So I finally fond the CD with the wine poster on it. My last semester at Ringling I had the opportunity to work at the Design Center on a wine festival poster for the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club. Every year they have a wine festival to raise money in which proceeds go to funding charities and scholarships. This was a wonderful experience. I was able to work pretty freely on the project, where I was trusted to design the layout and type along with the illustration. My whole concept was to make an image that represented the many flavors of wine, and to steer away from the stereotype that wine related events are stiff and boring. So we went with a colorful palette, fun flavor shapes and elements that reflect the aromas, different textures, fruits, etc. The illustration was done in mixed media, and was roughly 3x4 feet which was 130% print size. Getting this thing to move around on the computer once it was shot was like pushing an elephant. Anyway, we went back and forth with the clients making changes along the way and getting the input that was needed based on their previous experience with the festival and what would sell best. There were several type variations, including some hand type versions. This typeface was chosen because it was more simple, and complimented the hectic composition. It also didn't take away from the image, which the clients felt would make the poster more appealing to purchase. I thought it was strange that winefestival was one word, but that was how it was on the poster every year, so I rolled with it. I learned an incredible amount of information about the whole process of working with designers, art directors, clients, photographers, paper, printing,etc. I also learned that even when you think you are done with a project it goes through a series of people and possibly back to you before it gets printed, which was a valuable lesson. Along side of this project I did some other images for the Design Center, which went into a gift package for incoming students, and another image went in a package for donors that may visit Ringling. My experience at the Design Center was very rewarding, especially when I saw the stack of posters at the clients house(I went there to sign 180 of them, haha-carpal tunnel). There is a ton of process work, which I can't post due to the lack of room on my computer right now, aha. Anyway, thanks so much to the DC guys for helping me out. It was fun times. Especially seeing Kiem Vu dance to Backstreet Boys.
