Month: March 2021

This week was a slow and steady one. I finished up handing in the firework illustration surface design project by taking all the various layouts I made and plopping them into an InDesign presentation and handing in the PDF to be sent to the buyer to look over. I also worked on my novelty cat designs for two doormats for a key account. (sort of a big deal maybe..) I was given a fast deadline to look at inspiration images and start making designs with cats and catchphrases that were given to me. Everything I sort of put on hold to dive into this project because it has the quickest deadline ( 1 week and 1/2). I worked a bit on the weekend to get a bit more ahead than I would be starting Monday.

This project this week I was mainly doing sketches and more refined sketches in procreate. I realized though going back and forth between making sketches and getting feedback is a bit of a process so make sure to leave yourself a lot of time. If I were to go back I think I would have worked some extra hours after work. But that’s apart of the learning curve, to be fast and efficient. I also tried working on some packaging design updates but didn’t get too far on that due to back and forth as well. And I also did some interesting inspiration hunting and shared some thoughts and ideas on trends and current movements. I participated in a few more meetings and future plans for Danica and new surface design projects. I am doing my best to contribute but am hoping to be even more involved and put in my thoughts or insight when there is an opportunity to do so.

There was a very strange day that happened this week and that was when I went into the Capilano University building to do some computer updating with my teacher to get the newer adobe suite. After waiting, updating, waiting and then it was done I tried to use my “H” key on my keyboard but it wasn’t working properly… Found out I will need to get it fixed but after my practicum, because it takes two weeks to replace the whole keyboard.

On a final good note, I enjoyed spending some time on my Thursday basking in a sliver of sun on our deck. So take advantage of those sunny days and get outside! ( I keep telling myself to do that)

This is the front entrance of Danica, I never actually enter from the front but the back entrance where I park 🙂

These are sketches from novelty cat doormat surface design project.

Lastly some revised sketches I did in procreate.

I do have more artwork revisions but I think they should remain a secret. You never know one of these developed sketches for the doormat design could be chosen to be sold in store.

Stay Tuned… 😀

This week was a busy one! Jam-packed with new projects. I am wrapping up danniversary internal cards for employees and then working on updating some packaging templates followed by two surface illustration design projects. Monday I had many meetings such as a creative team meeting, a meeting about how to bring in hand-drawn artwork into photoshop and illustrator. I also had a training session on updating packaging templates. And through that training session, I realized how much I do not know about illustrator lol, or photoshop for that matter haha. I must learn my shortcut keys, planning to do that after I graduate hehe.

On Tuesday I ended up working from home instead of going into the office which I normally do on Mondays and Tuesdays. My back was sore from the weekend of swimming in the winter ocean water and doing exercise which I am not used to and am sitting too much. Sooo I need to work on taking more breaks from work and not sitting for hours on end. But it is definitely hard when you are in the zone and having fun. I realized for the illustration projects it sort of feels like the same process as school with making thumbnails, getting feedback, making an inspiration board, and presenting different concepts and layouts. Just a more elevated professional version. I liked seeing that connection though, it made me appreciate school and everything we have learned.

The rest of the week consisted of packaging updates, finishing rough card design drafts, and watercolor firework design which I did by hand and had to create a couple samples to use and bring into my computer to create layouts. This process made me realize how much work it must have been for illustrators and designers back in the day where they were making designs or illustrations all by hand which made it so difficult to edit or make changes and now a days we are spoiled with this luxury to fix things digitally.

This is another example of the inside environment of Danica Studio. Gorgeous bathroom designs.

This is the warm and welcoming kitchen facility.

Here are samples of Danica Heirloom brand. Checking out colours and quality of material/design.

More samples to look at, identifying the different illustrations styles of Danica and how they work as prints on different products.

Here are my rough thumbnail sketches for watercolour firework design.

Practicing making watercolour firework illustrations to bring into psd/ai to make digital for project.

Stay tuned for more next week at Danica Studio 🙂

This week was busier and was picking up by the end of the week with 4 projects assigned to me. I had more training sessions over zoom, I got to participate in team meetings and they actually took one of my suggestions for the team meeting to mix it up and have some fun. We did rose, bud, thorn which is a nice group activity to see how people are feeling and what’s on their mind. For example rose means: something good that has happened, bud means something you are looking forward to in the future, and thorn is something that happened that wasn’t so great but if you don’t have one even better. So everyone enjoyed that and I met more of the team members.

I have been working on Danica birthday cards and danniversary cards (for internal use only) I am using already existing artwork and reworking the layout and adding some new typography.

They were kind enough to give me one of their Danica branded masks.

Front desk of Danica Studio.

Showroom of Danica, containing all five brands they have. Danica studio, Danica Jubilee, Danica Heirloom, Danica Ecologie, and Now Designs.

My practicum host treated me to a Poke Bowl with a gift card she gave me. Very Sweet!

I was also learning about their process of how they make their artwork and then put it onto their products and how it can look on different materials. A lot to learn for sure, I am trying to take lots of notes but at the end of the day I ask lots of questions 🙂 I am going to be working on the card designs, some packaging updates, and two illustration projects.

I feel more at ease this week, and everyone is very kind and supportive which is great. Even though I have more projects which means more stress, I don’t have time to overthink but just work and do. I was lucky enough to be apart of a meeting that Danica had with Anthropology buyers. I just sat and listened but the process was interesting and the Anthro team seemed very nice as well.

This coming week and the next couple weeks will be very busy.

Stay tuned 🙂

I showed up early for my first day, I didn’t want to be late. My travel time consists of 20-25 minutes driving to Danica Monday and Tuesday (depending on traffic of course) I found parking behind the studio and had a warm welcome by Andrea my host into their office. As you can see below I have my own desk setup, I am using someone else’s desk on the days they do not come in. I had a tour of their showroom, kitchen, and washrooms and was pleasantly surprised by some goodies at my desk. I also received catalog books to go through and I had no idea Danica had become so big! They have branched off into 5 companies but will still be under Danica. The rest of my week consisted of meeting more people, having some zoom training sessions, and learning more about what they do, what they want to do for the future, and the platforms they use. I have been introduced to my first project which is using their existing artwork and reworking it to make some birthday/danniversary cards.

Their space is about 10,000 square feet, which is nice a roomy. Everyone works in either office rooms or cubicles. This below is the view from my desk.

I received a lovely tin box container, with a cute cat sketchbook and notebook. Followed by a gorgeous water bottle and a little rainbow tray.

On Thursday we went to Main street and checked out different stores that carried Danica products. Some stores did carry their products and some stores didn’t but we still checked them out for product inspiration. It seems that they are always looking for new innovative products and multi-functional and sustainable packaging (which I like 😀 )

This week has been a nice introduction to the team and potential projects I might be working on. I will be honest I was and am scared to make a mistake because this really feels like the real world. (which it is) But I can’t forget this is still through school and we are learning and have so much to learn and now is the time to ask lots of questions.

Until next week… 🙂 stay tuned