Set Exercise | Multidimensional - RYATHO

project brief

Baxter & Bailey: Royal Mail Stamps

Jump to final outcome

tAKE ME THERE

Stamps

Examples of Special Issue

Special Issue Miniature Sheets

Rubber Stamps (Postmarks)

Standard Technical

Standard stamp dimensions: 24mm x 21mm
Printed area: -1.5m each side = 21mm x 18mm

Special Issue Technical

Common stamp dimensions: 40mm x 30mm

British Animation

British animation is quite a broad genre (as it includes both tv and films across all ages). Going to stick to just looking at children's tv animation, as this is a sizeable chunk of it, and likely the most memorable to most.

Paddington Bear

Stamp set produced for paddington based on animated series:

Magic Roundabout (1965-1977)

Whilst always assuming this children's cartoon is British, it turns out the BBC dubbed over a French cartoon using a different script, putting this classic in a grey area in regards to British animation.

Fireman Sam (1987-1994, 2005-Present)

The Amazing World of Gumball (2011-Present)

Always thought Gumball was American, but it turns out it's made by Cartoon Network Europe, which is based in London, UK

Postman Pat (1981-1996, 2003-2017)

Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom (2009-2013)

Mr Bean Animated Series (2002-Present)

Peppa Pig (2004-Present)

The Cramp Twins (2001-2004)

A series of both British and German origin, however it was mostly shown in the UK (there is no original dubbed German version).

Camberwick Green (1966)

Kipper (1997-2000)

Morph (1st appearance, 1977 in Take Hart. Moprh TV Series 2006, 2014-present)

Superted (1982-1986)

Danger Mouse (1981-1992)

DIRECTION

Because there's so much animation, even in British cartoon animation. I've decided to concentrate on trying to create a set for a studio rather than an invididual cartoon. I've decided on using Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom and Peppa Pig, from the studio Ashley Baker Davies (Now Hasbro).

The intention is to create a set for Ben & Holly first, as a stamp design has never been created for this children's cartoon. If time permits, I will add a Peppa Pig set, to hopefully present them as a studio duo.

CRAFTING

Before going digital, I wanted to really try and put a unique spin on the stamp, by making the characters out of paper, and then digitally enhancing them back into the scene, highlighting a rough paper effect instead of clean flat lines.

Decided to test this using Gaston, as he's the simplest of the characters, along with having the least amount of parts to the body. The plan is to digitally restitch and colour using photoshop.

End results:

Quite pleased with the look of them, however I noticed in photoshop that when they're scaled back down to the required stamp size, all the effect of paper disappears, making this a pointless direction. It also took considerable time cutting the parts out of card. Did another test run with nanny Plum (above), but again the effect is lost on scale.

INitial sketches

Instead of trying to design a set of stamps individually, the goal is to design the 'scene' first as to which the stamps will be peeled on. This will make it appear like it's a sticker book.

Out of the three above, the custom Postbox/Postvan Courtyard is the strongest. These objects don't exist in the character world, so would need to create these to match. This would however be the personal spin that I've added to it.

Really keen on doing the iconic jelly flood from the cartoon, but concerned that the lack of variety in the scenes would not be as effective.

The two ideas above arent as strong as the first three, however I feel the 4th one would be better suited being a front cover for the pack rather than the stamp set insert. The throne room could look good, but there is a lack of reference image available to help create this scene.

asset development

Because I want to create a unique image for the stamps background, using existing assets is out of the question, as they're not easily editable to what is needed. the only option is to vector trace all assets, which should allow a high degree of versatility in regards to character form, positioning etc.

Gaston

Started with Gaston, as he's the least complex of the characters. Besides Gaston, the rest of the other characters shouldn't take long to convert into vectors; most have similar features that can be copied (hands/eyes/shoes etc).

Completed Gaston:

Character Set

Limited the total character count to 8, to match the max amount of stamps on a special issue stamp set. The characters chosen are considered the main characters or directly relate to the main in some way.

Not really a lot to comment on the end result of manual vector tracing. they're near identical to original, which is ideal. Only minor adjustment made to design is the cheek (changed from scribble to solid circle). The scribble wont scale down well to stamp size.

Change TO plan

After spending some time creating the character assets, I've realised that there wont be enough time to create two different sets of stamps along with presentation material. For the time being, just going to fully concentrate on creating a Ben and Holly stamp set instead of Peppa Pig. Was originally going to design both concurrently, but to avoid not finishing neither set, it's safer to complete one fully and then try after to create another.

STAMP/PACK DEVELOPMENT

Scene Creation

Creating the courtyard

Although this background scene exists within ben and holly, I haven't been able to extract a good enough image to use. So just like the characters before, need to vectorise the image. Although this takes time, it'll mean I can freely edit the background once its done.

Started with the blades of grass behind the castle wall. these weren't too difficult (most are near duplicates of each other which saved time).

Above: reference image

Drawing the bricks was quite a chore. I originally considering using the image trace function in illustrator, however the lines were too faint to be picked up efficiently. I resorted to using an iPad to quickly sketch the lines on, and then tweaked them on a desktop to align properly to the mortar.

Above: Drawing the mortar freehand using an iPad

Whilst the windows aren't complicated, they seemed quite taffy to get an exact duplicate from. The end result isn't exact to original, however this shouldn't matter as it's not a main focal point of the scene.

End result:

Turned out better than expected. Haven't bothered drawing the door features, as they wont be seen (planning to place a character in front).

Creating the Postvan/Postbox

Another asset that doesn't exist, thought this might be a tricky one. the closet thing to a post van is the flatbed lorry used to usually carry food around the kingdom. It'll convert nicely into a Royal Mail van, however its size is verging onto a truck rather than a van.

Above: reference image

Overall, both the van and the postbox look like they're part of the Little kingdom. A success story for me.

Loosely based off a real life postbox, with Ben & Holly's styling.

Looked into the cartoons sister programme, Peppa pig, however the postbox in this is a bit too square looking to fit the aesthetics.

Assembling the Scene

This part of the project really just involves playing around with the characters to create the perfect scene. I want to incorporate wit from the cartoon itself (angry nanny, mischievous twins etc). Essently the fun that makes this program appeal to a wider audience than its target.

Had the idea of putting mail in their hands, so it looks like theyre interacting with their newfound love for posting letters.

Positioning is a bit of a pain because there is the balance of object placement needed for the scene along with the stamps needing to fit around the necessary characters. So far it looks good. excluding the stamp outline placement, the scene just needs missing characters added to finish it (along with a plant pot).

Stamp Shape & Die-cut

Creating the custom cut

Because of the nature of the stamp collection (children's cartoon), I wanted it to appeal to a wider audience. Using the standard die cut isn't practical when you're trying to portray a kids sticker book, so i want a custom design that distances itself from corporate stamp template.

The softer edges should help to make it appear more like a sticker book, widening the appeal for stamp collectors of all ages. slightly worried that the die cut pattern is a little small; this may present as an issue further down the line.

Alternate design

Still wanted to try a more traditional stamp style, as the above style will not interlock to make a seamless continuation. Don't however like the design below; doesnt have the same effect as the one above.

Stamp placement within scene:

Research (Future releases & Legal Blurbs)

Curiously out of nowhere (planned somewhere), a Peppa Pig full collection appeared on the Royal Mail website, late into my own stamp concept development. Was struggling quite a bit in what needs to be displayed on the presentation pack itself, so it's provided a better insight into this.

One thing that I never considered was all the legal elements to the design. not sure if these are necessary to present the ideas, however they do add a level of finish that cannot be achieved without, so I will incorporate this into the design (however ugly it may look).

Excluding the presentation pack map (good idea), the actual stamp sets don't really lend into their back designs too well. This is maybe intentional but it would of been nice to see a similar design with Peppa Pig to the concept I'm currently creating.

Decided only to create the Ben & Holly stamp set, scraping the previous idea of a two-set stamp collection. Creating and vectorising elements took far longer than I hoped; adding another stamp series now would only slow progress down even further.

Back to Development

Presentation Pack

With the presentation pack, decided to use one of the previous stamp set backing ideas (idea 4). There wasnt as much to create for this scene; reusing the leafs, post van and post box from the stamp set, so there was only the fence to recreate.

Final background designs

Didn't want the presentation pack to overwhelm the stamp set insert, so kept it really simple by not including any overly complicated elements. Added stars around Ben and Holly to add a 'magical' feel to the front.

With the presentation pack, these stamps will be singular designs, unlike the stamp set insert which is fully scene immersive.

Decided to add a colour background to the individual stamps, to separate them from the presentation pack background.

Was really in two minds whether to include legal text. it is really ugly, but in the real world it is an essential part of packaging design.

Envelope Design

With the envelope, there wasn't a lot to physically design - was purely laying out existing assets already created. Kept it simple by just putting on the Ben & Holly logo, along with Gaston walking along the bottom.