Persuasion Revisited

old card collage

This week has been busy, I have revisited all of my projects to make adjustments and general improvements. With persuasion I was advised to make adjustments to the position of the card name. After some experimentation, I felt the card was to bland. Instead I worked with what I had and added a cleaner layer between the text & the image and then increased the stroke thickness on the outline of the text. This general adaption has made a huge improvement to the ShelterCard. I also worked on cleaning up the packaging and made minor improvements to the text. After making these improvements for my final review on Monday, I have ordered 2 ShelterCards to be professionally printed onto PVC card. This will allow me to inspect the quality before ordering a larger quantity.


Persuasion Tutorial with Ray #2

Before the end of term I had a final review and presentation of my concept idea. I tried to print off a mockup of my files however the printer I used was set to low quality and pixelated everything. Luckily I created an interactive presentation to express the full quality of my design through 3d rotation and demonstration.

https://vimeo.com/125391106

*due to the screen recording it wasn’t as smooth in the video. But you get the idea.

After my presentation the group liked the concept however felt that many wouldn’t donate such large amounts at one time (£5/£10) and felt that being bought in local shops meant anyone could get hold of them. They also commented that the design looks business-like and not reflective of the meals available to the homeless. I feel each of these comments are fair and I would like to adapt my concept to improve these flaws. I would like to create a mock-up of a web-donation page, web advertisement for the ShelterCard and general advertisement for posters etc to highlight its benefits to the public and increase their chances of donating to the cause. I feel digital advertisement would target the more modern society as the majority are always around a computer or phone device.

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After the presentation I filled in a self-review on this project. Here are my answers.

How successful is your idea in solving the communication problem for your client? Any modification needed?

I feel my idea tackles the issue of substance abuse and alcoholism brought on by homelessness by deterring physical donations, instead my campaign focuses on a scheme whereby meals are loaded onto redeemed by card. This gives the homeless free-choice as to where they go and what they eat. It also gives them freedom as to the time of day they eat.

Is the tone of the outcome and stylistic approach suitable for theme and audience?

It may seem too corporate, however a formal looking card might attract a more professional audience which in turn may deliver higher donations. There is a motivational comment on each of the alternative cards to avoid the generic look of a card. This personalisation makes it more unique and may encourage homeless people to find support.

Would the design engage the target audience? Any modifications needed?

The design features a detachable card which is used as the currency to redeem meals at participating retailers. The card conceals opening hours when in its original packaging state before removal. Upon removal the packaging folds out to expose a section of Cardiff on a grid map. The map illustrates the participating retailers and what meal they provide.

How could you further improve this work in preparation for the final module assessment and portfolio?

I would like to design posters, window stickers and a website interface whereby the audience can donate a desired amount, buy a bundle and also customise their own card by changing the backgrounds, motivational message/ personal message and by even adding their name.


ShelterCard & Map concept

Screen Shot 2015-04-19 at 17.40.46

As explained in detail in my previous post, I have moved away from my installation and towards a concept meal card which can be bought or donated towards by the general public through online mechanisms and charities which would be redeemed as meals that can be pre-loaded onto the meal card. I have branded this card as the ShelterCard to fit the company’s respectable motives. I started my designs on illustrator and started taking basic model dimensions from gift card packagings such as iTunes vouchers and Amazon vouchers. Many card backings do not go much bigger than the card themselves to reduce their size and shelf storage. I thought about this and came up with my own design inspired from there rectangular packaging.

Screen Shot 2015-04-19 at 17.40.27

Here is a schematic of the inside of my design and how it will be folded and secure by the card. I feel this design has worked out very well and smoothly fits together. The card obscures the information read by the individual upon removal. I feel here instructions on how to set up a pin would be a great move, but further design manipulation is needed.

mockup 1   Here is a mockup of the card. I feel the use of colours are moderate as they are not bright to draw attention yet not dark enough to loose.