Museo Frida Kahlo

Grupo Richaud

I was interested in the different items that originate from Mexico but are found in very different categories. The first category that I came up with was food packaging and I was reminded of this crisp packet that I picked up at the market in Merida, Mexico. I actually have no idea why I kept this piece of packaging but boy am I glad I did. It may be pretty generic in most parts but the little motif of a Mexican character in a sombrero found in the middle is memorable, and therefore stands out. When using a linen tester to look at the detail of this piece of print it becomes pretty obvious that it has been created using flexography. I think its important that I find a piece of print made from each method that is directly related to Mexican culture.

Mexican Posters

I found these posters on a design website and was instantly attracted to them. I have no idea about their origin; why or when they were created, but if I had to hazard a guess I would say they are original designs from at least a few decades ago. This however could be completely wrong, and in fact they could be very new designs, just with a retro feel. I am instantly reminded of the designs from the sixties with the use of block colours and the type used reminds me of one of my favourite artists; Saul Bass. I like the use of just two colours in each poster, and even more the colours themselves. I like how none are too vibrant, and each one has a dull quality to it. In regards to printing processes I would assume that they are either digital or screen printed. In my heart I would love to think that they are screen printed, so as to add an aspect of craftsmanship, and each print was unique compared to the last.

Mexico Branding

The product to the left is a t-shirt design with a very intricate Mexican motif on it. I think the image itself is just a mock up of what a final product would look like, therefore no physical printing has gone on. However I imagine if this t-shirt were to go into production the most effective method would be to screen print. I say this because there are limited colours; white and a darker green, and the design is simple enough.

The image to the left is the packaging that the t-shirt above would be found in. It is a novel solution to the packaging aspect and helps keep the idea original and inventive. It is similar in shape to that of a Pringles tube or even a tennis ball container. The design found on it is obviously heavily inspired by the ancient patterns of the Mayans or the Aztecs, yet somehow manages to look fresh and modern. This obviously has something to do with the colour tones used and the boldness of the strokes. I like the lack of type on the packaging as this keeps the aspect of intrigue, but also would attract the attention of possible buyers who know a little something about the ancient designs that were so popular. In terms of the printing processes that would have gone into creating such an interesting piece it could have been a number of things. If the pattern was printed onto a flat surface then rolled up after, then it could be lithography, digital, screen print and maybe even flexography if the material was something other than paper. I like the clear plastic lid on top as this also lets you have a sneak peek as to whats inside.

This is the poster that would also be found in the tube packaging along with the t-shirt. I think this poster would most probably be digitally printed as the numbers would not be too high and the quality would be the best possible.

Our Lady of Lucha Libre

I came across this interesting product on behance.net. I was instantly struck by the imagery used and only then did I realise the printing technique was also interesting and unique. The idea of the product basically combines three large aspects of the Mexican culture: 1) Our Lady of a Guadalupe, a religious figure that millions of Mexicans pray to, 2) Lucha Libre wrestling masks, the most popular sport in the country and lastly 3) the Mexican candle, which again is used in religious ceremonies and is often prayed to.

After analysing this product I then realised that the candle must have gone through an interesting process for the vibrant designs to appear so vividly and of course so sharply. Obviously the material the design is printed on is glass so that means the process could perhaps be flexography, maybe even digital. However after analysing the products further I then realised that they are in fact stickers. This is probably the easiest method of successfully communicating the designers wishes, and of course, keeping the level of quality the highest it can be.

I was kind of disappointed to discover this was the way the product had been created, however I suppose the designer knew what they were doing and had narrowed down the options for the best possible outcome. In conclusion I really, really like this product and love how it combines so many different things aspect of Mexican culture. I hope to create something as interesting and thorough as this product above.