Conclusion

I’ve learnt a lot over the course of the last semester and my skills have developed immensely. When I first set out to tackle this project I was daunted by the work load that would need to be produced in order to complete it successfully. Having created a plan and a learning contract I was able to prioritise my time effectively and as a result of which complete the task at hand. By developing my ideas and referring to my plan I was able to stay on track and focus on individual learning goals which I had clearly stated from the start. To be honest I did stray away from certain aspects of my plan which as a result of which has taught me to be more disciplined with sticking to my aims. In future projects I now know that I must ensure that my Plan and aims must be clear, effective and reasonable and in sticking to these objectives I will be able to carry out my work load far more effectively. I’ve enjoyed this project immensely and believe to have taught me a great deal. The project has developed my skills in various areas and enabled me to become a more effective, and thoughtful designer. I am constantly acknowledging the changes I must make in my work in order to progress and by doing such projects as this I am able to see how appropriate these can be. My plan now is to work in industry for while to help better the skills which I have been taught. My mind is always open to exploring new and old techniques in regards to design, garment construction, pattern cutting and styling. The world is forever changing and I believe that to be an effective designer I must approach the world with an open mind. I must look for new intriguing ideas that will hopefully flourish in the fashion world by using the skills I have developed I now hope to go on to create more exciting and inventive designs that may deem worthy and respectful of the public eye.

La belle 2

Skills developed

Through the course of the last two years my skills have constantly been developed. When I started the course I had a very basic knowledge of the processes involved with designing but as time went on my knowledge grew and grew. I can honestly say that of all the projects I have tackled throughout the course this has been the one that has given me the best understanding of what life is like as a designer working in industry. The reason being is that….

1. We have been involved in talks and critical analysis with the company
2. I was designing for a very specific target market
3. Through the critical analysis I was able to understand where I was going wrong and what changes I would need to make in order to create a design that would appeal to the buyers.
4. I was producing a design that could possibly be put into production

La belle

Communication Pattern cutting, Designing, illustrating, CAD, Garment construction, are just some of the qualities needed as a designer but this project has given me another skill which I haven’t really developed that much. That is, communication skills. It is unbelievably vital to be able to discuss ideas generated and give the next person your knowledge of what you are trying to portray. Having sat down with designer from the La belle Company in my critical analysis sessions I developed my verbal communication skills greatly, gaining knowledge of how to express myself and discuss my theme. This is an essential skill to have and will be constantly trying to better it in every day life when communicating with others. If given the opportunity to attend the critical analysis sessions again, I would plan more carefully what I am going to say. When I attended the sessions this time I was talking off the top of my head and although I managed to say what I needed to, I believe that If I planned it more then it would seem more professional and understandable for those listening which is always beneficial in everyday life.

Pattern cutting/Final collection

Over the course of the last few weeks i have began putting my ideas/designs into production creating toilles and samples in preperation for my final collection for my cool britannia project. So far i’m quite impressed with my progress. I’ve just finished my toille for my trousers which is for one of my three outfits and have now began creating my sample for the bodice to go with it. I’m certain that if i carry on working at the standard and pace that i’m am doing currently then my project will be fully funtional and ready to go with plenty of time before my deadline. If this is the case and i have no slip ups then i’m planning to use my extra time to create added embelisments to my garments, maybe even create some accessories to give the products an overall more impressive look and style.

Cool britannia

The latest brief that i have been set is “cool brittania”. For me this has been the most interesting project i have been involved in since starting my course began. So far it has tested me and put all my previous nowledge gained to the test. I want this project to be my best piece of work showing myself and others that i’m a capable and able fashion designer. In order to this I have set myself goals and aim’s which each have individual deadlines. So far i am up to date with my work and am finding it challenging yet totaly enjoyable. Although i am constantly changing my ideas and tweeking designs to create an overall perfect piece of work, i’m finding that it is working for the better in enabling me to create more developed, thought out designs.  Obverall i’m feeling confident that this will turn out to be the best piece of work i have created and am enjoying the learning process that i’m undertaking.

Lambretta

The latest brief that i have been attending to has been “Lambretta” which is to design a range of swimwear in the Lambretta style. Having analysed the brief i began by researching styles and shapes conected with the company. After giving myself an understanding of what was being asked of me I set out to create my design development. I looked at shapes, styles, prints and patterns that i believed would be fitting to the brief. After generating some ideas i then developed them further to create an overall image that i wanted use in my final design. I then created my final design which i believed worked well and was again, fitting to the brief. Overall i found this project interesting and fun and believe it has given me a greater knowledge of how to attend to set briefs within the design industry.

Post 2 Pattern cutting

Recently my work has been focused on pattern cutting. I have been creating both basic skirt, bodis and dress blocks in preperation for my sculpture project. Pattern cutting is one of my weaker skills and is something that i really want to develop. Having started really getting into it i am finding it alot easier to understand the necessary key factors involved in creating good appropriate paterns fitting to given briefs. Once I had created my basic patterns I will then be developing then to fit to my designs that i have been creating in my sculpture sketch book. Having gathered research and data into a chosen topic i have then adapted and developed my ideas to create an overall design that is perfectly fitted to the brief. I have been looking into woven fabrics focusing my ideas around a thai styled theme. Having spent my summer travelling around thailand i gathered images, Fabrics, inspiration and ideas from the surroundings and culture that surrounded me in the places i was visiting. I found that thailand was a very colourful place with a culture that loved to use very different yarns and fabrics, some being quite ruff textured and others being very smooth and expensive. Woven fabrics were key in the culture and became the basis for my sculpture designs. I researched different methods of weaving looking at tools methods and materials which would usually be used to create these materials.

Young designer of the year comp

Last week I spent my sessions creating designs for the young designer of the year compertition. Having been given a brief to create a party dress for the chrismas period i set out to create a design that was fun, sexy and sophisticated. I began the project by gathering together relevant research and data that would enable me to create an effective and fun design that relates to the set brief. I gathered research relating to the christmas period looking into the latest trends, colours and themes. Having gathered relevant data i then set out to create a  portfolio of basic designs that were incorporating the ideas and information that i had collected. Once i had create my basic sketches i then began to develop these ideas following the design development process that we have been tought in past modules. I was now trying to create a garment that possitivly fitted the description layed out in the brief. I was using bits of each of my designs to blend and mould an overall garment that i thought was effective. Having come up with my shape i then looked into colours and fabrics that again i thought would be appropriate to the brief and theme that i was trying to achieve. I spent an afternoon looking at fabrics and materials that i thought i could use in my designs. Having setled on a tartan fabric, I gathered a few saples of different types and cosidered which one i thought would be the most appropiate.  I then created a mood board which was showing where i had gathered my inspiration from. After finishing my mood boared i then created my final designs and technical flats. For me this was the hardest part of the whole design priocess. Having really struggled with this process i looked into the most effective way of creating my final design reseasrching different illustraors design methods and then attempting to incorporate this inspiration into my own style. I truely believe that after all my struggling and attempts i was able through effective research and development to create a design that was appropriate and effective to the design brief, creating an overall possitive outcome.