The Things I Have Learnt So Far – The Final

So after the past week, I have finally finished doing my own version of Duchamp’s Boite en Valise, based on, as you can probably tell, the stuff I have learnt from the Packaging & Branding module. I’m quite happy with the finalised piece, it looks pretty and tidy and portrays me a lot somehow.

 

I know that it doesn’t look much, but it does contain quite a bit of stuff such as the three previous mini projects that were done (Containment, Milk Project/Promoting the Not-So Ordinary, Wrap It!) as well as this current and final one. It also has blog entries and some objects used from the Wrap It! project. (I have more photos but it’s too many to post!).

This is what I wrote as my report on the assignment (which is on the inside of the lid):

“When making my box, I first started planning out what to put in there which I believed I have gained more experience and knowledge from. The main pieces are the projects we had done throughout the module (Containment, Promoting the ‘Not-So’ Ordinary and Wrap It! as well as the process of this project, The Things I Have Learnt So Far). I also included the final outcomes from these projects as I learnt how to make these types of packaging (tetra pack and containment boxes) from their original nets. In the envelopes, I included photographs and blog entries which coincided to each project to show how they were developed and what I learned during that time.

At the back of the envelopes I placed a sticker which I portrayed as ‘my seal’, giving a personal touch to the items and shows that they belong to me. But each sticker was carefully selected depending on what the envelope or the project is about. For the ‘Blog Entries’ I used a sticker that contained an image of a book, portraying reading. In the ‘Promoting the Not-So Ordinary’, I used a sticker that had a cup, portraying a cup of milk. For ‘Containment’, I used a sticker that contained a box, portraying that an item is inside it.

I also tied the objects with ribbon to match the outside of the box and combining and placing the items to their designated project. It was also used to make the objects like small gifts that are only obtained by unravelling the ribbons. I also attached blu-tak to most of the objects so that they stay in their positions on the base of the box.

The box itself was wrapped from A1 canford paper in Aqua (outside) and Champagne (inside). I used these colours as they are both very subtle and contrast well with one another. I also felt that they had a nice texture which most material for gift boxes use. As well as wrapping the box with ribbons to unify it, I also added a tag with written information making it seem like the box is either addressed to someone or belongs to a person (i.e. myself).

From this project, I felt that I have learnt a lot, from making certain packaging to learning how advertisement can be portrayed in a different light, and learning from the designers that have inspired some of the pieces I have produced, by helping me to pick out the correct materials to use or explain the hidden meanings behind the pieces and why they are what they are.”

In the box are these:

• Containment (keyring + information, photos and blog entries related to it)
• Promoting the Not-So Ordinary (maquette + original carton, designs and envelope with photos and information)
• Wrap It! photographs and sketches (at back is information of the objects) + 2 wrapped items used for project
• Blog entries (that are not related to the three projects but to the module itself)
• Process of making the box (collection of photographs) + related research

It doesn’t seem very much when I look at it now… =/

 Anyways these are the stickers I used on the envelopes as ‘seals’:

I’m hoping it’s all ok, and that I get a good pass mark for this. To be honest, I’m more worried in getting a good mark for this module rather than the other two. I just keep hoping I’ve done it right and it’s fine and nice-looking and not too over the top.

So in about 12 hours I’ll be in uni handing my work in. Good luck to me!