A new semester; a new project

This is the final project I do at the University of Leeds. Second semester of the third year. I can hardly pin point where the years have gone... I have enjoyed most modules and all three years have been a learning curve.

There has always been something to challenge me. This year has been stress upon stress trying to write a 12,000 word dissertation. I can tell you where most hours of procrastination went. Finding new series on Netflix is always a good option for boredom. Never the less, I am almost at the deadline now and that will NOT be a piece of work that I miss. Digitally printed textiles on the other hand, I love and want to carry on after University. Hopefully get a job and work in the Design world.

I started this blog in first year to document and keep an online log of drawings, sketchbook work, CAD/photoshop development, laser cut fabrics etc. I found that the modules taking up most of my time were the academic/written ones. Pattern & Culture through history for example. Whilst I found this interesting, I wanted to keep my blog mostly about the visuals. This worked in my favour. During exam period, or a heavy work schedule, I could almost re-inspire myself with my own work.

It's not all University work. In fact, the majority of posts are things I have done outside of class. When I got my beautiful DSLR Canon camera, I went even more photography crazy than I already am! My parents got me a big compact camera for college back in '10 and ever since I have been that annoying friend that snaps pictures wherever I go. Now I can use my camera to capture my textiles work in high quality, (need to go back through the best work and put onto blog), and I use photography to document primary research. Like the flowers for my next project!

I have a love/hate relationship with my development & final designs. I either become overly precious and feel lost without when its handed in for marking! Like having no handbag or purse on a night out. Or, it's a relief to be looking at something new! When the deadline comes, you know you could have carried on with the project, but all you want to do is to be finished and get rid of it. Thats usually around the time that I make a new blog post.

Florals for Summer fashion 2014

I can't help but feel florals has been overdone on the catwalk this year. However, they never really go out of style. I really like the idea of a 'secret garden' theme, but I know I have to make it my own and individual to make it stand out. No more 'Kaleidoscope mirroring' on photoshop this time. Which is sad because that is the quickest way I know how to make a repeat tile.
I have been inspired by designers recently using the garment as a blank canvas, using a painterly style to be expressive, and it really suits my style of working! My last two years at university, I have been figuring out how to draw aesthetically pleasing, graphic style, motifs and put them into repeat. So, I am looking forward to going back to a more free flowing, creative style.

Sketchbook development; Colour studies from florals.

Placement; textile design

Final Designs; Generate Collision

Choosing my colour palette

Pantone Colour trend 'Fluidity' was my original colour palette. The original set of colours in my designs were not working together so I decided to change it to appeal more towards my chosen target market.

‘Fluidity Gliding gracefully through watery channels, Fluidity is the palette that understands the inevitable human need for life-sustaining cool water tones, rendered largely in dazzling blues and blue-greens. ese cooling hues are underscored by shimmering sea grass shades and undersea-creature colors, such as absinthe green, violet tulle, blazing Samoan sun, dewberry purple and two eye-arresting orange-coral tones.’

By keeping just the blue and green shades, the palette for the final designs is now made up from analogous colours. Colours that are next to each other one the colour wheel. Creating harmonious blends and the blue and green combination suggest a calm surrounding, ideal for a bedroom.

Soap Film Photography

After researching how artists have made contrasts or collision in their work, I came across work that were photographs of water colliding with light.

Using water as a starting point as rain had affected my sketchbook drawings in the city. This technique is an interesting way to get results that cannot be controlled.

I wanted to take it a step develop this idea and found amateur photographers that have photographed soap films.

To create a soap film you mix water with washing up liquid, make a metal circle or square out of wire and place it into the mixture. It should come out the same effect as a child's bubble blower, you place it against a black background and shine a light at a 45 degree angle. Together they produce brightly coloured and constantly moving shapes until the mixture gets thin and bursts.

Textural Black Print

This week was all about using black paint. I experimented using textures and folded paper to create geometric prints. They are interesting visually, however would not work as motifs. After putting them into Photoshop I repeated sections of the prints and made textural backgrounds. Unfortunately the dark colour was too harsh and not the effect I wanted in my designs.

Doing this has inspired me to look at other mediums instead of using black pens. To create collision I need to look which materials I can use and the techniques to achieve the right style.