Sunday 22 May 2011

Favourite Module? Career Direction?

My favourite module or more specifically area of a module, was creating the trend book. I thoroughly enjoyed identifying a trend and providing visuals within a book format to inform an audience of this trend.
I under-took my own styling and samples to feature within the trend book and I still remain very proud of it today... which is surprising as it was the very first 2nd year module.

Generally I enjoy creating mood boards within my practice and identifying the details which allow a collection to work as a whole. I enjoy visualising and communicating a trend to an audience through stylised illustrations... it is the attention to detail which identifies the trend, from what the person is wearing to the way in which they are stood.. what bag they are holding.

My ideal profession would be as a stylist, especially for ASOS magazine, although commercial, I find their styling and shoots very innovative for the young contemporary audience.

I am unfortunately still searching for a work placement and considering broadening my horizons as I have recently been informed that a job as a stylist is rather un-achievable.
I admire the trend analysis' which WGSN provide and how they communicate this to an audience, I also have a flair for fashion writing as I tend to be very descriptive.

Helping with 3rd Year photo-shoots!!

I am grateful that I was asked by 2 3rd year to model for their final collection photo-shoots, as I got to experience first hand exactly what I will be doing in just a years time!!

One of the shoots on the 12th May was for a Pathway A student and was in the studio, the sole focus was creating a 'temptress' mood which the products were designed to create. Close-up shots of the products were also taken.

The other shoot was for a Pathway B student on the 19th May. This shoot really appealed to me as her concept was a 'quirky country' look! This shoot was on location at a stables which made for some great quirky shots... hopefully!

(Hopefully photos to follow!)

Everybody I worked with on both shoots to get the shots were great! If I ever get asked to take part in a shoot again, I will, as it is valuable experience for me and making some good contacts along the way!

Research Practices- Statement of Intent

One of the images I took in Hyde Park, Leeds, that is now developing the direction for my Statement of my Intent.

The toile in progress- with my original sample to be seamed into the side of the hip. Exaggerating the natural female form.



One of my ideas sheets exploring placement of my sample- Below is an example of my assigned 3rd years work (when I was assisting her in year 1), I look to these examples for guidance with presentation as we have a similar style- neat and informative.









Above is the window grate/grill in Hyde Park which inspired me to exaggerate curves of the female form (especially the hip.)






Above is the Physiognomy mood board I created. I created the sample from being inspired by the shape and defining properties of the Japanese eye. The sample was created during my research, therefore I believe that the research/design flow chart given to us cannot always be followed strictly. You should follow the developmental process as it occurs to you.










Research Practices.. quite a surprise!

The two words I chose to fuel inspiration and research were; Pecuniary (meaning measured in money) and Physiognomy (the notion that character traits are visible within the face, especially criminals.)
I realised these words could be extremely challenging but they both interested me, I decided to stay true to myself and go for the challenge, to make up for not doing so in previous modules.

I tried very hard with the research, trying to strike the balance between primary and secondary research; drawing, photography, sampling and imagery. I believe that I have achieved this balance successfully.

Within Pecuniary I looked at architecture, rich and poor areas and with Physiognomy I looked at stereotyping what society perceived as good or evil due to appearances alone.

Ironically at the time of research my student house in Hyde Park was burgled, I had already photographed this area for Pecuniary research... window and door grills especially. Although an awful experience this threw me into the project and I became engrossed in the concept of criminal activity and the door and window grills used to keep criminals out ( I am now using this concept for my Statement of Intent.)

I have fully enjoyed the project ever since!! A nice surprise!

Research Practices- Brief Outline

Another module I was apprehensive at the beginning of, as research is a weak area of mine. I struggle to present it in a visually exciting format. However I felt grateful for this project as it is my last opportunity to improve on research before entering the 3rd year and my research got a poor mark within Application of Design.

We were given a flow-chart diagram within the brief documenting the various stages of research and design development, this I found extremely useful and I will continue to follow this within the 3rd year.

The brief required us to select 2 inspiring words from our year 2 contextual lecture programme and create a body of research based on each word.
We were then to select a page from each body of research to fuse together and develop further into ideas sheets based on one 3d element.
We were then to forward this 3d element into design sheets and produce our final chosen design as a toile.

The final area of the brief consisted of a statement of intent, outlining our plans for 3rd year; for example our concept, colour and silhouette direction, market level and techniques and processes we planned to explore.

Helping 3rd Years on Fridays

This set-up ,which worked so well for me in first year, failed to be beneficial this year. Firstly the 3rd year student I was assigned to never came into sessions, therefore I spent my Fridays asking 3rd years (who already had the help of 2 2nd year students) if they wanted any assistance. Many replied with no.

I felt as though the timing for this set-up had been badly planned, as a 2nd year this was my busiest period, with the run-up to two 20 credit module deadlines and searching to secure a work-placement. 3rd years did not seem to need my help, I couldn't help but feel as though these Fridays were wasted private study time, especially as I work weekends.