Props add visual depth to a photograph and will be essential for photographing my packaging. It will add context to my photograph and strengthen the concept along with help sell a narrative. It needs to appeal to the target audience, which is why using the consumer profiles we created will help. As I know my consumer, I can appeal to them with things they already own. As they will have a small baby I went for something they’d likely own for the baby so I went with a soft toy, there will also be less negative connotations of it to the parent, so that they will see my product in a positive light.
A lot of the products aimed at young parents include a baby as a prop but I want to create a feeling that the focus is on the parent, they are important too. Just as important as the happiness of the baby. Choosing a toy bunny is like saying ”the bunny you give to the baby to make it happy will now give you this product to make you happy”. Also, who doesn’t feel happy at the sight of a super soft bunny plush.
Considering sustainability, I opted not to buy any new items and look at what I already own. As it happens, I have eight fluffy bunnies ready for use from Jellycat, which are specifically marketed as ‘newborn safe’.
In this advert, the prop is the book or vice versa the bunny is the prop for the book. The book makes the bunny feel more alive and having the bunny next to the book makes kids feel like the story has come to life.
From my consumer research I have linked flowers and specifically daisies. My target audience would link this to ‘organic and goodness’ along with them being aesthetically pleasing. If I end up including it on the packaging design it would be good show of continuity.
I had to be careful to not lean toward advertising. Initially, I had the idea to bring a dead flower and a bright healthy flower to show the working effects of the product. I received feedback from my year lead and decided to look elsewhere for a prop. I have to focus on enhancing the packaging which is what I want to highlight as this is my work, not the product.