UNIT X - Blog Post 6

The Unit has eneded creating a Portfolio I can take out into the real world.

I have chosen to start my portfolio with a collection of drawings demonstrating my ability and where my inital ideas have come from followed by all three of my different collections. I've mounted paper and fabric throghout the Portfolio intending the variety to keep veiwers interested but also giving them a sense of weight and feel of the fabrics I've chosen.


The visualsations giving a suggestion of where the prints may be place I have kept simple to allow the designs to speak for themselves. 

Visualisation for Throw, Cushion and Vases

Bedding Visualisation

Along with my main A1 Portfolio I have compiled a sketchbook of mark making and smaller line drawings so employers can see all the different styles I work with. I have also printed two fabric sample books from both of my digital print collections, keeping them small will allow me to easily transport my designs and allow people to quickly flick through them getting a sense of my collections and the fabrics.

Overall I feel  this unit has prepared me when it comes of presenting work to a professional standard and understanding the requirements that are needed to be a surface print designer. The contextual research has played a big part in driving my work whilst the trip to Chelsea Harbour really helped me to define where my work is suitable in terms of high end market or high street. Alex's presentation on getting yourself known and how it is so easily accesable for our work to be seen with all the social media and websites available has made me aware how essential this is. Where as speaking to previous students including Abigail Hutton and looking in detail through their portfolios has been one of the best insights on what I need to do after University to ensure I have my best chances of getting a job.

I am happy with my collections and the body of work I have put together to date. The next couple of weeks I am hoping to establish my self online by creating my own website and concerntrate on selecting work to present for the degree show.

UNIT X - Blog Post 5

Getting towards the end now my designs for all three collections how now been refined and finalised. There is variation within all three collections not only in terms of outcomes and colour ways but they nature of the designs.

Collection One Sheers

 I feel the way I have managed to explore and develop such diveristy within each collection all driven from the same inital research shows my abilities as a designer, idea wise but also that I'm not scared of new exploration and inspiration that could potentially take my designs down a entirley new path.

My sampling has turned to digital print now testing my finalised designs on suitable fabrics for their outcomes. Cotton satin and silk viscose satin have been the most succesful at grabbing the colour within the designs but also are a suitable weight for their outcomes. 

Collection Two Surface Pattern Domestic Living Area

For collection two with suggested outcomes as throws, pillows and vases I have tested a select few designs vases, I chose a vase with a simple shape as to not detract from the prints themselves. I think it is interesting to see the designs at various scales and also how they can work on a new surface other than paper or fabric. 

Collection Three Bedding

  Throughout the unit I have been doing research into other designs digital portfolios and blogs to help with the presentation, layout and style of my own. Two of my personal favourites where Abigail Huttons and Marzena Jasniewska. Abigails website manages to show a vast range of skills she has and her abilities as a designer without over loading you with repeatative images. Where as Marzenas clean cut style that presents all her designs on the first page instantly attracting your attention.

Marzena Previous Students Website

For me personally, somebody who is aspiring to become a surface print designer I think a combination of the best quailties just discussed from both their digital portfolios is what I need to be considering when making my own.