all the way down
Yesterday, we spent hours fine tuning shapes and colors of the labels that go onto bottles, boxes, samples,…It must all go into print Feb. 07, to be ready early -mid March.
While doing so I realized how I am not a designer myself and how my design gurus are. The curvature here, the font size there, the shade of the color, the size of things, the proportions, the texture of the paper, the texture of another paper…. you name it. We evaluated uncounted papers for a simple inlay. So I go: “it is not match making”
And I guess I am right there. Each discussion point, the shade, the font the curvature of the label is by itself all not match making, if looking at it individually it is not critical for success. But in the end, the impression you get, is by the sum of it all. And there, there details becomes match making.
I never thought about design (other than perfume creation) so much and I think I start to understand. Good design is a strenuous walk, going all the way down, never giving up too early. In the end: every lake is filled with drops of water.
Actually, in perfumery it is the same. Fighting for the right chord is a strenuous walk.
Picture: water droplets on orchid stem.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
It’s amazing, Andy, isn’t it, to see the work of a professional grown through the experience. The precision, the number of nuances, striving for the quality…
But I think it’s almost the same what you are doing while designing (or sculpturing) a scent. A rose for example. You play trying to balance all the ingredients together. What petals would it have? Silky or velvety? What color nuance? Bright red or Dark wine? How much fruitness? Doesn’t it have too much honey? Or should it be clean? Waxy or fresh?
And you are right - it’s not matching. Like creating the rose is not matching it to a certain “rose standard”. It’s about creating something complete, balanced and impressive. You are looking for the best way to express soemthing, to bring the message and to be sure it’s understood. Not in exactly the same way by all the people who get it. But… doesn’t it make you happy when someone recognize the idea you put into your perfume? :o)
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
HI Andy, it must be so eye-opening to work with people who are like-minded as you–just in a different area. It’s also nice that you have a mutual respect for each others talents as you strive to bring everything together. Feb 7 is just around the corner and I know all of us are VERY eager to see the new designs!!!! Have a great day!
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Good evening, Jen,
I wish that end of March would be just around the corner, too…
Wishing you a lovely evening!!
Good afternoon, AromaX
Oh, yes, it makes me very happy if I feel that my creation is sort of recognized. Sometimes, though, it makes me even happier if I see how a creation gets a life of its own and brings about a lot of different associations and recognition that was not expected.
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Architect Mies van der Rohe`s “God is in the Details“applies! Mark Knopfler and James Taylor`s song “Sailing to Philadelphia“, while about the USA`s historical colonial survey team, is also about two people w/ a common goal, but they each see a different way to reach that goal, for they each have different, yet very much needed, knowledge!!(As in get together or CRASH! :-) ) You are too good a surveyor and pilot for that to happen - your scented trials are just rough roads and stormy skies that you soar over and out of. yes? :-)
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Aromax says it all so well and I agree with him completely!
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:54 pm
I often think of this quote during the design process. “…Perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.” -Antoine de St. Exupery.
It seems that navigating the heavens of scent to find one’s way home must be the same. Oh yes, and navigating the vagaries of labels and marketing….
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:40 am
i agree, design is something very important. how it looks , how you present it, appearance is not important some people might say, but i doubt it, you see someone or something in total afterall. its great now you have gorgeous smell of yours and great design you fancy together!
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:44 am
I guess the principal here is that anything worth doing is worth doing well, even though it involves a lot of sweat and tears…
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:25 am
Dear Julie
I fully agree with you!
As I do with Chris.
Thus, do it well and do it up to a point where there is nothing to change.
Good morning sae, today the first paper goes to the printer. Then we have to wait for couple of days/weeks and then we will see whether things work the way we imagined…
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
morning to you, andy!
hope everything goes well as you wish! have a lovely day~~ :)
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:27 pm
So if we want to be able to offer rare vintage Tauer flacons on ebay, we need to buy them soon, right? I find the whole “rare and vintage” thing somewhat amusing, though I do understand that sometimes the older stuff really is better.
Wearing Incense Extreme today for my first classes of the Spring semester…
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Andy, it’s actually true what Fernando says isn’t it??? Not the selling them on ebay part, but the fact that the current Tauer flacons as well as the perfume in them are going to be collectables one day. I can just imagine saying proudly “I’ve got the pre 2010 flacon with the artwork on it—as well as the card that came with it which I have been using as a bookmark–never mind the glue!” :) That’s a real milestone!!!!!! Have a great day!
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Good evening, Fernando
I am not sure about the value and potential value increase of my fragrances as vintage perfume on ebay. Maybe you need to wait a few more years. I guess: Best would be if’d die. That would help raising ebay prices. but then: That is not really an option for me right now :-)
Jen : See above. I am still happy and healthy. I would not bet on my ebay prices, yet :-)
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Plus, I’m certainly not selling any of my Tauers!
Do stay alive and healthy. I can’t afford to buy the whole set of 50ml Tauer perfumes in one go, but I hope to get there eventually. And at our current rate of consumption for Rose Chypree, we’ll need about one a year…
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Better ebay bite the dust and Andy stays “Alive and Kicking“( Simple Minds )!!! :-)
February 4th, 2010 at 4:16 am
HI Andy, believe you me, ebay prices are the last thing on my mind (and please don’t kick the bucket anytime soon) — I’m thinking that as you move into a new design for your bottles the old ones will now be collector’s items (or at least nostalgic items) for those of us who are following the progression of your brand. It’s very cool! Like seeing photos of one’s hair or glasses from the 70s. Right at the time but then things changed. :) “Changes” by Bowie….