disappear when heat is applied. This means two things, firstly the colours of the stamps… Read more →
The final presentation boards were coming along just fine today, matching the criteria to the RSA brief that needed to be fulfilled. That was until a small and yet glaringly obvious flaw in the most recent design came to light. As the user is now supposed to have ‘tools’ to complete the task of cusomizing… Read more →
The final presentation board showing the stamps currently has the text on the stamp’s natural state and nothin underneath the colour layer. So when it goes transparent it shows a white mark, still problematic with the yellow but the look seems to be ok.
Robert Andre recommended contacting a printing company he has used as they deal in thermochromics. He brought in a tester pack to experiment with and so an email was sent. The reply was very helpful but exposed a few problems with the underlying principle of the design. The biggest problem is that it is not… Read more →
User testing is important in producing anything of worth so there has been a small amount of it today. Some actual size stamps have been printed out showing both the natural state and the heated state. According to research, users will uncover all of the text and continue to search for more text rather than… Read more →
The RSA brief is progressing but not as much as it should be. There have been a few problems with regard to the Thermochromic ink and the positioning of the text on the stamps. Also the colours are being difficult because of the yellow stamp and white text and queen’s head, so that needs to… Read more →