Getting my ideas together

A simple mood board of the images that are inspiring the direction of my project so far. A visual idea of the colour pallet, shapes and textures I am wanting to work with.

The work of Mizar Akbar an Iranian architect in the 19th century who is my VAM inspiration (bottom left) as well as Daniel Libeskind’s architectural work (top left) are both the main focal points of shape in my project. My unit 1-4 project work has had an influence on this project as I have carried through some themes and ideas. My unit 1-4 work was inspired by the architecture at Park Guell in Barcelona, mainly the mosaic ceiling. I used the shapes from that to experiment with mono printing and sculpture which reminded me of a map and how it shows the borders breaking up places. When looking for an inspiration at the VAM I was drawn to architecture again and in my presentation I was given feed back from piers to maybe think about arial views as the architectural drawings showing divisions of space, much like a map. The arial photographs then inspired my direction for colour and textures. I feel drawn the the deep blue, black and white which I will experiment with further. I have looked and researched a range of different artists such as Richard Diebenkorn who illustrates dividing up spaces using line, shape and colours. Jelly Martens who uses photoshop to edit photos using geometrics.

In response to the images on my mood board, I have played around with some emulsion and inks to create textures and interesting lines/shapes.

 

 

 

Targets

• Begin to blog for Unit 6:- UCAS FARE, Personal Statement drafts, Screen shot emails for work experience.
• Complete 2nd draft of personal statement
• Extend Primary research: taking photographs, drawings.
• Decide what to focus project on…

Daniel Libeskind

Daniel Libeskind is a polish born architect who has graced his talents all over the world, in countries such as Canada, America, Germany and England. I think that his work might just be the key to linking all my work together. His style is very edgy, urban and his buildings are renowned for being very angular. He illustrates his plans by doing sketches and models. I was drawn to his collaged models covered in maps and fractured/displaced collaged drawings as I can relate them to my work.

Here are examples of Libeskin’s work:

Personal Statement progression

The challenge of coming up with a personal statement has arrived. Last year I had put a few words together that now make me cringe and needs updating/major revamp. I have just reused that as my template for now but will  work on it with Jamie and Jo’s help to improve it and get it up to university standard.

Key points when writing a personal statement:

First draft (last years)

I want to experience and be inspired by the world, I want to travel and visit beautiful places, to discover and fulfil my desire of wanderlust. My plan is to travel to Australia and New Zealand; the reason being for the breath taking natural features and the contrasting lifestyle’s on offer, which I am hoping will encourage my decision’s in life and also give me some influences in my future work as a hopeful textile/surface designer. I think travelling experiences could potentially give me an edge within my work and a vision for different themes and patterns. Studying a Textiles/surface pattern course at university is something that I have set my heart on, so when I return from my travels I can sink my teeth into a new chapter in my life and challenges. 

I find that it is important within Textile design for myself to be able to express my thoughts and ideas, whether it be when printing or embroidering, through colours, composition and pattern. Your outcomes and how you produce them define you as a designer as you give your work a signature feel and look of yourself. My outcomes are based on designing for interiors. I like to use dyes, embroidery and CAD to achieve them. I gain satisfaction for creating something that is my own.

Designing was something I have always loved and had a thirst for. The UAL Fashion and Textiles and Foundation Art diploma courses have opened my eyes more to opportunities that allow me to integrate other specialist areas, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with photographers, sculptors and fine artists. It fills me with excitement and determination to actually make something of my self and create distinct designs. I have learnt a wide range of skills and techniques and I find myself drawn to the textiles department as I have more of an eye for interiors than I do for designing and constructing a fashion piece, I really enjoy surface pattern, working in the pieces with embroidery, editing them with computer aided design and then producing wallpaper and fabric samples.

Bar from studying Fashion and textiles, I also have two part time jobs; one as a waitress and the other in a coffee shop which I put 30 hours of my time in per week. Working within these industries has helped me develop a wide range of skills that I will take with me in future work. I have an extremely strong work ethic. 

Editing in process:

COMPLETED PERSONAL STATEMENT:

My particular interest is within designing textiles for interior spaces. The Foundation Art Pre-degree at Blackburn college has helped veer me on this career path and nurture an ever growing enthusiasm for the subject. I am interested in developing  textural surfaces and exploring these within the environment.

I completed a Level 3 UAL fashion and textiles diploma, which laid down the basic knowledge of the techniques and processes needed within textiles such as computer aided design, screen printing, weave and embroidery and allowed me to experience aspects of working in the industry. While on the course I won a live brief named ‘what is vintage’ created and judged by Graham and Brown, creating a series of wallpapers both digitally and by hand, part of this process included liaising with the client and presenting my work in a professional manner.

Following on from this, I made the decision to apply for the Foundation art and design diploma, I felt the desire to extend and broaden my skills in a variety of ways. I have been able to develop my understanding and capabilities in drawing, completing life drawing classes and exploring my understanding of drawing in it’s broadest sense. I have had the opportunity to collaborate  with my peers from other specialisms and work across a range of pathways including media, film, fine art, sculpture, photography and print all of which have had a huge impact on my practice.

I have also had the opportunity to attend lectures from a range of practitioners including  Patrick Grant, Entrepreneur/business owner, Justin Wigan, street artist, Mathew Sawyer, and Wayne Hemingway, founder of the Red or Dead label.

I have independently sourced work experience at Hemingway designs based in Wembley starting in January, I will be working along side the design and marketing teams for 2 weeks. The direction of my current project ‘what is beneath me’ was inspired initially from the Iranian architectural scrolls from the V&A collection. I am investigating this idea through mark making, print and stitch and have been particularly inspired by the architect Daniel Libeskind looking at his application of shape and line to architecture.

I am a student ambassador for the National Saturday Art and Design club where I help younger students develop their art practice.

I want to experience and be inspired by the world, I want visit beautiful places, to discover and fulfil my urge to travel. I hope to take on any opportunities for work experience or placements and more than anything want to develop my understanding of what it means to be a successful designer in the current climate.

UCAS Fair

On Monday the 23rd we visited the Manchester design your futures UCAS fare. All the universities linked with art and design in the UK had stands were you could go and speak to the tutors and students to get a feel for the courses and see what they have to offer. The UCAS fare has been really helpful for myself as the universities I thought I wanted to apply to didn’t stand out for me as much as some that I hadn’t even thought about. As helpful as it was, I also feel a little more confused as I have 2 different courses in mind which are Interior design and Textiles design for interiors.  I am going to attend some open days to get a feel for the atmosphere and location of the universities and see some of the facilities on offer. Hopefully this was I can differentiate which course and University will be more suited to me. The universities I would like to apply to are:

• Bath Spa
• Huddersfield
• Manchester Met
• Leeds College of Art
• Cleveland Collage of Art

Independently Sourced Work Experience

After the Wayne Hemingway Lecture, I was keen to learn more about his business ‘Hemingway designs‘ and find out if there where any form of internships or apprenticeships available. I decided to browse the website and found a ‘Contact us’ page. On a whim I emailed, querying my thought. Unfortunately they had neither a internship nor apprenticeship available yet could offer me work experience with them for a maximin of 3 weeks where I will be working with the design and marketing teams. I am extremely looking forwards to this experience as I will help me to make contacts, broaden my knowledge on the industry and just have fun doing what I love most! Below are the screenshots of the emails…

  
  
  
  

Photoshopped Photography

Inspired by Jelle Martens, here is my own interpretation of a geometric styled collage of my own photographs, taken of pine trees and a landscape of a reservoir. I feel that the contrast isn’t too harsh, as the sky is subtly showing through the trees when it is placed against the blue of the background it is a subtle difference.   

This is a photo of the pine trees. I have simply cut it up in triangular shapes and by dislodging the pieces and merging them together created this image.

This is a image of the reservoir and pine trees layered up.

Language Dictionary

Dystopian- It describes an imaginary society that is as dehumanizing and as unpleasant as possible.

Alumni- A graduate or former student of a specific school, college, or university.

Avant Garde- New and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature.

Utopia –an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

Expressionism- a style of painting, music, or drama in which the artist or writer seeks to express the inner world of emotion rather than external reality.

Altruism- disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Surveillance- close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.

Tyranny- cruel and oppressive government or rule.

Epitomised- be a perfect example of.

Juxtaposition- the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

Participation- the action of taking part in something.

Potential Of the Medium- having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.

Appropriated- take (something) for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission.

Discord- disagreement between people.

Tension- the state of being stretched tight.

Context- the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood.

Correlate- have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another.

Hyperbole- exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

 

 

 

Film Club – 1984

18th November 2015

Director Michael Radford’s adaptation of the original 1984 Novel by George Orwell’s. This film was highly influential in the 20th century and saw the making of TV programmes such as Big Brother and Room 101. It is Orwell’s prediction for the future – 24 hours surveillance daily, desensitisation and a world that is constantly at war for reasons forgotten.

Who controls the past, Controls the future. Who controls the Present, Controls the past.

My thoughts: The film feels and is very relevant to the now. With everything that is going on in our world, we are almost put in a situation where we have to choose what we too believe. Do we believe the media, the ones feeding us the information on wars and politics, are they distracting us from the bigger picture? Or do we awaken our inner consciousness to have a real understanding of the goings on, but then have to ask ourselves if we are looking into it too much, thinking about it too much and making something of nothing. In the film, the characters have little or no choice, if they disagree with the ways of the party leader it is an offence put under the term ‘thought crime‘.

Wayne Hemingway

17th November 2015

 

Blackburn born Wayne Hemingway, founder of the famous label ‘Red Or Dead’ was a visiting lecturer. He gave us a insight on how he has become so successful, along with his business partner and wife Geraldine. His success has come down to him taking risks, chances and being brave with his decisions. At the age of 18, Hemingway and his partner moved to London with £50 each – basically to live their lives and party. They had no plan of action and soon found them selves running out of money. As their rent was due, they had no other options but to literally sell the clothes of their back. They tried their luck on a stall at the Camden Markets, raking in £200… their rent was £6 for the week and with the rest they celebrated and thought up of a way to make even more. Geraldine was a skilful sewer, and made a few garments to sell on their stall… they began to make more and more profit and shopped in second hand shops, ‘shoddy’ clothe warehouses and bought worn/broken Dr. Marten boots to repair and sell on. At the age of 20 Geraldine found her self opening her own clothes shop at the Kensington Markets… not long after opening she received a HUGE order for her 8 styles of clothing to be made 300 times each from LFW contributors ‘Macey Newyork’. From this they came up with the label Red or Dead.

He sold the Red or Dead label and is now the owner of the multi-disaplinory business ‘Hemingway Designs‘. They design anything from furniture, sustainable housing, paint (crown), wallpaper (Graham and Brown) and work uniforms for the likes of McDonalds and Virgin trains. He is also apart of the new scheme Blackburn is Open (click to go to website) this is a project to help rediscover Blackburn for the youth culture.

MOTO: ‘Design is about improving things that matter in life’.

I found his story interesting yet thought he could of gone into more detail, a little vague in areas. I’d love to know more about his apprenticeship schemes and more about what his business does and is about. It definitely made me realise that you can achieve anything if you really try and really want it too happen. It was inspiring and made me feel good, made me feel like I will and can make something of myself, no matter what grades/results I achieve in education. His lecture taught me to be brave, take chances and that you can be self taught, you don’t necessarily need a background of education to go into a specific business/design (unless to be a doctor). Basically life is trial and error, and if you fail pick your self up and try something else.