My Generation Shirt Collection

Final Illustrations

Evaluation of Major Project Preparation Research During the first few weeks of this unit I found it very hard to understand a different way of working. Looking back now I have learnt so much more about myself as young designer and my design identity. The exploratory element of this unit has been so positive in everything I have achieved in preparation for my final major project. At first I felt really confused as to what was expected of me and also with using processes that were new to me. I felt at first it was difficult to move out of my comfort zone. Preliminary my research ideas weren’t very strong I didn’t research enough and really find out what interested me about my concept and what would best portray my personal design influence through my work. My exploratory aspect of this unit was print design within menswear. My first print designs were not successful in displaying the 60s and mod influence that I really wanted to become a strong element of design process. At the time I found this very hard to come to terms with, I just thought my work was not good enough and it was emotionally really hard for me. So as my first attempt at print design wasn’t successful I decided to go back to the 60s and research in depth about the aspects I really found interesting and what would push my design development to a professional standard and a unique quality that represents my design philosophy. On reflection this was the turning point for my project and this is something I will continue with into my final major project. I feel I have developed a greater understanding into the research process and how a strong foundation of research can develop a professional concept. Something I also found important was that when I went back to the 60s in my research I was enjoying it so much and I just wanted to learn more and more and have continued at all stages of the project to carry on researching, and constantly looking into the culture of the 60s with the music and films of that era. Design As I earlier stated I did struggle at the beginning with print design and graphically creating a personalised image. Although I found it very hard to start and using digital processes very testing but I felt so strongly about creating a bold graphic print that I persisted and struggled through to achieve the best possible collection of prints that I could. Now I have learnt to use programmes in an advanced way to create a professional tessellated print of high industry standard. So when moving out of my comfort zone at first was upsetting and difficult to understand, I now have a greater knowledge of print design and transferable skills that I can apply to my final major project. I kept to my learning agreement of a hundred designs, and I think my design development has linked well with the details design brief as my design process was very much about details of collars, buttons, buttonholes and print placement. I feel I have demonstrated this within my final pieces. If there was something I could change and improve on within my design process I would focus on my time management, because I had to send away for my digi print pieces the lead time was a estimated a week but in fact took 2 weeks. In reality I sent them off too late, I could have produced more final garments if my time management was more efficient. This is a weakness that I really want to work on and turn into a strength in my final major project. To be able to identify my weaknesses and strengths at this stage I feel is a positive development, everything during this unit was an experiment so areas of my work may not be as successful as others but I have tried to maintain a strong concept throughout and keep continuing to develop my ideas. I feel that digi print has really enhanced my work and been a professional creative tool to help me build a solid foundation for my final major project and some strong portfolio pieces to take through for my future aspirations. Making Contact Making contact was something I didn’t know where to really start from, I was worried who to contact and what to say. After I got my confidence back and started to believe in my ideas a bit more and could see I had a clear vision for what I wanted to create, I got in contact with Nick Bain, an ex BA Fashion student from formally The Arts Institute and specialised in menswear. Nick is currently working for Berwin & Berwin and also designs for the range of brands that Berwin & Berwin own. One of which is Lambretta, a young formal wear brand influenced around the 60s mod era. I think looking back what made my design ideas work was the fact that I didn’t tailor my designs for a company to start off with, they came solely from me, and I kept a target market in mind but never designed for an established brand. After my design development was making progress I then looked into the brands that Nick designs for and applied my designs to that brand. Making contact I feel now is such an important development into a professional project; I have gained advice and feedback at nearly every stage of my project and have found that seeking industry knowledge imperative to my industry understanding. I have also made plans to shadow Nick at Berwin & Berwin in early January and have also made arrangements to stay in contact with him throughout my final major project. Another late part of making contact within this unit was the company I sent my digi print designs away to have been interested in my print. It is early days to say what will happen and whether they will want to use it but this has really made me think about what rights I have over my work and that I should start thinking about copywriting or creating creative licensing on my work for future projects. This is a weakness of mine; it’s getting to the point where I need to learn about a more professional business side of fashion and how to communicate professionally with contacts. I have also kept a lot of work off my blog which I would normally display in as part of my reflective journal; with my blog not having any licence or copy write over it and neither is any of the work I upload on there. I have chosen to be selective on how my work is displayed until I have seeked advice on how to protect my work. Summary Overall I have enjoyed this unit, I hated it at the beginning but on reflection I can see everything I went through was a process and learning new skills and I think everything I have been through will have relevance to my final major project. I think I created a professional collection of printed shirts that are targeted at the right market; I would have however liked to have created a bigger collection with more prints that may be something I carry through into my final major project. I would definitely look into using digi print again but would have a greater experience of lead times and problems that can occur I would have an awareness of this when planning my time. The most important thing is that I have learnt so much more about myself and my design identity and I definitely know my specialism is set on menswear, and I have created portfolio pieces to justify my chosen specialism for my future career. I feel this unit has really prepared me for my final collection, and I have my self confidence back to argue my concepts and ideas.