Today, l and Yiran has discussed with our tutor about how to write Contextual Practice. We have explored about this through many different aspects. I feel it is helpful that can help us writing reflection deeper. 

For today’s session, tutor has let us separate into different group based on our theme. I feel this is good since it can help us sharing ideas and researching. It not only cultivates us cooperation works, but also hearing other students’ ideas and researching results.

Feedback:

I also discussed my ideas with my tutors. My tutor suggests me to look at laws related to animals’ welfare. This really broaden my horizon since l search on animals’ welfare before, but did not give a thought on laws related to it. This also inspired my thoughts for further research. For example, l can look at the laws related to animals’ welfare in different country, or difference between different religions.

Today actually like my independent study day. I start doing deep research on the laws related to animal welfare. I feel surprised that China only have the animal laws related to wildlife animals, which means there are no specific laws that related to farm animals and domestic pets. Compared to some developed countries such as Italy and UK. The development of animals’ welfare is quite good.

This make me be interested on doing more researching related to my own country—China, and finding more existing problems.

Through the research, l also realized that the relationship between meat production and the development of economy. I do not want my work being very radical that criticize people who eat meat, but want to showing my questioning, and increase people’s awareness about animals while they are using my design.

Today, we have the researching workshop that everybody needs to bring at least 10 images, and shared images in the group, and categorize images into different group. Sharing make us have abundant research materials and save up for many times to get good resources. For example, one chair designed l saw is made by sea garbage. I feel this design has a strong concept that not only raise people’s awareness on sea pollution, but also create a possibility on recycle it. Even though my theme is related to animal welfare, l feel inspired that l can convey my concept into a product that we use every day, like the chair. Since we use them every day, it can remind people this issue every day when they use it.

Today, we have the material workshop. Our tutor let us think about three descriptive words related to your theme and do abstract drawing. Experiencing materials through drawings l did. Through this session, l learned a way of exploring materials. Since l explore materials based on my three descriptive words. So, the exploration is very related to my own topic. This not only help me better understand my theme, but also think about how to transform my abstract ideas to a physical material. Moreover, i learned that materials actually everywhere near us. There are many materials being disposed and we did not take care about them. How can we rethink about them and give them a second life? Rethink about their value, and also think about how to relate them with my topic. I feel it is meaningful. 

The session has changed my original way of thinking materials. I was searching for sustainable materials through website or in the library that l feel it limited possibilities, and the materials l find actually not very related to my theme.  

Today, we have miniature workshop that consolidate my design process and stimulate my imagination. The way that our tutor inspired us is very interesting. We did quick sketch on our ideas based on the word given by tutor. For example, playful, invisible or sharing. I feel inspired because it has lead my developments into other directions that give me more possibilities and inspiration. I am not just thinking about how to express my awareness on animals welfare. But also thinking about how to apply my idea in a movement way or make it look invisible.

Outcome of Miniature workshop:

I feel this is a successful result. I choose the idea l developed from invisible word. When talk about the invisible, l think about the invisible process behind the meat product. I am thinking about to show the process on manufacturing process. I hide the process of manufacturing behind the packaging.

I also redesigned the meat packaging by using sustainable paper. Using 1^st person narrative to describe about this “Finest meat”. I feel 1^st person narrative can evoke people’s attachment, and give this meat emotion.

                        Process:

I also receive feedback from my classmates that l feel useful and can help my further development of ideas.

Based on my research, l want to narrow my theme down into farm animals but not general animals. I have a strong emotional attachment with farmed animals that l feel they have quite special relationship with people, but we did not give a deep thought about them compared to other wild animals or pets. I have a strong emotion that l want to dig this part further.

I and my group members have completed a workshop that called “Recording Ideas”. We made a mind map that is related to “Nature Inspired”, each person explore this topic related to their own theme. Choosing the words randomly from the mind map we made, and exploring ideas.

                     Process:

                               1. Exploring the mind map based on our own theme

                                 2.Each person choosing 3 words 

                                 3. Put it into Voting box

                                 4. Choosing the word randomly

                              . 

           This ideas showed below is made by Takashi. I feel really powerful and interesting. The words showed on the screen showed different emotion. People                       who do not want to talk, can make the light glow. This has showed a kind of way how to express our emotion.  

The word we took randomly may not very related to my own topic, but it seems let me exploring my ideas that stand in another perspective that inspired my development of ideas. For example, one word we took is “renewable energy”. This word is from a student’s theme that related to lighting. I did not consider about ideas related to this before, but l have got a really bold idea that is combining genes from animals and some kind of fiber that enable to grow “Vegan Meat” that avoid slaughtering. Even though this idea is not achievable at this level, but it has broad my mind that think more unique and different.

We also have tutorial with Tom today. He has suggested me to consider about where to pitch my ideas. Butcher shop, Restaurant or Supermarket. I think this can be a big part that l can investigate with that can narrow my theme down and be more focus. He also has suggests me about the relationship between Ability and motivation. I as a designer should be more focus on the group of people that is able but not motivated and the group of people that is not able but motivated. I can either motivate them or enable them to consider about meat production. This can be more clear on which group of people that l need to focus on. 

We have done “Scamper” today. This is another way of exploring our ideas that let me reconsidering the form of my product, and make me improve my ideas.

“S” means “substitute”, “C” means “Combine”, “A” means “Adapting”, “M” means Modify, “P” means “Position”, “R” means Reduce. “Scamper” summarizes different techniques that encourage students to questioning the original ideas, reconsider about it and make an improvement.

One of my ideas generate from this workshop is change the package into a shape like heart rate monitor that shows the change of the heart rate during the process of slaughter. But when l discussed with one tutor from Graphic design. She said this made her feel uncomfortable that feel she is killing that cow, and feel really sad.

She also gives me some advices:  She told me Muslin will pray before eat the animals. She also suggests me to visit some ethical farmers to get some ideas. Moreover, she let me think about the font of the words appeared in the package. She take the package from Tesco steak as an example. The word “Finest” using a fancy font that let it standout, make people think this is a great steak.

Today l have a tutorial session with Tom. It make me clear what l need to do in the next few weeks after the discussion.

1. For my reference, l need to borrow more books from KX library. Since l have already decided to design packaging for my product, l will go to read more books related to packaging design. l do not just want to read books related to food packaging, but read different kind of packaging for different products. I think this can broad my mind and getting a lot of inspiration.
2. Tom also suggest me research packaging not just focus on supermarket packaging. I need to do more research on general packaging online.
3. I need to make more clear plans about my test materials, designs. Making as many sketch models as possible to developing ideas. (MAKING MORE 3D SKETCH MODELS)
4. I also need to label each of my research clearly. I feel some of my research is not clear enough to show how it inspired me, the reason l chose these references. I need to write more to explain.

Today, l went to library to do some research on different kind of packaging. One type of packaging l feel really interesting is electronic products packaging. While l look through those packaging. I feel those packaging are highlight the structure, thinking about safety, and they are symbols of mass productions.

I think the way we buy meat products are similar to electronic products. Both of them are mass production. Using electronic packaging for meat products can remind people of mass production (While we buy meat, we always forgot that it is mass production that make people do not think about the cruel processes behind). Since electronic packaging make people think things inside are always valuable and vulnerable, it can also make consumers rethink about the value of meat.

Another image l feel is very interesting. Cut one piece of fish meat from a fish. Cook and fried it, then put it back to the place being cut from the fish. The combination of cooked fish meat with a raw fish let me feel ironic. It make me think about the value of a life for a fish.

I also looked at the packaging for prepared for soldiers. All the food have been vacuumed. In order to make them keep fresh for longer time. I feel this way can also used on my work that it can make the meat inside my packaging last for longer time.

Japanese packaging is always creative and interesting. One packaging l looked at is using cloth to package a bottle of water. The cloth make it look more sustainable, and let people feel warm and advanced.  While l go back home and look at this packaging again, l think maybe l also can try to use some skin-like material for packaging that can evoke the attachment from people.

I did some research about materials in the material research center. I have fond many sustainable, and create a texture of skin. One material l fond called Ananas Anam Ltd, for which is a material that can replace the leather. The texture created really similar to the skin of the cow, and it is very sustainable that create less environment pollution that the leather. Using the materials look like leather reminds people of cow. The way to open the packaging (made by leather like material), and getting the meat inside can best let people think about the slaughtering. I want to combine the way open the packaging and slaughtering processes together.

 Besides, l also found some good materials online. One is Meat like yarn. While those yarn put together really close, it reminds people of minced. Silicone rubber actually can best make the texture of skin. However, it is not sustainable that is damaged for environment, so l gave up to use this material.

Today, l have drawn detailed sketches to show my developing of ideas.

There are several ideas I feel is very good:

1. The first narrative description showed on the package that l wrote several weeks ago.
2. Packaging is inspired by electronic device packaging (cold/structural/mass produced)
3. Inside the package, l would like to add a mirror that users can look at themselves while they eat. On the mirror, it can show the process of slaughtering.
4. Then, in the main section, l would like to divide them into two parts. One part is for dipping sauce, and other part is placed with meat that packaged with vacuum bag.

 Another Idea l developed l feel interesting is:

 Place the meat on the clothes, which in the correct area of the body. The packaging for the meat is that clothes.

I feel this is also a good idea that can best show my concept, that make people rethink about the meat product, and the process behind.

Due to the coronavirus, l work at home start from today. I have follow the lesson plan for today that let students generate at least 2 pages of design ideas in my sketchbook. Even though l have already have a basic idea for my final work, I still trying to developing more ideas based on different descriptive work. Since it will always give me new ideas, that sometimes can contribute for my final work, and make them look better.

One idea is based on the word “Ironic”. l feel the interesting point is the packaging design l draw that l have parallel two icons on that packaging. One is the farmed animal (Pig), another is the pet (Dog). Both of them are animals, but treated differently. In the body part of the pig, it is transparent material that can show the meat consumer want to buy. However, the body part of the dog is not using transparent material, but wearing fancy clothes given by people.

Reflection on the issues l try to work on:

Last week is hard that l making decisions on whether l should go home or not. After discussed with my parents, l still decided to stay in London and live in the student hall. Since many other things that affect my progress on my work for last week. I am going to catch up next week, and focus on my final project.  

About how to realize my final work in this special period:

Idea of my work: I would like to work on packaging design. My packaging design for meat product is inspired by electronic device packaging. Since l feel they give people a feeling of lack of emotion, and the characteristic of mass production. I want to use this packaging to let consumers rethink about the mass production of the meat product.

The choice of material:

I only want to reference to the structure and the shape of the electronic device. I want to choose those materials that are soft, warm that can remind people of the texture of the animal skin. The process of opening the packaging reminds consumers the process of slaughtering.

Points:

The material l found in the KX library cannot reached now. So, l want to choose other materials as an alternative.

1. Ananas Anam Ltd

I am unable to get this sustainable material currently. So, l would like to do search online to find other alternative fake leather or other materials on Amazon.

2. Due to previous research, I have found the pink butcher paper. In some Europe countries, butcher shop wrap meat by using pink butcher paper. I feel it is very interesting, and want to do some experience on this. (I also have ordered this online)
3. The choice of meat: biltong (I bought on Amazon.) This is nonperishable, and l am able to do test easily at home on how to arrange them in my packaging.
4. For the sketch models, l have many different kind of paper in my room that l can work on them, and do experience.
5. I will also using materials that l have at home to do some testing/try to use them for my final work. In my Part 1 and part 2 study. One thing l learned is trying to understand the language and characteristic of the material l am able to access (by drawing mind map), then think them based on my work. I feel it is useful. / Choosing 5 materials, and use them together to create something. This is also a good way to developing ideas, and exploring on materials.
6. I feel working remotely with tutor is good. My tutor looking at my workflow every week, and give me feedback, including many resources that l can do research. I did not feel any inconvenience.

Today, my tutor has given me feedback about my current idea, and here l note down several things that l need to do in the future.

1. I need to make more sketch models to experiment on my ideas. I have already arranged this into my timetable. I am going to test my ideas in this week and next week.
2. I need to continue doing some research on packaging design. My tutor has suggested me to take a look on https://thedieline.com. Here is a website showing a wide range of packaging design. I also found another website is called packaging of the world. It also includes many current packaging design. I would like to look through them during my making week, that can give me some inspiration on making, solving some of my problems, and achieve good results. Besides, I still need to consider more about sustainable ideas in my design that l will have a look on the website suggested by my tutor, which is https://www.woolcool.com/.
3. I also want to do some research on ‘unboxing’ experience. If l want to selling my products online. This is worth to consider how to express the concept of the design.

I start doing some packaging research today. I start with meat packaging. I feel designers always put the concept of the brand into the first place that using the most direct way to show that concept. For example, one design l saw is for deep frozen meat. The designer wants to show consumers that they are still fresh even though its frozen meat. So, he covered the packaging by using a big fresh meat photo. I feel really inspired that the consumers only have a few times on decide which food they want to buy, so the design language should be direct, simple, and interesting. These are factors that can attract consumers. I also would like to show this kind characteristic in my design.

I also decided several ideas that l want to realize in the next few day. First one is to design the packaging looks like electronic packaging. In order to make users think about mass production of meat. I also want to put a mirror inside of the box, that encourage people think about this issue while eat the meat.

For my second idea is using fake leather to make the packaging that the shape of it should look like the meat. The place where the package is opened is more like a wound

 I want consumers think about slaughtering process while open this package.

Today, I made a sketch model for my first idea that reference to the shape of electronic packaging for meat products. I feel it is not very successful. The paper l chose is too soft that is really hard to make in the process.  It also not gives me a feeling of electronic packaging and mass production. I am not very satisfied about this result. So, l would like to improve this design by using a harder paper, and rethink about the shape of it.

For my second trial. I am trying to design a structure that do not need to use any glue to make a box. It is quite successful, but it is too complicated that it will be hard to mass production. Moreover, l think it can only apply on soft paper, but not any other harder material.  

For my last trial, l feel is quite good. I did not use fake leather at this time since l am lack of that material, so l use felt to do the experiment. I also add a small ‘ear tag’ of the cow on the packaging that can put the bar code on it. The place to open this packaging also looks like the wound. I feel it can give people a strong emotion, and make them think about slaughtering process while open this package.

Today, l keep developing my ideas. I am trying to combine my yesterday’s ideas together. I want to combine the characteristics of electronic packaging design with the leather one together. People are experience about the slaughtering process while open this box.

I have tried to use both paper and the felt today.

For the paper one, l feel it looks good. It is functional, and this structure is able to be mass produced. I also make two designs for the part open this packaging. One is using straight line, and another is using curved line, that is more like the wound. I would like to use thread to seal up the package. Consumers need to cut those threads to get meat inside. This more like open the body of animals, and getting things inside.

There are still have some problems about the felt one:

I chose fake leather because of its texture is more like the skin of the cow. It can give people a sense of substitution while open this packaging. However, l feel it is quite challenging using quite soft materials to realize my ideas.

It looks too soft in the edge of the felt. The shape may change easily.

It needs stitching in every folded place. Or it will looks too soft. This spent me many time, and very complicated.

Today, l have made bigger one to see how they looks like. I am satisfied for their appearance. The white boxes can highlight the color of red threads. I made the edge into curved lines to make them look more like the wound of the animals.

I also think about two designs at this point.

One is stitching two parts together that need to use scissor cut through. This also imitate the slaughtering process. Another is using small structure design that can stuck those threads, and do not need to use scissor open the box.

Even though l feel the second design that do not need to use scissor that can create many convenience, but the way to open is also quite complicated, it is not very easy, and need to spend many time. I am still not quite sure to choose which design now. Tomorrow, l am going to make a leather one, l would like to see that result, and make a decision.

I use the fake leather to make the package. I am not very satisfied for this result. Firstly, it looks really ugly by applying those structure design in the edge of the box. It makes the box not delicate. It also not very convenient to open as well. I think l would rather to choose the design that need scissor to cut. Secondly, it is not sustainable. The fake leather is too soft, the only way l can make them look structure is glue them on the cardboard and fold the cardboard into boxes. It is not sustainable that using many glues.

I think it will be better when keep everything simple. Add too many ideas in one design will make it looks too complicated, and overwhelmed.  

Since l was not very satisfied about my sketch models l made yesterday. I did some research online in order to get some inspiration. I found one article that has summarize five design tips for packaging design.

Five points are:

1. Clarity and simple
2. Play on personalization
3. Make it up with the brand
4. Typography matters
5. Productive

My problem was l want to realize all my ideas, but it make my packaging very distractive, and they can hardly understand what l want to say very quickly. So, l need to simplified my idea, and make them more clear.

Moreover, play on personalization. I found good packaging design always reflect the concept of the brand clearly. For example, the real banana milk l researched. The packaging design make the milk look like a real banana that can peel the package, and get the milk inside. This reminds customers that they are buying fresh and healthy banana milk without any additives. Good design always can express the idea innovatively, use the simple way, and less words. I would like to use what l learned today to make some change for my own design idea.

These two are the final shape of my design.

Several things l changed:

1. I still choose to use stitching to connect two part of the box together. Consumers can use scissor to cut the thread and get the meat inside.
2. One is using straight line, another is irregular line. I finally still chose the straight one as my final one since. Even though l think that irregular one looks very pretty, but it will create more workloads during the mass production. Also, the angle may be easily damaged during the process of making, or in the transportation. Moreover, the straight line can eco with the shape of the pink butcher paper on the box.
3. I use pink butcher paper to show some information about this product. For example, the name, the weight etc. Moreover, l did not use glue to connect the two different side of the paper.
4. The box is white, but inside is red. This is more like get food from animal’s body.
5. I also have changed the shape of the box a little bit, remove some not necessary part to save space. (Good for transportation)

I did not think very carefully about the design of the size of words, and how to arrange them on the paper today. I just tried to show the basic shape. I will make them look more delicate, and nice for tomorrow. I am going to ensure the size, and the final appearance in the next several days.

I have making some plans for this week today. I have already finished all my trials and mechanical drawing before and during the Eastern break. I have got all the materials l need. So, l planned to finish my final outcome in two days. Then, need to take some final photos to show my outcome. 

The process of making the final outcome did not make any difficulties since l have solved all the problems during the trial.

However, l forgot to draw the slaughtering process. Since l do not have digital drawing board, l decided to draw on the paper, and scanned into the computer. I will do it tomorrow.

Today, we have the online teaching session between 12pm to 1 pm. It is really good to see our tutors and friends online. The new way of communicating is a little bit awkward, but interesting as well.

Tutors mainly have introduced us what we need to do next in the next two weeks. I have booked a tutorial this Thursday, l would like to show all the trials l have done, discussed some details about my packaging, and ask for some advice.

Tutors also have given us two handouts that is optional. I decided to do the “Where” handout tomorrow since l feel it is interesting that can let me imagine where to place my product. It also can give me some help for how and where to take the picture.

In the afternoon, l have drawn some graphics for the slaughtering process. I designed them into very simple shapes that can let consumers understand very easily. Moreover, the use of color and shapes of my packaging design are quite minimal. So, I think simple shapes can be better.

Here is the graphics l drawn today. I decided to wrap this around the meat, and consumers can see them under the red threads.

Today, l did the handout “Where” today. Since people eat Beef Biltong as a snack. So, l interviewed my friends where they always eat snacks. Some of them eat snacks while working, and placed on the shelf above the table. Some of them just place them in the kitchen. Only eat them while feel a bit hungry.

 So, l made two scenarios through collage to show the idea. Below is the collage l made on the sketchbook. I also decided to out my Beef Biltong next to the computer, and take a picture as one of my final photography. Putting the outcome in an environment can help consumers better understand what is the product, and what can it do.

Today, l and two other students have the tutorial with Georgia. I have mainly discussed with Georgia several problems:

1. Do l need to make digital portfolio?

Since during this special time, it is not necessary to make them. But the digital portfolio can sent to the company l want to applied in the future, and share with friends or other people. So, l still planned to make it if l have enough time in the future.

2. Details of my package- Do l need to make a series of package?

Georgia said it is ok to make one, if l can show all the details, and idea clearly.

Georgia also suggest me can take a small video about how to open the package. This will be clear to show to the viewer during the exhibition.

I write my exhibition text today. I first start with several bullet points to arrange my ideas.

• reveal the journey behind meat products/showing its process
• 1. Important details on the package:

The meaning of red threads / 2. 1^st narrative

• The use of material: cardboard/pink butcher paper/ instead of plastic, sustainable
• user: sell in the supermarket / Vending machine

           Consumers who bought things in the supermarket/more younger generation, love eating snacks.

• supermarket/room/near the computer, on the table.

Below, is my exhibition text. Since the limited words. I have wrote some points l really want viewers understand and noticed in my package.

Today is my photography day. Before taking the pictures, l have viewed many other designers’ work. See how they communicate their products through photography. I have drawn some sketches about how to arrange my product before taking the picture. I feel this method can help me taking the pictures quickly, and get better result since all the things have already been arranged beforehand.

Here is the picture of my sketch. I have exploring many different ways to arrange my product.