Research Practices
The brief set seems quite daunting. I feel it could potentially be the most challenging to date.
We have been asked to select a core theme from Application of Design along with a separate from our lecture notes. Each are to be researched individually and then linked together in a way to provide a final product, brand and concept.
Enthused by the whole content of Application in design I have decided to examine the sea life ideal. I will research several prints however it is more the contrast and variation in texture which I wish to create.
In relation to my lecture notes I have chosen to examine the word museology. Below I have included an extract in which I will gain inspiration
Museology is the study of the "museum experience" seen both through the eyes of the institution, and the visitor. The motivation factors for both groups that result in the "museum experience" change over time with the collection on display, and the history of this change is also a subject of museology.
Museology seeks to understand and develop proficient exhibits which engage the audience by way of looking at the past and truly grasping techniques and displays that are productive and how they can be adapted to changing societies and utilized to effectively educate and stir interest, awareness, or curiosity. Both form and function become sources to be analysed as they allow greater comprehension of an audience’s overall reception of a message.
Historians recognize inherent issues, problematic to the ‘truth’ which they seek to unfold and have been forced to adapt their tactics when drawing information out; this has led to tremendous efforts to borrow from other disciplines.
From this given text, I noticed museology is described as a structure, an institution in which is open to change. Unfolded and adapted to change in order to draw out information. This has inspired me to look at how art is displayed in museums. The structure of museums. I will look into particular techniques such as origami, quilting and pleating and work with the idea of transforming a product thought the use of multiple panels.
In order to attain primary research, I visited the Leeds City Museum. Photographs were taken not of the art work itself but the overall layout and compassion used throughout.
Vary the size and shape of individual panels. Asymmetrically placed, Raise individual areas to create interest and texture.
Sheer pockets, lining, fabric. A contrast in opacity suggests a variation in texture.
Colour inspiration - I believe the white and the deep red work really well together. A white fabric could be used within my final product range. Using a white, opaque fabric such as paper nylon would bring the notion of the white cube - an aesthetic used throughout numerous museum displays.
It was the first day back at uni today since easter and we were required to make a story board in order to combine the two texts and provide a clear and concise concept whilst suggesting any possible products to create a range. A few days previous to this, I had already generated two separate moodboards in which provided any imagery and illustrations in which had provided inspiration. This meant that the storyboard itself did not take long to generate.
For my final product, I have begun to look into bag manipulation. A bag frames a garment and the body, allowing it to become the focal point of an outfit. This idea relates cohesively to my overall concept.
I shall now begin to look into more panelled structures. The sea life element shall appear through laser cut patterns, exposed, raised seams and finishes. Geometric shape could possibly be overlapped in order to generate shell like appearances.
I had an interview in London today, which meant that, I was unable to attend the research practices lesson. Although it was only a day as only a day per week is allocated to this module within university, I feel so far behind. Talking to the others within the group, they experimented with drawn designs, fabric manipulation, moulage, samples and were able to compile a final design. Although, I have already compiled several of my own fabric samples it is important that over the weekend I focus on the design and experiment with pattern manipulation.
Photographs of the most successful samples
Reverse Pleats
Geometric shapes sew together along each side with a zig zag stitch. This sample combines each aesthetic. With shape inspiration taken from Museology and visible stitching inspired by sea bed textures.
Although, I have managed to create a large number of designs, I still feel that, I am not quite at the final design stage. I laser cut an adequate amount of paper nylon and shall begin to moularge the fabric together in order to aid the final design process. I do not want the structure to become to complex as museolgy is about simple interchangeable structures. The design aesthetic shall be more prominent within the fabric itself, encasing laser cut patterns between two layers of paper nylon. (this concept again relates to museology as the art work is framed)
The Laser cut pattern
The shapes removed from the fabric.
The final pattern was generated by taking the outline of these shapes. The pattern was cut twice, rotating the top layer in order the provide distortion. The technique generated shapes similar to that provided by shell sutras through a geometric perspective.
I have begun to experiment with bag construction.
Initially my final design contained a base as this is where, I wanted to incorporate the geometric sewn sample. However after, I had produced the pattern, I noticed that once fastened together the base lifted and exposed. I want the bag to lay flat both fastened and unfasten and therefore have decided to remove the base and attach the panels together along the bottom.
The outcome of removing the base provides a representation of my desired intention.
In order to secure each panel together, I wanted to take aspects from both areas of research. Eyelets combined with picture hooks provided a secure, innovative fastening.
Although the specific fastening worked how intended, I found the contrast between the gold and the white fabric to be excessive. It made the design appear cheap. Emphasis was placed the fastenings themselves, an intention, I do not wish to achieve.
I've started to contemplate alternative variations in which maybe used. Although used continuously throughout the catwalk, a button fastening combines each areas of research.
I wanted to make sure that the fasting itself did not overpower the structure. I managed to find a clear plastic hexagon shaped button. A shape used throughout my design process. Clear plastic casing is used throughout museology, it glimmers when hit with light, an aspect found beneath the sea. A button hole is finally framed with a top stitch, again allowing both areas to successfully collaborate with one another.
My Toile
I am happy with the overall design. Although geometric panels were used, The structure were softened by incorporating a strap diagonally from the front to the back. This shall be my final design.
I started to construct my final design today. Initially, I was going to over lock each panel and not line the bag however because of the angles used within the side panels, I found that lining would be needed for a professional image to be attained.
Lining the inside of the bag, I decided to leave the top section exposed. This aesthetic still allowed overlocked edges to be exposed whilst providing additional pockets.
Initially, I was going to incorporate the the sewn geometric shapes within the base of the product. However once the base had been removed, I was forced to reconsider placement. Taking into consideration pocket designs, I have decided to attach the sample panels within the inside of the lining of the front and back panels. Confining the texture within, the shapes appear visible from the inside of the bag.
With each panel attached 6 secreted pockets are provided - the number of sides it takes to generate c hexagon - a geometric shape used throughout the design process.
With panels varying in thickness and opacity, when attached together areas are raised.
It provides an appearance similar to that of pleating. Another aspect in which links the two areas f research cohesively.
Final Design Concept
To experience the seabed idea through geometry and confining the equation within the subject of museology. The final collection provides a range of innovative products that are used to frame aspects of an individuals life. Consisting of large totes to purses and pass port holders.
Photographs of my final bag
The strap may be removed to prove a clutch alternative
The side panels may be removed to form a small rectangular bag
I believe that, I managed to fulfil the brief in which was set. Successfully managing to combine two aspects of research. I am happy with my final outcome and am looking forward to utilising the concept surrounding my third year.
Aspects in which, I will carry on are Laser cutting, pattern manipulation and interchangeable fastenings. Although, I believe the fastenings chosen to be successful, I will continue to research potential alternatives.
Digital prints could be integrated within future collections along with numerous techniques such as knit. Although as of yet, I have not been exposed to the knit process working with Bora Aksu over the summer will help.
