Tuesday 17 November 2009

It's melting://byMil

In relation to the laser cut induction, I thought this was a rather inspirational piece by Hong Kong based Milkxhake.

Sunday 15 November 2009

Laser Cut://

Went down to the woodwork department the other day to get an induction on using the laser cut machine. This was relevant to my research into design for print as it is an area of design that I've always wanted to look into. Also the cover of my ninja catalogue needs to be negative embossed so I needed to get the 'plate' cut out that I could use to emboss with.

Aswell as teaching us how to use the laser cutter, there were quite few examples showing us the type of things and quality that it could produce://


This intricate design demonstrates the small detail and accuracy that can be produced, aswell as it being able to cut through 2mm acrylic sheets.


One thing I didn't know about what that even images can be engraved onto a surface. There were quite detailed settings to the cutter, that can be adjusted depending on the stock, and what kind of quality you're trying to achieve. This one in particular was set to a high laser velocity, which makes the image quite dark with a fairly deep cut into the stock, creating an almost 3D texture to it.


The machine can cut pretty much any material that can fit under it except, metals and any direct mirrored surface as this would bounce the laser back and potential burn through the machine itself. Rubber was one that was not recommended eventhough it can cut through it due to the toxic fumes of burning into rubber. The example above shows a negative image that has been engrave onto a piece of wood, which would act as a stamp.



A plate showing examples of the different preset cutting settings.




Print processes://


{ Left page } The 07/08 fasion show invitation for Lacoste was designed by Yorgo. a UK based designer and art director. Rather than designing and printing on paper to be distributed out to the customers, this design contains an invite on a piece of wood that has the information etched onto it.
{ Right page } Another invitation design, but this time the design is very minimal but with emphasis on the material that it prints on, which is infact a heavy piece of metal with the Lacost logo magnet attached onto it. A very simple and effective concept that was distributed out to it's invitees, who would attach it to their fridge, a design like this really does show the importance and the impact the stock can have on a design.


Lacoste promotional material, again by Yorgo. The design is part of a promotional material that accompanies a silk scarf in reference to the yachting and the theme of 'nautical'. The 2mm plexiglass design resembles a map compass and was printed with a screen printing process.



Nice packaging for a collection of visual cards by Japanese design agency Taste Inc. The design uses a nice wooden material for the box design, with what seems like a bronze foil block on a negative embossed surface.


Another nice piece of work from Taste Inc, this time a very slick publication for the 'Half a moon' font. The cover and the content involves a combination of delicate die cut with simple block layout on red and black stock, creating a very nice visual outcome.

Friday 6 November 2009

Smell this://

Bought some new fragrance today and look it's embossing and debossing on a tinned packaging! Got rather excited so thought i'd share it here with people who might also appreciate it://




Tuesday 3 November 2009

Made you look

Made You Look - Stefan Sagmeister & Peter Hall
Nice use of materials for the packaging alongside the digital print to result in an interactive effect with the user. Something that I would look consider when designing the packaging for my book.