Natures Armour Embellisments, Cellular Forms,Structures, Micro Patterns.

Major Project Brief

Designing my MA final Collection of Fabrics, Look Book and Journal including theory is something that needs quite a lot of planning. I have been doing theory practice since the beginning of the MA course late last year.
2018 is the beginning of the creative direction that I have been developing. I have started with photography and lino printing to express my concerns and desires for design development and creative direction, I have design methodology on a broad sense since I have been practicing for many years(however I have been teaching since my daughter was born).
My major project is a celebration of textiles and surface design techniques, researching closely with a broad spectrum of techniques including screen printing , digital print , lino printing mixing hand drawn , print and photography. I will also be looking at detailed haberdashery detailing including lazer cutting, wood, metal work components, 3 D technologies(emphasis on the details of accessories, materality and hardware finishing.).Creating haberdashery  accessories to encompass uniqueness of design values. This is key to portraying ultimate direction and a complete ownership of skills and designer critique for a professional portfolio of work.
To clarify in more simple terms my major project brief is based on printing techniques within textiles for fashion and interiors developing surface design concepts utilizing and collaborating other elements/materials as detail and embellishment hardware for finished design concepts. Finished design concepts will be illustrated using hand drawn skills and CAD developments for a final Portfolio Look book to use within my professional working practice to demonstrating how my fabrics and haberdashery can be used in finished products. Developing digital skills in Photoshop, illustrator and in in design will be part of my design development processes.

Collaboration of techniques

Collaborating detailing and embellishment using different printed textile techniques, digital art, embroidery block printing techniques whether real technique or digitized through photography or hand illustration. Creating a de coup-age laying and mixing technique to add charm vintage patina effects Inspired by historical and contemporary Arts and Crafts of the 19th and 20th Century within the broader design brief of Natures Armour elaboration, inner and outer casings , cellular structures  and naturals patterns and colours that nature creates through flora and all creatures great and small. Re visiting Darwin's law of evolution and the reasons why humans want to b e adorned taking a global glob trotting tribal and cultural voyage of visual and creative practice.Injecting an element of surprise due to the threats that evolve within our environment and our biodiversity makes us more aware and interested in connecting with nature designing new moderism through our traditions and historical heritage.Designing within methodologies connected to nature focuses and helps our world preserve our natural world by using natures alaborate decorative visual armour to sooth and comfort lifestyles and living.

The Southwell Trail: the old railway track.

Design Aspirations for Major Project MA

Designing is a place to explore all aspects of textile Art and fashion, in its broadest sense. I like to encompass new contemporary art and design strategies and gain new craft practices using critical analysis, contextual and theoretical. I also like to develop a broader and more technical understanding of modern technologies using photographic printing, screen printing embroidery and photography, using up to date CAD within my design handwriting as a professional designer.

Heritage and Artisan beliefs are a continuing aspect of my practice incorporating eco conscious ethical fashion philosophy. Artisan based design ranges are becoming increasingly popular with many people wishing to save the planet from unnecessary pollution. Materials are vintage or vintage retro where ever possible following my fashion philosophy (historical emphasis within new designs)

My aspirations are about developing vintage inspired print making with embroidered elements (whether printed or actual) patchwork, woven embellished fabrics, knits, crochet, lace cut outs for fashion and interiors for industry using illustrations mini fabric swatches and production packs as the product for working practice.

Entwining beadwork, photographic prints, rock crystals, metal work and antique materials to evoke an opulent style. My main ideology is to create a coherent identity as a working designer exploring other Art and Design disciplines and combining these into my work to create more interest and uniqueness. I like working within different Art and design disciplines to engage with the Arts World developing a broad design discipline across the fashion and interiors industry. Possible Gallery approach to my continuing practice. Pushing the boundaries of fine Art disciplines, by incorporating art installations akin to fashion and interior design.

My design themes for my Autumn/Winter 2018/19 include Migration- including modern art influences, decollage vintage /romantic fusion. Taking contextual themes within seasonal contemporary fashion directions, developing distressed finishes, faded flora’s , hazy blooms/Bucolic Tapestries, Folk Art, 50’s foliage. Developing designs with a montage of fashion eras and inspirations.

My masters is a time for me to indulge in personal creative urges previously encountered, celebrating past practice for a forever wishful awareness of art and design through new media practice.

I would like to follow on from my MA textile course to work as a freelance designer within broader design disciplines and would pursue a PHR in Illustration /fashion /Costume .While continuing part time teaching of Art and Design and general cover teaching work.

The Southwell Trail: Pebbles were once used to pave our streets. 

I will be taking you through a journey explaining my design developments and my directions within my Art and design research. Photography being one of my primary research tools and secondary research will be undertaken via a program of relevant events and visits.Reflecting what was important and what went well what didn't and what to do next?

1st Lino Print

Pale print due to error , however I like this look.

These printed lino prints have been created using a lino square and I have used different tools to create a loosely sketched image of pebbles for a project brief I have started for the RCA.The paper used was Japanese which is ideal for printing. I have used various pale blues to integrate a design project based on sleeping. The paler version was an accident , however I like it because its really faded adding a retro vintage warn out feel.
I will create some more lino printing  using a pattern repeat and also two colours for my next development.