Pattern Cutting, London Fashion Week and NEW YORK!!!

More pattern cutting today - I was quite looking forward to it! I always go into class knowing it will be a very productive day! We had a lot to get through so, again, it was quite high paced but it kept us all on our toes and we got a lot done which makes it very satisfying.
We practised quite a few more techniques that I can see are going to be so helpful to me in the future. It's pretty exciting to be learning skills and techniques that I can appreciate are going to help me so much, be so valuable and make me better at doing what I love to do!
We also had the excitement about finding out we are going to New York for our trip in February! Pretty darn exciting and I'm so glad to get the chance to experience New York with people who will be interested to see the part of New York that I'd most like to see too - the fashion industry! Although, it goes with out saying, I'm looking forward to the whole experience and seeing what N.Y is like in all sorts of aspects.
As well as this we had the chance to get involved with London Fashion Week - eek, how exciting and what a great opportunity. As a group we decided the 'name's out of a hat' method would be most fair - and safe!! Unfortunately, I'm not a chosen one which is disappointing but I'm assured they'll be plenty more chances!! Here's hoping.....
Finally, quite excited about our London trip on Monday - did some research into the possible fabric shops we can visit and they look amazing!

Illustrator

Today we learnt more about Illustator - using more tools and discovering different techniques etc. I'm still finding it enjoyable to learn about a new program, especially when I can see how useful it will be and what a valuable skill it is to have in the fashion industry. I'm looking forward to creating more fashion orientated images/drawings and I'm pretty sure (especially when I know how to use it more!) I will love using it to create neat, effective images. I'm keen to practise using it more - it's frustrating when you can't remember how you did something in a previous lesson!
This is what I created today...

Design - Communicating Ideas in Black and White.

So...our 2nd proper design brief! 'Sculpture - Communicating Ideas in Black and White.' We were first given this brief on Monday 19th ... and to be honest I found it a wee bit daunting! Felt a bit, 'Eeekk, Where to start/What to do?!'

It was the first 'proper' project I'd been given to complete at AUCB and I didn't like not knowing exactly what they were expecting from us and what I needed to have completed by the deadline. It was that 'grey area' again (my weakness!), things weren't totally clear and 'black and white' so to speak.

So...after these initial thoughts, how did I get on? First I started on some research. This definitely helps me! It shows me the kind of thing we're aiming for. This is when my own idea's start developing! I noted these down and tried to combine some for better results - although aware I didn't want to over complicate things. I was particularly inspired by some of the work found in Viktor and Rolf's Spring 2009 and 2010 collections as well as work by Jum Nakao.

Once back at the studio, I began placing my chosen materials onto the mannequin in a way that would form my chosen initial idea. This was a good learning process - learning how to work with paper and what worked and what didn't, what looked good etc. On the right is the collar I completed using simply black and white card. I am very pleased with this piece and how I adapted to using paper rather than fabric. The piece ended up rather more 'squiggly' than I'd originally planned but it just sort of happened as I was constructing it. I really like the effect it gives but thought if I were to do it again I would have another go at achieving my original idea.
Once the day was over, my initial worries had disappeared as I'd seen how everyone else had interpreted the brief and I was happy with what I had produced. During the week we had to complete the project I began to fill my sketch book, including the research that had inspired me and the development of my initial ideas. Below is my final piece. It is based on the same idea as the collar above but is more in keeping with my initial idea (as I had hoped to do!) I'm extremely pleased with the final result and it really is as I had hoped it would be. I feel it could provide a good starting point for further garment design ideas.

Second Garment Construction Lesson...

I very much enjoyed today - a long day of concentrating which gets very tiring but it's rewarding when you can recognise what you've achieved in one day. We used the paper bodice pattern we made in our Pattern Cutting lesson and cut out the bodice piece's in calico. After being shown step by step how to put the separate piece's together correctly, we completed a basic bodice with sleeves. It was very satisfying when it went right and a bit frustrating when it went wrong (especially when I had a very long run of stitching to un-pick) but at least we could learn from our mistakes. I was also very happy to discover I was getting on a lot better with my currently allocated sewing machine and the overlocker! :-)

Personal Development Planning...

This is a quiz I completed last night as part of our PPRD unit. I found the first part quite interesting and helpful as it pointed out areas I need to work on and develop. The second half of the quiz was a lot harder. I find it easy to define what is important to me in life, however, I find trying to put those in order of importance is very difficult.

More Illustrator...

I thoroughly enjoyed using Illustrator a lot more this afternoon - compared to last week! I actually managed to keep up and learn all sorts of different effects and tools. Some of which I can see being helpful for drawing out designs and any other bits of computer work I may do. Like I've mentioned previously, it gives such a neat and tidy finish to things that you can't really get any other way. Here, I have posted pictures of what I completed in this lesson.

PPRD Question and Answer...

As part of our ‘Personal Planning, Reflection and Development Unit’ we were encouraged to think about a few questions relating to teaching and learning, success and how to make the best out of our university and university experience.
In response, here are my thoughts......

How is teaching different from learning?
Teaching is to pass on knowledge or skill to another person through example or explanations.
Learning is different as it is the gaining of knowledge or skill through being taught.
How do teaching and learning fit together?
You can learn from teaching and teach from learning. Someone teaching may learn from the person they are teaching and would have had to learn to be able to teach.
Why does one rely on the other?
Without somebody to teach we can not learn from other people, only from our own experiences. Without anybody wanting or needing to learn, we cannot teach.
Why do you want to learn?
I want to learn so I can grow as a person. I want to expand my knowledge and skill and become the best version of myself that I possibly can.
How can you make the best out of your university?
I can make sure I know about and use all the resources available to me. Give everything a chance and work with people and policies rather than against them.
How can you make the best out of your learning experience?
Make sure I’m well organised, enjoy what I am doing, work hard, make sure I understand things and ask for help if not. I will try not to be afraid to give things ago that I maybe unsure of or consider a risk or haven’t done before. I can help and work together with the people around me.

MY SWOT - New to me...but let’s see...
Strength – Well organised and conscientious.
Weakness – I recognise that occasionally I like things to be clearly defined and distinct when they can be or need to be ‘grey’, not black and white.
Opportunity – Being at a specialised Art’s University College with masses of helpful resources and opportunities. Doing a subject I am passionate about with people who understand and empathise with my passion.
Threat – The fierce competition involved within the fashion industry.

Five people I consider successful and why?

Beyonce – A hugely successful singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and model. Despite the fact her journey to fame and success was fairly smooth, I admire how much success she has had through her masses of talent and how many things she puts her hands to. She is a massive role model to both women and aspiring performers as well as overcoming challenges that society has created for African Americans and the obstacle of being a woman in a male-dominated occupational society.
Sir Alan Sugar – After leaving school at 16, boiling beetroots for the local greengrocer in the East End, Sir Alan Sugar is now a multi-millionaire with a string of successful businesses. He worked his way up the business ladder through masses of hard work and self-belief. He is an example of a real life ‘rags–to-riches’ story and offers opportunities to other’s starting out as he did. I admire his character and personality as he comes across a very genuine, down to earth family man, regardless of his extreme success.
Cheryl Cole – I had included Cheryl Cole in my list because I believe it is admirable how far she has come since her success on ‘Popstar: The Rivals’, 2002. Within only five years Cheryl Cole went from an ordinary teenager growing up in Newcastle to a successful multi-selling pop singer, wife of a famous footballer and a judge on X-Factor. She has overcome bad press and low points in her life to result in being an inspirational role model for today’s youth.
Coco Chanel – Chanel is well known as being the woman who changed the shape of 20th century fashion. Being abandoned at a young age Chanel went on to defy the odds and make the transition from an orphan to an extremely powerful and successful woman. She
symbolises ‘woman power’ and is an true inspiration for many budding fashion designers.
My Parents – I consider my parents successful because they are happy with what they have and what they have achieved. They have worked hard to become self-employed and balance both work and leisure time. They have been patient and as a result have got more than what they may have originally. As well as this, they have overcome the many problems and obstacles.

What do I consider success?
To achieve something you have desired, planned, attempted and worked hard for. Being happy with what you have achieved and content with your life.
What qualities did they have/learn?
Persistence, self confidence and belief. Determination and stamina.
What effect did they have on people?
They are a good example to show other’s ‘it’ can happen. If you work hard enough and believe in what you want to do and achieve you can do it.

I can definitely use these people as inspiration to achieve my own goal.

As well as answering these questions we listened to a tape explaining the different parts of the fashion industry. The tape was very interesting and gave some helpful information and advice but here the main points that got my attention...

Can you cut it in Fashion?

• Trust your instinct and your gut feelings, even if your not 100% confident.
• Make sure you have a full picture of how the industry works.
• Learning to answer the brief. Understanding why it is you’re designing it. Always make sure you understand the brief. Why you’re designing it and the customer who will be wearing it.
• Be realistic about what you really want to do and what you can really achieve within the industry.
• Design comes and goes, skill only increases.

My Work in Illustrator...

Above is the first piece I created in Illustrator during our first lesson, simply to find my way around the different tools etc. As I mentioned before, I like the different effects you can create and I hope I can find a way to incorporate some of these in later pieces of work. Below is the task we were given to complete using the program which I've now finished. I've definitely learnt a lot already but I think there's much more to come!

More Pattern Cutting...

Well I've learnt just about as many new things, if not more in today's lesson as I did last week! Today we were shown how to model on the mannequin and how to make a pattern using fabric first and then paper. First, we placed tape onto particular seams on the mannequin as well as the waist and bust line to act as guidelines. After demonstrations we pinned calico to the mannequin's in particular ways, in particular places in relation to the guidelines. It was amazing to see the pattern take shape on the mannequin as we progressed step by step. We were shown how to complete each step which meant it was fairly easy to follow however some places were harder than others! The photo's show what I did in several stages. I think the whole process was very clever and I can imagine it's a good way to create the pattern for a more complicated, unusual design.

First Lesson in Illustrator.....

Well...after our first session using 'Illustrator' I think I have a lot to learn! I'm definitely going to need some patience! I'm sure I'll get to understand it more with practise but at the moment it is completely unknown! I did enjoy finding some of the impressive effects you can use on Illustrator but when it came to completing our given task - I got a bit left behind!

A Day of Computer's and Slide Shows!

Below is my Military themeboard I created this morning on Photoshop.
I really don't mind working with Photoshop, in fact I pretty much love it!! I'm lucky in that I was able to use it regularly at school and I've carried on using it ever since so it's quite familiar to me. The way I work is often quite neat and precise and I love the fact you can easily work this way and create this result using Photoshop. Some of the effects you can achieve are amazing and can look really stylish and professional. That's why I like Photoshop! - and why I'm interested to see what 'Illustrator' is like tomorrow!!

First Design Brief - To Produce a Themeboard

Today we completed our first design brief, a themeboard. My chosen topic, Military. I found it quite easy to collect the relevant information and images but I was surprised how small A3 seemed in relation to my many images!
Luckily, we had all day to complete the board so I had plenty of time to re-arrange and adjust the layout to make the most of the available space and ensure I included my favourite and most relevant images. I added some trims which helped to jazz up the final piece and add some texture to the board.
I enjoyed putting the board together however, honestly, I didn't really see the importance of the task as I've produced many themeboards in the past. However, it was brought to my attention that my board was very fashion and designer based whereas some of my classmates had gone about the task slightly differently, displaying what the theme meant to them in a more personal way. I believe the images I used are what would inspire me however it is good to see the other sorts of media I could use in the future and other sources which I could derive inspiration from. Above is my completed themeboard!

First Lesson of Pattern Cutting....

This lesson was a very good intro to all the pattern cutting to come. There were many of gentle reminders for me as to how it all works but these are much needed as it's about a year and a half since I last did any sort of pattern cutting! The photo here shows our 1st basic bodice pattern on a model. I'm very much looking forward to creating my own designs and patterns some day soon....

Beginning at AUCB....

Well...this is my first couple weeks of (what I think will be!?) 3 years at the AUCB. What to say...the uni and the atmosphere are pretty much how I remember them to be on the few occasions I've visited although it is way busier! Unfortunately, the Induction Week has gone pretty slowly. Lots of formal bits and bobs to get through as well as a lot of waiting around. It's been good to meet some like minded people with the same interest as me but towards the end of the week we seemed to get a bit restless and bored of the waiting and just want to get stuck into the course.


Thankfully, judging by these last few days I think it will be different from here on in! We are already getting 'stuck in' to the course and I'm definitely enjoying doing it, not just thinking about it!
It's been a bit alarming using all the industrial equiptment for the first time today but that's what it's all about and I've been assured I'll get used to the machine's crazy speed - reminds me of learning to drive all over again! Watch this space.......

My first ever blog begins....