Practice Evaluation

This unit has been both challenging and exciting. I have developed several strands of work that can be applied to a variety of contexts including interiors, surface design, body adornment and architecture. My interest in repetition, rhythm and pattern in the environment has driven my ideas and sampling. I have explored piping and tassel making using unconventional materials and have used the laser cutter to develop functional surfaces. My larger scale surfaces are fun and tactile with the intention of providing rest bite from the sometimes stressful rhythm of life. I have engaged in two live projects and competitions, all of which have boosted my confidence and developed my design skills. I have also realised I work best when I have a few strands to work on so will continue to do this in Unit X.

Moving forward into Unit X, I am keen to push the scale of my work further and will develop the perspex surfaces so that they are secure and could potentially be applied to a commercial context. I am also keen to develop a colour pallet for my work. I will work on developing a website/online portfolio and also aim to communicate my ideas through alternative media such as film/animation. I will continue to photograph repetition and pattern in the environment and translate these into my drawings which will drive my work forward.

Visualisations

Perspex sample applied as 3D wall surface

Tube inserted neoprene sample visualised as architectural space

Here are a selection of visualisations of my work in context, crossing between surface design, the body and architecture.

Final week

1. Circles using neon perspex  2. MDF diamonds  3. Large scale clear perspex diamonds

1. Balloon piping sandwiched inside pvc  2. Pipe lagging in-between pvc  3. Wadding stuffed inside pvc cowed tarpaulin with added tassels and giant decorative stitching.

This final week I have been developing my laser cut samples experimenting with size, material, colour and shape. I am gaining a good understanding of what affects the shape of the surface and will continue to develop this in Unit X. I also need to explore how to secure the pieces allowing the surface to be applied to a more commercial context such as jewellery.

I have also been pushing the scale of piping using balloons and pipe lagging instead of tubes and using the eyelets instead of sewing on the machine. I like the industrial, clean finish of these samples, and have started to try using cords to stitch through the eyelets. This could work as an interactive surface, allowing users to add their own materials. I have also begun to combine tassels to the surface, bringing back the fun element of my earlier work. There is lots to experiment with for this strand of my work and will continue to explore during unit X. Pushing the scale has also opened up the context for the work, making them good for outdoor seating

Filling the Gaps

1. Laser cut perspex pieces inserted into the expandable neoprene surface  2. Early sample of pvc tube inserted into latex 

Disperse dye on silicone tubes

Pattern in a truck load of wooden pallets.

This week I have been back on the laser cutter this time to experiment cutting out perspex pieces to fill in the space of the expanding designs. I am really pleased with this technique and it creates interesting forms by holding the surface in place. There is lots to explore with this technique, scale, shape, colour, other materials, so am keen to get going. These samples could fit a variety of contexts. The sculptural quality could lend itself to body adornment, jewellery, interiors and installation, all by varying the scale. Inserting the elements could make it an interactive piece. I also realised that this idea of filling the space has been running through my work since the summer. Next to the sample is an image of a piece I did before the start of term, thinking about stitching into a surface with out using a needle.

I have also been to see if I can dye my silicone tubes. The disperse dyes work really well and only need a minute to colour. Now in Unit X I can start to develop a colour pallet for my giant tassels.

Below is an image I took this week. I kind of forgot about this area of my practice, as pattern, rhythm and repetition in the environment is really what started this project, and I haven't been regularly collecting images. Going into Unit X I will keep this process going through out the project as it fills me with inspiration.

Laser cut mesh

Smallest scale yet creates a stretchy mesh like surface

Inserting pieces of tubing into expanding surface

This week I have been on the laser cutter trying out my template on the smallest scale yet. I think this is the smallest I can go with out it ripping but I will try to go smaller next time I go on.  It has transformed the neoprene into almost a mesh type fabric that could be used in clothing or sportswear. It is really stretchy so would work well over knees or elbows, and it is breathable.

I have also tried inserting pieces of tubing into the surface, holding the shape in place. It will be interesting to see what else I could use, perhaps make my own pieces on the laser cutter. This could be a good way to start adding colour.

More Piping

Technical mesh and silicone tube sample applied as a sleeve

Piping with wadding in-between PU coated fabric

This week I went on the machines to do some more piping. I tried it with a stretchy sports mesh using the silicone tubing. The feel of this sample it really bouncy and light, perhaps this could be used for a garment. And the mesh makes it breathable so could be used in sports wear. I also tried a sample adding wadding in between PU coated fabric, instead of tubes. Again, this could be used for sportswear, as it is comfortable and protective.

I also entered my small-scale laser cut neoprene into the New Design Britain competition in the surface design category. It was good practice having to describe the work, inspiration and uses in a professional way, so hopefully the next competition I enter will be a little less daunting. Photographing the work was also beneficial, working out how to capture the movement and expandability of the surface.

Live Project: Primary Europe

Visualisation of design combining tactile surfaces with expanding neoprene

I'm so glad I got involved with this project. It was a pitch a piece of work for Primary Europe's office space off Albert Square. Although I did not win the commission, the experience of pitching and applying my work to this kind of context was really beneficial and I would feel confident to do it again. For the pitch we had to put together a 5 minute presentation, including visualisations, budget, and technicalities like fixings and size. The panel asked some difficult questions but I feel I answered the best I could, and gave me an idea of the kind of things that a client would want to know if I were to pitch again in the future. It is nice to see my work visualised on this scale and could be a possibility for Unit X.