Fashion and textiles pathway-photoshop workshops

Two days of the introductory project focused on using photoshop to create digital prints. This was really interesting as I have wanted to know how to create repeat prints for quite a while now. The first session was an introduction into the different techniques and skills needed to make the prints and two examples we created can be seen below:

The second session was focused on using what we had learnt to make prints using imagery that related to us specifcally. I chose a selection of images from my moodboard to draw as I wanted to make prints that didn't use photographs themselves. I am really happy with how the prints came out as I think I managed to capture my style whilst using the digital media, which can sometimes be difficult. I think I got on well with the task as I really liked being able to experiment with photoshop and liked learning how to create digital collages. I have learnt that it takes quite a long time to create successful images digitally and it isn't as much of a quick solution if you want to make work that possesses your personality. Below are the images of my drawings, digital collages and prints:

We also learnt about rendering which you can use to place the patterns you make on top of figures in order to see how they would work on garments. Below are my prints on Erdem and Givenchy catwalk looks:

Fashion and textiles pathway-styling and photography

Today was focused on styling and photography and was a really enjoyable day. We had to bring in a photobooth style self portrait (which can be seen below) and I chose to use images of my shoes and socks to evoke a sense of my personality through the clashing patterns and colours that inspire me daily.

We then had a talk on styling and photography which I found really interesting and it went through different people in the industry, some of whom were new to me. A particularly good discovery was the work of Alisdair Mclennan and Alister Mackie who have worked together on the magazine, Another Man. With their inspirations drawing heavily from the music of the twentieth century and its associated style, these were really great names to find out about. We then moved onto the styling workshop which was really fun as we only had a short time to create a variety of looks using not only our own styling kits, but each others. Below are a selection of images that were taken during the workshop:

PUT IN IMAGES

The next part of the day involved planning a photoshoot that expresses our personality through the styling. I decided my concept would be styling my mum as if she were me in order to display any similarities between us. I then decided to include my dad in the shoot in order to try out men's styling, an area I am really keen to explore. I also decided I wanted the aesthetic of the shoot to resemble teen bedrooms inspired by films such as Grease and The Virgin Suicides. I then created a variety of moodboards that explored poses, styling, location, hair and makeup and lighting. The aesthetic of these aided my decision in the style of my folder for the two week project.

I then completed the photoshoot in my own time which can be seen below. I am extremely pleased with how the shoot turned out as I think I managed to sucessfully capture the mood I desired. I also hope the images show the detailed planning I put into the shoot and I think they've achieved their aim in exploring parental similarites between myself and my parents.

I really enjoyed this workshop and I think I got on well with the task as I put a lot of effort into each stage. I am really pleased with what I achieved and I think it was successful in that I followed an idea from beginning to end and learnt about all the different stages involved in styling and photography. I recieved positive feedback about the work I completed which helps give me confidence about what I have created. I have learnt how detailed the process of planning and executing a shoot is from this workshop which is good as I haven't really completely done a shoot from concept to finished images before. I could have improved my planning better in that I spent time choosing each outfit rather than trying to put them together during the shoot. This has made me learn that each step needs to be completed before the shoot as this put time constraints on the shoot. The lack of light did however make me realise I could create effective imagery using flash and I realised I liked this aesthetic along with the natural light. An important thing I learnt from the shoot was that I really enjoyed men's styling and I found it almost came more naturally than styling for a woman. Although I really enjoyed the styling, I am sure I want to do a design degree and this experimentation into menswear has made me seriously consider menswear.

Fashion and textiles pathway-knitting

Today we started the first day of our pathway stages and in my case this is fashion and textiles. After a short introduction to the pathway, we began the knitting workshop. After seeing these machines being used by others in the past six weeks, I was eager to try them. We had an introduction on how to set up the machine and begin using them followed by a tutorial on several different techniques and styles, such as lacehole and orange peel. This then culminated in the creation of an a4 size sample that combined different techniques and allowed us to properly experiment with the complex machines. I struggled initially with the completion of the small samples and fell a little behind however after perservering, I managed to achieve something that resembled knitting. I enjoyed the task overall and I think with more practise I would be able to create work that sat well amongst my existing style. From this task, I have learnt that it is crucial to keep trying and not give up as it is possible to expand your skills. I think my samples have a certain character to them despite lacking a high technical ability. I like the way in which I worked with technical issues, such as a broken needle that created laddering, to make them part of the design. There was no part of the knitting workshop that I found particularly easy as it was a completely new process and skill to learn. This workshop was difficult in terms of time management as I fell behind due to being unable to complete samples in time. I however spent extra time working on them to complete the tasks. I'm not sure how I would improve upon this as I am aware it takes me a while to learn skills and so I know to allow extra time to grasp the steps.

I also took my samples further by photocopying them, changing the hue and collaging on top of them. I am really pleased with the results as I think they capture the style I work in and personalise the knitting.

Fashion and textiles pathway-my moodboard

Reflective summary of the Exploratory stage

I have really enjoyed the exploratory stage as a whole as it has been a good chance to try out pathways  that I have previously touched on as part of my education. The pathway I enjoyed most has to be Fashion and Textiles as I relished the chance for creative freedom and found the process from sample to the photo shoot of the garment the most satisfying. It made it easier to understand the journey designers go on and felt like a good taster of what would be to come if you chose that pathway-I have decided to choose this pathway for a number of reasons. I did however enjoy different elements of all the rotations such as the unexpected nature of 3D and the chance to fully test out what we had made. In the graphics pathway, I found the creation of typography interesting as you can create letters from the most unlikely of experiments. The lens based media rotation made me realise the importance of a story and it was fun developing a story in groups and hearing what others had created. If I were to complete the exploratory stage again, I would try to be even more experimental in the rotations that I wasn't immediately drawn to as this is an experience I won't really get again. I am however pleased with the work I created over the time and I am also glad of the student blog, despite it feeling a chore at times, as it allows me to go back and see the moments that already feel a long time ago.

Two exhibitions I went to this weekend-Brutal and ICA Off-Site

This is just a quick post about two exhibitions I went to this weekend whilst taking a break from getting ready for assessment. I didn't take any pictures due to recent camera issues but instead just tried to enjoy the exhibition in the moment. The first exhibition I went to was on Friday evening and was at the 180 strand, a large dilapidated building that was absolutely perfect as a backdrop for the work. The exhibition was called Brutal(http://www.lazinc.com/brutal/booking) and was meant to put viewers on edge and re imagine the gallery as a setting for art. It began with a performance piece of three gas mask wearing boys with baseball bats and metal poles which immediately heightened your awareness. You then followed them to the main gallery space and down stairs to a labyrinth style expanse with dark lighting, dripping sounds and deliberately frightening work. It was one of the best exhibitions I have ever been to and I would highly recommend it- I will probably go back to take photographs as I can foresee the aesthetics of both the building and the artwork providing influence in the future  The second exhibition I went to was on Saturday and I had been meaning to go for a long time. It was the ICA Off-Site: A Journey Through London Subculture: 1980's to Now (http://www.ica.org.uk/?lid=38334) and included work from some of my favourite designers, Giles Deacon, Julie Verhoeven and Meadham Kirchoff. Although more typical in it's method of displaying compared to Brutal, it was still a really interesting visit and I am definitely glad I caught the exhibition in time.

Lens Based Media rotation reflective summary

I think I got on well with the tasks I was given as I tried to put effort into each task and thought carefully about what I would create. I am quite pleased with what I have achieved on the whole especially the drawing from one of the images from memories in my environment. I also like the pictures I took which were inspired by a selection of words including happy, sad and echo. I was less pleased with the storytelling element of the work I made as I don't think it was as strong as the visual elements of the work I created. I got positive feedback about my work and this helped as it is a nice feeling to know that other people appreciate the work you make. I have learnt from the overall tasks that the story is just as important as the visual result and that goes for all pathways not just lens based media. I learnt this during the rotation in general as it was very heavily story based and I will use this in my future work whatever I create as it gives the work more depth. I think the work I created was successful in that I still managed to retain my style such as through the inclusion of dinosaurs in my story as this is a motif that has ran throughout my work in the other rotations. I was not happy with the story telling elements of my work as I think I could have put more time into creating more original and well developed stories as opposed to referring back to common stories that have been recreated several times. I don't think I found any elements of this rotation particularly easy as I am not used to the camera being my main focus (excuse the pun) rather it being an accompaniment to my mixed media style. My time management could have been improved in that I should have spent more time considering the shots as opposed to rushing into shooting. I will learn from this in that the planning is crucial to the final result no matter what you are creating.