A small summary.

So I thought it would be a good idea just to sum up Unit X & my end points.

To start with I found the whole concept really confusing, the thought of the final pieces being purely digital scared me a little & if I'm honest I wasn't happy with the thought of not actually making anything physical. 

Once I figured out that the project could be whatever I wanted it to be, things got easier. I wish that I could have realised earlier on in the project what it was I wanted to create as the first few weeks were quite panicked. Realising that I wanted to make a public seating area was the turning point, as soon as I figured that out I felt as though the wheels could finally start moving.

If the seating area were to be real, the floor would be made of something reflective such as plastic or vinyl etc. The walls would be draped with a sheer, thin polyester or even muslin, enabling the colour projections to look less flat & more dream-like. 

I've mentioned before that I've struggled to show my personality through my work so far on the course, however this time I really think I have. I've always had an interest in children's interiors & a tutor described my idea as almost a play area for 'big kids' and I loved that comparison. 

Final Image

For my 'strong image' I decided to use a close up photograph of a few of my samples. The samples show both knit & print & are some of the most successful samples that I produced.

Final Visualisation

I'm really pleased with how my visualisation turned out. It had been a while since I had properly used Photoshop or Illustrator so I felt a little rusty so start with but I'm so glad I got back into it.

I think the image shows the light, airy nature I want the room to have. I didn't want to overcrowd it with people, but if the space was real I'd hope that lots more people would be around.

Context Sheet

I really enjoyed putting my context sheet together, it was a good way of seeing all the different things that had lead me to the end of my project. I felt a little as though I had too much to put on it, so had to keep eliminating samples.

This is what the finished sheet looks like:

Colour Change Video

For the walls of the space I'm creating, I would like there to be a projection of colour that changes throughout the day, so for this I've created a short film as an example.

I created a series of colours & gradients in Photoshop, saved them as jpegs & imported them all into iMovie. I shortened the time as much as I could without losing the effect, just so the video itself doesn't drag on for too long as it is just an example.

Also, I felt that watching it with added sound made it more appealing.

It was my first ever attempt as using iMovie & it was a lot more simple than Final Cut Pro, hopefully I can use this for future projects.

For the projections I'm thinking there could be thin white fabric draped on each wall for the colours to be projected on to, this could help achieve the dream-like effect I'm after.

Digital Visualisation so far...

Recently I've been concentrating on the digital side of the project, as it's a really important factor in the end proposal. 

I just thought I would give an indication of how it's looking at the moment. This is the version that I'm working with at the moment & things are going to be moved/tweaked/added over the next few days.

I'm hoping to produce a film that shows how I would like the colours of the walls to change gradually, so it would be great if I could add that to this image when it's all complete.

Livingstones by Smarin

I found 'Livingstones' by Smarin whilst looking for furniture inspiration, I was looking for something which had the same fun element that I'm trying to create. Finding the whole website was a bonus, I was genuinely excited looking at all the different ideas the company has. I love how the furniture they design is to create a certain 'feel', yet is still contemporary.

Livingstones

I also love how they described this piece on the website:

"Oversized pebbles, a resting area with varying sizes and shapes that can be arranged according to your mood, for contemporary interiors. Pebbles as a fanciful landscape for ideal and permanent holidays, which can be transformed into an enjoyable domestic game."

Knit Samples

These are some of my favourite samples to come of my time in the knit room.

When looking through punch cards I decided to keep pattern as similar to those on the goose houses as I possibly could. 

Knitting.

This time I wanted to work more with colour rather than plain knits for printing just to try out different possibilities for the furniture I've been thinking of. 

Being someone who gets distracted fairly easily, I find the knit room quite relaxing and could happily sit for a few hours just making knits.

Visualising Furniture.

In the space I'm creating, as well as having a relaxed feel, I'd also like it to feel quite whimsical & odd. For it to be not like anything that you would expect to see in an institution for education. So for furniture I've had so many ideas on how I can bring a fun & playful nature to the room, whilst also providing comfort.

The ideas I've had so far are poufs, beanbags, hammocks, inflatables, large scale cushions & just general padded seating. I'm thinking that I'd like everything to be quite mismatched when it comes to shape & size.

I've been creating basic drawings in Illustrator of beanbags & hope to move on to other ideas soon.

Printing

I managed to get back into the print room, and using stencils was able to create some simple colour blends on to both fabric and my own knit samples.

In regards to furniture, I would like to keep pattern to a minimal but still include some. So I tried just using stripes of the diamond pattern rather than overcrowding the fabrics.

I'm not 100% sure if I'm happy with how the results turned out. Maybe going back into the knit room will provide me with more inspiration.

Starting on visualisations.

I was feeling slightly disappointed that I didn't manage to get in the print room today, hopefully I'll be able to continue where I left off asap.

Instead I decided to work on some visualisations, having started about a week ago but not being extremely proactive about it. As I haven't really worked on Photoshop very much since my BTEC Graphics course, part of me was scared that I would have forgotten everything. It does feel good to be getting back into it though.

A photo from the ground floor of the new build, taken from the mmu website.

The beginning of visualisations.

I'm also hoping to use basic templates of the space & use collage to create more visualisations.

Colour Blend Printing

Today I've been in the print room (even choosing the table with a backing cloth that matches my colour palette...), mostly mixing my pigments & producing a few test prints. During the week hopefully I will creating some good quality samples.

The colours may need lightening a little, and the tests have also shown how the knits absorb the pigment, so maybe less pulls will work better next time.

CV

Textile Designer
Mellisa Ward

Personal Description

I am a determined and enthusiastic designer who is extremely passionate about the work I do. I am the kind of person who will not give up easily if an idea has not worked the first time round and will always try to think logically and creatively about a situation to make it work. My passion lies with design and constructed textiles, I love working with colour and I am also interested in print. Learning new skills is also something that I will always enjoy doing.

Creative Skills

Drawing, screen printing, hand embroidery, print making, hand knitting, machine knitting, weave. Floral design and arrangement skills. Skills in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as well as Microsoft Office.

Education

Sep 2011 - Present Manchester Metropolitan University  

BA(Hons) Textiles in Practice

Sep 2010 - June 2011 Knowsley Community College  

BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Merit)

Sep 2008 - June 2010 Hugh Baird College  

BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design (Triple Distinction)

Sep 2007 - May 2008 Mysercough College  

Design for Craft & Floristry  

10 GCSE's achieved at Brookfield High School, grades A-D including Graphic Design (A) and Expressive Arts (D) which was achieved at age 14.

Work Experience

October 2010 - September 2011 QVC - The Shopping Channel 

I worked for the UK's current leading shopping channel at their call centre headquarters in Knowsley, Merseyside. My role was contacting customers regarding various issues with orders they had made and handling very personal data. As well as all associated office/call centre skills, the role required patience, a positive attitude and an understanding and friendly nature. I was a part of a small team within a huge team and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I finished at QVC due to moving to Manchester to pursue my degree.

2010 - Present Hotbox Events 

During the summer I take part in a volunteer scheme with Hotbox Events, who work with various music festivals across the country. I have worked as a campsite assistant at Latitude, The Big Chill and Leeds Festival. The main duty is to assist the campers with general tasks such as carrying belongings and giving out basic information and directions. The role also requires communicating and assisting with fire and medical teams.

2010 - 2011 Compass Group for Jockey Club Catering 

I worked as bar staff/cashier on a casual basis at various racecourses in the North of England. The events were challenging and fast paced, high standards and perfect presentation were very important, presentation being something that I am very passionate about with any work that I do.


References are available on request.

Knit Pieces

This week I've been in the knit room creating backgrounds for print. I've really enjoyed getting back in the knit workshop, creating physical pieces is where I feel most happy & comfortable.

I've stuck to the neutral parts of my colour palette as I'm hoping to screen print some colour blends on top of the samples, using stencils with a blank screen.

Claire-Anne O'Brien

I was first introduced to Claire-Anne O'Brien on the group blog, a post by Bethany Smith who thought I may find the reference helpful & I really did!

Claire-Anne O'Brien is a textile designer who mostly specialises in knitted pieces. There is a real sculptural element to her work, instead of flat knitting she prefers to construct items.

I've been thinking about the creation of comfortable furniture to go in my space & trying to think of how this can take on various forms. I had been thinking that i'd love to combine this with knit as it's something I really enjoy, this was an approach that had not crossed my mind until now.

Colours...

There was something that I thought wasn't quite working with the last colours colour palettes & colour wraps that I had made. So I decided to make a few more colour wraps rather than paint the colours as I feel more inspired by yarn colours.

I'm happier with these new colours.