Yesterday I went to the office to get a first look at our display prototype. We’ve been working on it for weeks, and I was extremely nervous to finally see it in 3D – so nervous, in fact, that my limbs were shaking as I walked through that door. I am happy to announce that it came out beautiful and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!
Here’s a blurry cell phone picture :)
Of course, this is just a prototype – it’s not done. In fact, we’re still a good 2 weeks away from the finish line: place-holder graphics will be replaced, tacky vinyl sticker dots will be printed in glittering lavender ink, etc! It felt incredible to see something that started as a mere concept transition into a tangible object. In a way, I’ve come to see this display as my baby – and this is our sonogram.
It started with this rudely-drawn sketch. I envisioned something whimsical, light and princess-y (no black or chrome for us!). And so I drew it how I saw it, right from the heart. I wasn’t concerned with materials or even design, I just knew I wanted it to tell a story. Later on, we had to brainstorm how to make it work with the lipsticks themselves & most importantly, convey our message: don’t be afraid to experiment with makeup!
Computer-generated mock-up
You’re probably wondering why we went with WHITE. I’ve considered many options – from lavender to neon yellow to clear glitter, but in the end, it had to complement the makeup, not distract or compete with it. When I saw a sample of pure, glossy white acrylic – smooth as ivory – I fell in love. It whispered fairy tales. I had to have it.
Deerlings: What do you think? Are we on the right track? What sort of imagery does it conjure up?
I would have liked it most if it had the unicorn picture with rainbow eyes than this one (i don’t really like this one, sorry :( ) but the shape is good! Are you planning on adding some mirror or will it have some next to that in store?
Doe Deere Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I’m thinking about using that one too. Thanks for the feedback, babe!
I reallyy love it ! it’s so cute !!
I love it but I think there are so many other photos that would look better than that those. It’s beautiful, though.
Kristi Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 1:19 pm
this
Dee Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I agree with this also. DO not like that photo that much.
It’s ok. I think it could be a lot better. I think you should have showed photos that reflect your lipsticks better. Like different photos with different colored lips. You are not selling your face you are selling the lipstick. And from a design and marketing stand point I think there is way too much writing on it. Nobody is really going to take the time to read all of that on the display.
Doe Deere Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Oh, totally. Those pictures are just placeholders though, luckily. Thanks for your input!
Annie Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I disagree on the “too much writing” point. Maybe from a marketing standpoint it’s too much, but I am the kind of person that is interested to read those kind of things. Maybe that’s just me, though.
I’m thoroughly enjoying the white frame, Doe! it has a very magical feel to it, even if it’s not a bright neon. Also, the top part kind of reminds me of the unicorn bustier!
Kristi Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 1:19 pm
writing is also good for someone who doesn’t get lime crime at first sight.
It reminds me of the wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast. I love it! I kind of agree about the picture needing to showcase more of the actual lipstick, but I like how it draws me in.
I think the photos would be better if this was an eyeshadow stand, since to me the eyeshadow in the photos pop out more than the lipstick.
Very pretty though, I like the ivory as well. :D
Doe Deere Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 12:52 pm
We will be rolling out eyeshadows by the summer though. :)
Instead of using the same picture twice, I would use different images. With so little real estate, why repeat a message? Also a mirror is a good idea. It would be unwise to rely on the store to have a mirror nearby. I can’t count the times that I have picked up makeup to sample, only to walk around endlessly searching for a mirror.
With marketing and package design you need to make the company logo bigger. People are going to recognize your logo more than your face. You have a unicorn on the packaging and on your logo, it needs to be seen better. It gets sort of lost in the riser image. I see the riser image being just the logo and the background and no doe. =)
When designing something it is crucial to be open to being experimental and taking criticism. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is when I am sitting in a design class with people who can’t take criticism or who aren’t willing to be experimental and take the time and effort the design needs..
aaaawwwww! It’s georgeous ! <3 it
Good luck for you !
I love the prototype, white is a perfect colour :) but I think it would look better if it was bigger…
oh btw…. where are the eyeshadows?? they will not be on the same display??
Doe Deere! I absolutely love your creativity and hard work, the only concern I have is during this time, it seems close to the Alice In Wonderland promotion of the movie? In a way it is a good time to promote your line but there is no distinction if you know what I mean? But, it is very similar in terms of a being a phantasmal fairy creature:)
I agree with the whole picture thing. I’ve been pondering what to say for a while, and I think several girls pointed it out above. I love the makeup for the Two-nicorn, but I believe that it shows off more of the eyeshadow than the lipstick.
I would use a picture that reflects the lipstick and have it more centered in the frame, make it magical, beautiful and a reflection of your philosophy “So Bright, its Illegal!”
Use your logo as much as possible! You have to sell your logo and product first and foremost, make it holographic, make it magical, make it gleeful!
That’s my thought process at least :)
<3
Melinda
http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/100/1005794/alice-in-wonderland-2010-20090721105731346_640w.jpg
This what I meant hehe All the best and congratulations!
Lily Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 5:48 pm
That is a good point. I think that would cheapen the image too. I never buy items that are just stamped with the latest franchise, the quality is usually very cheap.
I have to agree with Kristi: the logo should be biger. Also you should try a no-doe mode were the big picture is only the logo and you have a picture where the text is, and vice versa.
Lucy Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 4:56 pm
agreed
very exciting and inticing display! Although, I think white with silver glitter would have been just as good and non-distracting but also “Lime Crime”.
I agree with what someone else said, I don’t know that anyone will take the time to read that long piece of writing on it. Short blurbs are better. Maybe once you build more profit you can include free pamphlets with ideas or tips at the display?
I hope these will get to American UO soon! I can be very lazy about buying on the internet truthfully, but if it’s at a store I snatch things up right away.
BTW don’t worry about the negative nancies. Everyone has naysayers, especially when they get more popular. Just keep working hard on your product. :) I’ve been following you since you fashion design days, and I love your creative works.
Very cute. It almost looks like an open jewelry box! What does the writing say?
I’m going to echo the message that I think you should use pictures that better show off the lipstick.
But I love love LOVE the display design!! It reminds me of a princess’s treasure chest and at the same time a royal vanity. Beautiful! It will definitely stand out, which is exactly what your lipsticks do.
First thing I thought was MArie Antoinette’s make up table. :D
It’s cute and will definitely catch your attention :)
I suggest various girls of various skin and hair color to better try to reach out to a new audience. Heck, be the daring company that you are and add some men in there! And yes, more variations on the pictures please, one that focuses more on the lips.
Kristi Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 4:53 pm
agreed
The display is adorable! My only complaint is that there won’t be one anywhere I shop soon ;)
I also have a question for you, have you heard of these instant eye shadow things called ColorOn? I’m really curious to hear what you think about them. For someone who knows nothing about putting on make up correctly (me) I’m hoping they’ll be a good baby step towards wearing your make up. Do you have any suggestions for how I could use one of these to as a base and add Lime Crime Mermaid on top?
I love the white, I love the shape of it (reminds me of a cute jelwery box), but that has to be my least favorite picture. It also, as someone above me pointed out, looks very similar to Alice in Wonderland, if I didn’t know any better my thoughts would be what’s with the rip off alice in wonderland makeup?
I don’t mean to be harsh, I just mean if I saw that in a store at the moment, the pic would turn me off.
Seraphine Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 6:27 pm
I definitely agree, I don’t want people to take one look at it and think immediately Alice in Wonderland and walk away from the product thinking it’s targeting a different audience. I agree with what a lot people said, a different photograph would be better to focus on Lime Crime which is innovative to begin with!
Ariel Grimm Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 2:10 am
Sorry but I think ya’ll are crazy. Doe Deere’s style is Candyfuture which is fantastical and wonderful, just because it’s surreal doesn’t mean she’s ripping off Wonderland. I see nothing to do with the story of Alice in the display, if any makeup is ripping off Alice in Wonderland, it’s the Urban Decay Wonderland Kit, which I wish they would have kept as Book of Shadows Volume 2, a very unique and cool witchy makeup theme than just change the thing to include a pop of pic of wonderland. Now that’s a rip-off
Seraphine Reply:
March 6, 2010 at 4:10 pm
It’s not that at all! The photograph chosen simply looks like the promotional ad for Alice in Wonderland movie not the concept or story itself!
Seraphine Reply:
March 6, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Maybe it should be put to a vote in a poll for readers of 2-3 different templates before it is launched?
I love the display itself, but I think it needs to be more lipstick focused with the images. Less text. Much bigger logo. I think people have already said similar things. :) The shape of the display is great, though. Really circus-inspired and fun!
What store was it in Australia your make up was going to be sold. For some reason I’m thunking it was either David Jones or Myer, either way it’ll be wierd to see something as gorgeous and out there as this in that snobatorium.
Jill Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 12:59 am
Hi, did you know you can buy Lime Crime In Australia now from http://www.makeupnet.com.au. We offer free post and fast delivery.
cheers
Jill
Monica Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 11:40 am
Sorry to jump in here – I’m pretty sure they were talking with Mecca Cosmetica (squee!) and Kit Cosmetics. Lime Crime will fit right in with those – I can’t wait!
It’s perfect!
It’s lovely, I really like it [: But I was wondering if you’re ever going to change which picture is on the font, or if its always going to be the same one?
I think it is just grand. Your enterprise has come so far and it is not stoping here. good luck deer!!!
It’s lovely! It reminds me of a little princessy jewelry box I had when I was little. Being as it’s just a prototype, I can’t wait to see what the final product looks like, with the final images and such.
This is a really good idea. I must say that when I saw you lipsticks a Urban Outfitters, the one thing I thought was “she needs a better display”. The testers where just beside a bowl of lipsticks in their boxes. It looked a bit messy and it was hard to get a good look at each one. You neeeeed to have this in stores soon, you’ll sell so much more lipstick I swear.
p.s. I’m not too keen on this picture. I think you should use the My Beautiful Rocket one, because it is AMAZING!!
I really like this picture
http://www.doedeereblogazine.com/articles/makeup-tips-april-17-2009
it perfectly displays your lipstick and its boldness. This is the picture that truly made me interested in your lipsticks even BEFORE the launch.
Also mirrors are a must! Also try making your logo more eye-catching but not distracting. Maybe silver holo just like the unicorns on the tube?
Mary Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 7:41 am
that would be an awesome picture indeed!! (even if i found it a bit weird to cut the eyes, even if it’s lipstick-focused XD)
Zanthia Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 1:53 pm
YES!! That picture would be a great one :-)
I think it’s perfect, actually. I like the princessy design, the curve at the top, and I agree, the color of the stand shouldn’t compete or clash with the lipsticks. Very whimsical and princess-like, and that picture is perfect for it.
i really love the shape and concept of it. everyone is free to have their own opinion, as so do i. i would like to see a gold frame with sparkly purple gems intead of the sticker dots (but i know youre gonna replace it) I’m thinking, keep a picture of you modeling the lipstick on top and slogan on the picture (so bright, its illegal!). On the bottom, put swatches of the lipstick on various skin tone lips (like ppl above commented) with all the lipsticks and a very short description of each color and that description of the lipsticks you use – something about high pigmented lipsticks, etc. other than that, i cant wait to see it in stores (so i can buy one already..)
xoxo
Lynn Reply:
March 3, 2010 at 8:06 pm
oh! or maybe add a unicorn patterned frame instead with purple rhinestones. just a suggestion!
Hello!! I really love it, looks like a make up table to me! I like it in white color! but i’d put another pic, one with your whole face and your lips in one of your colors and then the logo bigger next to it, logo must be well seen, also, I wouldn’t add so much text, just the slogan or something, you can put a little box of flyers next to the display to take for free, a mirror would be great too, maybe down next to the lipsticks and so you can try and see at the moment, I think the ‘lime crime’ text should be written too up at the front of the display, well, just ideas, but it really looks good, i loved it from first sight, looks like a cute make up table, kisses!!
How adorable, it’s like a backstage circus performer’s vanity… you must save one and put it in your room/bathroom!
It’s amazing *________*
I like it a lot!!! I think the white makes the color everywhere else stand out which is perfect!!! Though I think you should put a picture that shows more of your lips with a bright lime crime color on them!! Maybe you should do a new photo shoot just for this!!
I actually don’t like the white. Maybe it’s just the camera-phone quality but it looks like cheap plastic, which makes it look like a little girl’s pretend make-up station.
Obviously the stand shouldn’t compete with the products but white seems like such a boring choice for such a color-centric company. I think a pale color would be lovely.
Also the No She Didn’t picture would be perfect. Maybe use a couple pictures from your lipstick photo-shoots?
Can’t wait until I see a stand in an American store!
I love this! when I see it, i just think “I want to wear those lipsticks!” hands down. it’s really cool, keep up the great work :D
I love it! The white really serves as a great backdrop for the bright colours!
it’s perfect I kinda want one lol
i dont like the pictures you chose at all. it could have been a lot better
Doe Deere Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 12:41 am
I guess you missed the part where I wrote those are not final pictures, just random placeholder graphics. :)
I like it, it’s really cute! However I think white might stain easily and look messy very quickly. I think the silver hologram would look great, and is it just me or is there a heart or a crown missing on top of the stand ;D
I’d love to see something on top, maybe the Lime Crime unicorn? Instead of printed on the image, and leave the image and the logo much clearer. Also I’d make the “buttons” in another color than pink, something contrasting to pink to accentuate the lipsticks even more. Maybe green?
I think the text is too small on the booklet to have it there, unless you’re planning to have several booklets in the stand as a flyer/giveaway.
These are my opinions, I hope they are helpful to you to perfect the stand. I’m really excited about seeing this live!
Lots of love,
Maggie
Zanthia Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Yeah, with white you know a few people are gonna swatch the lipstick directly on the display!
hmm… it looks abit child like… but not in the best way… it doesnt look expencive, alittle cheap. but thats just me. as long as youre happy doe, thats really the most important thing. its not ugly by any means :)
Looks great! Here are some thoughts from a dude…
–I don’t think there’s too much writing, I agree that people new to Lime Crime will like to hear the story. However, I wish there were some kind of “headline” or slogan if you will, preferably something that points out what makes your makeup special. “Totally opaque with one coat” or something. (maybe that’s already written under the logo? Can’t tell at this resolution)
–It definitely evokes fairytales, I think you’re scoring big on that point.
–I agree that the logo could be a little more prominent. Maybe if the sticker buttons were the logo?
–I know you’ve already addressed this, but yes, I agree that the pictures you’ve chosen for the prototype are not the best. I do agree that they are too close to Alice in Wonderland and I do agree that they actually don’t do much to show off the lipstick. So pick pix that do the opposite!
–Not opposed to the white, but I can see it also being a VERY light pink.
Anyway, congrats on all your success!
Doe Deere Reply:
March 4, 2010 at 12:41 am
Great advice, thank you for sharing your ideas! xo
These are just thoughts that popped into my head, they’re not meant to be nit-picky, but merely observations from a design-aholic.To be completely honest it seems a bit…bulky? I don’t know if that’s the exact word that I’m looking for, I like the exterior shape, but everything inside seems so boxy, the interior elements just don’t seem to relate well enough to one another (in the physical mock-up), it seems to be three chunks in one display rather than an integrated visual presentation. The white is so stark against the saturated color of the tubes, and I imagine it will be against the colors of the pictures that you end up using as well. Also white tends to show stains so easily, and with your highly pigmented products (that will eventually get on the display) it seems to me the display stands themselves might become “tarnished” by rogue samples.
The computer generated mock up with the two pictures being located adjacent to one another definitely reads better, it seems to be more flow-y, and I like the fact that it put the product up front to draw the most attention to the pretties, then hits them with product/brand info.
But I have to say I love the scroll detail work…it is soooooo cute! And I’m a sucker for nail head trim real or faux.
As far as the picture and logo issues are concerned I agree with most. The picture is not the most flattering and your hair and eyeshadow take away the focus off the lipsticks. I don’t see anything wrong with the actual color the logo has (although I agree a holographic one will make it more eye catching) but maybe a little bigger and centered. You want to draw people’s attention to your product and your logo the first thing they see. The text doesn’t bother me at all; I actually enjoy reading the company’s background story and I’m sure that other customers not familiarized with your line will appreciate it too.
I think the white and the overall design is interesting. It has a toy like quality to it reminiscent of a little girl’s first plastic toy make up set and I can see the fairy tale aspect however I was a little surprised that you would go in this direction. Don’t mean to be harsh but it all seems a little…safe and simple. Not bold or bright at all. The lipsticks may be the main feature but the display is just as important! It says a lot about what you represent as a company and as we all know first impressions are crucial.
Don’t get me wrong it’s not ugly but a little jazzing up goes a long way. A rhinestone unicorn, or a little crown at the front, bows, little cupcakes, victorian keys, little doors with the lipsticks inside ..you name it! I know whenever I’m at a store a bright color or unusual detail will grab my attention in a flash.
The white is actually not a bad idea. I could also see it with a light pink lining or a light blue/yellow.
It’s your dream and your baby so in the end go with what it feels right for you, your vision. Just a couple of suggestions and constructive criticism. We are ALL rooting for you!
Best of wishes!
Are you going to make one for the eyeshadows too?
Hi Doe – I like the shape and general concept… as well as keeping it white so as not to distract from the lipstick colours.
I know you’ve mentioned the images are placeholders but thought I’d mention this in case they were contenders for the final product… the tear drop on your face… it reminded me of tear drop jail tat’s, which have connotations of having murdered someone ! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teardrop_tattoo) … otherwise, nice work :)
I really love it! I think I would be drawn to the product by it…which is the main thing!
LOVE IT! :)