Evaluation of Origins Unit



 

Evaluation of Origins Unit

Image created on Photoshop

 

 

The process of Digital Printing

Final outcome for Mix-Media

As part of the programme of textiles in practise, at the Manchester University, I have been on a rotational scheme for the past eight weeks. As well as learning new areas alongside this I have also attended many lectures on IT Services, library inductions, health and safety, Moodle, Blogger, learning about different fibres, studying abroad and also CP1 (each week)

 I endured my first few weeks spending my time in Mix-Media, this is a practise workshop allowing me to familiarise myself with new areas and give me a taste of the overall subject area itself. Within these first few weeks already I have learnt so much, at the start I struggled adjusting to the fast pace, deadlines and expectations however I seem to have adjusted to this as times gone on and actually I'm starting to enjoy my time. As early as weeks one and two I had sessions working with Apple Mac computers using them for the first time. I found the up to date software that comes with it (such as Adobe-Illustrator and Photoshop) was a total shock to my system, as I wasn’t previously familiar with this software and new introduction of technology within my work. As previously on my foundation course they didn’t capacitate the facilities for this.

Mix Media overall for me was a great starting point and experience though I found the fast pace and technical side a problem in the beginning, since then I’ve been able to further my knowledge and progress in this area which I believe you can visually see within my work from looking at my starting point laser sessions, through my development work to my outcomes which are complex pieces that when put together resemble that of a fish. There is always room for improvements for example I could have further developments in terms of testing materials, samples and colour tests maybe, if I was to have more time in this area I could have further developed my ideas. I'm trying to portray the fact, though I may not have been the best in this area at the start I’ve found I can now use my new found skills in all areas and this was the foundations for my next rotation.  

 

Print was my second part of the rotation and if I thought for a second mix media was fast pace then this is a whole new level. Just coming to the end of this rotation at present and have experienced working with and without colour, learning about surface pattern (scattered, tossed, stripe and placement) also the many different processes and dyes a person goes  through when printing onto a variety of fabrics. As well as this I’ve also encountered extra tuition using computers I am now able to adjust, feather, shadow, combine shapes, delete sections etc all to which I am proud of my outcomes. I am still learning and developing the techniques taught therefore still room for improvement however I'm pleased with how far I’ve come overall in  the short space of time given.

final outcome mix media

creating 3D paper design using the original object as inspiration for the shape.

Final outcome slots together in seven parts.

Mequette made from cardboard ensuring the design would work and was in proportion. 

The aim of this brief was to create a mix media piece, based on ten chosen objects of my choice. Each piece I chose had some relevance to me, in either a personal way or something I have a strong connection with. At the start of this project the task in hand was to set up a still life and draw these objects from observation. This task was set in order to familiarize myself with the overall general shape of each of the objects, the designs, small details and overall scale on the page. I found sketching using pencil and black ink fitted within my comfort zone and straight away started to create large drawings, However when it came to drawing all ten objects to a certain time frame and scale, I found this difficult as I couldn't seem to keep up with the fast past of the challenge, particularly getting all ten objects sketched out before moving on to the next drawing. 

The second part to the mix media class was to look at your drawing and from this using paper make a 3D shape. Simplifying the sketches I drawn made this easier by making each piece a line drawing in order to progress the shape and move the flat 2D designs on paper to a more 3D design. This task was set in preparation for the laser cutter, which I found was a difficult task firstly because I had to simplify my designs, stripping them back to a line drawing and secondly because I’d never previously used illustrator.

The outcome of this challenge I'm very happy with as I've been able to overcome my difficulty using illustrator and designed a seven piece model that’s complex and successfully fits together. If I was to do this challenge again id possibly rethink my choice of materials, colours and scale.

Ruth Lee

Ruth Lee 

Ruth Lee likes to be known as a Fiber artist, rather than a Knitter or textile designer. I have recently become more interested in this artists work due to a book i discovered during a recent visit to the library. This book stood out amongst the rest as I straight away was intrigued by the brightly, colourful yarns on the front cover, which caught my attention straight away. Ruth focuses on three-dimensional textiles, an area in which i'm particularly interested in. Ruth likes to use an array of techniques within her work such as coils, loops, knots and nets. I believe that each piece of her work to look at could represent that of coral under the sea, visually delicate and fragile looking, however made up in contrast of strong materials and thick knots. In particular I like the technique she uses which called 'coiled and knotted tail form' this is using thick yarn combined with more smoother materials which creates an almost fish like tale design.

Joana Vasconcelos

Joana Vasconcelos

Joana Vasconcelos is a totally inspirational textile designer and maker who's work i believe creates a dialogue and visual language, as her work is totally unique and contemporary in design. I've always admired Joana's work, as i believe i work in a similar way, with the use of a variety of materials in order to create large 3D contextual piece's based on hidden meanings and agendas. This sculptured pan set is based on a Marco scale and sculptured in a way to create immediate impact to the viewer, in order to portray the importance of the size of the message. 

Michael brennand wood

During a recent visit to Liverpool's  Bluecoat Chambers, built in 1716-17 as a charity school. There I was able to stumble across an inspirational artist Michael Brennand Wood who's work stood out amongst the rest. An explosion of colour, almost jumping out at you as you walk by his Footloose from the series Vase Attacks 2009. This is a 3D model in the shape of a shoe, however defeats its object as visually it appears more ornamental than useful. His focus behind his pieces have cultural meanings as well as social and political values. Brennand's work i believe will be good when in search of inspirational influences as i like not only his work but also the hidden meaning behind each piece. As the viewer you are left in the dark and don't quite get, nor do you fully understand each piece unless you have researched the object your interested in, in order to appreciate its true value. 

Michael brennand wood

Bella May Leonard

Bella May Leonard 

Bella May Leonard is an artist who uses traditional hand-stitch techniques, combined with modern technology and an array of materials, in which one wouldn't normally associate with weaving and stitching such as, plastics, metals and found materials. This way of working has a modern twist and futuristic look, each piece mirrors itself precisely, due to being cut out using a laser cutter. i like the idea that you can give an empty room a splash of colour and a center piece without having to re-decorate the full room. This way of working has left me with many new ideas as i myself am looking to use this type of 3D structure in order to create a unique design using non traditional or found materials. 

Jane Blease

Jane Blease

Jane Blease is a designer in which i found during a recent visit to The Manchester Craft and Design Center, situated in the heart of Manchester's busy Northern Quarter. Jane basis her work around simple designs, which can be cut out using an intricate laser cutter. Each design is then worked into using a variety of colour's and materials. Each disk is hand-embroidered, with the use of a variety of materials in order to create a unique surface pattern. Each bespoke piece can be made into an array of design ranging from a simple necklace to a wooden lamp shade, all created in the same manner. 

''A contemporary take on traditional embroidery''