Knit Rotation

The knit unit has been the biggest challenge for me. I felt like there was a lot to learn in a short space of time. Although I was frequently booked onto machines, I feel like I wasn't getting much done. It became frustrating when I’d spend an hour on a sample and then would fall off the machine or drop a stitch and completely unravel. Through practice on the machines I have slowly learnt how to recover from mistakes.

Week 1
The first week was about learning the basics of a domestic machine and grasping basic skills. It was exciting to see the samples rapidly grow, especially compared to hand knitting. After learning the techniques, it was about creating a small sample to put in my technical file so that i can refer back to later on. Initially in was quite fun as the techniques where easy and quick to knit.

Week 2
This second week I’ve learnt more techniques, which are a lot more difficult and time consuming to perfect but are more beneficial to my practice. This has included skills such as lace hole, hooking up, e-wrapping and correctly casting on and off. It took longer than I thought to complete the samples, so the technical file was my main focus.

Week 3

 During the last week there was a heavy emphasis on finalizing my technical file and creating my final samples for the unit. I have translated my ‘line’ drawings into knitted samples using the learnt techniques. I have kept the designs quite bold and simple so that i could perfect them, but have used yellow in my colour palette to make them stand out. I particularly liked combining skills such as lace hole and hooking up to create relief and contrast in my knits. Although at times it was overwhelming and frustrating, it was very rewarding to complete my final samples. Once i new I was following a fashion context, it made it easier to create designs.

Contextual Reference| Co-operative Designs

Co-operative Designs are a knitwear duo who create modern pieces using traditional techniques. What interests me about their work is the bright colours and clash of lines, creating a sense of fun and play. Their work has a graphic aesthetic, which I would like to portray in my work. I feel my concept connects with the idea of stripes and grids. I’ve never thought of my work having a fashion context however feel that it is most suitable. It seems new to me, but I will create my final samples thinking in terms of the body.

Visual Resource Week

During the week, we were set a number of tasks and places to visit to gain inspiration for our new project; Collections, Data and lists. we were asked to visit Manchester museum, displaying a vast collection of historical items.

Lines of ornaments

Skeleton

  We also had to visually record our journey to the museum, which I actually found more interesting and relevant than the museum itself. Initially stepping out of my flat, I saw the bright double yellow lines that immediately inspired me to look at line. Although it is very open and is found everywhere, I want to explore both the less and more obvious uses of line.

During my journey, i mainly focused on the use of parallel lines found within architecture and road surfaces, however at the museum I paid more attention to the interpretation of straight lines and how they were used to form patterns.

This week has defiantly helped me create a solid collection of research that can be pushed forward towards the new sampling unit. It’ll help aid me to develop knitted samples from my photographs and drawings collected this week.

Origins Evaluation

The two textile areas I did in origins where print and Mixed Media. I started off in print, where from the very start, drawing was heavily encouraged. At first I’d say I was hesitant towards drawing, but from the repetition and openness of it, I became more and more comfortable. Both of the rotations sprouted from the 10 objects I collected over the summer. I wish I’d put more thought into my actual objects as some of them were very simple and quickly became mundane to draw.

Print is where I’d say I learnt the most, gaining skills in Photoshop and illustrator and trying different processes in the print room. I’d say a lot of my work was finding out what was and wasn't  successful and actually learning the processes, rather than making it look ‘finished’. Quite a few of my screen prints did not turn out how I anticipated, such as the samples with blue reactive dye. The colour was too intense and did not transition the mood of my colour palette.

 

Digital Print

  I found it challenging to use the digital programmes, especially photoshop to create my digital print.   The result looked rushed and could easily be achieved in the print room. Had I’d thought more about the overall composition and design, it would differentiate more from my screen print samples. There is a definite lack of digital prints and so if I had extra time, I would create more. 

Abstract drawings of paper sculptures

The second rotation was mixed media, which I definitely enjoyed more. As I was comfortable in drawing, I felt more free and open to experimentation. I moved away from the literal objects, and just took sections of them to create abstract drawings. These are my favourite and created the initial catalyst for my project. I really enjoyed doing the laser cut work. As I had already gained skills through illustrator in print, it was easier and quicker to create designs. Although i had problems with overlapping on the wooden pieces in my first session, it was a good learning experience and I knew how to solve any problems before my next session.
 

Laser cork piece

In mixed media I have explored new materials that I’ve previously not worked with including cork and felt. I really like the interesting qualities of cork and the organic nature. The outcomes of the laser pieces are very successful and  transform well from 2D to 3D. I wish that I’d exploited more with scale and made the pieces even bigger, but with little time in the laser room, it was difficult.

Friday drawing days where were I wish I put more effort in. I over thought some of the set tasks, which created a physical and mental block for myself, resulting in a lack of quality within my work. In the future I know I need to relax and just experiment with my materials, which will help create a fuller body of work. I’d say that I have mostly enjoyed the Origins unit, although it has been intense at times, I’ve found that keeping an open mind and not putting too much pressure on my self has created the more successful outcomes. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is to push and take advantage of every skill, process and medium to differentiate and get the best outcome.

Inspiration

 

 Richard Sweeney 

 

 Richard Sweeney’s work plays with the simple acts of folding, cutting and constructing. He tends to utilize everyday materials, such as paper, to transform them into sculptural forms. What really drew me towards Sweeney’s work was how effortless and fluid it is, yet there is still a complexity to the folds. I want to translate similar processes he uses to create my own abstract pieces.



Eliza Strozyk


 Eliza Strozyk transforms wooden pieces into flexible surfaces, challenging the idea and expectation of the initial material. What appeals to me about Strozyk’s work is that its both rigid and flexible. The pieces have similar aspects as photo paper, such as the geometric shapes and the crumpled folds. I would like take the idea of using simple repetitive shapes into my designs. I would also like to add the element of light and experiment with the shadows of my pieces.


Yemi Awosile

 

Yemi Awosile uses cork as her main material, which she weaves or cuts into to make her textile. I find cork interesting as it has many qualities such as being flexible, light and soft. It is also a sustainable material, being both biodegradable and renewable. This aspect stands out to me and adds a contemporary element. I plan to laser cut my designs into sheets of cork, which will allow me to configure and bend into 3D sculptures/ pieces.


Anne Kyyro Quinn





Anne Kyyro Quinn studio is a company based on interior design. The products have a sense of simplicity, yet are still interesting, made with striking motifs, modern textures and bold colours. The tactile surfaces are usually made of felt, appealing to both the eyes and hands. Felt is a material I have never worked with before but would be exciting to introduce into my work. Combining it with cork would add a bright colour and contrast of textures. I would like to modulate the materials and then layer or combine the felt and cork to add depth to the pieces.