I worked on the branding and packaging of this concept last fall just as we entered year one of the pandemic. There was so much isolation and distancing not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. For me, I wanted to focus on working on something bright, light and engaging.
This is the Peppy Pack! It’s a fun and engaging therapy pack for all ages. Perfect for comforting all senses with bath bombs, slime, a note book and color pencils to jot down creative thoughts or drawings.
Morning light mindfulness.
Presenting Nook’s Own! Inspired by ACNH.
bloop bloop
She isn’t quite perfect yet. Need to remodel her snout and horns.
Experimenting with displacements, DoF and world lighting.
I wanted to apply everything I’ve learned in Blender in one project. I still don’t think this is quite finished as it needs a little more design packaging thinking but I’m pretty happy with the results so far. In this 3D concept I am mixing quite a few textures: gold foil, holo foil, Strathmore Eggshell finish paper stock, frosted glass and metallic finishes.
I can only describe this illustration as a Dove chocolate personified.
Testing textures and displacement in Blender. Emboss with Neenah Classic Crest Stipple paper texture.
Some colorful and non-edible macarons.
Got in another 3D render of a popsicle I’d always buy from the ice cream truck as a kid. Just in time for summer!
Slowly working my way through 3D modeling training. Here’s an anvil that I finished up last week.
I finished my first 3D donut render yesterday! Here’s the completed video animation in all its glory.
Print Concept: Gold foil on Classic Crest Cover, Red Pepper with blind emboss.
Just takes a little patience and time, but the fun part is finally seeing the result from a scan.
I’ve been experimenting with laser foiling and so far it’s been a success! The key to foiling correctly is using coated, high performance paper and making sure your laminator is hot enough to transfer the foil. I’m still trying to find the perfect stock for this as I adore uncoated stocks. Unfortunately because of the way uncoated papers are produced the toner will sit unevenly on the paper which results in patchy transfers (see left corner of first image). Uncoated is better reserved for hot foil stamping where the pressure and temperature can be adjusted to correctly transfer foils.
The patchy effect is quite interesting and I may play around with it in the future. Perhaps a design that calls for a grungy/shabby chic look will serve my uncoated paper with foil needs.
Page curling is another thing to be aware of when laser foiling. However, you can easily place your pieces under some heavy books immediately after laminating to prevent this.
Resources & Helpful Links
iCraft Deco Foil (6x12, 5 sheets)
MyBinding Large Foil Roll (8”x100” and up)
ULINE — Laminators
Amazon Basics — Thermal Laminator
Blueline by Domtar — Coated vs Uncoated Paper
Informative Videos
MyBinding — How to Foil Laminate Using a Pouch Laminator
Jennifer McGuire Ink — Easy Gold Foil (with Laminator)
Hmong story cloth. Vector, InDesign.
As a kid, I never thought too deeply about my culture and couldn’t process or figure out a way to connect with it. I always felt like I was different and ashamed about not being like the rest of the American kids in class (as many immigrant kids do!). As you get older, you realize that your true cultural identity has always been apart of you and your being. Things become clearer and the masks that you hid behind as a kid begins to dissolve and soften. All that is left is history and the yearning for connection. I guess this is my way of trying to find a link to the past and to take a step back in to the world that I thought I left a long time ago…or I thought left me.
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Textiles and embroidery has always been a deeply rooted tradition in our culture. It’s a way to manifest our life stories; to write down history stitch by stitch. By sewing our lives into the fabric of our clothes, it serves as a constant reminder of our journey and and how we stand proudly in the face of adversity. For me, this story cloth represents home and identity. Love surrounds the symbol for home and wherever that may be, or wherever we are in our lives, it is a constant. It is always there within.
A sweet and simple doodle of Moomin house.