Dialogue Ignites Change

Today I have been working on the next module with Leanne in a team. We have to solve a present conflict in society and think of a way of solving it. As we both have interests in fashion design we decided to tackle the problem of body image within the fashion industry and how there is a constant struggle among men and women to strive for the perfect figure and image.

We have researched a few ideas that could be a starting point and resemble this idea of image such as mirrors and what people see when they look in a mirror. Also looking at self esteem and how the fashion industry affects people.

Bluebell Gray

Came across a Scottish design company called Bluebell Gray, who specialise in interior products such as lampshades, cushions and wallhangings. They paint their designs by hand using watercolour paints before being printed onto fabrics. Each collection is printed in small quantities as Bluebell Gray like to design unqiue, limited designs for the the home. The painterly brush strokes and vibrancy of the colours have a real loud and charismatic quality, which is what draws me to these beautiful floral designs.

At the moment I am taking photographs and using various medias to capture the colours and textures of different flowers. I think from looking at Bluebell Gray I can think about how my work might come into play using different prints and patterns.

Kinetic Space

My group and I have sorted out our final pieces to be displayed in our space. We have produced a zoetrope that will be spun on a disc deck, a mobile that will be hung from a hook so it moves naturally with the air, a few thaumatropes to be displayed on a table and flipbooks. We also want to project a moving image of a kaleidoscope in the background on a computer so there is a big emphasis on movement.

Thaumatropes

Today my group and I had a meeting about what we are going to produce for the Kinetic brief, we came to the conclusion that we could look at using thaumatropes and zoetropes (Victorian toys) to communicate the idea of Kinetic movement. We have said that we will be using bloom as a theme within the thaumatropes/zoetropes of different stages of the growth of flowers. Also we want to give each of the thaumatropes/zoetropes more depth and character and decided to use different types of media, colour palettes or photography. Below I have researched a zoetrope and thaumatrope to see how they work.

Photographs for Kinetic brief

Today I took a few photographs as a starting point for Kinetic brief. I looked at flowers and foliage as I think especially this time of season, the flowers and plants have a rugged and textural appearance and rot away. I took different photographs to show the various strages of growth and rotting of these flowers.

KINETIC

Started my new module today which is a cross pathway project focusing on the word, "Kinetic" and we must come up with a piece(s) to display in an exhibition space in four weeks time. As a starting point my group and I have brain-stormed words and ideas linked with the work "Kinetic" which conjures up ideas of movement. Themes we have discussed are the living and dead, Victorian picture games, nature in bloom and the movement of waves. We have decided to continue researching and take photographs and possibly decide on which idea is best to pursue on Friday.

Klimt

I was inspired by the richness and golden colours of Klimt's work, even though I am designing for wallpaper. There is a lot I can take from his work such as the bold and luminous use of colour and the flowing, swirly patterns. There are also an array of different patterns and mar makings within the paintings.

Wallpaper designs

I've tried to replicate the idea of romantic and swirling lines in my own work. I made two patterns of two different shaped roses and overlayed them, I decided to keep the roses free of colour so the lines are very suggestive and misleading and it's harder to work out the shapes of the roses.
To develop my wallpaper design I might play with the enlargement of the roses as many wallpaper prints at the moment are quite big in design and loud.

Marian Bantjes

Came across a new artist who's work is really inspiring, Marian Bantjes. She has a very feminine, fluid and flowing style of work which has romantic connotations. The simple composition of, "I Want It All" appears very delicate from the arrangement of flower petals and quite striking from the bright, luminous pink shades.

Much of Bantje's work is very graphic and illustrative and seems to tell a story from the swirling text and lines.

I've looked at some of her decorative pattern designs to help me design two wallpapers for the Miss Print brief as her style is contemporary and quite kitsch, similar to that of Miss Print.

Flower Photographs

I went back to taking more photographs of flowers to inspire me. Since looking at Charles Rennie Mackintosh's work I was inspired to look at some frail and dying flowers, as they had more structure and crinkly textures to them. These rough and ragged textures could be incorporated into my Illustrator designs to add more detail and lines, as I want to achieve a botanical, earthy and abstract theme for my wallpaper and bag designs. I think next I need to enlarge the scale of these images as I've mainly been working quite small.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Charles Rennie Mackintosh's work has a lovely rustic and botanical theme to his floral drawings. Looking at the colours from the above images, browns, greens, ochres; I think I need to change my colour palette in my Illustrator designs if I am to meet a botanical and earthy theme for my Aveda work.

The lines of the flowers are very fine which makes the flowers appear frail and delicate, also like the use of overlaying some of the petals (in the first image) which suggests transparency and depth. Something I have also concentrated on in my Illustrator work.

Aveda Brief

I'm currently working on a brief which requires me to design a motif/pattern to be used on both wrapping paper and a carrier bag for Aveda; who manufacture high end cosmetics and body care products using natural ingredients  Having researched this company I have found that they go for natural, earthy, soft colour palettes to represent their passion for naturally sourced ingredients.

I have used some of my summer sketchbook work, (where I took photographs of flowers) as these florals will represent a botanical and organic theme.

I have experimented with Illustrator to come up with some sample motifs and patterns. Being inspired by Gary Hume I like the idea of layering and line, shape and texture. The florals are layered on top of one another to appear delicate and translucent. I've kept some of the heavy outlines of the floral shapes to emphasize the flowing and structured shape of the lines

Gary Hume

Thought it appropriate to look at Gary Hume's figurative work for his delicate, intertwining line structures. I've been focusing on figures and drawing basic, simple outlines of different statures and poses to overlay ontop of floral photographs/drawings; to suggest floral prints in garments.

Hume's simplistic approach to figurative drawing creates frenetic and busy trails of lines and adds character to the subject. I especially like Water Painting, where the various outlines of figures have overlapped and enforced quite a striking compostition.

Roses.

I took photographs of flowers in my garden recently to look at different shapes and forms. I'm quite fond of this rose because it appears to be full of life against the decrepit buds and leaves amongst it. It looked better in monochrome as opposed to its natural colours as the shape is really defined and striking. The above image is from my sketchbook where i gave the photograph a sepia like tint by staining in tea. The brown, creams and black paint correspond well with the image.

"The Forever Sketchbook"

Was at a bit of a loss with my own sketchbook and running out of ideas, when I came across Julia Rothman's, "The Forever Sketchbook". I find the patchwork structure of these figurative sketches create a hustle and bustle of movement, also the free and flowing lines appear quite soft and soothing. I think they're lovely sketches with personal aspects to Rothman's life.

Florals

For my summer brief I am focusing on florals, so to begin my research, I have been looking at Claire Coles' beautiful, intricate and detailed embroidery and patterns. I was particularly intirgued by her commisioned work (on her website) a collection called, "Girls". I like how these realistic faces are created by the fine lines of stitching. The squiggly lines lend these works a certain character. I like how she incorprates a fashion theme within these works by adorning the girls with flowing, organic florals or a bold colourful, pattern.