Unit Evaluation

I feel I have pushed myself throughout this project. The colours I used, the style of technique and overall end look has been out of my comfort zone, however I am pleased with the final outcome. My final designs are different from anything else I've done, and more quirky as prints. I would have never thought I would have brought embroidery into my work because I have always been adamant that I  work within print alone, nevertheless I have really enjoyed working with embroidery. I have always said that I want the audience to feel like they want to touch my designs because they look textured and not just two dimensional, therefore adding fabric layers and embroidery has pushed this idea even further. You can't help but want to feel the samples. The three dimensional prints also make it easier to see the designs working on garments. Maybe this is because in a way they are more physical. 

Print sample- Cotton Voile with machine embroidery

Print Sample- Cotton Voile with a mix of machine and hand embroidery

Print Sample- Cotton Voile with machine embroidery

When choosing fabric to print my designs onto, not only the feel and look of it was important, the quality and price was too. I usually print onto fabric such as Silk Habotai, to get the sheen and silky quality, however this fabric is more pricey. When choosing the fabric I had to think about the customer. I know that a 'working woman' would have money, however if I want my design in the high streets shops, the cost has to come into to play for the prints to be successful. This cotton voile is perfect; as from a distance it looks quite silky,  it holds the colour well but also softens it in a light summery sort of way. 

Looking at designers work has really pushed my designs within this unit; I have seen how important contextual research work is. Without coming across Valentino's striking dress, my work wouldn't have looked like this. I confidently know what aspects are key throughout the designing process: knowing what designers are producing currently, up and coming trends, knowing what your client wants and sticking it to it and finding inspirational images that push your design and create a theme. 

Illustration Board

I always find that placing my designs on fashion illustrations helps me see if my designs work as part of a collection. I'm pleased with my final collection; every design is different but works as a group. I feel that the colour palette works well; I've used the palette differently  within each design, this creates what looks like two different colour collections adding variety within the designs. 

I enjoyed having the aspect of group work at the beginning of the project. Experiences like this is key for preparing yourself to go into the design world. I would have liked to have experienced more group work as I feel it could have pushed me. It would have been interesting to see how our group would have worked when designing and researching a theme together. As we all have different ways of working and key techniques we use; designing together could have taught us each new things that could have been brought through to our designing in the future. Having group tutorials has been good as you get feedback from other students; new ideas come to the foreground, ideas that you wouldn't have come up with. Additionally working in the studio means I can ask for others feedback of what works and what doesn't. It's so important to come out of my 'designing bubble', otherwise I'll just get into a routine of producing the same stuff. Seeing others motivation to do well and create new and exciting designs pushes me...also I am a tad competitive so  seeing great work pushes me to be better..! 

Overall, I have really enjoyed this project. It has been exciting designing for a company as it   has challenged me to think not just about designs that I would prefer as the client is the only one that matters.  I am confident that my final collection meets the brief Debbie gave us, and I believe that I taken in all of the advice and feedback I have been given throughout the project to produce a strong collection and ensure the client is happy.I have driven myself to work in a more three dimensional way and I would really like to explore this aspect more within my future work. I have also learnt how important research is and I want to continue to make contextual research a big part of my work. It has been interesting to see how my work has moved forward throughout this project. Initially I wanted to produce designs based on the theme 'Dark Blooms'; I collected research focused on this idea. Nevertheless, as I started to use my colour palette and develop prints, I realised I wanted to go in a more vibrant route so my work could work for the summer. Even though my theme changed, I don't feel this is a bad thing as my work has just developed and become stronger throughout the project. I feel, I have learnt to be more flexible and relaxed with my designing development, and in turn this has made my designs and research stronger.