This Unit has really stretched me, I can see a dramatic change in the designer I was in september, and how I would approach my work now. Understanding the market and context to your work is key, I understood this before but designing with that knowledge continually over this unit is what makes your work fit perfectly into your desired context. My drawing development was prolific over the course of the unit, I feel I throughly experimented with my choice of papers, materials and processes in response to my theme. The drawing stage for me carried on into the final production weeks, it remained important to me to add to my designs if original drawn imagery was needed. I have explored as much as was needed within my design process when regarding the resources the university has offered me, I have wanted to utilise my time and maximise learning. Its an opportunity that I am only going to be a part of now. I have attended as many digital workshops that are relevant to to my design progress within photoshop, it has been a key development stage for me, in particular with the use of the displacement tool. I have utilised the In Design workshops as well with a future intention of using these skills in Unit X to create a Look book to show my designs in a professional context when leaving. My market research has been so key within the development stages, clarifying to me continually the direction I wanted my designs to be headed in, and what companies I can see my designs along side.
Naturally over the last few weeks, the decision process has been faster due to the added pressure, and the design presentation changes quickly. When first compiling the collections, choosing the names for each group was only a quick decision of clarification for me. Having given it some thought to an outward perspective, I have renamed each group at this stage, 'Chalet' has been renamed to 'Alpine', 'Lucent Voiles' is 'Lucent Matter' and 'Fluid Muslin' is 'Unequivocal Thread'. 'Personally I feel these names reflect the group of prints at a more professional level, needed for thought for future intentions within unit X. I feel I have chosen to finalise the broadest of collections, I want to show my diversity as a designer and having a broad vision of designs targeting a slightly different clientele has been key. I have targeted each collection at different audiences, with the 'Alpine' collection being the highest price range, and 'Unequivocal Thread' as a lower end, yet not losing sophistication.
'Alpine' I feel is the strongest collection, I am thoroughly pleased withe final designs, however there is one wallpaper design that since it has been large format printed I have noticed a few issues when it was put into repeat, this is something I plan to rectify within unit X. Similarly with 'Lucent Matter' one of the large format wallpapers, since being printed I feel lacks in imagery and this again is progressional for finalising within unit X. Looking back on reflection for 'Unequivocal Threads', producing more fabric tests when entering the print room, would of relaxed me within the final design stages. However I am looking to further this within finalisation within Unit X, and look into a broader variation of fabric weights, to build the collection. I am determined that both 'Unequivocal Threads' and 'Lucent Matter' will be at the strength that 'Alpine' is in my eyes.
Given the nature of some of the original artworks, they have deteriorated over the course of the unit, the use of bleach in particular has changed from the original scans of my designs. This is definitely not a bad development in my eyes, if anything it gives my final print designs an added edge, the artworks have developed on their own, but the final prints were manipulated and developed from the first scan. Therefore, forever present within my final digital designs.
At this stage I have left each individual design unnamed, primarily so that for unit X and final output I can think about them each individually as final designs and name them at the end. Looking now at the final collections as groups, I am really pleased with the results. I have a few ideas for other prints that are at a different development stage and I have decided not to include them at this stage. However, in Unit X the collections may be manipulated slightly. I am considering strongly for 'Lucent Matter' outsourcing a digital printer who will print on an alternative fabric that the university resources can not produce. Unit X is an exciting prospect, I want the opportunity to shoot and create my own Look-book for my designs, thinking strongly about situational places. The idea to start to brand and promote yourself is exciting and something I have already been thinking about, I have the future intention of working for a fabric and wallpaper company, hopefully a part of a team of designers. Having had the digital work printed I have been receiving feedback from peers, it has become apparent to me that one print is particularly popular. It is interesting as it was a print I wasn't sure about and was considering withdrawing from the group. From this response I am considering producing a fashion collection directly based from this print and as an extension from it, and again for an alterior context and output.
Having watched these three final collections come together over the last few weeks has been overwhelming, I have enjoyed thoroughly the journey and production, theres a tremendous amount of satisfaction of finalising something that I am genuinely proud of and believe in.
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