CONCEPT BRIEF:
Wildwood Coffee Roasters is a fictional brand created by ChatGPT for a project in my Digital Media II course that I'm currently enrolled in. They are a nature-themed coffee shop. Wildwood was seeking illustrated poster designs that would promote their values of supporting parks and encouraging people to get outside, while marketing the brand at the same time. This project seeks to create two posters that keep the branding and feel that Wildwood aims for, and feel like similar styles. 
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:
When I started this project, I did not have a lot of experience creating illustrations, but I was beyond excited to learn. I knew I was going to have to learn more skills in Adobe Illustrator, so it was going to be a challenge.
BRANDING:
For reference, this is the logo and branding design that I created for Wildwood Coffee Roasters. You can check out the story of how I created this system here.
RESEARCH:
My first step in creating these posters was doing research. I looked for inspiration online and focused on considering the brand values. I created a list of 10 adjectives that described the brand's personality perfectly. Then, I compiled a collection of images, textures, and art pieces that encompassed those words.
SKETCHES:
The next step was to create rough sketches so I could decide on directions for this project. Based on the adjectives and inspiration I chose, I knew I wanted a professional but playful vibe that really highlighted the company's mission to get people outside to enjoy and protect nature. These were some of my favorite sketches:
Deciding a direction:
After feedback from my professors and peers, I decided on three directions to test. I chose the following sketches and then drafted them up. I ended up using the drafts for the finals, so that's why I've included just the rough sketches here:
FINAL POSTER:
After testing these designs out and receiving feedback from my peers, I ended up with some posters that I was very proud of. This was one of the finished products, and you can view the second here.
REFLECTION:
This project really pushed me in my creative borders. This was a huge first step in feeling more confident in my ability to illustrate, since I had not pushed myself as much to do so. It was a fun challenge. It was something that I was afraid I would not be able to pull off, but I am proud of myself and so glad I went for it anyway. I learned several little tricks on Adobe Illustrator. After this project, I felt really motivated to continue to learn all that I could. I faced a few hiccups creating the "The Best View," poster but I'm so glad I pushed through.
