Visual Research/ Ideas Development

Inspiration 

To get the ball rolling, I looked at inspirational images and designers work. With dark blooms in mind I sourced images that would inspire me to start drawing! I looked through books, journals such as Bloom, websites such as Patternity.org and took my own images; collecting a variety of images.

Mood Board

'Bloom' Board

I wanted my work to look textured and 3D like; so customers want to touch the designs. Using paints, pencils and fine liner, I started to produce a variety of drawings.

Contextual Research

Looking at the current trends, bloom is a key theme. There was a variety of technique throughout the collections; painterly deep florals, laced 3D scattered embroidered florals, pixellated looking repeats and mixed media prints. The designers that have stood out is Valentino, Erdem, Dolce & Gabanna, McQ and Mary Katrantzou. 

Erdem

Dolce & Gabanna

Mary Katrantzou

Valentino

McQ

I especially like the 3D work used within some of the designs. Valentino's maxi, collared, sheer dress stood out for me. The scattered embroidered florals cascading down the dress adds gorgeous detail to a very formal shaped dress. As the dress is mainly black, the use of grey textured flowers underneath the brightly coloured ones, adds more depth; it creates a out of focus background with a striking foreground.

A particular photograph of mine stands out to me as it includes the blurred/ out of focus aspect, against blocked colour. Looking at this photo and Valentino's designs, I would really like to experiment with this idea. 

My own image taken in Northumberland

Blind Drawing 

To make sure I didnt slip into a mechanical way of working, I experimented in a more free way. As I didn't look at the page whilst drawing, free flowing shapes were created. The motifs that came out of using this technique meant that the patterns I started to create were more spontaneous and less predictable. A lot of my previous work has a mechanical finish, which worked for the theme I was working with, however florals are very natural and therefore using a structured way of working wouldn't work as effectively. 

At this point in the designing process, I needed to make sure that I knew the audience I was working for. Obviously Debbie from Digetex is my critical client, however when presenting my work to her, I need to have a target audience, so my work is clearer and it has a purpose. The customers I am designing for are women, typically aged 20-30. Women who dare to be bold and wear colour. Working women, city chics, comfortable in bold, colourful prints. 

When designing I need my customer and client in mind at all times, to create successful prints. 

Sourced from http://www.manrepeller.com

Sourced from http://patternity.org

Sourced from http://patternity.org

Group Research and Presentation

Experiencing team work before stepping into the design industry is key. Even though we weren't designing together, it was good to just research, plan and work as a team. We were asked to create a presentation within a group, explaining what we had learnt from the Digetex studio visit and also research undertaken. We decided to meet up a few times; each of us taking one topic with the company and collecting research and information we could put across to the rest of the groups. As we had all worked within a team, arranged meetings and enjoyed the experience, our presentation went well and the response was positive. 

Digetex Brief

'Join the team, enjoy the tour and embrace digital print and all the creative 

freedom that it offers! 

A word of warning : Please don’t create a sea of photoshop styled prints, I’m 

looking for, as are your potential employers unique TALENT not photoshop 

quick fixes. 

Your work should include, sketchbook, hand drawings, still life or photography 

and multi - layered media. Think…..painted over drawn prints, sewn hand 

drawings and video. 

Please mix it up, go out side of the box and create something refreshing and 

inspirational. 

Your prints must be suitable for application onto buildings, furniture, fashion 

and Interiors. 

Think BIG……HUGE….VOLUME…..SCALE…CONTRAST.'

I wasnt sure what to expect from Unit X but after the initial briefing, I realised it would be nothing like last year! I have chosen 'Print & Pattern' within College 2 and I'm so happy I did. We have been given a brief from Digetex; a print company based in Manchester. Digetex are classed as converters, they put a design or idea into end use. They work with a range of Clients, from designers like Matthew Williamson, to anyone who wants their own fabric samples printed.  They also help with designing; if someone has an idea but doesn't necessarily have the skills, they can work with the clients to produce the prints they envisage. We also learnt more about their product range and their large customer base including one off purchasers and contract clients such as Hotels.

Looking around the Digetex studios opened my eyes to the world of work within design. The studios were only small, yet the character of the company shon through! Mood boards covered the walls and sample swatches stood out within a sea of colour. We had a tour of the factory with an explanation of how everything worked and what every machine was used for. The key thing I took from the visit was to make yourself unique; create your own handwriting. 

'Join the team, enjoy the tour and embrace the digital print and all the creative freedom that it offers'

Mood Boards given by Digetex