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.
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