The Origin of Food.

As part of my latest studio project, I was asked to investigate a product researched by the SCRI (Scottish Crop Research Institute). The SCRI is a company based just outside Dundee which specialises in improving aspects of fruit and vegetables not using GM so they can be grown and produced more successfully. In usual graphic design style we each picked a fruit or vegetable from a hat, I received raspberry. For the first part of the project we were asked to thoroughly research our product, obtaining as much general facts about it as possible as well as looking at the work done by the SCRI on the specific given fruit or veg. After collating all the facts on raspberries I was asked to focus on something that interested me and create a broadsheet which explained it. I decided to focus on the fact that raspberries are the fruit which contains the highest levels of ellagic acid of them all! Ellagic acid has been proven to inhibit cancerous cells in animals and could potentially have similar result on humans if consumed over time. I focused my broadsheet around the fact that raspberries are a "cancer fighting fruit" and was quite pleased with the final outcome. Interestingly, the 2nd part of the project was to create a 3D typography installation to be exhibited in the university. I decided to continue with the fighting theme for my installation as it works well to show that raspberries have great benefits but also relates to that fact that raspberries are and aggressively growing plant as well as cancer being an aggressive disease. After throwing a few ideas around I decided to make a boxing ring which would contain my 3D type. I research a lot of boxing language and in particular phrases said by Mohammad Ali to see how I could use or edit them to fit in with my research contained on my broadsheet. I decided to go with 'Raspberry swings with a right, what a beautiful swing, and the punch raises cancer, clear out of the ring' which is an edited quote from Ali about an upcoming fight. I sculpted the letters from clay and painted the first two lines red and the other two blue to show the opposing sides. We had to produce our work for the exhibition in a very tight timescale but seeing everything set up together when the exhibition opened on friday made the stressing worthwhile. It all looked great and I think everyone who took part made a fantastic job with their piece :) Well done guys, we rock!


Pictures to come!