Prodblog
My Graphic Communication course has set a brief to design a new graphic product. This blog explores the development of research, ideas and final product design.
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I have decided to develop the Activity Calendar idea
I conducted some research into which idea people preferred, and the results were as follows.
1 Activity Calendar
- “I prefer 1 - I hate diaries”
- “First one definately. I really like that idea”
- “I prefer 1 - it’s less of a commitment for someone. Instead of having to write things down they get to go explore new things”
- “I think 1 sounds cool, I’d be interested in a product like that”
- “They’re both good ideas, but I prefer 1. 2 seems like a diary, and requires effort from the consumer to constantly write on it. 1 is suggesting and doesn’t present itself as needy”
- “There are already apps for recording mood, and if your having a bad day, 1 will make you feel better, the second one won’t”
- “It’s motivational, although I’m not sure people would do it because people are lazy”
- “I guess some days you wake up thinking ‘What should I do today?’ and it would be convenient if you had a calendar to tell you”
2 Fill in Calander
- “It is similar to the first but takes it a stage further and is more interesting and interactive”
- “1 would be harder to take seriously ie. If people are too busy to do these things. It’s a good idea but I think 2 would be easier to pitch”
- “I think 2 would be more popular. People are obsessed with their health”
- “Number 2. You’re more involved and it sounds fun and I like fun”
- I’d say 2 would be especially interesting and useful in helping someone to find what makes them feel happy and healthy, if they can see the correlation”
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DEVELOPING IDEAS
My three favourite ideas.
Idea 1 - The Cut Out Calendar
A simple calendar with a complex design in the centre. The image sections are cut away and appear piece by piece each month until the complete design appears at the end of the year.
Market: Stylish Adults, interested in Graphic Design
Different/Solve A Problem? : Interactive and interesting. High in design, quality and style which is a step away from the mass produced kittens and firemen we get on calendars today.
Idea 5 - Activity Suggesting Calendar
To encourage health and well being, a calendar suggesting activities to take part in every day. It can alter somehow depending on location, the season, and have different options for different weather conditions and amount the user is wanting to spend. It can include events taking place on that day, such as concerts and sporting events.
Market: Adults, the lifestyle conscious, interested in Graphic Design and style.
Competition: Apps
Different/Solve a problem? : Interactive, but not computer based. Helps improve lifestyle, well being and health.
Idea 6 - Fill In Calendar
A DIY calendar. You fill in a feature of the day to keep as a record, such as the weather, the amount of money you’ve spent, how you’re feeling what you’ve eaten etc. It can help dieting, keep a record of your finances and track your well being in relation to what you’ve done during the day, in correlation with food and the weather etc.
When filled in, could be scanned in to reveal what kind of person you are.
Market: Adults, the lifestyle conscious, interested in Graphic Design and style.
Competition: Apps
Different/Solve a problem? : Interactive, but not computer based. Helps improve lifestyle, well being and health.
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Calendars
I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways different people view the year in their minds.
For me it is a never ending ring that changes perspective as each month arrives. For other people I’ve asked, it is a linear rod, with the weekends higher up than the other days.
I’d like to explore this through the design of a calendar.
