Research Practices cont...

2 days to go and everything seems to be taking shape. I am very happy with the direction of this module as I feel I have delved very deep into this one. I have discovered a lot and very happy with the outcome however I have realised how much there still is to research and experiment.

Devored, lasercut and rust dyed bib and collar.
Peter pan collar.
Bib
Although they are not completely finished, I am very happy with them. I imagined them in my head right from when we had to decide our product choice.

A few things I want to carry on to Extended Research Practices:
Rust Dying and more experimenting.
More advanced pattern cutting.
More advanced laser cutting.

Research Practices

Research Practices prepares you for your year 3. I have taken this opportunity to investigate and explore everything in more depth that I have looked at over the last 2 years. Techniques, Machinery, Pattern Cutting etc.

Lasercutting
Variety of fabrics naturally dyed using rust.
Devored fabric. Here you make a acidy paste and paint onto the fabric, heat up and wash and it burns away the parts where you painted. I really love all these techniques and possibly use them in my prototype.
One of my main inspiration and direction for this fabric was my rust dying, theres so much you can experiment with, the rusty object, the time, the heat, the fabric. This is something I will definitely take forward through to year three.

Lasercutting Induction

After admiring everyone's laser cut work I finally managed to book an induction and a couple of slots on the laser cutter.
I kind of had some idea after watching my friends use the machine several times.

Test Sample I completed which uses all of the different techniques, Cut through, Engraving, Kiss Cut and Rastering.
Different types of engraving, and a jpeg rastered onto wood.
An intricate piece cut out of 3mm acryllic. (Estimate time - 1hour 15mins.)
Programme and saving instructions.
One girl used the laser cutter to cut out her brand in wood, she then put several papers through a press with the wooden stencil which then embossed it almost onto the paper (Above Left)

This is a technique Im definitely interested in!!

I have my first session on my own booked in for tomorrow, Im going to try create my own lace, almost like the red design on the acrylic but as its my first time I think Im going to do something simple first to get used to it!

PPD 2 - Revisiting my 3rd year...

Having finished our time with our 3rd year, I still catch up with Crystal on a regular basis as I really love what she does. With 2 weeks before the exhibition everything is coming together.

Coincide has a very strong concept with very a very strong visual identity. The label is very well branded and something I would definitely buy into (I'm getting one put on order for as soon as she hands in and has time).

Crystal has done a lot of promotional work which compliments the brand very nicely, this is very important as this is the things people remember.

Crystals work space.
Promotional work - Look books, magazines and swing tags.
Crystal Padmore - Coincide labels which were sent off for embroidering.
Promotional gift bag - (embroidered bag, laser cut earrings, wool necklace with laser cut pendant, recyclable pencil, business card, magazine and look book)
Jewellery to compliment the brand. (Packaging all made from seed paper, once you have bought the garment, you can then plant the paper which grows into flowers.)

THE MAIN THING I HAVE LEARNT FROM CRYSTAL IS...

Be Passionate about your work

Be Confident in your work

and WORK HARD!

Ideas...

"Ideas…they can be about anything.. you have to believe in them to make them real. Otherwise its just a doodle?"

A quote I received today from a friend,a fellow art student at a different university.

PPD 2 - My 3rd year - Crystal Padmore

I was so pleased with my 3rd year, I had already been speaking to Crystal previous to us been allocated our 3rd year so when I got told I was paired with her I was so happy. We had been discussing sustainability as her collection was an ethical range based on nature and I was writing my essay on this subject for my contextual studies so she lent me her library books which was really helpful!

Here are some of my favourite shots from Crystals sketchbook, they are very inspiring as they are very tactile and informative and I think its quite similar to how I work. I have learnt a lot about composition of work from Crystal as that is one of my weaknesses, I think about where to put things on the page which takes up a lot of my time.

From doing her research, these are the garments she has made for her label 'coincide'. She made a combination of garments and matching bags. The are made up of a variety of materials such as wool, hand knitted and machine knitted and the base of the jumper is bamboo wool which is biodegradable. These garments are very very well made and high quality.

Jason de Caires Taylor

From looking underwater as our initial research for the creative team module I came across an artist called Jason de Caires Taylor. Jason is an under water sculpture in which he creates artificial coral reefs to reduce the human trafficking from the natural coral reefs. these reefs gradually change over time creating, texture, colour and a home for the sea life.

400 sculptures underwater - Cancun, Mexico.

These sculptures remind me of an underwater heaven. Each of these people were handpicked to be casted and sculpted to make it more real. They all have their eyes shut from the casting however this give me shivers as I feel like they are all dead. This is one piece of art work I will go and see.
A home from sealife.
Vicisstudes

I think his work is amazing, not only is it creating an ever changing piece of artwork, it is also helping the earth. This is what every artist/designer should consider.