LIVE PROJECT - Lumula Nassuna

Received the project brief before we actually began the project and I liked what the aim of the project was, and I thought it was different from what I have designed, so it was a little out of my comfort zone but I do like a challenge. It all began well with research and looking at different artists for me to be able to move forward with ideas. From the artists I gathered that I wanted to present identity of a woman and use one artist to represent the colour from her paintings, they were two simple tones of colour and they contradicted each other.

I created a mind map discussing what I thought they were representing and then researched designers that created suits and the different styles and shapes of them. I played with pleats and the different shapes I could form on a body, some of the shapes that I used were relating to the shape on the artists work. I created some sketches from the stand work, on how they would look styled as a suit, I think the pleats work the most. I thought I would be more experimental and try something new by manipulation stand work on photoshop but I think it was ok but not my best work as I felt it was ver limiting.

I created much more detailed designs that were created from development from stand work, I would have developed further my ideas but I just felt so confused and didn't know where to go further. I just felt that there was nothing for me to go on for this project, so I have not completed it. Next time, I will ask for help on how I can move on with the project.

Personality Project (PART 2)

I had all my research but I didn't know how to go on further, for stand work or developing an idea, but I just felt so lost and didn't know what to do next. I had some ideas but I didn't know how to move on forward. So I used shapes from some images at weddings I had been to and took the shapes and enlarged so that I could do some stand work. I didn't like the shape I used, I felt like I could of developed a shop and got something else. However it did allow me to explore different shapes for the clothing and make it more modern and everyday wear but fun and still represent that wedding side to it.I experimented with the arabic writing and placed on different parts of the body, playing with the size of the font, to see what works better.

I created some illustrations which I enjoyed a lot as they were interesting and created another element and really helped me with ideas on development which I thought that if only I did it before. I managed to get more designs that turned into rough finalised designs, I selected which garment pieces goes well with each other and then decided for the colour of the clothing it was going to be blue tones like I showed at the start of the project. The colour blue fading from light to dark to light from the day to night to day of me partying. 

Overall the end collection I loved but I just think my sketchbook didn't flow as much with my ideas, like it works out well in my head but I don't know how to put it all down on paper. Next time I should manage my time as well, as it took me a while to get to the development staged. 

Personality Project (PART 1)

I was intrigued about this project as I had to portray myself in a collection. Which made me also apprehensive as I had to make sure that my personality was presented through the collection. So selecting four objects that have a meaning to me and it will help as a starting point, for me to then be able to develop it into a concept. So mind map was a great way to expand on the objects and by doing this, I gathered the idea of talking about the ISIS problem but then decided that I am not that much of a serious person and wanted it to be much more of a fun collection. So I developed further into the mind map and managed to see that the word 'traditional' was mentioned often and that I could go on just from that word. So thats what I did. I looked at the traditional Albanian costumes, and manipulate them into women wearing the men traditional outfits and breaking the traditional affairs.

Looked at the details of the traditional costumes

Then used my religious upbringing into the project as its something that represents me but not acknowledge as much. I used it to translate Albanian words into Arabic representing my journey at parties with my family especially with my father as he likes to party and have a good time. We would go to a party or a wedding midday and then we leave the next morning, so the Arabic words translate good morning, good afternoon and good night.

I linked some words from the mind map and it led to identity and I wanted to portray the idea of changing the gender between the Albanian traditional clothing; so what the men wear for a woman to wear instead and the other way round, but as I was only doing a woman collection I focused only on that. I want to express the happiness and joy that I have at weddings with my family and our friends and how that summer is always the most fun we have. 

Completion of detail project

Using the details I gathered I photocopied them and created illustrations with magazines and drawings as well. I enjoyed this as it gave new life to the sketchbook and just made it so innovative and diverse from just the designs and photocopies.

I selected three favourite details and then photocopied multiple sheets but enlarging the size of them so that I can work on stand. I enjoyed this technique as I was able to interact with the details, how they can be used on the body. One of the details was a fan shaped but I highlighted the folds with a marker and create the detail to be more modern which was another way of developing my idea unintentionally. As I had multiple copies of the detail I layered them creating this large ruffle down the sleeves but it looked so beautiful and changed the style of the clothing by the amount of layers I added. I enjoy working on the stand as its a way of getting more inspiration and developing your ideas to achieve the best final outcome. I developed rough designs from the stand work that I photographed, in the designs I played around the with the placement of the detail on different style of clothing. I thought I would experiment and try on photoshop to place the detail on a female body, to create some collages that just add depth the sheet.

I continued doing rough design developments, which I believe were a success and the designs were clean and understandable for anyone. I decided to go back to the start and do a little more research on the style of the daywear during that time and found that that it was much more relaxed than evening wear but very beautiful and comfortable for woman. Which then allows me to focus more on every day wear an not just evening wear, my rough designs were ready to wear. Then I selected and placed garments together to create a whole outfit and then came up with a final collection, which I believe is good but next time I should develop more to be able to get a better final outcome, that is much stronger as a collection. However the project does represent the 1930's.

Detail

Start of a new project and smaller time frame for completion in comparison to the first project of the year. It made me a little more stressed as I need to be on top of my game, so that I can evolve as a designer and that it allows me to make my time management skills much better as before they were not the best. The project is called 'Detail' and I loved the sound of it as I always follow a similar process when designing, grabbing small features or details as I should say, and developing it by size and position. Making the detail stand out and be in an unusual place but make the design look amazing and sleek at the same time.

First task was to decide on the era that i'll be looking into and I decided to do the 1930's as I loved the ruffles and the belts on the clothing but had to evolve them onto daywear, which I thought would be difficult but it was fine. I researched the era and then created a concept board, which I enjoy creating. To change the difference in texture on the concept board, I included fabric swatches that I gathered on the day after as, I thought that it creates more of depth of the research and what fabric and colour was used.

The day after went to develop my research further and get some primary research, which was not helpful in the museums and galleries I went to, as they did not have a strong collection of products in that era or any attracted or inspired me for the project. So on the weekend went to look at another one and discovered much better research to help me create further designs. However I used this day to also source fabric samples in the fabric stores around London as they have a strong variety. Enjoy doing research out of the class as it creates a much better experience and you have different feelings toward pieces of art or garments than looking through a computer screen.

The next day I selected the images that I included in my concept board and that I researched further and drew the details, which then allowed me to focus on that and not just the whole image and then create rough sketches of how they can be on garments, look different but still wearable. From the details that were drawn to photocopy those and create illustrations of designs, but playing with mixed media like using paint, fine line, magazines, print outs and the photocopies of my drawings. I enjoyed this as it allows you to be creative but also imagine where the details can be positioned on a garment. Like one of my illustrations included my drawings of bow flowing down the jacket hemline like duffles and I thought it gave a feminine touch and a look of that era but updated.

During the week I completed some designs that I hadn't complete and the illustrations and still thinking about ideas for my final collection and colours that are common in the era and I should use in my collection.

FIN

Received brief for the next term of the course, it sounded very exciting as well as the new timetable is a plus. To end this term, we need to do an assessment and I received my time for assessment and it made it all realistic. It made me more nervous and stressed but I can't wait for it to be over with and continue the process of the Foundation Diploma. I continued during the day developing my idea and doing stand work with brown paper, which allowed me to come up with better ideas of a garment piece. Experimenting like this allowed me to use this technique further on, when doing other projects, as its a great way to create designs and I enjoyed it very much.

Created a toile of my design that I want to go forward with, however it made me understand that I want to make the layers of the wave to be more random and unique than very similar and flow the same way, as I am trying to represent direction and journey. Your journey in life is normally random and takes you to all sorts of places, so that meant I needed to apply this to my design. Now I understand why they are needed to be done, as they allow you to make any mistakes and you can resolve before making the actual thing and so that you don't end up making mistakes on really nice, expensive fabric.

Finishing things and preparing for a small critique, it went well, nerve wrecking as not everything was complete in sketchbook and I discovered some issues when I got a friend to try my garment. So that was good as it allows me to sort it out before my assessment and make it look really good. Overall the first term has been really good, as I have learnt so many new things and made some good friends during the process. It has been more intense and completely different to A Levels from sketchbook to things that I have been taught through the process. I'll use these new skills for the next part of the course but make them much better and make sure my timing get much better too that it doesn't end up last minute.

Development and Moving on...

Began the week mostly focusing on the next step of my life, understanding what needs to be done to continue the process of my career. I was given an in sight of places I can look at to help me make my mind up for which university I want to take on to do my undergraduate degree. So I was advised to look at universities and book open days for the ones that I am interested in. I have been through this process before in my previous Sixth Form and it was good to understand the process again and know the dates of the deadlines. As well as understanding the difference between options available such as funding, etc. Later on the day, I continued developing in my sketchbook for my final idea, creating sketches that came from my accessory that I created, as I liked the design of it.

Next day, I went to visit the Tate Modern and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) to gather data for my essay that I need to do. During my visit I enjoyed the Tate Modern rooms with the different artists more than the ICA as it didn't click with me very well. However I will explain this in my essay about the exhibitions that I looked at as I have so much to talk about. As I enjoyed the exhibitions, it made me aware that I should look out for anymore shows/exhibitions in London and book tickets for the exhibition that was at the Tate now, 'The world goes POP'.

On Wednesday, I continued developing ideas as I still haven't decided what I really want to have as my final idea. The drawings I created, I did directly into my smaller sketchbook that I carry around as I was so afraid that I will do it wrong but slowly became more comfortable and brave. Then had a group tutorial and this allowed me to understand what I need to do to make it much stronger as a sketchbook as so far, it is really good and going well. It also allowed me to look at other peoples book and get there opinion of what there favourite part of the book is.

Friday, continuation of developing ideas, designing garments but they were too neat and that they should be more rough, especially if they are initial ideas. I am a little nervous and stressed for the assessment as it is completely different to what I am use to and I hope I have everything included in my sketchbook, but to allow me to be ready for it and prepared I have create a list. So I know what needs to be included in my sketchbook. Once I complete this, I have made sure not do what I have done previously and be laid back at the start as it makes it more difficult at the end but be on it straight from the start. Later on the day I had a prototyping induction and this allows me to experiment and play with machines that I have never used before as the limitation at colleges. It make me so excited to use them and create something fun and exciting in the near future.

PRINTS

Learned the technicals and important file names and the resolution that you should be working at when printing in different sizes. I have been taught before how to create a print through photoshop but this workshop allowed me to refresh my mind and develop my knowledge which was awesome. I enjoyed this workshop very much as it allowed me to develop designs and ideas that were gathered from research to create prints for garment designs. Began with just a simple circle shop and then began adding layers, cutting away shapes to create holes from a basic shape. Which was developed further by playing around with the paintbrush and creating artistic drawings to get used to the software, Photoshop.

Continued with print and developed our basic skills so that I could create something more advanced and then actually start creating a collection and applying the print on to any stand experiments or sketches that I create. When applying the print onto a garment design you have to change the colour tone so that it doesn't look flat and you can capture the shadows and shapes of the piece.
Created two prints and had to link them together with the other prints from your teammates to create a garment, my team created a halter neck crop top and I think it was constructed very well as the folds and the shapes of the prints just made it all connect.
As we had a lot of blue tones on prints we decided as a team to go with that and select our two
favourite and  randomly we all used circular shapes which also enhanced the garment and added to the blue effect.

I continued during the rest of the week developing my ideas in my sketchbook and completing sketches of my accessories and developing ideas but trying out the use of different media, to make the page look different as well as strong at my skill level. It has not been so bad when doing this as i think that the accessories workshop helped a lot on what is expected, so just continued on and now developing on further.

Accessoriesss

Understanding and researching of what accessories are out there and what have been created for catwalk shows at the moment. I my themes, I am following through the idea of travel and memories so I brought in my Passport as an object to allow me to begin evolving and developing into a product.  So from the passport I created some drawings from symbols and small details from it. Enlarged, interacted with the passport, manipulating it variously to create collages, further drawings and sketches. Cutting out symbols, stamps, marks that have been engraved on the pages of the passport. What I got from the cutouts of photocopies, I photocopied them to positive/ negative - so getting an inverse of the shape and not the detail, which gave me the idea to create a sample.

Creating collages for developing designs by manipulating the sample wire through the photocopier and and creating a multiple repetitive print of it. Allowed me to create like a squiggle effect and layering them to seem like stiff chains dangling but flowing like a wave. It also looked very fun and funky like a Keith Haring piece of work, from the shapes and prints he portrays of figures. I enjoyed the process as I got to have a better understanding of the printer/photocopier and learn other techniques to blow me to evolve my ideas. Began to create the product after I knew what I wanted to do but it was going to plan as I was wanting to mix wire and wood together but couldn't find a strong enough glue to hold them together, as with hot glue- it would stay and then fall of after and it kept causing a lot of problems with me. So I have now decided to drill; and created holes for the wire to go through as it is much easier to control and does not require as much help.

Experimentation of Fashion Illustrations and Development

Started the day with experimenting with magazine cutouts and photocopies of fashion illustrations from books. When doing this i liked the difference between a small head and a enlarged body, the experiment was really good as it made the illustration abstract and artistic. Began creating fashion illustrations focusing on the colour of the fabric pieces; the mark-making, pattern and texture that the models where wearing. It was okay at the start when trying to focus on just the fabric but not the best as I was trying to get used to the different medias, Understand what effects they give when using them, by changing the positioning when using them to give a different motion. The media used were paints,  coloured fine line liners, design pens and pencils. By doing this it allowed me to be more free and not a perfectionist when creating any drawings.

The next task was to create drawings focusing on the detail and accuracy of the garment features. I preferred this the least than the the first one as it was hard to get all the detail in such a speed and felt like it wasn't as interesting, colour wise. As it was so different from the first experiment it was a bit difficult to comprehend. By the end I got the hang of it and started eating some elaborate designs that I really liked and will be using it in my sketchbook further.

The rest of the work was developing your sketchbook into much more detail, at home and during the workshop. I was confused when creating a conceptual idea and this held me back a little, as I was over complicating it but it wasn't that challenging. It gave me a path to follow to produce designs, drawings, etc and developing them using different processes like; Image manipulation, collage, drawings, work on the stands. Doing this meant that I didn't just have photocopies and printouts in my sketchbook. This allowed me to create further outcomes and evolve processes and techniques I have used to create designs, etc.

LFW and TREND REPORT

London Fashion Week is always amazing but going to the actual event is phenomenal, as the amazing street style of the people. The task was to try and get into atlas one of the events, however the amount of security and the places full to the capacity it was very difficult to get in. On the other hand we watched a show on the big screen at the Golden Square Garden which was awesome as well as people with amazing style that walked by as there were industries taking photographs and sponsors around there. This could of been done if I planned the day before of shows I should visit to get in or either ask to be a plus one of a photographer or act like a blogger by blabbing my way in. Its all about being at the right place at the right time, like I should of gone to the Burberry show, to get amazing shots of the celebrity styles. 

As I did not manage to get into any shows but as I arrived early to the location I was able to retrieve tickets to a talk event with a fashion designer named Zandra Rhodes, which was interesting to know about her and her style and what she had been doing over the past years. I wish that I moved around more by the locations of the shows as maybe some how I would have been able to get into one by trying haone of a photographer or act like a blogger by blabbing my way in. Its all about being at the right place at the right time, like I should of gone to the Burberry show, to get amazing shots of the celebrity styles. I enjoyed taking shots of street style as I was right in my element as I enjoy photography a lot however I find myself quite hesitant when approaching new people, but the task allowed me to overcome this. I did manage to go out and help at the last show of LFW, which was really awesome and that was FAD. 

Awesome Model that I found

The next task was to collect any samples, documentation or imagery for a trend report and for the help of my project that could link with my two images. So I was understanding and discovering how designer collections are presented through windows to mannequins and rails in the stores. I noticed that they are very adventurous with there presentation in there windows so that they can attract the target market but also other people. This task was very fun to do as I was able to discover stores that I would not go in a daily basis and learn new designers that have amazing work and are not that common like; Chanel, Gucci, BOSS, Fendi, Mulberry, etc... It was a little hard at the start as I did not understand what I should exactly be looking for and it was very awkward and difficult going into luxury designer stores as they had all eyes on you. I enjoyed the task as I was able to explore London streets and stores so that it can help me in the future if I am looking for any fabric stores or research for myself or creating a trend report. 

Photoshop edit created of things I gathered around London

The research information and imagery that I collected in London was used to help me create a Trend Report by 2pm and work in a group. First of all, I enjoy working in a group but the people in my group were sort of lazy and I had to set up and take leadership and tell everyone what they need to do and how we should represent it because if I didn't do that we would of had nothing to showcase at the end. One thing I didn't like was that there was a time limit and everything had to been planned out quickly and created that I even had to work through my lunch break but it allowed me to be more organised and trust in my ideas and confidence when producing work. I was also able to explore and build on my skills on the use of Photoshop will help a lot in the future when advertising and promoting.