Reflection of the Origins Unit: Group Discussion

Within the group discussion on Friday 6th December when reflecting on my work, I discovered that even though I didn't enjoy Mixed Media, that there was a lot that I learnt and could use within other Textile Worlds in the future. This would include the various workshops, e.g. Laser Cutting, Risograph Printing, Bookbinding etc. After the group discussion I found that other textile worlds didn't really take part in many workshops, other than the ones specific to their world. Therefore I feel that I can use this to my advantage to make my work appear more individual. I have also started to produce line drawings within my work for the "Mapping" task - these were inspired from the initial "100 drawings" during the start of Mixed Media.

I have also discovered work from the textile world which I will be going into next, which is Embroidery. I loved the samples what other students produced and I think I will be more suited to embroidery, as the drawings that they produced to inspire their work was mainly mark making, and they also started with a monochrome pallet - this was interesting as I prefer to stick to one colour, just using the tonal ranges within my work.

Evaluation

Throughout my work, my main focus has been development. I thoroughly researched contextual information and artists to help improve this and push my ideas into a more professional outcome.  My work includes an even colour pallet by simply sticking to tonal ranges – this was inspired by various artists that do the same, including; Alba Pratt. I found that by using tonal ranges, it allowed me to think outside the box with how to compose my work and allow colour to be effective, I also found that the textures within my work were also simple like Alba Pratt, however I don’t naturally connect with Fashion, and have tried to progress my work down various paths allowing exploration to find my strengths and weaknesses. Additionally I found that my main strengths with the project was with laser cutting as it mainly suggests pattern, in spite of this the technical part of the laser cutting took a while to become accustomed to – I will carry this through my work to enable a higher skill level.

The 100  drawings that were set as an initial starting point were extremely helpful and were a reference point for me throughout my sketchbooks – I will carry this through in every piece of work I do now, as it makes the development that much easier when your ideas become strained. I also realized the difficulty of animation, and that maybe I’m a more craft based designer.

The contextual research which I produced allowed me to realize the potential that the drawings and structures I produced encompasses – even if parts of the work that I produced weren’t as efficacious as expected, I could still manipulate them into something else, even just by simply taking a photograph. I also gained knowledge in how to document work properly, and that photographs can turn a piece of work into something amazing, and more pleasing to the observer – photographs suggest something different allowing people to decide their own interpretations. My material choices were therefore decided by my photographs as I found the contrast with the leather that I used had an immense effect and documented really easily.

Within the first few weeks of this project I completely struggled with time management, I found that I wasn’t utilizing my independent study to the full uses within the studios. This was due to how I handled the Mixed Media project – I found the 3D work difficult to deal with and as a result I felt restrained. However after a few group tutorials I realized the project was open to anything so I started to explore more ideas and became absorbed into my work and found that there weren’t enough hours in the week to experiment with everything. I have used lateral thinking throughout my work; I found that my samples couldn’t be physically realized so I displayed this through quick sketches.

Pattern

Contextual Research of Pattern.

From the laser manipulation I took various photographs and close ups as the patterns really inspired me. I then created my own patterns from this. These patterns connoted designs that would generally be found within a building e.g.. a ceiling within a building.

Single shot close-up of laser pattern.

Decorative ceiling connotation.

From this I started to research 'textiles and architecture', this lead me to searches of 'Architextiles', and how textiles can be used within architecture.

I will further research Artists to help me to understand how they utilize space and light, and how to develop these pattern ideas further for more a more intriguing and professional approach.

Laser and Cube Development

Experimentation with Laser.

After the 'Pattern Magic' multiple cubes research, I decided to continue with the cubes developing my contextual ideas, this wasn't something that particularly interested me, so I took inspiration from the '3D design BA(hons) programme - from the project where they used cubes as a theme. From this I discovered interesting patterns and shapes. I then referred back to my 100 drawings. From this I created further illustrator files that could then be converted into the laser cutter.

The new laser squares that I produced were simple, but I found that they could be manipulated quite effortlessly into complicated, diverse and unique structures and patters.

 These patterns were created by layering two of the same laser design.

Bending the laser into different shapes.
Using Mathias Bengtsson as inspiration for contextual research.
I also took the simple outlines of these shapes, and created repeat patterns with them that could be used within interior design for surface and patterns onto wallpapers, soft furnishings etc.



Pattern Magic

Multiple Cubes.

Development on the Tomoko Nakamichi: Pattern Magic book inspirations.

After creating the first set of 3D cubes I decided to research 3D fashion, this lead me back to 'Pattern Magic' where I found an instruction guide on how to make multiple 3D cubes.

Simple instruction guide.



First Attempt at creating three cubes.

Although the first attempt didn't specifically look similar to the Pattern Magic handbook, I decided to leave this structure as it was.

The Calico structure holds enticing geometric shapes, this becomes pleasing to the eye the more a spectator views it.

I could imagine this made in other various materials and displayed in various different ways including:   

Fashion - as a shoulder piece, a belt or maybe a hat etc.

Interiors - A lampshade, a 3D window, mirrors etc.

Even to take photographs of segments within the structure provides me with more inspirational ideas as to what it could develop into.

For even further development, I researched Marius Watz. Watz is a contemporary Mixed Media artist, some of his works include paper manipulation, and intricate 3D structures.

As he is also skilful with a laser cutter only using simple shapes I feel that I can relate to his work, to form more structures with the laser using my 100 drawings.

Laser Cutting

Reflecting on the Laser Task.

The laser task specifically stated to produce four different laser cuts, using two different materials, exploring the different techniques that the laser can produce.

Wood:


Engraving on 2mm Wood.

Engraving on 2mm Wood.
This wasn't a successful print as certain areas
were supposed to cut straight through and they
didn't, this was due to the speed set on the laser
being too quick.

Overall the wood was a great material to work with on the Laser, however for future reference I will prepare the machine to the correct speed. I will also experiment more with tonal ranges engraved into the wood.

Leather:

In the above laser cuts, I took a simple rectangle shape from my original 100 drawings and created a repeat pattern. The outcome of this was successful as when cut on the bias the leather is a stretchy material, therefore this allowed me to bend and stretch the material into different shapes creating even more intriguing patterns.
 

For the above "circle" laser cuts, again I took simple shapes and created a repeat pattern. I then took the negative shapes from this and experimented with creating another piece. I did this by pinching the centre of several circles and sewing together to make a 3D shape, and the circles that were too small were scattered around to replicate the "wood" laser cuts.

In conclusion my development of this would be to experiment with the laser files more on the computer to create a more interesting piece, I will also experiment with different stretchy materials. This will then be interpreted into the 3D fabric cubes inspired by Tomoko Nakamichi.

Finding Form

Reflecting on the Finding Form project.

This task was set using only a limited amount of resources.

The aim was to produce various 3D outcomes from a found material, using only the "Richard Serra - verb list" as reference.

My found material that I chose to work with was Cork.

These were just a few of the outcomes that I produced, it included the verbs:

• To store
• To cut
• To shave
• Of grouping

These were all stored in separate food bags, and together when presented it created and interesting and thoughtful piece. However, I didn't enjoy working with this material or with 3D forms in general so I found this restricting and will not develop further.



3D Cubes

Tomoko Nakamichi - 3D Cubes.

This task was set to challenge the production of 2D objects into 3D objects.

The initial starting point was to construct various 3D shapes, analysing the net.

Then to make a cube out of paper to create a pattern that could be then cut out in material and transformed into a 3D cube that could sit into a garment.

"Dekoboko" 3D Cube

Light-weight Calico

I thoroughly enjoyed creating these cubes. It was a challenging and exciting process, I don't enjoy working with 3D objects, however as this was fabric I found the whole experience a lot easier.

These cubes reminded me of the 3D Fashion artist Alba Prat as she always interprets unusual, diverse extras into her work.

I will definitely develop these cubes further under the inspiration of Alba Prat!



Chance Cards

Extending the "Map the City" task. 

Drawing onto folded/crumpled paper.
Taking inspiration from an old sieve,  I punched holes into paper and used as a stencil. I used a hole punch to add texture to the paper and then took the circles and applied elsewhere to create patterns. To add a 3D element to this I passed string through and secured with knots, I also included bubble wrap. Utilising all materials I decided to create patterns with either side of a graphite stick, this was effective as it produced various tonal ranges.

Making a drawing from dust.
Taking inspiration from old crockery.
Piercing holes into paper and carefully dusting over with graphite shavings and a paintbrush to create interesting textures and compositions.

 Making a drawing using Indian Ink and different sized brushes.
Define "Brushes"?
Here I used bubble wrap dipped into Indian Ink and printed onto hand-made paper. Using staples to secure the layers together. This replicates a metal air vent.

A light drawing onto a dark background.

Using an old leaflet I decided to print bubble wrap on top using Gouache.

I also added bubble wrap as a 3D element for texture and surface.

The pattern was taken as inspiration from a photograph on part of a building.

 

Drawing onto layered sheets of transparent paper.

Drawing a continuous line of part of the old Art and Design building and layering with transparent papers, adding detail to each layer to make it look 3D. Secured together the layers with staples. Not a successful drawing but I enjoyed experimenting.

Drawing onto a found object.

Collecting a Newspaper and a few leaflets to compose together as a collage background.

Then later making stamps of logos and various typography within the city to print with.

Make a drawing from Shadows.

I took inspiration from the new Art School, using the reflections within the buildings windows and the shadows the building created  on the floor. This was then turned into a composition and drawn using print techniques and mixed media devices.