Topic: conceptualization!

There's this lady who's offered me some work, to come up with some concepts targeted at a young 16-25 market.

Basically how it works as you've probably seen from the website above, you come up with a sort of a 'wrapping paper' which then you output it to various applications (mugs, mouse-pads, wall hangings to mention a few.)

[quote]
On the designs: before we get into research, photography, design and layout
I would like some concepts. For each concept that I like and that you take
to finished art in Illustrator/Photoshop/Quark and submit on CD.
I need to chose from as many as you have, and will need at
least 4 in final form. This artwork will then become the property of Blue
Rhino. We can then discuss applications.
[\qoute]

I have a meeting with her later this week and I would appreciate any ideas anyone would have on how to go on coming up with some creative concepts.

I would think you will need to know little more about the customer, 16-25 market is kind of abstract. Even if you don't have hard facts, Flesh out potental customer. Roll play, give them a personality and think from there prespective. What do they do with there free time, do they collect somethings, what sort of music do they like, where do they live, etc.....

Basicly you what to profile or learn as much about potental customer as possiable, once you know who the customer is it's much simpler to brain storm for concepts. {Maybe they are 16-25 and live in the southern half of the USA ,and like watch Autoracing, Cops, listen to puff daddy and collect Teddy Bears and knifes.}

Spawns all kinds of ideas don't it, not good ones but ideas.

When you get to the concept stage, just do ruff sketchs first and do as many as you can. Don't edit yourself even if think the concept sucks sketch it out anyways it will help you move on to better ideas and spawn others. Once you have several concepts edit the ones that you feel don't work, and expend on the ones that do. Perhap the ones you dislike could be reworked or combined with others forming even better ideas.

One method I like to use is Tranformative thinking. I am not if is applies well to design, but work trying. One method of tranformative thinking is the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. method. Where you apply the following processes to your Idea, which helps you derive addtional ideas.

S=Substitute
C=Combine
A=Adapting
M=Magnify/Minimize/Modify
P=Putting To Other Uses
E=Eliminating
R=Reversing

Another method is to use a dictionary or any book off the shelf. Just flip through it and select a word at random, then try to relate that word to the idea at hand. I like to do it while driving, taking the first word see. I then try to relate to the product, design, or service I am working on. Most ideas generateed suck but it can sometime lead to interesting ideas. Like I said I might be hard to use this method for design but worth a try.

I just finished reading a great book we were just assigned in my Creative Solutions class called:

"AHA, 10 Way to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas" By Jordan Ayan
ISBN 0-517-884003

When you have time it is worth reading,

J. Stuart J.

Thanks J, that was an interesting read, It pointed me to a direction of thought that I hadn't explored.

We'll Im supposed to maintain the african-look/feel but add a hype, maybe a bit of western culture that would appeal to a younger market.

More Ideas are more than welcome.

This bit makes me a bit nervous.

quote:

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This artwork will then become the property of Blue
Rhino. We can then discuss applications.

---

Does this mean that if she 'never' gets around to discussing applications the 4 pieces still belong to BR?
I think I'd be inclined to *first* request a copy of whatever contract/agreement you will be required to sign.
That way you'd at least know what you're getting into. Understand? A very good many of my friends are artists and a very good many of them get ripped off to some degree because they don't pay close enough attention to the business side of art. Be careful.

I'll request for a copy of the contract and let you know what it says; thanks for pointing that out

It already sounds like she's trying to do this on strictly her terms. I've been the victim of "leech the designer" oh too much. Before you do even a shred of work for her, I would lay out some terms and get a written contract first.