This piece was an experiment and test on how to create something outstanding and clever while being restrained to certain requirements. The fate of this design was determined by simply rolling a dice a few times and following the rule each number correlated with. Based on my rolls, my assignment was to design a promotional piece that could be mailed, included something metal, used a die cut, and printed only grayscale. This forced me to think outside the box and get creative.
For my event I chose Firefly Music Festival, a three day event held in the woods of Delaware. (Side note — this was designed in 2018 and the bands that year were AMAZING). My mailer, a paper album case, would be sent out to everyone who pre-ordered a ticket. Inside is a CD that has each band’s #1 song on it. The middle folds out to show laser cut fireflies and the band lineup schedule on the back.
While this piece is very colorful, everything is printed black and white. Any color showing is actually from a holographic card stock that pops through the die cuts. On the cover, there are three fireflies that light up and this is because of circuit tape wires placed underneath that activate LED lights when pushing the middle power button (something metal).
Not only was this an experiment with working within strict limitations, it was also my first time trying many of the techniques deployed here. Using a laser cutter, printing on a CD disc, and setting up circuit wires were all first time experiences for me.
This design was heavily inspired the name of the event — fireflies light up at night, hence the LED lights and the stark contrast of light and dark — but it was also inspired by the event’s atmosphere and experience in which at night there is a light show with bright and colorful strobe lights pierce through the woods. The pops of color against the black highlight a key trait of this fun event.
