Concept Workshop

In groups, we needed to create a concept for either a new/ fictional restaurant, hotel or bar within Leeds. We need to give a visual presentation on our concept piece to show to the rest of the Year. I am in Group 5.

We were to get 3 random words from one jar and a second random word from another jar which we have to base a concept around. We then chose one of the first three words to go with.

Selected Random Words

The words that we got was Window, Vehicle and Net with the location being a Bar.

From this we went onto brainstorming initial ideas and reactions that come from the random words.

Brainstorming Initial Words

In regards to the brainstorm, we came up with these word connotations:

Window:

• Glass
• Window of Opportunity
• Window Books
• Clear/ See Through
• Coloured- Stain Glass- Story Telling/ Decoration
• Frosted
• Open
• The Internet/ Computers/ Software

Vehicle:

• Transport- Car/ Public Transport/ Self Propulsion 
• Machinery- Mechanics/ Parts
• Scrap
• Speed
• Booths- American-style Drive Thru
• Components- Wheels/ Seats/ Horn
• Movement

Net:

• Internet- Communication/ Web
• Packaging/ Folded Nets- Origami/ Production
• Mesh
• Army- War/ Fighting
• Fishing / Fish Tank/ Hunting- Brutality/ Capture
• Nautical
• Tights- Clothing/ Fashion Eras

From this, we took some of the words and decided to develop these words to see what ideas we could come up with:

Development of Ideas

From Vehicle, we thought about types of cars, such as a limousine or a hippy van, but when coming up with a Beetle, we linked that to the idea of Insects. The unique selling point could be Insects snacks that can be eaten or have a Bush-tucker trial night. The target market could be thrill seekers which would make for a specific audience that it would appeal to.

From Net, we thought of having a bar either by or on the sea, perhaps as a tiki bar or a beach bar. This would perhaps attract party-goers and encourage a carefree attitude which would help people forget there worries and enjoy themselves at the venue. Also, form net, we thought of producing a bar which acted like a Yo! Sushi store, with a conveyer belt serving shots and an entire wall made of a fish tank.

From Window, we liked the term 'Frosted' as it made us think of sweets and treats. We then elaborated on this coming up with a Sweet Bar idea, which would have a target audience of families and tourists. The sweet bar would have an old-fashioned traditional sweet shop set up with jars of amounts behind the bar and the quantity would be weighed at the bar. The customer could choose concoctions and potions of there own and this bar could become a tourist attraction rather than just a bar.

From the concept of a sweet bar, we thought about including alcohol but then thought about the consequences and came up with a new concept- The Hangover Bar.

The Hangover Bar concept would take the conception of people going to a bar to drink and providing an opposite service, instead helping people when they have drunk too much.

Development of Idea/ Concept

We came up with ideas that could be used within the Hangover Bar. This bar would serve Hangover cures, with different places having different cures based on the place it was in. This would allow for a large scale operation, with a large amount of scope as this would allow the bar to become a chain. The Hangover Bar would have home comforts, like duvets, bed and onesies, as well as provide medical care, like the morning after pill and first aid kids if you've fallen over in the street, to go alongside the Hangover cures like a fry up and health juices.

We went onto developing the idea of having a Hangover Bar further, instead incorporating it with a Preparation Bar. This way, you could have pre-drinks before a night out in a posh, ambient setting and return to the building at the end of the night/ morning and take advantage of the Hangover Bar facilities. This way, we would have business both at the beginning and at the end of the night as people would return in the morning. The Preparation bar would include beauty counters where you could touch up hair and make up and would give you the opportunity to buy 24 hour wristbands on a deal to get into both bars at a discount. The Preparation Bar would be ambient and more of a social gathering to prepare for the rest of the night.

From this group work, we gave each other jobs to research into. I got to look at different Hangover cures. In particular, I want to look into food and drink based hangover cures so that there would be something to sell in the Hangover Bar.

"Hot Mess" (2012) by Cristi Jayo
Jayo, C (2012) "Hot Mess" [Weblog] The Behance Network 9th June Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Hot-Mess/4176543 (Accessed 15th October 2013)

When looking into design inspiration for hangover cures, I managed to find this idea which is slightly similar in concept to our own. It is a take away food truck which intends to aid sobriety by providing food during the night to line the stomach whilst working in the morning to aid hangovers.

"Hangover Helper"

"Hangover Cures and the Calorific Cost of Booze" [Internet] Available from http://foodbeast.com/2013/04/09/a-look-at-hangover-foods-from-around-the-world/ (Accessed 15th October 2013)

This info-graphic is good for the concept bar as it gives different native hangover cures based on various places around the world, which would add to the chain idea of expanding the Hangover Bar and including cures from those particular countries.

"The Benefits of Fresh Juicing" and "Get Juiced! Recipes"

Ruskies (2013) "The Benefits of Fresh Juicing" and "Get Juiced! Recipes" [Internet] 3rd August Available from http://www.menprovement.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-fresh-juicing/ (Accessed 15th October 2013)

These info-graphics display how juicing is used to benefit people's health as well as different ways to juice. What I felt was more important was the display of juice variations and recipes which could be made and sold within the Hangover Bar. These will help boost the need for vitamins and hydration lost by the body during the night out.

"Elite Fitness Smoothies" (2013) by Courtney Tremewan

Tremewan, C (2013) "Elite Fitness Smoothies" [Weblog] The Behance Network 24th September Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Elite-FItness-Smoothies/11086575 (Accessed 15th October 2013)

These poster designs for a smoothie company display there contents on the poster showing how they are all natural in their contents and easy for anyone to create for themselves, maybe even encourage people to make their own recipes.

"Alka- Seltzer, A Hangover Is Dangerous Campaign" (2010) by Multiple Owners

Multiple Owners (2010) "Alka- Seltzer, A Hangover Is Dangerous Campaign" [Weblog] The Behance Network 1st July Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Alka-Seltzer-A-Hangover-Is-Dangerous-Campaign/561328 (Accessed 15th October 2013)

This poster campaign advertises the dangers of hangovers and the need to find a cure to be able to function properly as a human. Alka- Seltzers are seen as a potential medicinal cure for Hangovers which gives a second dimension to other ways in which the Hangover Bar could provide cures, by looking at the medical cures as well as forms of sustenance.

"The Hangover Smashing Workout" by Mens Health

Mens Health Magazine "The Hangover Smashing Workout" [Internet] Available from http://www.menshealth.co.uk/healthy/addictions/best-workout-for-hangover (Accessed 15th October 2013)

Exercise is suppose to be a good way of naturally flushing out toxins, re-oygenising the body and release endorphins which will make you feel better. The Hangover Bar could include a section with exercise machines or yoga mats for ease of fitness, relaxation and encouragement of physical improvement.

From the individual tasks we gave each other, we put all this together to make a Powerpoint presentation to give to the Year group to explain our Concept.

From the presentation, we were given feedback such as, how we need to refine the audience based on the fact that it is very broad and the term 'student' could apply to anybody. Also, the dress code that was designed by one of the group would not be appropriate to wear as it would be difficult to serve drinks wearing dresses.

As a concept, what I liked most about our idea was the fact it was original, especially the idea of a Hangover Bar which would be unique but aiming to help people in a bad state, nursing them back to health and making them feel better. What I disliked about our idea was the way that the Preparation bar was seen more as a place to get drunk rather than as a place of preparation which I felt took away one of the USP's and cheapened the idea. If I was to produce this concept for real, this is what I would change about the concept.

Overall, I enjoyed having the time to come up with a quick concept and have a brainstorm with lots of ideas and not many boundaries. As a group, we worked together quite well, bouncing ideas off of each other and had fun elaborating potential ideas that grew and expanded. It was definitely a worthwhile workshop to develop our skills.