1st Visit to Madison Museum of Fine Art, Inc.

I talked to the Director of the Museum, Michele Bechtell, and was invited to visit on January 18, 2010.
The museum was opened because one of the artist from UGA was picking up his work which had been on display for about 3 months.  I learned that they support graduate students from UGA by exhibiting their works. 

The museum is enchanting.  It is very intimate and the director is warm and passionate about art.  It is easy to see how much they love bringing art to people.  I felt welcome like a close friend saying "make yourself at home - my home is your home" and really meaning it.

I was impressed with the amount of information about the museum on the website, specifically the collection.  I wanted to experience the place for myself and see if the director was open to working with me.  I fell in love with the museum and am very excited about this project.

She said the museum would be moving soon.  They have outgrown their current location and would like to expand the museum and gardens.  This will also lead to a name change.  They will probably not be in Madison as there is no location in the historic district to expand and they will not use the name of the town in the new name.  So I will have to design a logo/brand that will fit the museum without using initials.

They have a Medievel Mary Garden in the back of the museum.  It is the perfect backdrop for weddings and other events.  Part of their 'business' is hosting gatherings like weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, etc.

I have so many images now:

Medieval Mary Garden

The MMoFA has a Medieval Garden.  It's very peaceful and welcoming.  So filled with symbolism, each flower and color represents Mary and Christ by it's name, fragrance or color.  So many of the paintings of Mary show the garden and the symbolism.
scu.edu (santa clara university)






Whistler's butterfly monogram

The museum has a lithograph by James McNeill Whistler that shows his famous butterfly signature. 
mr-whistlers-art.info & flickr.com

Ammonite fossil

The museum has an ammonite fossil.  It is the most gorgeous iridescent reddish golden color - dated to 66 million years old. 
flickr.com

Decision Made

After presenting our companies to the class, the decision was made to go with the Madison Museum of Fine Art, Inc.  I'm very excited because no one else is doing a museum and I do feel a connection to Madison.  I love Madison ("the city Sherman refused to burn").  We've visited the annual, antibellium Tour of Homes several years.  I love the gorgeous homes, mixed with the history and especially the wrap around porches. 

http://www.destinations2discover.com/

The Madison Museum of Fine Art, Inc. website has wonderful information and many pictures of their collections. After reading through the website, I get a sense of their passion for art and passion for educating others about art.  It looks like a charming place - time to visit.

http://www.madisonmuseum.org/

Branding Assignment Pick a Company

JANUARY 14, 2010

We will be working over the entire semester to brand/rebrand a company - from black and white logo to stationary, business cards, print advertizement, mailer, and specialty item.  The first step is to research and pick a company that you will use throughout the semester as your inspiration for the project. 

I wanted to pick a company that is local so that I can talk to them and gain insight by visiting and building a relationship. Yesterday I drove around Conyers looking for places that inspired me and that I felt would most need and be open to my help. Here are the several I considered.

PERK UP! COFFEEHOUSE
This is a quaint coffeeshop in Old Town Conyers.  I passed it and from the outside it was originally someone's home, then became someone's office, now it's a coffeehouse.  I have never been inside but think it would be cozy and intimate from the outside.  I love the atmosphere of a cozy coffeeshop and think this would be an interesting choice.  It's just starting in the community and has no website.

CAPELLI'S SALON
This is a local salon I frequented several years ago.  I haven't been in a while. It was a very lively place where all the stylist were extremely friendly and helpful.  I always felt like I was at home with girlfriends.  From the outside the windows are blacked out and all you can see is the Capelli sign in purple neon.  I'm just not sure if they are a franchize or would be independently owned.  They have no website.

HONEY CREEK VET
This is my vet's office and I have gone there for years.  They first made an impression on my when I had an emergency one weekend and the vet came in to help.  I lost a stray cat to lukemia but the vet sent me a warm, sincere simpathy card.  I've always remembered their caring nature.  They have a website and I like the color palette - deep, lucious browns and a wonderful dog's picture taking center stage.  Their signage has been there as long as I can remember and business cards are informational - not graphic.  I could see myself using this company because I love animals.  I could get excited about an update to their branding.

DURAMA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
This is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Conyers.  They have the habachi style dining but I love the sushi and plum wine in the other dining room.  I felt like doing an upscale Asian design would be fun and challenging.  Not sure if they are a franchise.  I think an fun specialty item would be a menu but I'm a little concerned about coming up with something new in the Asian style.  Would be a challenge.

MADISON MUSEUM OF FINE ART, INC.
I discovered this museum when I had an assignment to visit sculpture in 3D class.  They have a medieval Mary sculpture garden.  I was not able to arrange a visit on my time schedule but it always stuck with me.  After looking at their website, I was impressed with the amount of information and the passion about art. I had spoken with the Director earlier and felt she would be available and open to the project. 

As of January 14, my top two choices were the Honey Creek Vet and the Madison Museum of Fine Art.

Final Packaging

I'm amazed at everyone's work.  Same project but everyone is so different and creative. Working with transparencies had it's challenges.  One was that I couldn't keep it clean - if I used windex on it, some of the coating came off.  So it looked more like Cristina's finger print box. 

Packaging Project 1st Drafts

I'm working on desk caddy for rubber bands - I wanted to use a design inspired by rubber bands and came up with these retro looking shapes.  Still playing with color and paper.

Wanted to add a pencil caddy for pencils to make a desk set.  Can't really tell it from this but the designs are modeled from pencil shapes.  Still working on it - don't know if it will work out.  I'm using transparencies for the top (pencils) and wrapper (rubber bands) so that the advertizing information can be taken off.  Can't show you that because I haven't found a large enough transparent paper for the cutouts.  Sam Flax says they have some.

More packaging inspiration

More inspiration for my package.  Love the innovative shape and design of these Kleenex boxes - summer campaign.  Like my package, the container serves as a decorative accessory.

This decantor is absolutely beautiful and sculptural.  It cost a mere 3000 pounds (about $4500 in US dollars).  I love the sophistication. 

Such cute packaging for earphones.  I like that each one is individualized.

This website has the winners of design packaging and other inspirations.

http://www.pentawards.org/

Packaging project

Started off wanting to repackage batteries.  But my idea to get rid of the plastic and design a box that could be easily mailed back to the manufacturer wasn't realistic.  (The idea was to free the landfills of toxic battery leakage and make it easy for the consumer to recycle).  England has a program now that collects batteries in a special box with your recycle bottles, cans, etc. 

Finally after scouring hardware and office supply stores, I found something to repackage.  I found rubber bands for $.45 in a plastic bag.  I want to package rubber bands in such a way that the container becomes a desk caddy to store the rubber bands after you open them.  I have a design and am working out the bugs - and there are many.  I am experimenting with paper and want to do something see-thru - if it looks ok.  I'm learning that measurements and cutting even lines are key to a successful 3D box shape.  I'm excited that at least I have an idea now.