GDES3003 VISIT TO CAT - 2021

Fantastic to get back again to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) nr Machynlleth in Mid Wales with this year's green design cohort from Worcester.

Students [including our guest MA student Juliet] were able to have an introductory lecture to the site and what CAT does, tour the various practical displays there and take part in a Zero Carbon Britain [ZCB] seminar led by project leader Paul Allen who would be talking at the COP26 Climate Talks in Glasgow in just a short couple of week's time from when we saw him.

A really inspiring visit [despite the rain], huge thanks again as always to Gabi, Paul, Joel and the CAT staff for hosting us once more [this must be about our 10th visit!].

Click on any image to enlarge.

Quotes from student attendees.

Team CAT 2021 on the minibus.

Information Officer Joel gives students an introductory talk.

ZCB project leader Paul Allen talks students through the build of the rammed earth lecture theatre.

Paul Allen talking through Zero Carbon Britain and materials use.

It's not all work, work, work - Oliver and Kim hit the tabletennis table.

The quiet courtyard at the CAT's WISE building

Some of the many infographics across the site explaining how things work.

GDES3003 Briefing & Initial Q+A 2021 - OLPRO

We had he client brief handover today via Jack from OLPRO who was kind enough to do a pre-recorded discussion around their brief.

As with any brief that's initially handed out  there's always some initial questions to the client and on this occasion (more will come I'm sure) these were:

1. For the translated versions are we ok to use Google Translate or similar as placeholder text or would you supply a form of words that we can use/translate?

- Google Translate and similar translation tools are fine, but please let us know(on your final A2 boards) if you have used this with your translation, as they are not always entirely accurate in translating grammar and localising languages. 

2. Social media graphics – do we need to constrain to the square formats?

We would only require that graphic design is kept to square formats for Instagram posts. We're happy to be more flexible with facebook and twitter graphics, but we tend to stick to the following dimensions:

- FB 1080 x 1080 / (alternatively - 940 x 788)

- Instagram 1080 X 1080

- Twitter 1200 x 675 (minimum)

3. Could you clarify a bit more on what flexibility we have with the logo re design aspects that you mentioned?

- We would ask that the logo remains as close to the original as possible. Although this will not always be possible with whiteout versions etc, as long as it is recognisably similar to the original and includes the OLPRO tree, 'plant an OLPRO tree' and underline then it should look consistent with the original logo.

4. Do you have any brand guidelines at this time that we could look at?

- Yes, there are brand guidelines and it's important that these are adhered to where possible. The guidelines are available in the dropbox folder provided.

5. What packaging formats do you use at present to send out goods to customers/ your policy on packaging in general?

- Most OLPRO products are sent out to customers in recyclable cardboard packaging. 

6. What content would typically be on one of your ‘pop up’ graphics mentioned?

- We would recommend viewing OLPRO's instagram for a quick visual look at OLPRO's typical design. Ideally all posts should feature at least one OLPRO product as the products are designed to look different to competitors' product. They should also feature the OLPRO logo at least once, as well as reference to the product displayed in the image (customers new to OLPRO tend to ask 'which product is this?'). If we are including a written message within the graphic, we try to use as few words as possible, to help get the message across succinctly and also leave more space for customers to view our fantastic products!