Climate Change a Global Challenge.

                                                        Climate Change

Antarctica Ocean  Santuary Campaign image of a Whales Tail photographed by Jiri Rezac

Climate change is know effecting us all, the world is in a global warming process that scientists, governments and the general public are now aware of. The Antarctic is melting at a rate that is not sustainable which is why a conservation area is needed to be created in this area plus global plans to reduce global warming via a number of different strategies. Presently their is a Southern Ocean whale sanctuary established.This was set up in 1994 via the IWC (International Whaling Commission). However the Japanese government is arguing that it is contravening international conventions for whaling regulations.
What is being proposed is the biggest ever ocean sanctuary on earth within the Antarctic.
The campaign which is being spearheaded by Greenpeace is to increase its present sanctuary which is 50 million square kilometers adding another 1.8 million square kilometers.
If you would like to get involved and sign the petition go to help-create-an-antarctic-sanctuary

Ecology Evolution

My project is an exploration of the natural world, looking at the way natures resources are depleting and how ecology is developing and where it should be heading in order to create a better future for our planet. I will be integrating traditional and digital art to create new textiles and wall art.

Part of my project development is about my own awareness of how my personal choices can help in some small way to reduce my personal carbon foot print and in some way through visual imagery help to encourage others to push for more savings in how we all live and to push for a new bigger Antarctica Sanctuary in order to save the area and all living creatures that live there.

what-if-we-never-started-hunting-whales

                                  Natural Dyes and Ink Development

Using natural processes in designing is part of my project using natural forna to make colours for printing and dying is part of my approach to ecology design practice. I have therefore managed to find an allotment to start my process of printing and dying naturally. Growing your own produce can reduce carbon emissions and encourage others to do the same.
For the purpose of the printing process development I will be looking at forna that is abundant locally i.e nettles, acorns, horse chestnuts. Due to time constraints I may have to use dried flowers and possibly bought organic dye powder. Indigo dye is one natural dye process I would like to develop used in Asia and other natural dye formulas into days textile industry,it can be grown in England easily. It is used in Denim and is a dye that is traditionally exceptionable as a fad-able colour within fabric.

Fez: Morocco Historical Dye Complex: Still being used in the same way as previously in ancient times.    

                                               Tote Bag Developments.

This is the Lino that has been cut using fine and big cutting tool. I will print it onto fabric and also onto some paper. The design is one colour , Indigo onto natural in dyed and cream onto navy linen. Evaluation. It looks like it may need the whale fin bigger, I will find out better when I print it. The lettering needs to be a bit more formalized and the slogan could be improved in some way. The back of the tote could have more information ,swing tickets with more information about the amount of plastic in our oceans and giving actual detail and global pollution issues could be added , however developing eco inks and dyes is far more important than the visual imagery as it would have more impact on developing an answer to my inquiring question.  

Tote bag Manufacture.

The tote bag is madebon cotton canvas because its strong and eco conscious due to its natural properties and its degradable processes which do not effect wildlife in the same way as plastic.

I have been inducted into the fashion department production studio area were I have made up my first tote bag using a bagging out processes for the linning removing any seams showing. The lock stitched are brother and they have steam presses for pressing as you go through the manufacturing process this gelps with the quality and finish of the sample.

Tote bag sample 1. Cream canvas, linned in cotton with internal pocket for phone and pens.

Reworked Tote Bag Design.

Reworking previous design to include mare made style whale tale in a larger scale. Making the lettering more interesting taking inspiration from Rauschenberg poster designs. Keeping the general format and seagull. 

Almost Completed.

The new lino plate to improve on initial print for tote. Larger whale tail, improved waves and re worked lettering. Extension to task: Try a two colour lino print include white surf waves and highlight areas in white and indigo blue. Try other colour combinations black/grey, creams/ochres, reds/ creams.
Ethical Fashion Fashion
Ethical fashion its the new buzz word
for eco friendly clothing that embellishes social responsibilities. Responsible ethical fashion can equate exquisite design and quality without loosing touch with morality and ethical standards. Ethical fashion philosophy embraces the concept of creating beautiful designs
with ethical production practices as a reasonable choice to sustainability concerns about pollution and global warming. An ethical fashion collection means from fibre production to the finishing stitches and through to packaging needs to be eco-conscious using sustainable materials . 
A conscious effort has been made to respect the people involved and also for the  protection of our precious eco system has been carefully considered.

Ethical fashion philosophy can go further by adding ecological campaigning as part of the design content in order to evoke change,to make people aware of their own carbon foot print and persuade them to make changes to the purchase choices.

Below is the beginnings of a tote bag

Using block printing inks and a heavy     roller , inked lino previously cut  has been used to embellish the front panel of the fabric. Developing eco conscious biodegradable  inks is my next development. I intend to  develop new inks for printing using traditional none chemical compounds.           


This had been printed using a hydrolic printing press.Printing onto fabric means you need to use more presser to press into the fabric.This lino print is for a tote bag to encourage people to use less single use plastics for carrying shopping.

Evaluation. The whale tail could be a big bigger to add a bit more impact and also I think I might remove the foreshortening on the whale fin on the left. The ‘our’could be changed as it standing out more from the other lettering. 

Developments

This drawing has been made into a lino cut, I have noticed Antarctica had the c in the wrong place, however some of the lettering could br improved more.Also since changing my tools the background has changed and become less vivid so this also needs re doing. Positives are the whale tail is much better than previous print.

Print in white onto indigo linen fabric.

Tote bag design made in Fashion department, needs trinkets and button adding.

Embroidery added via hand embroidery machine. Adding red onto R as an onomatopoeia phrase representing the feeling of empathy towards saving Antarctica, helping to prevent climate change and saving endangered species by reducing waste within our oceans.
Colourways and fabrics for Tote bags

Calico fabric for economic price bracket for tote bag.

Linen fabrics for medium to high price bracket tote bag.


Up cycled buttons for large tote bag with fastening.

Pom poms for detail on tote bag.




Tote bags i.e bags for life are also key to preventing pollution, plastic bags are killing all kinds of different marine life including wales and turtles, broken down plastics are being eaten by sea birds right down the food chain to micro organisms that fish and sea mammals eat. These plastics eventually end up on our dinner plates.
I will be developing a series of images for eco conscious calico tote bags to improve wastage processes. It is worth checking when you shop if the plastic bags you are paying for our bio degradable. Some small retail outlets are know using fully biodegradable plastic bags including my local garden centre Reg Taylor's Hill farm Nurseries in Normanton Southwell.


           Project Organic Fruit and Veg for Organic Dyes.

Southwell Community Allotment has been producing organic vegetables, fruits and flowers for many years. I have had the fortunate luck to have been given one on an annual rental at a very reasonable price. I will be growing produce on it and using  natures beautiful palette.Using food waste and plants to create natural dyes and inks. Colour varies depending on the weather and therefore using nettles, can be darker in colour or lighter depending on the season.

Project : Allotment needing a lot of de brambling.

wild raspberries need to be kept.

Local practice of covering ground is to prevent weeds growing ready for sowing

Indigo flowers have been used for centuries , I will be planting some next year in ready for harvest later in the year. Dried flowers can also be stored in jars for organic dyes and inks. I may have to use dried as my project proposal dead line is sooner than harvesting would be.The other line of inquiry would be to use local wild flowers and weeds like nettles which creates a lovely natural pale khaki/biscuit shade.Dyes from plants don't always give the same colours and can  also change depending on the weather for the season. Dyes from nettles can also change. Nature dye material can be dried and stored and used rather than using freshly cut. Barks, lynches, marigolds, hedgerow brambles and acorns can be used. Dahlias are also good for dying, the is a very big allotment that specializes in dahlias of which many over with will end up in compost.I may need to ask if I could have some that are wilted and no longer of use to make dyes and also to dry for further development.

                                  My Allotment
The images are of my allotment.I will be showing up dates on how my project of organic fruit and vegetables growing is getting on. The initial photos of my overgrown allotment and photos after a couple of hours of clearing .

Dried out weeds could be useful for dyes.

After cutting back weed a pond is found including local frog freddo, linning of pond may need mending. There is plenty of plastic sheeting on the ground that could be up cycled for this role. Rosehip bush could also be a good source of dye for printing inks.

The Green Approach to Designing

The power to design using a direction to include sustainability is more than a growing trend. The agenda for the future is to recognize whether designing or buying(end user)have ecological responsibility. Environmental issues are not just the responsibility of governments, it’s everyone’s responsibility.

Sustainable design is our future, in order for the world to pull back the chaos of pollution and the over use of our natural resources. We need to consider connecting with nature and the ability we have as humans to recreate from what is being wasted, this brings me to my current research.

My research is about the fundamental urgency for ecology issues to be recognised by designers and consumers. Responsible shopping co-existing with responsible designing.

Re-using, up-cycling, reducing is a key link to how we can change and start to consider sustainable products.

                                             The Green Design Initiative

In my search for such products I have noted a number of designer/makers who are currently re- using products that have forfilled there use (wooden palettes).

There is a growing trend within design, recycling palettes into useful items.

Outdoor furniture is typical of how designer/makers are reusing, recycling wood to useful and ethically pleasing furniture pieces.

Corner Sofa made by hand .Sean Satchell.

Bright turquoise has been used to compliment the climate in Menorca. This colour is also traditional in this area of the Mediterranean used within local architecture on the island.

Designer maker Sean Satchell has transformed unwanted palettes into useful garden:patio furniture.

Creating bespoke furniture specifically for individual requirements.

Re using, reworking materials gives designers the choice to add social responsibility to the designer/maker roles.

Small side table or Plant Stand.

The Adirondack Chair Traditional Homestead style.
Named after a Mountain

As philosophers and researchers gather information on what is happening with our planets resources Theodore Roszak points out

“The epidemic of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home” .

Studio Space/Workshop

Workshop space can be created in small spaces for ease of production processes and can link easily within  individual homes. Removing the need to pay for working premises and also keeping costs down.

Sean Satchell in his workshop up-cycling wood.

Traditional Hand Carpentry

Traditional wood work processes limiting waste.
Small work spaces reduce costs for the consumer.

      My blog is a away not only to connect to consumers but also to connect with Designer Makers and companies who are relevant to my research and current interest.

The Green initiative currently trending is for people to think about our environment and consider our own unique carbon foot print and in small ways we can change the current global green house effect. Buying products that have used little or no natural resources is a good thing. Up cycling is a way of insuring less global waste which is deeply effecting our oceans and wildlife.  https://pin.it/lof44skxwygknm

  Local Traditional Stores

Traditional Small Independents shops that like to include local crafts are ideal locations for smaller items. Small enough for tourists and locals to shop easily stock. 

Small boutique: Cuitdella Port Menorca.

Specialist eco conscious natural fabrics tie dyes and batik sarongs and throws are sold including other home interior items and jewelry. Created from a previous fishing boat house, this store is filled with charm and interesting little handmade items and weathered patined  bric a brac.

Eco-conscious designs have over the last decade or so changed from it’s original perspective of tie dye throws, rope beaded curtains and hemp bean bags established in the 1960’s. Linked to the hippy sub culture which previously represented anti –fashion. Empowered the consumer with visual cues of his/her socio political power associated with animal and human rights. The new eco conscious market challenges these understood stero- typical images. This is a challenge for designers of which many have eco conscious production and values but don’t promote it as their main aim. Eco-ghosting is the terminology designers who eco produce but don’t shout about it. As consumers become more and more aware designers are responding accordingly.(the Guardian)

Philippe Cousteau - An Arctic Discovery

                                                   Environmentalists

Ocean biologist Jacque Cousteau (1910-1997) was an inspiration when I was growing up and also for many people interested in ocean environmental and conservation issues.

Recently Jaques Cousteau’s grandson has been part of a series of documentaries highlighting environmental and conservation issues of our planets oceans, he specializes in oceanography which is looking into scientific aspects of our oceans to better understand what is happening due to pollution and global warming issues.
The sketch books to the left and below show some pencil drawing illustrations I would like to create some wall papers and fabric with either one shell drawing repeated with marl effect
warn out blistered dried out backgrounds to add a tactile approach to create a relaxed vintage feel to my design work. I would also like to create some seaweed and coral repeat surface pattern using one colour or two that are tonal. Black backgrounds and silver ,gold and bronze would add opulence and romance to surface design. 

background textures.

Ocean theme drawings.

under water background.

He has recently also highlighted concerns in regard to melting ice gaps in Antarctica and has explained present forecasts are not accurate. The environmental issue is far greater in terms of climate change and biodiversity within our oceans

Oceans and sea creatures have been depicted within art and design since ancient Greeks and Romans and other ancient cultures, tribes and religions. I have chosen to use oceans, wildlife, natural flora, nautical imagery as my focus in order to improve knowledge of conservation and marine ecology of our oceans.

Oceans are the colour blue. Colour  theory is a method of inquiring what effects can a colour have on human behavior. 

Sketches of ocean shells.

History of Oceans

    Cultures are developed against our oceans around the world. Romans are one of the earliest super powers who used the sea to transport goods around their empire. Researching ancient cultures gives us insight into how history has developed so that we can understand how our cultures across the globe functions previously so that we can create links to modern day society. It shows us how previous trading links, linking continents developed. Looking at sea levels at different historical eras can give us important information in regard to when sea levels dropped which in turn created an environment for humans to travel across continents.

Screen Printing with Natural Dyes Part Two

What do I want to find out from my project?

I am going to be looking at green eco conscious processes and also add knowledge about conservation biology to inform the viewer.

 Firstly how I can make my own natural dyes/inks using traditional processes.

·         Researching ancient recipes from the middle ages in order to include ways to create art within eco conscious values (incorporating environmental needs to reduce global warming).

·          This will include developing my own dyes with added natural thickener to create screen printing inks for printing. This clip shows how you can easily create small screens to work from home. The demonstrator is also using home made inks.

      The reasoning behind this is to reduce my carbon footprint by not using chemical dyes and also I will be reducing my package consumerism. Every time someone buys something from a shop it is packaged usually by single use plastic, foam etc which is usually single use plastics. How can the world population change this process for the better care of our planet. Confronting these issues of climate change, ozone wholes in the sky is to act individually. If we consider how charities work and how they are funded, we can see a connection. Every penny counts and in the same way it works for climate change or the draw down effect. Pulling back our global emissions to create a zero emission level.


Sketchbook showing research into natural printing

·      

How to simulate screen printing in Photoshop | lynda.com tutorial, Deke'...

Design Parameters

My research will be about finding a balance between the traditional home spun processes of artisan craft and modern technologies making sure limited ecological damage is occurring as best as I can achieve.

 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.

In a similar way, I want to develop for personal and career goals a practical art process which includes new technologies and traditional processes in a way that is complementing bridging a gap between the old and the new.

I am looking at the methods of printing inside of digital art and traditional printing processes. Comparing what effects can be created and how different processes create different effects within similar visuals.

One of my research questions is to evoke a response that creates a human hand made process to modern contemporary process using digital art. I will also be researching why this process is a contemporary design inspiration for many designers and their client base. The need to evoke a humanized approach while also using                            

     Today’s Digital World Responses

Within today’s cultural and economic developments many people are in contact with digital technologies because of this they are wishing for more homespun products in order to re-kindle there connection with nature.

Also people are becoming conscious of ecological damage through human destruction of the natural world and resources. These people are wishing for a more traditional historical reflection within design in order to feel calmer and more relaxed.

     new digital art technology.

Printing Fabrics

Sketch Book

There are numerous possibilities within print making in terms of techniques. Screen printing is one of many processes .Screens are photographed using specific CAD equipment onto photo sensitive paint. When it has been photographed and left to try. The ink that has not been blocked by the image, which is printed onto paper and layed down on top of the machine.In the same way a photocopier works, can they be washed away. Leaving the screen ready to print, the following image is the image which has been hand drawn and then scanned in onto illustrator were it is then repeated to create a fabric pattern. Screens for fabric is slightly different than for paper, a different screen mesh is needed.

This pattern repeat is small in scale as I will be printing it onto Muslim to create a summer scarf.The image is a proto type of other images that can be used within the same scale and repeat with a structure colour scheme. Monotone been the type of colour way used.

Lino Cherub print.

Photograph manipulation using photoshop.

Calico fabric samples, traditional screen print process.
Fabric screen printing using a screen print and a screen print table. This process including's using your eyes to place and hold down screen print with fabric weights to keep it in place. The time scale is actually quicker than with paper.However you can print onto paper this way. I have started to print a muslim scarf as it would great for a light weight scarf.

Muslim is very tactile, light and very floaty. It has been determined that 4 repeats one way and 4 the other way, will be needed 4 prints taking approx 2 hours. Meaning 4 hours would finish the printing process, two scarfs could be printed together.Concluding that the pattern would face the right way on both sides. I will be adding embellishment on the ends.

Calico samples have been created for bags for live , tote bag in order to reduce global warming and pollution via plastic wastes. These accessories could be also used for promotional purposes to encourage sales within other areas of design. A number of designer lead stores and labels use T-shirt, tote bags, postcards etc as gives to promote certain world campaigns. The cherub print is a reference to sympathy linked to religion used sometimes on memorials in churches within frescoes. Cherubs are fashionable as statues within homes.

Refining my MA Proposal Plan.

MA Proposal Refinement Plan

My project is an exploration of the natural world, looking at how nature’s resources are depleting and how ecology is developing and where it should be going in order to create a better future. I will be integrating traditional and digital art to create new textiles and wall art.

Ocean Shells.

Antarctica melting ice cap Photographed by Christian Aslund-Green Peace 

Sketch book ideas Oceans.

A Proposal plan for an MA should have a number of elements , it should be easy to read and understand if it becomes too complex it might miss the main points of the brief. My proposal is more about what I want to be doing within the next 5 years it also suggests a customer base which my be difficult to meet. I have since changed my MA proposal to a short marketing plan to encourage consumers,customers and viewers to seek a deeper connection to ecology ,a visual  campaigning strategy for our futures and our children's futures.
I have chosen a number of campaigns to use as subject matter. Green Peace Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary, a leading campaign to create a globally acknowledged conservation area. The Queens Canopy- a conservation development plan of planting new trees. British based conservation strategies including the RSPCB and other needed approaches to conservation and ecology in the UK. 

 My ideas could then be packaged into varies product ideas from T-shirts,scarves,sarongs, key rings, bag trinkets, book marks and home accessories.

Chrisian Aslund Photographs of  Antarctica

My creative statement     Evolution V Heavenly Utopia needs to have a theory value that can be developed into a written project. I have unpacked the meaning of this creative statement to include ecology theory. Ecology Evolution V Heavenly Utopia Orthology.
 I will be pairing this down even more as its still to complicated.
Ecology issues explain evolution in terms of genes shared across species and molecular evolution (shared ancestry in the evolutionary history of life).

Ocean Mammal sketches.

I am currently reading up on how the earth developed and how global warming can be reversed within current analysis including information currently developed via an international coalition of leading researchers,scientists and policymakers who have come up with realistic and practical solutions to climate change. It is believed if all the techniques are utilized and deployed collectively across the world then over the next 30 years, they could not just slow global warming but reach what is being called drawdown. The point when green house gases peak and then begin to decline.

Therefore the main point of my MA proposal is to create visualizations within current campaigns to encourage ecology based awareness of global warming. I will be looking into ways of reversing global warming and I will be using and embracing and harnessing current digital art techniques to create hyper real luxurious print effects and mixing this with traditional print making. Using natural dyes and traditionalist values akin to the arts and craft movement of the 19th century to encourage viewers to think traditionally in regard to their current lifestyle choices.

My mindmap below, shows how I have progressed my thoughts to a point that know equals we’re I am at with my proposal for my Masters in Design.

 Mind Map of ideas.