Research.
For this project for me I found it important to carry out both secondary and primary research. The forms of primary research I carried out was firstly visiting Moo Design’s store, this was extremely useful as it gave me a better understanding and view of what garments they produce and what kind of person purchases their produce. Whilst I was at Moo I took images to place into my sketchbook for reference. The other primary research I carried out was going on a group visit to Liverpool’s World Museum to take images; information about this visit can be found in an earlier post I created. I really enjoy carrying out primary research; not for every project time is available but if there is it’s a great chance to travel places, for example to museum’s and exhibitions to produce images/observational drawings. The secondary research I carried out was mainly from the use of books I came across in the college library and the use of pinterest.com and searching through google.co.uk. The secondary research I carried out was mainly to find images on Marine Invertebrate Sea Creatures and Avant Garde garments. However I did also carry out secondary research for artist and designer research, to get hold of information on designers I often use style.com as it gives me a large range of designers and their many collections; images of their collections as well as comments from the designers and general information of their collections.
All of the research I carried out was developed, some of my primary research can be found earlier on in my blog and other segments can be found in my sketchbook. The secondary research I carried out is what I decided to develop into research sheets and into my sketchbook. The research I added to my sketchbook and research sheets helped to influence further sheet-work I produced and my final designs. Some other elements were developed within my sketchbook such as use of colour ect but not taken forward for further development; however I did later reference back for final sampling ideas.
The two elements I decided to take forward was the research I carried out on the Lettuce Sea Slug and Sea Urchins and Battle Starfish. I produced pages in my sketchbook based on these topics as well as producing sheet work such as visual sheets which I developed into development sheets. I decided to take these two topics further because they automatically caught my eye, specifically the Lettuce Sea Slug, as I loved the shapes and forms they produce as well as the colours they visually are (bright greens, blues and purples).
When it came to designer and artist research, I decided to focus more on clothing designers and their collections. I have previously created a post earlier on in my clog of the designers I looked into therefore I will not go into it again. I will go into however what designer influenced me the most which was Christopher Kane and his Fall 2011 collection mainly because of how the fabrics were cut, it linked to my Lettuce Sea Slug topic really well and the colours used within the collection influenced my colour theme and choice for my visual sheets and when it came to sampling my design on fabrics. The other chosen designers I researched into linked to this project as I looked into designers who have produced collections focused on ‘Under the sea’ topics; this is where I found Chanel and Peter Pilotto. Also I linked the designers Sandra Buckland and Lainey Keogh to my project with their use of fabric manipulation as Moo the client asked for some manipulated samples.
The Client.
When the client I was working with (Moo) came in to see what progress I had made with project they influenced my colour choices. For example on some of my sheet work I had used a light blue which they really liked and said they currently have some pieces in that colour and it’s a current colour trend for the up coming spring/summer. I kept this in mind when sampling and made sure I produced a range of samples including the blue shade they liked.
When my client came in they also went back over the brief constraints they had set for me. These constraints where the topics they wanted us to look in to and crate a design from it which was Marine Invertebrate Sea Creatures, when I saw this in the brief it was the first thing I looked into as I wanted to understand what the subject actually was and what they wanted me to re-create and to ensure I didn‘t stray from the subject. The other constraints the client had for the project was to sample with light fabrics such as Cotton, Muslin and Azeta because if my design was to be chosen it would be created into garments suitable for spring/summer therefore you wouldn’t want the garment to be made with heavy/warm fabrics. Another constraint they had was the colour palette as they wanted monochrome with one contrasting colour used as much or as little as I wanted. I researched into different shades of monochrome and made sure I varied the shade but stuck to their constraints; the contrasting colours I used was green (lime) for some samples and blue for others. Lastly I feel their biggest constraint was that they only wanted a print produced; there was no embellishment or machining stated, however they said they would like to see some sampled fabric manipulation which I was happy to fulfil.
I feel that if I wasn’t to have any specific client constraints I would of maybe produced some embroidery and embellishment into my design and a few of samples. I would of perhaps experimented with the use of colour a bit more on my samples as well for examples included more than one contrasting colour or different shades together. Also I would of maybe produced samples on some heavier fabrics such as satin and Devore Velvet to see how my design would appear; such as I really liked my Devore’d Azeta and Devore Silk samples so I would of liked to see how it would turn out on Devore Velvet.
Throughout this project I have really enjoyed the chance to work with a client outside of college. I have found it challenging, for example ensuring I fit the client brief with the work I carry out and making sure the work I do carry out it to a standard suitable of showing the client ensuring it inspires them and catches their eye. I found myself worried at some points as it was a live project and I felt I didn’t have enough time to complete everything that had to be done; however once I decided on a design and my screens were ready to produce samples I felt calm and collected, which I feel has helped me to produce a good range of samples and sheet-work. One of the main aspects I have found enjoyable from working with a client is the boost in my own confidence when it comes to presenting my work and talking about different aspects of it. It has gave me experience and made me feel prepared for when I work with another client.
Final Design.
I came to my final design through my Lettuce Sea Slug visual and development sheets. I like the aspect of my visual sheet however I wanted to re position some areas. Therefore on my development sheet I did this and I preferred the initial design aspect. On the development sheet I made it so that it could be repeated however I decided not to repeat it when producing my tracing as it is a design that does not specifically need to be repeated it is centered and can be re-positioned on fabric 360° and still look repeated. I like my design for this project, even though it was simple to re-create as a tracing its what I wanted my design to look like and for when its printed to fill a fabric segment but not over shadow a garment which I feel my simple design does well. With my design being how it is I feel it is easy to re-produce onto a larger length of fabric and for it to be made into either a garment or even interior produce (pillows).
Experimentation.
Throughout this project I experimented with different techniques. Some of which was the use of mixed media in my sketchbook, this included the use of Batik (which I also used on a visual sheet), fabric manipulation (also found with samples) and dissolving fabric. Dissolving fabric was not mandatory but I created a small section which linked really well to a fashion illustration I create for this project sketchbook.
Other experimentation was carried out within the print room. I used various printing processes for my samples for example:
- Devore - I produced 2 Devore Samples (can bee seen in a previous blog post.) I love both of my Devore samples. They have come out really well especially my lime green dyed one (this may be my favourite overall sample).
- Puff Binder - This process was it not suitable for a light garment however I wanted to experiment and see what my design would appear like printing on dyed fabric in black and white and as there is no white pigment puff binder was a great substitution.
- Procion dyes - I produced 3 samples with dyed backgrounds. All of the chosen Procion dyes are what I mixed myself so that they related to my sheet-work. For each recipe I wrote down I I got to the end colour, a recipe if you will, (can be found on the post Sampling).
- Pigment - I mixed all of my own pigments with binder to print with to make sure I had the colour I wanted and no body else’s. The colour I was really happy with that I produced was the Green B and Yellow 2G mix that created a lovely like green to print with.
Highs and Lows I Encountered.
There was one main problem I cam across within this project and that was my screen exposure. I had to problem solve because I had to re-expose my screen making sure it was suitable to print and ensuring my whole design for that screen was printable, which when re--exposed did really well. Another problem solving situation I came across was my tracings; one part of my tracing photo copied to be handed in for exposing fine the other section however would not photo copy correctly the top half of the design kept being missed of. This is where the problem solving came in; I had to photo copy the original tracing twice one photocopy of the top half and the other of the bottom half of my design, I then neatly cut each photo copy in half ensuring the two correct cut section met back together with magic tape so that it could be exposed onto a screen.
- What went wrong? The above explained. (screens and tracings)
- What went well? The sampling I produced. I feel that all of the samples have come out brilliant, there was very little smudging and I am pleased with the range of colour shades and fabrics I used. I feel that I stayed relatively clam and I have personally learnt from previous mistakes in the print room, therefore I came in on my days off to give myself plenty of time to create quality samples. I also feel that my sheet-work overall went more than well. I specifically like my artists research sheets and Lettuce Sea Slug sheets.
- Would I change anything? I wish I had spent a bit more time experimenting within my sketchbook and perhaps looking into more Marine Invertebrates. However I chose what id did because they instantly attracted me. Something else I wish I has adapted and changed was some of my samples I wish I had created a few more samples using blues as the client stated they did like the blue on my sheet-work, but I produced what I did to fulfill the clients brief and some for myself to experiment with use of colour.
End of Project Satisfaction.
Time management. When this project started I was given 6 weekly diary sheets, this is where I jotted down what I had done on each day, how much time I spent on the project each day and what was to be done next or what had to be adapted and improved. I feel I used the diary pages effectively specially on my days off as I wrote down what had to be done for when I got back to college. For all future projects I would definitely use diary pages as they gave me a the chance to see what I had done and what needed to be done for certain days without creating bullet points on random pieces of paper for what had to be done that I usually ignore or misplace. Overall I feel I have managed my time for this project extremely well, I went into college on my days off to get things started or completed. I also made sure I made time for and didn't lack on sheet-work which I have done in previous projects.
My overall satisfaction for this project is good, more than good I am really pleased with myself, I have become more confident when dealing with a live brief and the clients comments on my work and I have produced to me a good selection of sheet-work and samples. For this project alone I have enjoyed working with a client and I have enjoyed doing my sketchbook I produced many fashion illustrations which I have really enjoyed. I feel my strengths for this project was my sampling; I did not rush them which helped me to produce a range of clean varied samples. The only things I wish I had done better on and I will take forward and improve for future projects is my sketchbook, I wish I had completed a few more experimental pages, however this has been my favourite sketchbook from all projects. I have learnt from any previous mistakes within projects, taken them forward and improved the way I work which I will carry on doing through out my academic years and professional career.
Presentation Time.
I did not win this projects outcome of collaborating my design with Moo! BIG sad face!!! But I am extremely happy for my fellow 2 peers who did as I know what a great opportunity it is. Throughout my presentation I feel I spoke confidently and connected well with the clientele. I was calm and collected and presented them with my work I created for this project from start to finish; this included my sketchbook, sheet-work and samples. I felt a lot more confident during this presentation that previous ones and even though I did not win I will take their comments forward and excel, I am not going to put down my own work as I feel I rose throughout this project above my previous standards.
Health and Safety I carried out for this project can be found on my Health and Safety page.
