TASTE OF EDMONTON BOOTH DESIGN
DESIGNERS / SHERYN BALDAS & SHANNON PHAN / 2024
CLIENT / DA KAO BISTRO
AWARDED / TASTE OF EDMONTON:
BEST BOOTH DESIGN
Designing the interactive elements fitting the mission of sharing Vietnamese contemporary culture, to enforce booth engagement in the Taste of Edmonton.
OBJECTIVE
Commissioned by the owner and fellow designer, Shannon Phan, a Vietnamese-Canadian creator, the task was to elevate the initial Taste of Edmonton booth design using a designers eye. Bringing in interactivity and engagement through physical elements. Alongside applying the visual identity, values and mission of 'Da Kao Bistro' to the wider (international) audience.
PROCESS
From the initial research and conception of the products, research and practice became the most important skills before manufacturing and design. To digest and adhere to their current visual identity began with reading the origin of the company, their target audience and how people engage with booths in the Taste of Edmonton. Planning and assessment began in March, execution is implemented in the summer and Taste of Edmonton began in the middle of August. I was given five main deliverables which must adhere to the client's current identity.
DELIVERABLES
Sticker Design
Take-Out Menu Revision
Food Models for the Booth
Interactive Board Signage (Mini-Game Engagement)
3D Printed (Resin Coated) Model of their Mascot
OUTCOME
The designs achieved the playfulness and contemporary values the restaurant champions, alongside an illustrative approach to the take-out menu redesign. Cost of manufacturing became important to realize, as more parts (alongside labour) were heavily considered in the planning stage. The food models are creating by 3D printed molds, using resin and painting atop. Alongside hand sculpting the form using air dried foam clay, which mitigated the material cost, also painted and resin coated. The Da Kao mascot is fully 3D printed and soaked in an acetone bath to remove layer lines, painted and coated with resin for a sleek and clean finish. The take-out menu typography is created using Adobe InDesign, while the graphic uses Adobe illustrator on the iPad to create vector art. The stickers are all drawn on procreate, the type included using Adobe illustrator.
LEARNED SKILLS
Testing and failure came in the feasibility of the (initially) fully 3D printing food models, however, realism and waste were to be compromised. Instead, I redirected to incorporate handmade and sculpted models based on the aspects and measurements of the actual items. The consideration of encasing the actual items in resin became a possibility, however, due to the hot climate and duration/length of the event (two weeks), the food would look worn and smell became an issue. Instead, I employed my fine arts and sculpting background in the form of the pieces, while the smaller details are 3D printing molds of resin.