YCN - App design

Looked through some of my existing apps and downloaded some more to source some inspiration for the Graze application. I was looking particularly at login screens and the navigation to gain insight into how users repond to phone apps.

This Morning

The use of orange is consistent throughout the app, adding a sense of identity. Icons encompass both the top and bottom bar, the top used primarily for backward navigation and search whereas the icons at the bottom highlight particular aspects of the application.

Instagram

Clear and minimal design aesthetic to ensure the primary focus of the user is on the images. Unlike the 'This Morning' application, the top iPhone bar is visible which personally I prefer - the time, signal and battery level are easily accessible. The icons on the bottom bar are clearly identifiable and current page is highlighted through a 'pressed' button aesthetic. 

Sky Go / Sky record

The use of a splash / loading page before the app is revealed is useful in showcasing the logo / brand and giving insight into the app itself, making use of the short loading time. The colours are consistent throughout the two apps and both use similar navigation systems - horizontal bars, though Sky record use large icons to create a clear distinction between the options available.

BBC iPlayer

Again, this app uses a loading page which immediately engages the viewer due to the minimal composition - consisting of just the iPlayer logo. Upon first viewing, the app is clear and simple to navigate despite containing a lot of information. The black and pink colour scheme is consistent.

Login screens

Many apps I had simply used the default iPhone design aesthetic whereas the following have took advantage of this by applying its own brand aesthetic. Facebook uses a subtle, radial gradient to draw focus to the login fields with links to the Sign up page and the Help Centre towards the bottom. Skype uses its existing vector imagery to give a sense of identity to the login field.

YCN - Macaraoni Grill

Brand Guidelines

Super Big Creative designed the following brand guideline publication for Macaroni Grill. The yellow against kraft stock creates immediate impact and the photographic imagery within the publication reinforces their wholesome and organic approach to food. As we intend to use around 2 spot colours throughout the brand deliverables, yellow could potentially be a colour choice due to its contrasting nature against the kraft stock.

Source: superbigcreative.com

YCN - More icon inspiration

Field study icons

Simple line-work forming minimal icon designs that communicate effectively. The icons are consistent throughout which is what we intend to achieve through our own iconography. Despite its minimal approach, the objects are easily distinguishable.

Source: designspiration.net

YCN - Creative Napkins / Serviettes

Tie napkin

Simple, clever design using just one colour (more than one within other designs but the concept is clear enough with just a solid black). Should we feature imagery within ours? Or copy? Or both? Although there is a novelty element, the napkin is still functional.

Keyboard

A fold out napkin that covers the area of a computer keyboard - for keeping the keys away from dust and dirt as opposed to wiping your mouth after a meal. 

Source: todayandtomorrow.net

Napkin notebook

A napkin always comes in handy when you quickly need to jot down an idea. This concept plays with this problem by having several napkins attached through a ring binder. We could use a similar concept for Graze as we are primarily aiming the product at young professionals in a workplace. 

Source: ibelieveinadv.com

Origami

Napkins with printed instructions on how to create your own origami figure. Again, this is a fun, novelty concept that keeps the user engaged. Do we simply keep the napkin functional (in its simplest form) or add a unique twist with additional functionalities? 

Source: spinninghat.com

Brooklyn Fare

Mucca Designs created the following napkin design as part of their brand identity for BrooklynFare - a full-service gourmet grocer. The tone of voice is light hearted, witty and engaging and therefore adds a more personal aspect to the brand as a whole. The copy is concise, makes you laugh and the contrast between black and the recycled nature of the material creates immediate impact.

Source: eatmedaily.com

YCN - Minimal packaging variations

Minimalist effect in a maximalist market

Brilliant concept by Mehmet Gozetlik where he has deconstructed brand packaging to its most minimal form by stripping the design of its decorative or colourful elements. In most cases, the third variation is the one I believe works most effectively as although it still retains an element of the brand (in the form of a logo), it still has a clean and minimal aesthetic which he achieves moreso in the 4th variation.

Source: a2591.com

YCN - Food infographics

A series of food infographics combining photography with type. The nature of the images is fairly rustic but is overlaid with sans-serif and clean, script type; creating a juxtaposition. This approach is similar to what we intend to achieve with our work though not necessarily in the same style.

YCN - Coffee self promotion

This design consists of just 2 colours and is screen printed onto brown, paper stand-up pouches and later hand-stamped with a date. We intend to use 2 spot colours within our own work to create a consistent brand aesthetic throughout whilst keeping the costs low - much like what this designer has achieved.

Source: thedieline.com

YCN - Premium Pringles packaging

A self-initiated project by Niklas Hessman who believed there was a lack of premium products in the crisps market, particularly with Pringles. He designed these to be part of the Pringles product line so retained its current brand but altered the way in which it is a applied to and the materials it is applied onto. Using a monochrome colour palette immediately connotes a premium and high-end product - minimal, concise, stripped back.

Source: nikhes.se

YCN - Tim Boelaars

Tim Boelaars is a graphic designer working primarily with digital illustration and iconography. His unique style has been sought by a diverse range of clients from a woodworker to those specialising in skincare packaging. Iconography can be used within any business, big or small, and are used as clear and simple methods of communication and his unique, illustrative and distinctive style immediately stands out amongst other work.

Source: http://timboelaars.nl

Bloomberg Markets Magazine

Various icons