Week One

I haven’t progressed much this week with it being the first week back in the new build. It has been more about settling into the new studio rather then getting much done. It feels strange to be in a different studio, almost like im at a new university. Hopefully this time we will have more equipment to use. I have already seen the photography studio and it looks amazing. There is lodes of lights and photography equipment which will be really good for me to use for a final photo shoot, or even to photograph and record my sampling.

I have finished writing my brief this week so hopefully now I can get stuck into my project. I have decided to use architecture as my theme. I want to look at contemporary buildings and make paper samples using the shapes that I find within them. I have decided to look at more modern architecture as I find it more interesting to look at then historical architecture. I like the use of different materials such as glass at metals. New buildings use more unique shapes and colours then have been used in the past. Traditionally architects tended to use just brick and have normal windows. I am going to sample using papers and then maybe move onto fabrics to make a garment. I think that paper would be a good place to start as architects use paper to plan their designs. Papers are also a good thing to start off with as they will be easy to fold and treat to make interesting samples.

I want to make a garment which could also be displayed as a hanging piece. I think that for my final show it would look good to show a series of photographs and a hanging piece. This would link in better with the architecture theme, rather then just displaying a dress on a mannequin. I want to photograph my samples throughout the project, and if these are interesting and strong enough to use for the show I will use these. If not I will have to take some photographs in the photography studio of the finished piece either on someone or hanging and then get these printed up to display. The only problem with this is that I would have to get the final garment made earlier to have enough time to get the images printed up.

On Wednesday I went to the library to find some books that I can use for my project. I found two called patterns designs art and architecture. These are really good books which show different modern types of architecture which are incredible. The use of different coloured glass and metals work well together and there is also a lot of different and interesting shapes used. I also got out a book on surface textiles which shows all different colours and textures. I need to look at what colours I could use. I am going to start off by using quite a subtle colour pallet. Creams, greys, browns. Anything which may be used within architecture. I think I mite then see what colours I could use with them. I think that a small flash off bright colour would work well to liven it up and make it stand out more. I could have some colour on the underside of the garment. I will have to see what research I gather throughout the project to see how that goes.

Next week I want to get started with my work and start sampling with different papers. Different thicknesses, colours, and textures. Once I have started this I can keep photographing the samples and work out where to go next with the fabric ones. It will depend how the paper ones turn out to see what to use next. I also need to get a sketchbook started.