Research & Drafting the Proposal
Prior to designing Mysillyum, I had to write an extensive proposal that I shared with my professor, detailing every aspect of my project. I created a glossary, concept summary, I researched current packaging trends, did an extensive materiality study based on what materials are the most environmentally friendly and feasible to acquire. I researched different types of meat substitutes and their health benefits. I did a competitor analysis of other meat substitute brands, highlighting their visuals and the types of meat substitutes they produce. I established a project background based on Upstream innovation by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, describing how I would utilize them in this context. I wrote about the qualilities of mushrooms and how they reflected well in my project. I extablished my target audience and created a timeline for the course of the semester.
Designing the Box
I went through many iterations of the designs, reflective of the risograph printing colors available. The design itself is reimisent of older packaging, exuding a sense of authenicity and soft, yet fun and playful hues.
In order to get a better idea of what the boxes looked like before I printed them, I used Adobe Fantastic Fold to fold my 2D dieline in a 3D space, later exporting it as an obj file and staging it in Adobe Dimension. Later I scanned the textured Risograph dielines and created some 3D fabrications just in case I couldn't do certain things with my physical box photos.
Mysillyum Visual Identity
Mysillyum's visual identity is strongly influenced by the Risograph printing process. The colors are based on the limited ink color selection that the Risograph possesses. The font Azo sans was chosen for its clarity when printed. The logotype is inspired by the organic shape of the mushroom.
What Makes Mysillyum "Fully Compostable?"
For my materiality study for a little-to-no waste project, I was introduced to the resource Upstream innovation by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Upstream innovation identifies new means to deliver value to users. For Mysillyum, I utilized two of upstream innovation's pillars– Elimination and Material Circulation. Elimination is when packaging is eliminated while user experience is maintained or enhanced. Material Circulation is when packaging is designed so that the materials it is made from can be recycled or composted.
Symbols & What they mean
To make my project as close to something on a grocery store shelf, I made the boxes appearance as accurate as possible, using the applicable symbols, a real barcode, accurate cooking instructions, and nutrition facts.
Printing & assembling the box
Printing within the restraints of the maximum paper size of the risograph printer, 11x17, I had to split up the dieline into two sheets, reassembling the two sheets into one full box.
Storyboarding
Reflective of Mysillyum's goal of authenticity, I art directed a photoshoot of my boxes with fresh mushrooms, the actual cooked mushroom meals, and my lovely model, Brooke Cohen-Pinsky. I conceptualized my photos prior to photographing the final product, messing with posing and lighting. A big challenge I faced in this stage was actually obtaining all the fresh mushrooms I needed. I had to go to a specialty asian grocery store for oyster mushrooms and I did not realize until later on, but it was almost impossible to procure chicken of the woods mushrooms. I attempted to order them from a website specializing in forged mushrooms, but I was unsure when they were going to arrive which really messed with my timeline, so I had to do without them. I found the photoshoot still very successful since I still had two out of three of of the mushrooms at my disposal.
