3 Words: week one.

We started the projected by going to two exhibitions, Only in England by Tony Ray Jones and Martin Parr  and the Sarah Lucas exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. I found that the only in england exhibition went over my head but the sarah lucas exhibition was engaging. Upon entry I dismissed it, thought nothing of it and missed every sexual innuendo possible. But as I walked upstairs I started to notice my surroundings more. Her work was very aggressive and in your face, lacks subtly and tact. She has a very masculine approach to intercourse, blunt and to the point. No romance or chivalry just sex. Lucas tackles the subject matter in a plain and obvious way, not too intricate to decipher, nevertheless I enjoyed it.

Over the course of the first week of 3 words I managed to get a lot done, I took photographs and drew from them, I used them and the images from my mood board to create more interesting shapes and things to look at. It was a very organic and intuitive way to start and over the course of the first three taught days I began to think about print. Many things fell in place for me and it was just about developing those ideas further. I don't feel I ran out of fresh ideas to do. I feel that I engaged with the theme and concept of 3 words very well. I chose nick knight, magnify and chaotic. On the 3rd taught day we were given 2 workshops to complete, the first was inspiring and got me to think about how I could challenge exhibiting silhouettes but I felt the second workshops wasn't as inspiring. It felt very childish but I understand the point was to get us to work in different and more interesting ways.

In hindsight I don't think I should have spent the first week of a two week project doing research for a print when I am not a textiles or print designer. This was a major waste of time as I have no sketches, roughs or initial ideas. Prints will not showcase my core designing skills. next time I will spend 1-2 day on collating research then head straight into designing.

For next lesson I need to have starting thinking bout shape and silhouette and start to create initial ideas.

Industry- day 6/ Crit

Even though i was disappointed my group didn't win anything i was pleased with the fact that I did well in my first group activity. i proved to myself that i can work in a group with no drama and still take the lead and be 'bossy'. I was able to make my voice heard without be too over baring. However I think in a group like the one I was in a strong voice was necessary as everyone wanted to be diplomatic and friendly.  I like that amongst all the chaos my ideas are prevalent, we were able to merge everyones ideas together and you can tell straight away.

I am disappointed that we didn't have enough time for feedback during the crit but during the 2 week we were told out concept was strong.

In hindsight i feel as if i could have completed more work for my sketch book. I recognise that i did relax abit and let my sketchbook book work slip.

Industry- day 5

As a group we successfully completed our  individual tasks. we had a group meeting at the beginning of the day to feedback our work and concerns. Everyone was given the opportunity to again voice their opinions as communication is key in group work. It seemed as though everyone had completed the tasks they were set. 

I pushed everyone hard to give me their pictures for the development board as it was one of the last things that needed to be done. Once we had this completed we then made a start on the presentation.

Industry- day 4

By the end of the day I had completed my tasks for the group work. Myself and Flavia drew up the final collection ready for them to go to the print designer. We worked quite well together, no complaints and we got the job done.

For my own work i started looking at origami and structured shapes you could made with paper. It suited the stiff and rigid look of the designs inspired the greek columns. I found out that the photocopier is a way to create interesting shapes and patterns very quickly. My findings will help me design the final collection, from the laying and overlapping of the origami folds to the juxtaposition of shapes.  

Next time I will do more interesting research like the origami just so i have more references to draw from. 

For the next lesson I will make a start on drawing up the final collection and use photoshop to make prints using the photo's I took.

Group Finals:

Photos I took:

   

Industry- day 3

By the end of the day I completed 50 or so rough roughs which enabled me to then start developing them further. I shared my ideas so far with my group, suggesting that one designer in the group take the responsibility of drawing up the final designs, just so we have a cohesive collection. The other designer took this responsibility. We called a group meeting so that they could pick their favourites and input ideas. Communication amongst the group was good, I felt that I gave everyone the opportunity to speak and voice their opinions, good or bad. they decided my drawings needed to be adapted for autumn/winter and I needed at least one trouser outfit or jump-suit to stay within the parameters of Katrantzou. 

Next time I do a group project like this where everyone has very different tasks I will try to keep my self up to date in what the other team members are doing on a regular basis, just so I know things are progressing at an efficient pace.

 

In preparation for next lesson I will have completed the design development for my book consisting of 24 design variations. Also photograph flowers for prints.  

Industry- day 2

I had a successful day completing all the tasks i set for my self. I went to the fashion and textile museum   to see the Glamour of Bellville Sassoon. I took pictures of the silhouettes and shapes of the dresses. Bellville Sasson dressed many high society women in the 50's and 60's but one of their main high profile clients was Princess Diana. I also took photo's around London Bridge.

If i could do it again I would spend the day gathering lots of pictures, more than necessary. i have a habit of only taking a few, reviewing them at a later date, then not liking the photos I took or not being inspired by the photo's I took. I did my best to draw as much inspiration from the the forms and lines I saw in the architecture. 

At the end of the day team Mary K. got together to discuss the days work. Everyone had made a start on their tasks and it seemed like everyone had a clear idea of they needed to do. We then discussed what need to be done for the next lesson.  

For next lesson I will need to print out my research as well as try to collate and bring together all of the different elements (the mood board, the museums and the pictures around london). I will need to have made a start on the 50 rough ideas.

Industry- day 1

Our brief for the industry project was to develop a fully resolved concept for A/W 15 using a quote and a designer. I was put in a group of 7 to tackle Mary Katrantzou and together we chose the quote 'There are massive gaps in this essay, it is broken and re-wound, not always knowing yet searching.

Respond, exchange, converse. Be a traveller in this novel, even if only for a while' 

As a team we worked okay together, not bad. We brainstormed Katrantzou and the quote and came up with a theme quite quickly. I soon found out I was in a group with many quite personalities which was a contrast to my loud personality. I immediately took a back seat as I know I can be bossy and over powering. Next time I will not be submissive and take the back seat just to ease other peoples feelings, if necessary I will be 'bossy' and delegate so i am 100 percent sure things are getting done. 

Working our way through many different concepts and combinations we decided to explore the words broken and traveller. Katrantzou was born in Greece but moved to both the US and the UK, just like many of us, she is multicultural. London was our starting point because it is the epitome of multicultural. we began looking in book and gathering pictures. 

For the next lesson i will research current exhibitions I feel will be influential as well as locations in london to take photographs. 

Week 8

Project Completion week was about me heat pressing onto the fabric, constructing the garment and doing the photo shoot. I loved every minute of this week. I loved the printing whole printing process and learning about the different resources available at Ravensbourne. I loved making the garment and planning the photo shoot. 

we also had a group where we had a chance to veiw other people work. Next time I will aim higher and not make such a simple garment. I will also try to incorporate more sophisticated techniques to set myself out from a crowd. I think I need to stop being safe and try to think outside the box more.  

Week 7

Last week was pattern cutting, film and illustration week. For me this week was about the finalising and bringing the sketchbook to a close. Throughout the week I attempted to finish all uncompleted work. I wanted to take different elements of the previous weeks and put them together so I started working on modifying the prints I made during the digital print week, I developed the rough roughs made in the second week of the course and changed the fashion templates I used. I even started to develop a paper pattern with the help of a Ravensbourne graduate. 

Week 6

Last week was lookbook/trends/ styling week. It was a productive week as I got to experience a small bit of styling and photography. It had always crossed my mind as a way to get in industry and I had always been interested in branding but last week was an eye opener. I did not enjoy it as much as I would.

The week began with a presentation on photographers and stylists. I was immediately drawn to Steven Meisel’s success, being told about his deal with Italian vogue was very interesting. Our first task was to create 6 mood boards for a photo shoot about us (location, props, hair/make-up, styling, mood and lighting, poses and casting). Once I decided what I was going to do the photo shoot on I enjoyed gathering and presenting images, it was not particularity difficult but I always struggle with layout. I am not very confident with layout and structure so mood boards and A1 sheets are a struggle.

Our next task was go trend spotting taking photos of the latest trends on window displays and in store. Unfortunately I had prearranged work experience I needed to do and had no time to do the activity so I looked online for the latest trends. This task was an eye opener because as a fashion designer knowing trends should be something you do all the time. I try and keep myself up to date with trends. The results were feedback to the rest of the class in groups of 4 or 5.

On the last day we were asked to present the final photo shoot. I did not enjoy the week so by this day I had switched of and stopped paying attention. In hindsight this was not the best thing to do as I produced horrible work for the week. I need to learn to work through things I don’t enjoyed instead of switching off.  

Week 5

Last week was accessories week and we were told to make a well thought out accessory based on a personal object. I chose to use my extensions. A black girl bringing in extensions is very cliché but this cliché is true for me. Extensions have been a part of me for many years. I was once known as the girl with extensions.

At the start of the week we were given a presentation on accessory designers that cross over into other fields. The main Designer that stuck me was Iris van Herpen. Her elaborate and intricate details make her clothes and accessories captivating to look at. I was inspired.

Surprisingly I enjoyed the research portion of the week which included gathering as much visual evidence using your object. I used the photocopier to create interesting shapes, patterns, outlines and forms using the hair, I drew the interesting shapes and angles I saw. I felt that I produced interesting patterns.

By the end of the week I produced an oversize epaulette that I am very pleased with. I enjoyed working on the mannequins to help start the design process. 

To improve I would spend more time on the construction. As it is now there are glue gun marks everywhere due to my lack of delicacy and minimal construction techniques. 

Week 4

The previous week was textiles and knitwear week. Overall I think that it was a successful week because I enjoyed it regardless of the fact that I picked up the techniques later than the other students. I found keeping up with the fast pace lessons was a struggle and trying t learn each technique was also a struggle. At the end of the week I ended up with a small selection of samples to put in my files which I am very disappointed with. I was surprised at the fact that it took me longer to pick up as I can hand knit.

To improve on my current sample selection I will try and take out a machine and fill in the blanks.

To conclude that I would not want to solely do a degree in knitwear but I would love to explore knitwear further and learn more about creating garments with yarn.   

Week 3

This week was digital printing and we were asked to create three patterns that embodied who we are. Our starting point for inspiration was answering basic questions about our family history. Who am i? , what is my ethnic background? , what did my grandparents do?. I was brought up in a British household but the Nigerian values and expectations were always very heavily imposed. I my country and try to embrace it when i can and i thought this would be the perfect opportunity. Nigerian (African) textiles is rich, colourful and heavily detailed and correlates very well digital printing.

Having never used photoshop before I was dreading the first encounter. I head that it was very difficult and tricky to use and takes a long time to master. Surprisingly I found the tasks through out the week to be easier than expected and way more enjoyable. I found that I could simulate what I saw on African textiles in my house and what the teacher did to create my own modern take on basic African prints. When creating my repeats at home I was unable to mask the seams if my patterns. This was a problem that shared by my classmates and with more time and practice I will be able to create seamless patterns.

Rendering my patterns onto clothes was also easy for me, the challenge arose when I could see thin white lines around the different cut shapes. They may have been unnoticeable to some people but to me they were ruining the effect. Prime example of where my ability and my exceptions clash. I want to create seamless and professional illustrations but my ability is stunted.

The tutor for the week said that my work was okay and the colour scheme worked well together but to improve I could have varied the scale of the different prints to create more interesting garments. I thought that the outcome was successful as I was able to create three designs and render them onto garments and mount them ready to discuss my thought process.