De-construct/ Reconstruct: week 2

I don't think I produced enough work for a two week project. There was a disconnect with this project even though I did end up enjoying it. After hearing the feedback from the crit I realised I could have taken the idea's much further. I used denim so I should have re-worked it so it's unrecognisable. This was valid feedback, I am very safe with my drawings and techniques I need to work towards thinking more out of the box.

De-construct/ Reconstruct: week 1

I spent week 1 completing 3 workshops: 1. A styling workshop where we had to restyle old clothes to create new ways of wearing, 2. Another styling workshop where we had to cut up the clothes creating new complete garments and 3. To create abstract collages inspired by de-constructing and reconstructing. I did not take to the project too well, I never engaged with the title like I should have. I found working with the existing seam lines and shapes to be challenging. I also found I was using the clothes to create 'pretty dresses' which defeats the purpose. By the end of the week I started to understand the idea a bit more and began working towards my final piece.

I thought that it would be a good idea to collaborate with a Promotions student as we both needed photo shoots. I said I would complete the piece by the following Wednesday which will give her time to plan and shoot it. This tuned out to be a disaster and I didn't like how she resolved the shoot. In future I will take full control of everything, and not let my fears intrude on getting results.

3 Words: week 2

By the end of the 2 week I had completed an okay body work. Nothing to scream and shout about but I do like certain works. I spent the last week focused on designing so I began with collage work and working on the stands. I came to a resolution of 6 designs and 4 prints. Designing this way meant that I had 2 stand workshops to look to for help with shape. Overall I liked the freedom, I think this is evident through out my sketchbook. I feel I have developed a style and a way to work which I find comfortable.

However throughout the project I never quite established a solid colour scheme so rendering the prints on the designs proved to be very difficult. The colours and the density of the patterns clashed and made it hard for the prints to sit with the garments harmoniously.

If I could re-do the project I would focus more on the design side and just keep drawing. I find that this sketchbook lacks basic fashion drawings and illustrations. I need to be designing and refining at every stage. But I find that I enjoy making prints and using Photoshop. I also think they make the illustrations look more real and finalised without making each and every garment. next time I would also not just focus on jackets and make sure I have a complete collection of tops, trousers and dresses with outerwear and knitwear.

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: