After reflecting on last night and previous designs I had created, I felt some of the more simplistic designs were the most successful, whether this is because they seem the most realistic or just because they aren't distracting to the eye. I also feel the balance of texture and shape is carefully thought about here. I experimented with the idea of simply a skirt that would be slightly transparent, I then looked at removing the transparency however felt that this was too strong and took the delicate nature away from the design which I feel made it stand out. To develop it further, I kept the transparency and then created a repeated pattern of the textural bobble on half the top and neckline. I wanted to keep this design simple and refined so left it there. 

With my last design being simple, I felt the need to create something more innovative. I looked at an increased sponge top, with netting design around the arms.  I then wanted to experiment and bring in the Macrame Knots, I experimented with the knots in a one legged design which I think worked really well and I could picture a trouser or dress design with this large knot design. From my research I was really drawn to the big Macrame designs and was fascinated by the way they hung on the body. I then developed this further by looking at a transparent skirt design with the leg feature in the Macrame knot design. I really liked this piece and kept it to one leg as I didn't want it to be over bearing.  I liked this idea and felt the colours of the overall piece worked well together. The pastel blue Macrame and then pink orange neon sponge with added detail in a darker blue and orange. 

When looking through my samples and the contrast in my earlier work, I felt it would be a shame to not see how the fabric samples could have been placed on the body . I created a loose fitting dress design, with a piece of rope and rubber holding the top of the dress. I thought this was an interesting dress design however maybe needed some more intricate details and materials in some places to develop it further and balance the design out more. I feel that if this had been created in real life it may be lacking contrast. 

When looking at the designs I had been creating, I felt it might be beneficial to create a less worked design . I repositioned the top and the bottom to see what would naturally fit on the shape of the body without manipulating it too much. I felt this design looked effortlessly pleasing however was deeply considered and thought about. I feel it is really balanced and the bright colours work well. It is designed to show an oversized jumper with different arm holes, with a one legged mesh short. I think this is one of my most successful designs so far, showing the multi skills in designing garments with more aspects and bright colours. I feel it is innovative however could also be seen manufactured down to realistic wear. 

With this design, I developed it and exhausted the different possibilities for the bottom half of the garment. I experimented with different scale and transparency. This was really helpful to see what would work well and be pleasing to the eye. Due to the colour being slightly dull I was drawn to the bigger and oversized skirt/ dress design. 

 These last two designs, I focused on the rope Macrame knot.  This was complicated due to the technical aspect  and difficult to create and visualise my ideas , however, I felt it was successful. I started by looking at a complete macrame garment that would hang off the body. I felt it was key to involve different elements of scale in order for the garment to stand out. I question whether the garment needed a contrasting element but decided this would defeat the point of focusing on the knot alone. 

My next design I selected elements from the Knot design that worked well  as the trouser leg in Macrame knot. Then from experimenting with virtual draping, scale and pattern I was really drawn to the repeated diagonal knot pattern/ design on the shoulder. I could really visualise this in real life and  thought it would be an ideal final design due to its subtleness yet also complex features and parts. I wanted this design to look more balanced therefore created an under layer which was a grey bicycle leg and then created a knitted trouser/ legging for the right leg. I think it would have been interesting to play with the contrast, lightness and darkness of the rope. This could have made the design more  exciting.  If I had enough rope, I would have liked to create the repeated macrame top design into a sample. 

Design Development 

I have spent today experimenting with design development on photoshop. Initially I struggled using the media, however I am really pleased with my end results from this evening. I cut, pasted, copied and repositioned areas of samples that I felt were really strong. As many of  my samples consisted of the dish cloth and sponge, I experimented by creating a loose randomly pleated dress design, to push this design further and incorporate another aspect of my work I placed the Macrame rope knot behind, I really liked how these colours fitted together and the rope would be placed behind the dress on the back of the garment. 

For the next design I deconstructed the sample and isolated parts I thought would work well together. I wanted my next design to have a repeated textural pattern. I diagonally repeated the sponge and green rope. It was refreshing to create a more simple design in shape, with a  complex material and texture. 

This I feel was one of my strongest samples I had created. I was pleased with the scale of this sample on the figure. It is placed to show an over size sweater with a loose ankle design. I felt because the content of the sample/ design was complicated and it had many different colours and areas, the silhouette should be kept simple, to not distract from the sample itself.

Experimentation with more samples and further materials. 

I used bigger rope to do a Macrame knot which was really pleasing and interesting . It was a great material to work with and transformed into a rich textural pattern. I could easily visualise how it could fit on the body and different ways it could be placed. It was also easier to see the knot and was nice to really scale up my samples. 

Since my last feedback  with Suzanne online 2 weeks ago, I have found wedding photos and every day marriage photos consisting of key events/ chores. I researched the history of weddings to take my project down a different path. From this I’ve been experimenting with these objects and learning how to do macrame knots. I feel they have been successful and want to carry on developing samples and experimenting. I have used  sponge, yarn, tea bags, wire, thread, washing tablets etc.

My loose plan is to carry on creating and having fun with my samples, then produce sketchbook work and connecting photos I’ve found with samples and then add exploratory drawings. To use my samples  further, I plan to scan them and experiment with scale and repetition on photoshops for clothing design.

Questions for Naomi

What is my work missing- sketchbook and workflow. Drawings etc- what type?

Are there any things I need to do or consider when doing my designs?

Today was a really exciting day, I felt I excelled at making interesting samples that were really fun to make. I experimented by mixing different textures, sizes and different repetitive patterns to create something that is aesthetically pleasing. I have also ordered some different materials for my macrame knots. 

I've spent today restarting my laptop and downloading Photoshop and learning how to use this tool in order to do my design development and ideas. I would like to scan samples and increase and rotate them on the body. I feel this really be beneficial to me as some of my anticipated macrame knots are tiny so it would be interesting to see what these would  look like scaled up in real life, if I had the resources. While waiting for my laptop to be finished, I have also been experimenting with doing Macrame knots using some different materials, including rough textured rope, coloured laces, and gold strings.

I struggled to think of sample ideas and ways in which I can bring this project into my sketchbook and use more out the box objects. When I reflect on previous projects, the most successful one uses really interesting and unusual objects. If objects are not commonly used in textiles, it's more exciting to use and presents more original samples. The objects I'm going to look at will be for confetti- paper and tissue , (tying the knot-) string,  rope, threads and organic cottons. For everyday married life- sponge, baby wipes, cleaning cloths, tea, coffee, appliance instructions, removal boxes, cleaning products, pottery- (wedding gifts), pet bowls, biscuits, wedding rings- wire, aluminium wire. Also, (first home) building materials including wood, brick and concrete. 

I also feel that for me it will be more interesting and stimulating  to use these objects with abnormal shapes, textures and dimensions. It will be exciting to mix these objects together. To ensure productivity and efficiency I'm going to do sample tasks, 'i.e. 2 minute sample, sample combining 2 objects, sample using the words ' raw'. I will try to brainstorm words that are also fitting with the ideas of  ' everyday married life, divorce and breakup'  

 I have thought about creating different types of knots and will research into these. I feel I need visuals to ground these objects and ensure it is clear in my sketchbook.  I will use tomorrow to look through old family photos that could  help me visualise my ideas.

I spent today putting work in my book and finding material links,  colour samples and drawing that fits well with the page themes. 

Different collage ideas. 

I decided to use today to push my project forward into the history of weddings and begin the pages to introduce research. I collaged photos of my parents wedding with a tight red knit sample with a gold ring on top. The knit sample was created on a high tension showing the close, tight and strong bond on a wedding day which clearly represents the happiness in marriage, which is where I plan to take the project. I also looked into the dress my mother wore, the lace and thin woven material, which I feel represents the delicacy of love and marriage, and how it must be treated with care and respect. I had collated different materials that I felt would be used and placed this next to the photo showing fabrics that could be seen on a wedding day. I also placed a table decoration on the page from my sisters wedding which fits directly with the materials on the page. Following on from my theme of delicacy and care. An idea of a knit sample is using thin wool which is unravelling to represent how quickly the marriage and feelings can fall apart if not treated respectful and caring. I will try  to create something else which could show this.
I was really pleased with the productivity of today and the ideas for pushing the project down a different path. The previous pages had been very packed and full of exploratory drawings. After critique from a non-creative , they stated how the pages could be hard to understand due to how full they were, therefore  I placed the collages with more space. I felt this was really successful, pleasing to look at and clearer for the viewer to understand. It also reminded me of how 'less ' can be effective and successful. However,  this is  was helped by using  interesting imagery for the samples.

Todays plan: carry on with my 2 do list- feeling excited for blind drawing as feel this will instigate and inspire good samples further on.

Today was a successful day, I felt inspired and was pleased with my collaging. In my opinion it was successful. I felt I had portrayed my project theme clearly in the first pages and felt inspired from this page. I wrote contrasting words and split them up within the collage to portray the idea of miscommunication as it would be illegible to the reader. I also inserted a written piece from a book which I felt was thought provoking and helpful.

In the afternoon I decided to research and listen to different therapy videos on divorce and different people explaining their divorce stories. I did a  blind drawing task from this which I initially didn't think I would struggle with as previous blind drawing has proven to be quite successful, however this time I felt it was harder. I struggled to interpret the story onto paper, to adapt around I drew textures and darker gradients  to show when the marriages were in bad phases/ places. I also listened and attempted to draw key words like' black out', ' anger' and tried to use different mark making to portray these words, ie., the dark line and black block is when the victim is blacked out and unconscious. As a more relaxing and less mentally challenging task,  I spent the last hour researching into a different media for research , looking at different films based on marriage and the way it affects families.

3rd page:

 Blind Drawing:

Today I had my progress tutorial  which highlighted the need  for more primary research. I plan to create samples based from the results of questionnaires asked to a contact who deals with this type of theme as her working role. I plan to bring in old wedding photos of my parents to make it clear for the viewer the concept of weddings and look into the history of marriage and the meaning behind tradition, and the role of religion. I also want to vary my materials and experiment with other key aspects from weddings rather than just rings and lace to ensure my project is exciting and innovative to the viewer. I plan to listen to some divorce documentaries/ podcasts/ questionnaires and blind draw  to show the expressive feelings and emotions when hearing different stories and experiences. I feel this is key as my project is emotion filled, therefore this will be a great source to create samples from based on the drawings. I plan to set myself a quick 3 minute per sample task to ensure efficiency and productivity. From previous feedback in my last projects, I have also learnt the importance of mistakes and experimentation often producing exciting and valuable outcomes. I realised that not everything has to be finished and perfect, this leaving the samples to be more unique and exciting. I feel this insight will lead me to a wider group of artists designers and practitioners who can inspire my project further along new paths. 

I carried on today by going through my previous to do list by editing and collaging my scanned pages into illustrations, creating  more sample development and ideas and allowing  me to visualise some outcomes. I felt the overall page was successful  but wonder whether the new developed samples were not as successful due to the scans of samples being predominately red colours and  random samples. However, I didn't  use  a clear technique  purposefully to represent miscommunication and confusion. I also asked a lady who works with couples divorcing if she would answer a questionnaire for me as I felt this would be helpful and give me deeper knowledge into a different side of divorce and the techniques she uses within her job. I will use this feedback to create experimental drawings and samples based on information if possible.

Today I experimented with the knit machines and would like to add and twist in the different latex materials of red/ white  that I collected from fabric shops. I created a knit that was in thick maroon yarn in a straight and simple formation, I then experimented further by creating a very tight knit by increasing the tension. I was really pleased with my knit samples  and now plan to hand embroider into them and incorporate other materials and objects which directly relate to marriage to ensure they are unique and interesting. 

I had planned to use the heat press but unfortunately was unable to do this today. I began by researching deeper into miscommunication and the idea of contrasting and broken or split up words.  I decided to write into samples and then break and crumple it up.  After I decided to continue researching artists and designers for more ideas and inspiration.

I want to visually portray miscommunication and the concept of ' things not being straight forward'. 

I felt today would be most useful if I sourced materials and fabric linking visual research and idea development. I sourced white lace, silk, mesh, fabrics and red materials  which I felt  would link to the idea of marriage/love/lust. I started by experimenting with placing and folding these fabrics together and looking at the juxtaposition. I liked how the lace overlapped the red, leaving some to be seen. Combining these materials so they became one was also fascinating  because they are strong contrasts of materials and totally different structures and designs. I plan to use the heat press to mould them together and to get the red acetate to melt and flatten with the lace/silk. As my project focuses on unity and divorce I plan to interpret rings into my samples and designs as I feel this is a key symbol for marriage and could experiment with crushing and breaking the rings, however I wonder about the potential of this idea.  This may be something I need the wood/metal workshop for. 

I spent today finding visual research for my project as I have exhausted the creative possibilities with my previous resources and now need to expand my ideas.  Looking deep into visual research, I found artists such as Bruce Nauman, giving ideas for using contrasting words within my samples. I explored how I could use objects to represent the contrast and thought about materials that could be brought together in a juxtaposition. I wanted to incorporate colours, materials and objects that represent my theme of family and marriage which made me think of white lace/ silk/ satin and the contrast of red latex and material/ objects.
To add more depth to my samples and to make them more interesting I was thinking about crossed over knit lines representing miscommunication.