Friday, 24 October 2014

Personal Manifesto

Authors own image
My intension for my Manifesto was to focus on my weakness of the fear of making mistakes. I feel it would help me relax when creating work and improve my quick experiments and development process. I also aimed not to rely on Photoshop within my development and tried using a range of materials to create visually interesting outcomes. I really enjoyed layering tracing paper with hand drawn typography on because it formed dimension and texture. The rough appearance also contributed to the feeling of mistakes and inspired me to experiment with other materials and techniques.
Authors own image

Authors own image
I also explored moving typography on a photocopier to produce unusual forms within the lettering as if the manifesto is being disturbed; I feel the outcomes from this are successful as they represented the theme of mistakes and presented an interesting visual. From this I used Photoshop to enhance the outcomes by simply changing the contrast to improve the colour within the photocopies. I also explored spacing between the letter forms and simple replaced them with colours - The idea was to question if it was a mistake to not have words within a manifesto? I feel the composition of the random yet organised forms would draw an audience into my work as they would want to discover more about it and my thought process. However, I chose not to use this idea as my final outcome and revisited the technique of layering typography, I feel the layering within my manifesto gives a messy, chaotic visual which becomes confusing for my audience. Although this feeling and atmosphere is successful and it meets my expectation of not being a perfect outcome, but one which represents many experiments and my thought process through each stage of my development. 
Overall my manifesto has improved the way and speed in which I work, I feel this will continue throughout future work and help me further my experimentations without being afraid of producing unsuccessful work.


Authors own image

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Who Am I?

Authors Own Image
The aim of this first graphics task involved designing a square which represented who I am as a person and where I see myself within the design industry. I chose to illustrate my design as I felt this would make my design unique, I feel the illustration was successful as the diverging lines create movement whilst also being visually interesting. My intention for the pattern was to express the many paths I may take in order in finding myself within design; I also feel it represents a maze which is appropriate to how I am feeling - I am yet to understand who I want to be but continue to experiment and explore to discover my own unique style. 
Authors Own Image
I based my typography around the word 'Identity' and illustrated the letter forms. However, my hand drawn typography did not meet my expectation and I feel it is unsuccessful. To improve this I used Photoshop smudge tool to distort the edges of each letter; I feel this technique helped my typography and images harmonise and work together. Overall I feel my outcome is successful as it contains elements of my personality and explores my identity within design, I also feel the bright, bold colours are   eye catching and help my work stand out and capture peoples attention.




Friday, 3 October 2014

Fashion Rotation

To begin the fashion rotation I had to select a painting, I chose this abstract one because I enjoyed the movement of the abstract paint and the layered coloured which connotes a happy, exciting atmosphere. I then had to use a view finder which allowed me to focus on small sections of the painting, it also highlighted small detail which I had previously missed. I developed the 2dimensional painting into 3dimensional sculptures. My first outcome was inspired by the harmonising curves of paint forms, it also focused on the aspect of layering which is reflected through each strip weaving in and out of each other. I feel this outcome was successful because the larger photocopy of the painting formed eye catching colours and the layered weaved strips emphasised the painting jumping towards the audience. I feel the shadows produced by this structure was visual interesting and the diverging lines contributed to the dimension and movement. I then went onto a discreet visual which used a simple arched form and lines; my intention was to focus on the movement within the painting. I also used sketchy lines in a range of colours to create texture within the sculpture; I feel this outcome is successful when placing a like onto it because it creates unique and interesting shadows. However, I could improve my work by using colour on both sides, this would enable my fun and exciting theme to continue throughout the sculpture and from every angle. My third and final outcome used curved shapes and a pastel green colour, I feel this is the least successful outcome because the visual does not appear sophisticated or link to my starting point of the painting. Although this could be improved by developing the scale and colour chosen. I feel a range of colours would create the exciting atmosphere and a larger scale would mean I could add more elements and detail to my sculpture. Overall I really enjoyed the process of this task and helped me understand how a 2dimensional subject can be developed and transformed into a 3dimensional outcome.
Following on from this I enlarged the scale of my first outcome and repeated it eight times; I feel the larger sculptures as individuals are visually unsuccessful, but when positioned as a collective creates movement and texture throughout the diverging lines. I feel the larger scale could be improved with accuracy and considering the colour but because there was a small time frame to do this each paper strip was not exactly the same size and the colour used was simple, white.
The next step involved getting into pairs and combining our large scale outcome. We did not use our outcomes, instead the class rotated around the room where we explored each
 others creations with the influence of one word, this included extravagant, height, shoulders and neck. I really enjoyed this task because it challenged the speed at which I work and encouraged me to experiment with a range of compositions and textures. I feel the outcomes I created were successful and I could imagine them as a functional piece of clothing. We then returned to  our original large scale materials where me and my partner produced two fashion items in the time given. Overall I adored the tasks and feel I have learnt new skills, I feel I would like to develop these ideas throughout the week and will challenge myself with new ideas and inspiration from other students, existing designers and artists.


The second day of fashion consisted of collage, I began by using existing fashion photographs from magazines; these acted as a sihoulette for my clothing and accessory ideas. I seeked inspiration from my outcomes from the previous day and used a range of paper to create my design. I feel my first outcome is successful because the colours harmonise and the shoulder structures become a statement piece. I also used a fringe effect which hung from the shoulders; my intention for this is to create movement and texture as the person moves. I feel this would be visually pleasing and also change the appearance of the outfit (different forms produced from the movement). I would improve this outcome by considering where the position of the models arms would go, and the accessibility of wearing this piece. I would also consider if my outfit would be physically appropriate for everyday use or if it would need to be adjusted. My next design focused on layering a range of paper, again I used a fringe technique but this time used it to create soft, harmonising curves. I feel this outcome is successful because it is visually effective and has a strong structural element. I would like to develop this idea by experimenting with a range of colours to understand how colour affects the outcome of my design. I also feel the curved forms would be successful as a variety of garments such as a dress or head piece. Overall I enjoyed this method of working because it enabled me  to create designs quickly and successfully. Following in from this I made a template involving five top designs and five bottom. I then referred back to my previous outcomes and artist's painting to create clothing collections. I really enjoyed this technique because the variety of pattern was sometimes by chance and the unexpected was successful. I feel I could improve my outcomes by considering the pattern and colour on the garments; I could do this by planning on the position I place my template.
My final fashion design involved the original chosen painting; my intension was to create a crazy and fun hat/mask which would be reinforced by the bright, colourful painting. Although I planned the design and had a clear understanding of my intensions, I did begin to improvise because of the small time frame I had to complete the outcome in and feel this interrupted my accurate planning. However, I feel my outcome was successful because the layered, diverging forms produce texture and movement; it also makes a unique and individual visual. The mask did not meet my expectations because I aimed to cover half of my models face to connote a sense of mystery. I could improve this by considering the scale, I would also experiment with a range of pattern and colour to understand how it affects the outcome. I feel my photographs are successful, especially the ones involving a white background as it makes the colours of the hat stand out and become the main focus. 

Overall this week has expressed how quick and easy techniques can develop into sophisticated outcomes. I will be using these new skills in my future work and experiments as my planning and outcomes have been successful this week.