Natures :Evolution, Natures Armor and Pattern-ation.

Natures Armor is a blog showing the work and philosophy. Showing a history of design work over my career and including a new body of work for my MA Degree. I am currently researching ways in which to add Natures evolution and patter- nation into a print project I am currently perusing at Lincoln University, Lincoln England. It's an interesting subject especially since the series Blue Planet has been running and my special friend David Attenbourgh who has been a great influence on my life from my early years. I have decided to pay homage to him and also to the world at large and even the Universe. Eco conscious values are key to the future of Fashion and textiles we all want to save our planet from unnecessary wanton destruction. I will be sharing my thoughts with you on this subject.

 Natures: Evolution Armor and Patter-nation 

While considering a new professional working practice within Art and Design parameters I have always considered print making an exciting and interesting skill to wish for moving forward. Within new technologies the arena of print making has increased considerably. New photographic industrial machines mean that peoples choices can be fine-tuned towards a more personal approach. Bespoke designs are becoming more and more accessible to the majority of people who are interested in gaining a more personal shopping experience.

 Since becoming a designer some 20 or so years ago. I have noted an interest in printed fabrics, I however choose to study knitwear design as I was interested in textiles as well as fashion and knitwear bridged a cap for me. However, I believe since becoming a parent, I stopped running my fashion business to concentrate on my family and took to teaching originally Art and Design however I now teach a number of subjects across a wide range of learners age group and skill sets. It is a very interesting and fulfilling job role.

  I am still a keen designer and have set my mind at learning and creating printed textiles with new ideas within hardware(haberdashery) for interiors and fashion. While considering this new skill it has become apparent that dissecting in detail all my different influences and processes is quite complex.
Finding  new and immensely structured ways of following a pathway for my creative work will allow my design directions to become more cohesive.
For the viewer to understand and consider as an interesting look inside the mind of a creator giving a more personal incite to my work.

 Therefore, I will be discussing in a lot more detail the whys and reasons for my methodology this will include various links to previous work, life experiences and family history, which links to identity themes and eras. I will start with a deeply paired down approach to my type of working practice skills set. The main research within what I look for in order to create are : Colour , texture and Pattern-ation.

When designing I am always considering large ranges of designs concepts and in this case, it is fabrics using tradition and modern technologies. Colour is a key aspect to my work, it doesn't have to have lots of colour, however precise colour and fabric use are exclusively selected for the best outcome. Secondly texture which is necessary for a tactile approach, however it doesn’t have to be 3d.

It is not just its pure functionality and purpose that links to exacting directions of importance, it’s the desire to create surface design that is the true nature of my ideas the product is secondary however still important but does not link as i am only interested in surface design(fabrics, wallpapers)

The Consumer: The reason for the design is its function and for what purpose?

 For the consumer, that is the viewer the appreciator that is important to consider in great detail when creating. Pattern-ation follows which can in fact be an detail an embellishment a finishing technique or a pattern. The pattern could be placed , all over or motif-ed.

Patternation can however be limited to another area of design i.e it could be separate from the product design itself i.e surface design concepts. Within these three areas of choice one main criteria is an absolute must and that is mood and affinity to embrace a feeling of romanticism, organic, historical morphing into contemporary, this is also I must do within each creative element I choose to create.

 What has been interesting for me over the last couple of months is that I have changed my medium (material chooses, and it has made it even more clearer why I design and the purpose of what I create no matter what the end product becomes. Creating has always included for me a lot of juxtaposing of detailing within complex modernity's, in order to create new evoking cutting edge directional designs, there is however a need to be simplistic at the same time.

I will be looking at all of my previous skill knowledge and adding them into a new why of creating fabrics for interiors and fashion. Mixing contemporary design concepts with historical reflections and the reasons why will be one of my key discussions and research. Including print making and hardware designing for home interiors fabrics and wall papers,Wall Art.

The reasons for choices are much more detailed than one might of thought. I will be analyzing key points in terms of psychology, anthropology and ancient philosophy. All these under pinning concepts link to historical civilizations, human nature and the link between sociology and religion.

Peacock Warwick Castle Walls. I have previously visited Warwick castle in order to build up an archive of imagery useful for creating personal creative images for different uses and reasons.

Inquiring Questions linking to designing within lifestyle choices ?

Connected to contemporary and historical arts and crafts circa 19th century and their ancient links?

What links are their between paying homage to nature our surroundings and the links to historical civilizations and their  view points?

How we as humans link to the cosmos, universe and nature?

Can we be deemed civilized without the need to replicate, embellish our own amour against natures elements and how we reflect nature while doing this?

How has evolution accredited our needs for luxury and harmony within our own surroundings and life styles?

Why we question and inquire more meaning and understanding of evolution and spiritualism as creatures of the world?

How certain artifacts and patterns are replicated across time and memorial across cultures and civilizations and how there are links?

            Contemporary Research

Timorous Beasties are a fabric and wall paper company that create interesting contemporary takes on traditional furnishings they also create one of up cycled furniture pieces that are aimed at a Boutique lead market.Our influences come from small independent designers who are using a eco conscious choice of printing creating their own inks and printing onto natural fibres.Below are pages from some of my sketch books.