I was feeling a bit stuck and decided to try sketching outside! I kept the idea of ‘bundles of joy’ in mind, as that was a potential brand name i had in mind. I drew things I saw that gave me joy or were related to family, play fun or just happiness in general. Because it was spring and the weather was nice, alot of it was nature related

INTERVIEW ONE

I wanted to understand my audiences perspective more, so I had a short interview with a mother who showed her opinions on social media, her behavioural choices as a mother and additional perspectives that I can reference for my service design. 

One of the most important factors was price and time. She was willing to pay additional costs if that helped her save time or if she needed to, but ultimately would look for promotions or lower prices in general. 

One tip she gave was that she generally would avoid things coloured red, as it made her wary of danger (though I think this is a personal preference). 

She does not actively use social media, but as a mother it was really helpful to have a support group of other mothers. They would give each other tips and celebrate or hold activites together. I think I can use this in a digital way through content creation for social media!

Easter- Experimentation 

I had a mini sewing kit and decided to make some illustrations! I noticed that the end of my measuring tape made an interesting feature similar to a frog, so I considered some mascot ideas for the branding of my charity. 

My Big Online Notebook

To organise my research, I’ve kept it compiled in a OneNote book. Here, I looked into brands or companies that inspired me or were related to my project. This came through several types of services, each with their own similar connection to my brand (e.g charities, toys, children/ parent consumers etc). I looked at their tone of voice, websites and social media content, as I am focusing on the digital aspect of the brand.

There are many brands I have researched so I have used my video as a quick run through

FINDINGS

Animations: The websites that engaged me the most as a new viewer was the use of animation. This was both through subtle fade ins-outs for imagery but also how Whirli had created animated loops to describe their services more clearly. I often have a longer time explaining my service in tutorials so this would be helpful

Interactive features: In Hoxton Monster Supplies website, they have an fun feature that changes the language across the entire webpage to different monsters. It’s a feature that really immerses you into their fantasy setting! I’m not sure if I will be as bold, but I think its important to include ‘play’ into my website because I want my older audience to have fun too

Colour: For the project, I need to make sure my use of colours is attractive, not too boring but also not too much. It seems straightforward, but it’s important to arrange colour across the website in a strategic visual hierarchy!

Blogs and updates: Many charities and toy restoration services keep a blog to show the activity and passion they have. It also shows brand authenticity and a humane side to the company. Natsumi clinic does this constantly across their website, instagram and twitter. I think this is a great way to show progress for clients and act as a proof of quality service for customers.

Simple, one page?: Considering the duration of the project, I may not have enough time to produce all the webpages I want. However, I realise maybe a simple one page is possible to fit in as much information strategically as possible. Hospital de Bonecas does this amazingly, using slide rolls, a large interactive form in a letter format and expansion features.

Social Media content to keep parents/audience involved: Whirli’s instagram is a great inspiration. It includes content that actively involves the audiences input, asking them for their opinions/ stories. They also provide tips and tricks for parents on certain holidays. This builds brand engagement and loyalty, so I aim to make content that also helps. Build a Bear also has a very active page, I’m not sure if it’s because they are already a popular brand, but they post promotions and releases of new toys. I think the promotion posts are important to drive customers to buy more!

Developing my customer experience and service design! I’m using my findings from brand building and the cutsomer journey sheet in the META online course I am taking. 

Easter- Brand Building notes

TUTORIAL- INTERIM CRITIQUE

I showed more brand developments in the form of the customer service design, the contextual aspects, presenting my toy restoration service ‘The Dorset Toy Hospital’ that also donates it’s proceeds to charities supporting childrens wellbeing, giving further incentive for customers and also being unique with digital touchpoints. I also presented my brand development from my online course, identifying the target audience and customer journey, considering the marketing and branding strategy.

I presented my findings from preexisting charities, toy restoration services and childrens brands, looking at their socials and websites to see how they present and market their tone of voice and keep audiences engaged

TUTORIAL NOTES

I need to develop my brand more, defining exactly what we’re doing, considering essential branding aspects such as the values, tone of voice, etc. I also need to consider the brand strategy further, by narrowing and developing how I will develop a presence online. 

My tutor also recommended me other brands to look into such as Whirli.

COVID- Research update

While I was feeling unwell, I undertook an additional online course from Coursera- Meta Introduction to Social Media Marketing. From my past projects, noticing my interest in branding and strategy, I wanted to develop my business and strategic thinking further. 

COVID 19 THE PAST WEEK

I was tested positive for COVID-19. Because of the symptoms, it has been difficult for me to work and I was unable to present. The picture above is from attending the tutorials as I was curious about other’s progress and needed a creative refresh as I was in isolation. 

It has been a tough week and maybe for another, I will try get back to it when I have recovered!

TOY RESTORATION + CHARITY??

Further brainstorming, considering possible pathways for my project. Using research I had, I wanted to implement my motivation somehow, understanding that the importance of toys. Also, if I were to proceed with the toy restoration idea, I would need a unique point as my tutor recommended. This was when I thought of taking some proceeds to charity, this way we give joy to both the customers and further! I was inspired by the other charities I had researched before, such as Grimm and Co https://grimmandco.co.uk/our-story/ and also research from my social media online course, where they explained how social media could be utilised for charities 

FMP: Idea

I want to make rebranding designs for an existing toy restoration shop to revitalise the practice in the UK. This would give me the opportunity to gain contemporary work experience by possibly communicating directly to the shop owners and get more insight to restoration. I really enjoy the emotional aspect of toy restoration and I want to create work that is beneficial, in this case for children’s wellbeing, preserving history, memories and promoting the practice!

These are where I research interviews/ media coverage on existing toy stores and also some psychology theory or other subjects related to my project!

Existing Toy Restorations in UK

Existing Toy Restorations in UK

To see if my interests could apply to the UK, I decided to check the current market for toy restoration. What was most noticeable to me was the outdated designs of the websites. There are a few shops specialising in toy restoration across the UK, with most of them being owned by middle aged to elderly restorers. I also notice from their customer testimonials that their audience is adults- elderly customers. This makes curious, as I would believe that an audience for younger children exists as well due to the premise of toys. I would like to try attract this audience.

http://www.elliesdolls.co.uk/

https://www.ambrosia-bears.co.uk/

https://bygone-bears.com/index.html

Build A Bear Experience, charity

Further exploring the idea of a toy restoration service, I considered what would make it unique in the market. I wanted something that would motivate the target audience to purchase from us more, and knew it had to benefit the audience as well.

I looked at similar brands, such as Build A Bear Workshop, having been reminded of my first purchase from the store a few months ago. The unique experience was enjoyable, even though it was targeted towards young children, with a build your own bear experience. They included small elements that made the it more intimate, especially for children such as the option to add a heart mechanism that would vibrate similar to a heart beat and an birth certificate. Maybe I can make a unique experience like that?

What am I doing exactly?

Initially, I had proposed the idea to revitalise toy restoration in the UK through new branding designs for a toy 'hospital', however I recommended to look more into deeper contexts before making my decisions. I then researched into contemporary and contextual subjects of sentimentality, childhood, and toys, to which did open my perspective but also further motivate my interest to pursue my initial idea. Also, because the final major project is an opportunity for us to try something we want to pursue in the future, that also makes me want to continue with the initial idea because I enjoy branding and service design. As a result I will pursue my idea of branding for toy restoration, but will continue research in a more narrowed and focused approach.

Many of the people interviewed were middle aged/ elderly which lets me know there is an age demographic that will support my interest to revitalise toy restoration or the subject of toys and childhood to older audiences. This leads me to wonder if I should adjust my design to attract specifically younger adults/parents or middled aged/elderly groups?