Re: 3-D Physical Mock Ups

Cookies FantastiqueCookie Queen in Training

I'm finding it more and more important to make physical mock-ups of 3-D cookie art. What is the best way (materials, etc.) to create a mock-up of a 3-D piece? I'm not great with Photoshop or Illustration programs on the computer and have also found myself to be better at visualizing something I can "hold in my hand".

Drawing on paper gives a flat dimension which is great for practicing airbrushing designs with accents (appliques, fondant molds, etc.). However, it's very difficult to see actual dimensions and how some elements of the design will look when put into 3-D.

I've been asked to create a 3-D design that is similar to something I've done before (see images). I want to do a mock-up and change/update some elements to this design. Ideas??? Thanks for any help.

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3/26/192:20 PM

Original Post

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Sweet ProdigySuper Gobbler

Hi Carol, would Playdoh, Plasticine or modelling clay work? I've seen lots of 3D objects made with these. Your cookies look really great BTW

3/26/197:36 PM

Cookies FantastiqueCookie Queen in Training

Sweet Prodigy posted:
Hi Carol, would Playdoh, Plasticine or modelling clay work? I've seen lots of 3D objects made with these. Your cookies look really great BTW

Thanks so much @Sweet Prodigy for your suggestions!! I'm wondering if perhaps any of these might work as long as I can roll it thin enough and it would still be sturdy for "playing" with design ideas...I'll look at it . Thanks again for your reply. I so appreciate your ideas and kind comment about the work . This candy dish was inspired by Julia @Julia M. Usher, which likely comes as no surprise . She's such a master with 3D work. Hopefully, she'll weigh in on this as well.

I so like the idea of being able to hold it in my hands and try various configurations to see what might work well for the project .

3/26/1911:40 PM

Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

Hi, Carol. Sorry for the delayed response. I just got back from CookieCon and am quite overwhelmed with catch-up work and an ongoing home renovation . . . so I'll be brief . . . I'd just mock that up in actual cookies - there aren't that many pieces - and actual cookies will give you the best sense of the end-product. Just build any mock-up time into what you charge for the piece. Custom work is very time-consuming and you need to charge accordingly for upfront design work.

3/27/1912:09 AM

Cookies FantastiqueCookie Queen in Training

Julia M. Usher posted:
Hi, Carol. Sorry for the delayed response. I just got back from CookieCon and am quite overwhelmed with catch-up work and an ongoing home renovation . . . so I'll be brief . . . I'd just mock that up in actual cookies - there aren't that many pieces - and actual cookies will give you the best sense of the end-product. Just build any mock-up time into what you charge for the piece. Custom work is very time-consuming and you need to charge accordingly for upfront design work.

Hi Julia! I'm surprised you got back on this as quickly as you did knowing that you were at CookieCon!!! My goodness but you're a hard working marvel @Julia M. Usher ❤️. Thank you for your suggestion about just using cookies. That's what I've done in the past and it's worked out pretty well overall.

Pricing for 3D work is difficult due to the time consuming nature of the design and decorating work as you said!! I definitely see room for improvement in that area of my business. I've found it ironic that the orders have been coming in at a much faster rate since I significantly raised my prices...I think it's a customer perception of quality that they're more than happy to pay for. Good news for anyone in this business!! From where I'm sitting it seems difficult to turn any real kind of profit unless you get into selling products and/or services (e.g. tutorials, classes, etc.). That may be down the road for me but not at this time. There's still so much to learn .

I'm confident that your work and presentation were more than well received at CookieCon! I wish I could have been there . Attending is one of my dreams...

Again, many, many thanks ❤️❤️❤️

3/27/193:07 PM

Sweet ProdigySuper Gobbler

Thought I'd share this page for fun. See, you can use clay. ☺

https://m.facebook.com/JaMpdx/...nternal&mt_nav=0

You have to scroll down a bit but it shows them piping flowers and borders, etc. Thought it was kind of interesting.

3/29/193:27 AM

Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

Sweet Prodigy posted:
Thought I'd share this page for fun. See, you can use clay. ☺
https://m.facebook.com/JaMpdx/...nternal&mt_nav=0
You have to scroll down a bit but it shows them piping flowers and borders, etc. Thought it was kind of interesting.

Yes, interesting, but what's the value of mocking up in a different medium than the one you'll actually use? I could see the point if it saved time and money, but it seems like it could add complexity, especially if one isn't used to working in that medium.

3/29/196:16 PM