EVALUATION

I intend to continue developing the themes within this project for unit x, focusing my energy on producing a collection of vibrant, contemporary digital designs. During the Practice project, my drawing skills have developed vastly and unit x will give me the opportunity to further explore the possibilities that can be reached by combining a range of drawing qualities with photographic elements. I have not yet decided whether this collection be for an interiors or fashion context, but intend to explore the possibilities of both before making an informed decision as to which context the designs are best suited for.

From the Practice project, I have produced a refined collection of dynamic interior prints, showcasing my digital and drawing skills. As well as this I have demonstrated diversity and a broad interest in design by producing a collection of silk scarf designs alongside my major project. There is a range of methods and processes explored within each collection which I have gone on to evaluate and dissect which processes are more successful for my designer outcomes. I have researched into both interior and fashion accessory companies, identifying these as my target market and producing designs by similar means as the in house designers would there. My eccentric, yet sophisticated interior collection would fit successfully into an interiors company, with the potential to be printed onto silks and velvets to create a luxurious collection like those created by the in house designer’s at Designers Guild. My vibrant and energetic scarf collection would work successfully along side the interior collection at a company selling both fashion and furnishings.

EVALUATION AND FUTURE INTENTIONS

Working on minor and major project with different outcomes in mind has allowed me to experiment with design techniques and processes. Working in a multidisciplinary way, I have produced a contemporary and eclectic mix of prints for interiors, showcasing my skills in hand painting along with my digital ability to work in repeat. My minor project has allowed me the freedom to use photographic and textural elements, deigning for a digitally printed fashion outcome. I feel I have developed my skills in both digital and hand screen print during this project. Unit X will give me the give me the chance to challenge myself and progress my practice further by combining the two. Furthermore, Unit X will allow me the opportunity to elaborate on the elements within this collection, adding more depth to my theme through further research into traditional tribal lifestyles and textiles. I feel I haven't take the traditional African dying techniques to their limits and would like to experiment further with more natural dyes in unit X. I would also like to develop some of the ideas within this collection into potential fashion prints.

INTERIOR COLLECTION

My final refined collection of interior prints incorporate an exciting and unique combination of floral design with tribal mark making. It has been an important factor for me to make sure every designs is very different from the last, but tied together through the bold colour pallet. 

SILK SCARF COLLECTION

By manipulating and layering my drawings on photoshop, I've created a small collection of vibrant scarf designs. Experimenting with composition, I explored the idea of two sets of corners revealing different textures and colours; making the scarf multi-directional. The more spontaneous drawings I created for this collection became the most successful in the development stage. The quicker mark-makings i did in the initial drawing stages have made for the most energetic designs.

I wanted each scarf to incorporate very different elements, so no one scarf has a similar look to another. I ensured this through using a variety of drawing techniques and exploring a range of scales. in one of the designs; I have incorporated photographic elements. This has worked successful when transferred onto medium weight silk; adding vibrancy to the already saturated photographic imagery, giving the collection a contemporary feel.

I felt that working on this minor project for a fashion context has allowed me the opportunity to explore more experimental techniques of drawing and digital design that would have most likely been too loud to put into a repeat for interiors.

MARK MAKING

Thinking of ways in which to incorporate tribal imagery into my collections, I decided simple mark markings, like the ones painted onto the bodies of the Surma tribe in clay, would create a complementary contrast to the smooth, painterly floral designs I had been working with thus far. I used scraps of discarded wood with a variety of wet media to create a quick, vast range of marks which I could then take into Photoshop to create patterns and repeats with. This technique proved to be successful in creating the contrast I wanted. Moreover, this exercise has clarified to me that often, my faster, more spontaneous drawing are often the ones I chose to develop in the design process. Had these marks not been created so freely and in such an imprecise way, it is likely they would not have the same look of movement and energy.

DESIGN CENTRE CHELSEA HARBOUR

Researching into the design centre at Chelsea Harbour has been highly beneficial for me to discover the vast range of high end design companies working to the same context as myself. Many of the companies showcased in the design centre have been established for over a hundred years, yet are producing contemporary fabrics and printed designs alongside their signature pieces.

Sanderson, established in 1860, is heavily influenced by original William Morris documents, but gives their collections a contemporary twist on floral repeats through their exciting colours and variation on scale.

OSBORNE AND LITTLE

Osborne and Little's Eden fabrics, designed by renowned fashion designer, Matthew Williamson incorporate brightly coloured animal prints and luxurious floral designs in a modern interpretation of Myths and Legends. Williamson, like Christian Lacroix, has predominantly worked as a fashion designer. However, both designers take a cross disciplinary approach to designing, proving that skills in design can be transferrable of a range of contexts. Both designers inspire me to pursue an open minded approach to design, often deciding what my designs are best suited for after they have been produced.