Laura Wallbridge-Bruce
OUGD603 - Crackers
Brief and Research The initial brief sent by the client was to design eight crackers for their company titled Marigold Gifts. The research illustrated above is therefore the research which was carried out at the very beginning. However, the idea of creating a traditional, sophisticated design soon changed when the client wanted something completely different. The outcome for them was therefore not particularly tasteful and extremely dissatisfying to work on. Therefore, this research has been
taken forward and used to create a portfolio piece. As the crackers required for the client were to be bought for ÂŁ30 for a box of eight crackers, the same principal was applied to this updated version. The overall finish therefore needed to be a high end and bespoke product. The one particular example which was found to be particularly memorable was the giant cracker. The idea of creating a larger, special cracker felt different and appealing.
Brief and Research
Laura Wallbridge-Bruce
Development The development process was very enjoyable. As the crackers designed for Marigold Gifts were being manufactured in China, the files for the cracker had already been supplied, therefore providing an accurate form for the final product.
OUGD603 - Crackers
Development
Laura Wallbridge-Bruce
OUGD603 - Crackers
Nutcrackers Inside crackers, there are often lots of cheap little gifts which don’t necessarily get used for very long. There are very few with things inside that consumers keep. It was therefore important to consider this, especially as the cost of the crackers is quite high. It was decided that inside each cracker there would be a miniature wooden nutcracker toy. Each one has a piece of string attached to it which allows them to be used as puppets and toys. The idea is
that this is kept by the recipient and reused in the future at other festive occassions. They could even be used to decorate the home at Christmas. This is a sustainable solution but also means that the cost is justified and more appealing.
Details
Laura Wallbridge-Bruce
Outer Packaging The outer packaging was closely considered. Most crackers come in a rectangular box that gets thrown away most of the time. Whereas this box has been designed to look like a nutcracker’s drum. Although the top of the box can’t literally be played as a drum at the moment, this could potentially be developed and manufactured so that it could be. Alternatively it could remain conceptual and be kept to store the toy nutcrackers in, ready to bring out each year.
OUGD603 - Crackers
Details
Laura Wallbridge-Bruce
In Context All of the colours used to create these nutcrackers have been carefully considered. Typically, a lot of the time the colours used are red, green, gold and so on. This image illustrates what the cracker would look like when the table is set at Christmas time.
OUGD603 - Crackers
Details
Laura Wallbridge-Bruce
Final Outcome The final outcome was most definitely a success. With some serious consideration, this product may even be pitched to various stores in the near future. The feedback so far has been positive and many people have said that they can imagine it being sold in the likes of Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
OUGD603 - Crackers
Final Outcome