Howkapow-New brief

Last week I received a new brief as part of a University 'design in context' project. The brief has been set by Howkapow, "A colourful online shop selling design and illustration for the home. The company stocks ceramics, prints and posters, accessories and jewellery. The Howkapow shop showcases only the most innovative and interesting work from carefully selected designers."

This is a fantastic opportunity publicise my own work as well as learn how to apply my designs to various products. I have been given the opportunity to produce a mug, tea towel or a tray. There are two themes which Hokapow have identified as having current trends, these are Food and Scandinavian design.

I have been reading a LOT of Scandinavian folk tales recently, but one of my favourites is called East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

Summary:

A tale of a poor father with many daughters, one of whom is very beautiful. A white bear comes to their home and asks to buy her and in return, he will make the family very rich. The bear turns out to be a prince who has been put under a curse by his evil stepmother. Once the girl discovers he is in fact a man he is sent back home to the castle that is East of the Sun and West of the Moon. He is to marry a princess with a nose 'three ells long'. The young girl endures a long and tiring journey meeting many interesting characters along way, until she finally finds steals back her prince.

Here are some of my initial drawings, focusing on the image of the castle.