Human Nature

Author/Artist Name

Karl SmithFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Fall 11-15-2024

Artist Statement

Building a brand means looking beyond a product or organization and finding an aspirational vision that creates value for the consumer. Through my design work, I want to transform products and other subject matter and transform them into unique, powerful experiences. By using intentional design choices, I can create effective visual communication. My design centers on strong hierarchy, bold color, and clear typography that creates attractive, memorable, and distinct visual identities.

Human Nature represents the positive impact a brand can have on the world by authentically connecting with consumers to provide real benefits. Skincare is the pursuit of beauty and health on a personal basis, and the Human Nature visual identity adds clean design to every step of this worthwhile journey. The clean, simple typography and flat visual treatment on the boxes, paired with energetic imagery and copy, conveys dynamism and honesty. An intentional selection of cohesive, minimal forms for packaging keeps the brand consistent and maintains an aesthetic fitting for personal care and beauty products.

When creating this project and in my general design practice, I am inspired by the work of several designers and studios in the branding and packaging space. The work of Studio MPLS creates simple visual motifs that, when combined with quality finishes and materials, create appealing tactile experiences and emotionally engaging designs. Han Gao of Workbyworks Studio uses clean, straightforward type to create stunning visual effects that facilitate effective, elegant visual communication. I am also inspired by the works of Bruce Mau and bmd, which use space and bold color to create lasting impressions for brands.

Human Nature is simultaneously the culmination of my work as a student and the beginning of my work as a designer. I hope to use design to create a positive impact on the world around me and real value for those that interact with my designs.

Advisor/Mentor

Jim Bryant, Gregory Scott Cook, Zbynek Smetana, Mike Martin

Description

Human Nature is a clean skincare brand aimed at first-time skincare users in their mid-20's that uses a four-step system to provide a simplified approach to high-quality skincareI aim for Human Nature to be an approachable, relatable, trustworthy product for buyers in this demographic, and branding is tantamount to this goal. The research stage of this project focused on other skincare brands and advertising, mapping out where my brand would fit and how it would respond to other brands. As this is a graphic design project, This project includes a cohesive visual identity that communicates the brand, including packaging, web design, social media, print ads, and brand merchandise. Human Nature is an exploration of design in connection to branding and cosmetics, and builds upon contemporary skincare branding. My exhibition was on view in the Clara M. Eagle gallery from November 15 to December 5, 2024.

Photo Credit

All photos by the artist

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Karl, "Human Nature" (2024). B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498). 139.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art498/139