McDaniel College Senior Capstone 2022
My senior capstone started out as my Graphic Design II project in January of 2022. The brief that was given said, "Little Free Libraries (LFL) is an exemplary example of community engagement. In the summer of 2021, Prof Irla collaborated with the Department of Recreation & Parks in Westminster to establish five new LFLs in the area (locations listed below). Aside from book-sharing, the impetus behind this project was to give design students the chance to design their own books to be distributed to the community through the little libraries. You will each establish your own publishing company, complete with a unique visual identity that communicates the type of books that you publish and the type of products that you distribute. Begin by choosing one of our LFL locations (not the McDaniel one). There are multiple components to this project that you will design including a book, a map, packaging, and more".
My designated Little Free Library location is at the Local Homestead in New Windsor, Maryland. The Local Homestead provides the community with local produce, dairy, meats, and flowers.
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I created the brand, Bloom Books, to represent the natural environment in which the library is situated in. Bloom Books features a botanical aesthetic that is inspired by outdoor activities. I aimed for the brand to be eco-friendly and promote kids to be more involved with plants.
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If the packaging were actually created, it would feature biodegradable seed paper that includes either herb or wildflower seeds.
The canvas bag, bookmark, stickers, and postcard would be included within the promotional box. The canvas bag would be used to carry the books chosen from the library, the bookmark could mark a favorite chapter, and the stickers could travel anywhere! The postcard explains how to plant the box and shows kids the magic that nature has to offer.
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One of my goals was to feature books within the library that are family-friendly. I strive to provide books with subjects such as gardening, plant species, animals, and environmental awareness.
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For more information about the Little Free Library initiative, visit this website:
https://littlefreelibrary.org/
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Artist Statement:
I explore methods of kid-friendly marketing by utilizing my brand, Bloom Books. I experiment with different merchandise ideas, color schemes, logo designs, and brand recognition. Through methods of graphic design, I create mockups that utilize my logo and make cohesive branding templates. I want to provide the Little Free Library with a personality that is different from the rest.