The Lab Philosophy

Artists are emerging as authors and entrepreneurs in a variety of new markets and media. Methods such as print-on-demand book, the wave of self-publication, prototyping, high-end output devices and laser-cutters intersect with new creative directions. Bodyware imagery, instructional and socially inspired projects, web-based critique, archives, games, animation, and literary works are a few of the directions being taken to create content and express ideas.

OUR MOTTO

CONCEIVE ARTICULATE CREATE FABRICATE DISSEMINATE

Tuesday, December 15

Colin O'Connor : Positive Latitude





Cody Griffith : Southern Prints





































Southern Prints are original works, letterpress, and digital prints by Cody Griffith.

Nargol Arefi : The Alphindabet!

                                        


                              

Acrylic and Gouache on Arches paper, 8.5 x 11 inches.
You can order prints from nargol@gmail.com

Jillian Yoffe : Weird Mammals


Weird Mammals is a zine package that features 32 different strange and unusual mammals that the average American doesn't know much about. The package comes with a pack of four 1" buttons, a sticker, a letter pressed book cover and a screen printed vellum envelope.










































Stephanie Devino : Ani-Mini-isms Brooches and Barrettes







Andrew Morgan : The Illustrated Awkward Bestiary





John Ward : Scurvy t-shirt







































Scurvy t-shirts are designed and printed individually by hand by John Ward.

Celine Loup : Door Ajar




20 pages, black and white.
celineloupillustration.net

Erica Scheff : Chimera



Everyone's dreams, like vision quests, contain symbols that are personal to them. Each Chimera was dreamed by a volunteer, and brought to life by Erica Scheff. Learn more by emailing her, or by visiting the Chimera Facebook group.

Sunday, December 13

Week 16 : Last Class


HOMEWORK : All of the following must be done to complete this course:

- Turn in a CD with minimum 3 images of project as 300dpi JPEGs. Please label your files FirstName_ Last Name_LabF09. Please label the CD with your name and course name.

- Post final project to the class blog. The following student need to post images of their product. This must be done this coming Tuesday IN CLASS as part of your work for The Lab:
Nargol Arefi, Stephanie Devino, Cody Griffith, Celine Loup, Andrew Morgan, Colin O'Connor, Erica Scheff, John Ward, Jillian Yoffe

- Creative Brief including:
Name of your project
Type of ownership [sole proprietor]
Your contact information : Website/blog, email address

Company Mission statement : This is written to describe your creative and business goals. It’s a pledge of sorts to the public and yourself.

Project Brief : [250 max] This should be descriptive and explain your brand. It should give the reader an idea of the material quality, the underlying intentions [educational, for fun, etc] and simply explain how it does this. It should make a visual impression in the readers mind by using appropriate words to describe your project [tactile, plush, etc]

Unit cost [actual] : List a breakdown of the following in this order:

1] total hours spent on the developing project x an hourly rate [your pay]

2] prototype materials

3] studio overhead [cost of your rent+ utilities] divided by number of prototypes.

4] Add these together to get the actual unit cost

5] Add profit mark-up [normally 20%] on to the unit cost. This may end up being much higher than your sale cost, but it will give you a basis for rethinking materials, manufacturing methods, venue for sale, etc. If you can recuperate costs by making more then this can potentially be viable.

Note: In an initial prototype run, your product price may be less than actual cost. Determine a cost you think people would spend, ask friends if they would buy it for that price. If the product sells out, you will find the next batch will be less expensive to make because there is not research time involved. In the case of commercially made products, there is no additional crafting time, thus lowering the cost of each piece.

Start-Up summary : List costs needed to begin your business. Make this bullet points or a list as follows:

Studio rent : A percent of your apartment used to create your project x you rent: example $500/mo rent x 20% = $100.

Utilities : Use the same percent of your gas & electric and phone as the studio: example $60/mo G&E + $40 phone + $100.

Materials costs

Equipment to purchase : Computer, copier, etc.

Advertising : Participation in festivals? Ads? Website? You blog? Who will you link to?

Product Distribution : Based on crits and your experience at Art Market, reassess where you think your product should be sold.

Sourcing : Where are your items produced?

Promotion : How will the product be promoted? Please be descriptive.

REMEMBER this entire Brief would be read by an investor. They would want to know you are committed to this project.

Tuesday, December 8

Sarah Straub : A Snowman for All Seasons

"A Snowman for all Seasons" desk calendar by Sarah Straub

Kat Nicole B : Desk Demons

Desk Demons! www.DeskDemons.blogspot.com

Kelly Miller : Little Henry's Obsession

Little Henry's Obsession is a children's book used to teach children about moderation. The story follows a boy who has a fairly relatable obsession with video games. This story follows his journey to balance both his hobbies and his requirements.

Christina Kaputsos : Tigers, Gnomes, Little Flyers


Happy Tiger Plush: These cuddly cats are just waiting for a new home. $15.00 each

Lucky Pocket Gnomes: These little guys will bring you luck where ever you go! $6.00 each

Little Flyers: Pull the tab and watch them fly. $8.00 each

Found only at Art Market or Email Order! You can order yours at ckaputsos@gmail.com

Brittany Brown : Earth Mother


Earth Mother is an educational picture book about various tribes and folklore from Africa by Brittany Brown. Earth Mother is included in the brand umbrella of Njia Press, which includes prints and papergoods.