Third week at Uni done.
This week has been about lectures, seminars, sketchbook work and presentations.
As a mature student, that has come out of a work environment to attend Uni, I want to continue my work ethic and not get into any bad habits like just turning up to lectures and seminars. So this week, I've been in by 9.30-10 (I know, not early early, but I have home commitments and trains to catch).
On Monday I began to research what WGSN think the key trends in fashion and textiles will be for Spring Summer 2018. Mixed with this I began to look back at printed textiles from the UK and US from the 17th and 18th Century. I picked the book because of the front cover, no other reason. In the afternoon we had a lecture by course director Colin Gale regarding The Future of Clothing which covered technology embedded in clothes, amended supply chains, 3D footwear, sustainability and fashion vs clothes. Then we were set a task of presenting what we think will be the next big thing on Thursday, we decided on clothing technology.
Tuesday was a seminar on what is expected of us for our first portfolio e.g. sample designs 20-60, 2 sketchbooks, fabric or material research and design experiments (draping), due in 6th December. We also need to keep a diary, great news for me because I can use this blog.
In the afternoon we had a lecture by William Wilde a designer who works with latex. Absolutely brilliant, we had loads of questions for him afterwards. The latex is glued together, he set up in his kitchen and worked with a PR company at the beginning to get his work known, he's dressed Kylie, Paloma and would like to dress Madonna or Nicole Kidman. He's also trying to expand his range by printing on the latex and by introducing t-shirts into his range. It was more affordable than I thought it would be prices start from £60 for underwear. Overall and so far the most interesting lecture, to know that you can start from very humble beginnings and only have to work with a PR company a the beginnings and ask favours of friends!
Below is one of William's latex bodysuits.
Wednesday morning I had to work, but I went in for the afternoon because I'd arranged for a sewing room induction. Love the lady who gave the induction, so much knowledge, I know that I'm going to be asking her loads of questions in the forthcoming months.
Thursday was a mixed day, I tried to get work done but got kicked out of the MA room, then I got called to the office to discuss a student rep role I volunteered for and then our group met for the afternoon presentation on what we think will be the next big thing. We did a talk on fabric technology, using a bra to detect breast cancer for example. Ours wasn't the best though, the group that discussed the 3D printer for make up application won - what a great idea! Others talked about 3D footwear, a sleep gadget that can help you have good dreams and some more but i had to catch my train so I left early.
We also had a lecture about trend prediction, I was relieved to know that not that much had changed since my first degree. Jasbir Kaur (course leader) discussed Faith Popcorn, trend predictor, whose book EVEolution I read back in 1995-98. So, if you are reading this and are worried that you are out of touch with current thinking, you may not be!
There are a few trips coming up, Premiere Vision in Paris is the first one in February. I'm not sure whether I want to go yet or not. One of the other students who has previously been said its amazing and worth going to but not to go as a student. Pretend to have your own business. Maybe, in a few years I'll have a stand there instead!
Friday I stayed at home, worked, then got stuck into my sketchbooks.
Last week we had to produce a Programme of Study - aims and objectives that we can update as we progress but one that gives us a base of study for the current year. Here's mine, have a great week everyone xK:
This week has been about lectures, seminars, sketchbook work and presentations.
As a mature student, that has come out of a work environment to attend Uni, I want to continue my work ethic and not get into any bad habits like just turning up to lectures and seminars. So this week, I've been in by 9.30-10 (I know, not early early, but I have home commitments and trains to catch).
On Monday I began to research what WGSN think the key trends in fashion and textiles will be for Spring Summer 2018. Mixed with this I began to look back at printed textiles from the UK and US from the 17th and 18th Century. I picked the book because of the front cover, no other reason. In the afternoon we had a lecture by course director Colin Gale regarding The Future of Clothing which covered technology embedded in clothes, amended supply chains, 3D footwear, sustainability and fashion vs clothes. Then we were set a task of presenting what we think will be the next big thing on Thursday, we decided on clothing technology.
Tuesday was a seminar on what is expected of us for our first portfolio e.g. sample designs 20-60, 2 sketchbooks, fabric or material research and design experiments (draping), due in 6th December. We also need to keep a diary, great news for me because I can use this blog.
In the afternoon we had a lecture by William Wilde a designer who works with latex. Absolutely brilliant, we had loads of questions for him afterwards. The latex is glued together, he set up in his kitchen and worked with a PR company at the beginning to get his work known, he's dressed Kylie, Paloma and would like to dress Madonna or Nicole Kidman. He's also trying to expand his range by printing on the latex and by introducing t-shirts into his range. It was more affordable than I thought it would be prices start from £60 for underwear. Overall and so far the most interesting lecture, to know that you can start from very humble beginnings and only have to work with a PR company a the beginnings and ask favours of friends!
Below is one of William's latex bodysuits.
Wednesday morning I had to work, but I went in for the afternoon because I'd arranged for a sewing room induction. Love the lady who gave the induction, so much knowledge, I know that I'm going to be asking her loads of questions in the forthcoming months.
Thursday was a mixed day, I tried to get work done but got kicked out of the MA room, then I got called to the office to discuss a student rep role I volunteered for and then our group met for the afternoon presentation on what we think will be the next big thing. We did a talk on fabric technology, using a bra to detect breast cancer for example. Ours wasn't the best though, the group that discussed the 3D printer for make up application won - what a great idea! Others talked about 3D footwear, a sleep gadget that can help you have good dreams and some more but i had to catch my train so I left early.
We also had a lecture about trend prediction, I was relieved to know that not that much had changed since my first degree. Jasbir Kaur (course leader) discussed Faith Popcorn, trend predictor, whose book EVEolution I read back in 1995-98. So, if you are reading this and are worried that you are out of touch with current thinking, you may not be!
There are a few trips coming up, Premiere Vision in Paris is the first one in February. I'm not sure whether I want to go yet or not. One of the other students who has previously been said its amazing and worth going to but not to go as a student. Pretend to have your own business. Maybe, in a few years I'll have a stand there instead!
Friday I stayed at home, worked, then got stuck into my sketchbooks.
Last week we had to produce a Programme of Study - aims and objectives that we can update as we progress but one that gives us a base of study for the current year. Here's mine, have a great week everyone xK:
I am here because I want a change in career.
My degree in Fashion & Textiles finished in 1998 and
since then I’ve had several jobs ranging from retail to exercise instructor to
secretarial/PA work. Turning 40 has meant that I’ve reflected on my previous
choices and luckily I am now in a position to pursue my dream. This MA will
hopefully refresh my skills; allow me to learn new ones and enable me to build
up a portfolio of work to start a career as a textile/surface pattern designer.
Presently I see myself becoming a freelance designer or an
in-house designer (depending on location) and also a teacher at school, college
or University.
Aim: Build up a portfolio of work that will showcase my
talents as a designer whilst gaining some teaching experience.
Objectives:
·
Look at trends in fashion and interiors, create
my own designs from them
·
Research trends in lifestyle that might impact
on my design thought processes
·
Nourish my creative talent and get ideas into
sketch books or onto a screen
·
Become competent in Illustrator and Photoshop
·
Write a blog/keep a reflective journal
·
Make money – sell on Etsy, stalls at Craft Shows
·
Network – with other students, lecturers and
visiting lecturers
·
Attend trade shows
·
Build up a website showcasing my designs
·
Utilise University resources whilst I am
studying – make the most of this time
Comments
Post a Comment