The more we go forward with the course, the more in dept details there are to consider when making a collection. I designed mine, of interior fabrics and wall coverings, inspired by the audacious Timorous Beasties which I also ended to admire very much because of how they challenge the status quo and their way to translate it into stunning designs.
Here’s my collection:
Formative Feedback. Points to improve and my considerations:
- Make more clear the final 6 out of 12 designs.
I sometimes find it difficult to understand when to answer a request at 100% how it is asked for and when I can fly more freely and eventually go that mile more that it is expected from us. This time, the effort put in representing some of my designs in mini collections didn’t go as hoped so I’m re-evaluating the whole layout and separate distinctly my best samples for display, as asked.
- Work on colour co-ordinates in different colour palette then the one chosen for your target market. For example pastels. Consider WGSM!
I did not understand that the requirement was to create 2 alternative colour co-ordinates (of one pattern), that had to be different from the one chosen for my collection. So I took action by starting researching about oncoming trend in WGSN. I chose for my Colour coordinates the S/S 2019 and A/W 2019/2020 trend for interiors. I also reconsidered my colour palette which i realised it had too many colours and I revisited my Colour Board. I took away two colours and gave a more uniform overall look to the collection which I am now very pleased about.
- Reinvent the quilted fabrics, it is too neat, be more dangerous.
I believe that my quilted sample was indeed to neat for my theme. I focused and gave too much credit to my motif, forgetting to take a step back and look at the overall look of my sample. At first I thought I will remake it from scratch but since I really loved the result so far I decided to work on it instead. To a very symmetric and uniform pattern I decided to add a new colour and an asymmetric final layer in hand stitch that has actually changed the sample making it more unpredictable.
- Work on more scale variations to add excitement.
I experimented with different scale variations. My CAD visuals, in this case, can give a better idea about the actual dimensions of my patterns, since I also considered some of my samples to be in large scale. In my actual samples, though, I chose to give an understanding of the entire pattern rather that just a small piece that would not be sufficient to give the visual of the whole.
- More experimental drawing and blending ideas together on paper/substrates. Experiment with more variations of line thickness, personalise it. Find your hand writing.
It was only after this comment that I realised that I tend to use the same line thickness in many of the drawings so I took some inspiration from nature and started experimenting both in my sketchbook and with my digital designs. The result was surprising, it already added a first element of interest more and created a dept to the designs. I also used collage in my sketchbook which gave me new ideas of texture and 3 dimensional effects to apply to my final samples, that reflect more the shocking feel of my theme.
- Use more range of materials.
I used different materials within the collection and further experiments. Fabrics such as linen, leatherit and velvet. I also used materials less obvious in textiles, such as plexiglass, mdf and LID lights for my wallcovering.
- Consider the use of smart textiles in the developing collection and talk about it even if you can not apply it.
I am already doing a research regarding smart textiles because I think there is potential to include them in my future development for the 3rd year. I mostly intend to use electronics in order to transform my light wall covering into an interactive artefact that will go beyond a simple source of light or a decorative purpose. In fact, I followed a workshop that allowed me to better understand the technology and potential behind it. In short, by adding a conductive material to an object, it can trigger a certain sound associated to it, when a person touches that point. So for example, drawing a wave I can decide to associate to it the actual sound of a wave, permitting a deeper connection between the object and its possessor. The amazing thing is that this can also be applied to textiles because it has been already invented a conductive thread that can be stitched into a garment with a simple needle or stitching machine.
- Consider thermachromic dyes and add a touch of florescent colouring or iridescent bright for a ‘pop’ colour.
I’m considering thermachromic dyes for a future development to pursue further the interaction with objects. In this case it would be a purely aesthetic one where the object, after treating it with thermachromic dyes or paint, it would change colour to the touch in reaction to a temperature change. Regarding florescent paints I already ordered a few samples and decided to experiment with it on one of the samples of my final collection, on the frayed linen body of the ‘Butterfly and net’ design. The goal is to use it as part of the layout of a pattern where the fluorescent motifs are almost invisible in day light but become visible in a different (or same) patter in the dark, for an unexpected and original effect. There aren’t many colours to chose from, only around seven, and some remain bright for longer then others, such as the colour green, mostly known because of the fluorescent stars used for the kids room.
- Improve your CAD visuals. They have to be immaculate
I already watched several tutorials online. There are many places to properly learn how to make a realistic Mock-up. Nonetheless, I had some difficulties making one from scratch so I have contacted Charlie and she has been very helpful in showing me her methods. As it seems, there isn’t only one right way, so experimentation is crucial in order to find the best that suits the situation. Now I am finally pleased with the outcome and feel way more confident with it and it shows in the new CAD visuals I worked on. It takes a lot of time to fix every little detail but in the end it is absolutely worth it in seeing such a realistic layout. I will keep experimenting and find new methods to improve my work even more.
I also decided to make a real cushion and better understand timing and the process involved. From the order of the fabric, the digital result on fabric and the making of the cushion.
- it would be good to see some of your own work on video and /or time-lapse processes.
I did my first attempt in creating a time-lapse video and video on Photoshop. I found some very useful tutorials online and hopefully I will end up learning it to a high standard over the summer holidays. Same for my videos. Since I found it a good practice, I decided to adopt it more for next year considering that it could be an integral part of my portfolio.
- Logo
The logo wasn’t mentioned in my feedback, but since it was in other people’s feedback I considered that it was time for me as well to start experimenting with colours, shapes and name. The third years show was also inspirational. In fact I took all their business cards and made photographs. My first attempt, a couple of years ago, did gave me a nice result but I never felt confident about it and I actually always avoided it. It is only now that I feel I have the right mindset and tools to successfully face this task. I opted for my name, for now, and adapted it to my collection rather than making a generic one which I will work on already from this summer. By far, I am very pleased with the result.
I started my second year without knowing who Timorous Beasties and the more I was learning about them, the more I started to admire their work. Si I took advantage of my time in London, right after my internship, and decided to spend some hours in their shop. It was mind blowing to see all their work in one place. The person in charge of the shop was very happy to show me around and discuss about the designers and where they take their inspiration from. I also took a couple of samples and just lost my self in there for a while touching all the wallpapers and fabrics I could. This first person experience was totally different from mt online and library research, and whenever I can integrated in my future work I will definitely do it.
Anda Avramescu 