digital

For my tailored jacket shoot I’d like to have a strong photoshop element therefore, I’ve been trying to work on my photoshop skills etc. I’d like to start adding some digital elements to my portfolio, especially my mood-boards. 

Today I started my first initial concept board which consisted of working on “photoshop” and “indesign” which I haven’t used much of in the past. I did struggle at first to get the hang of the software but after watching 500,000 youtube videos and having a good play around I feel as though I am getting the hang of it and now able to do basic editing. It’s important to me to work on my digital editing ability so I’m aiming to make a conscious effort to put some work into it in my spare time. 

Genre

This weekend I’ve been working on an era and style for my Classic text project. I came across a photographer who uses Xray in all his photographs. I came across some of his work which was of an old 40’s car in X-ray and was immediately inspired! The car, although being old, had a futuristic look to it. I then looked into more of his work and he photographs clothing in the same way! They say fashion trends come around every 50 years, so I was thinking of setting blithe spirit 100 years in the future - 2040. The trends of shoulder pads, corsets etc but with an extreme futuristic approach inspired via the X-ray. Futuristic fabrics and styles. Fabrics that most definitely would not have been seen during the 40s, being used to create “2040” fashion. 

Blithe Spirit

I have been reading Noel Coward’s Blithe spirit for the next project and I was surprised to find it is based around Folkestone Kent, which is where I live! Folkestone is a “nothing ever happens there” so I was shocked to find out its where the play is based it made me think I should look into the history of folkestone much more as perhaps it hasn’t always been such a dire place 

The play is set in 40’s and although I would like to switch up the era and theme of the play for designing, I also felt I should research the era to give me an idea of Coward’s mindset during these times. I looked into World War 2 and the devastations that were caused. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in particular inspired me to honour these tragedies by adding elements into the characterisation & designing of the costumes.

New project

We are officially onto the next project of the unit and I am eager to get started. After the short time to design for the tailoring project I’m keen to get started on something that gives us more time to research and really submerge myself into. 

In reflection from the formative assessment for tailoring, I think I need to work harder on the making side of the projects. Sewing isn’t my strong point so the earlier I can start the making stage of the project the better. Therefore with this project I’m not going to rush the research at all but I think I’m going to try and create a schedule/my own deadline for when I want to start making by! 

Formative

I had my formative assessment for tailoring today, I felt happy with sketchbook work and research on my subject but I’m beyond disappointed with my jacket so far. I have struggled with tailoring a lot and could have done with more tech skills sessions to explain how to do lining for the full jacket etc. In my formative it was suggested that I start the making process earlier to allow myself more time which I think is definitely something I will work on in future projects. The whole experience of this course so far has been such a learning curve, each and every project I do I learn so much about the design and creative process and how important research is throughout, I’m trying to edit my approach to each project slightly depending on the feedback from the previous project to try and improve.