Evaluation

This project has pushed my creativity tremendously and i think it has allowed me to develop so much as a designer. I have become more experimental in my approach to designs and spent longer working meticulously on samples.

It has been hard to stick to a time scale, i have had to learn how to use my time effectively to get the research, drawings and samples done within the deadline. Although it has not been easy and sometimes it is frustrating when I am unable to make as much as i want to due to not managing my time effectively, I have learnt to overcome this in through the projects.

I realise I have worked better in the self-initiated project to the live brief as I have felt more freedom when sampling. I know that I work considerably better when I am given more time to explore outcomes and develop my designs. However the two four week projects have gave me a chance to create two bodies of work in a fast paced time frame.

The first project engineering embroidery i created a set of samples based on the people, wildlife and environment in polar climates and poems based on these climates. Following a narrative based on research and drawings i created samples that were heavily illustrative using applique and machine embroidery. I feel like this project has been a good start to developing my samples in embroidery although I feel like I could have pushed a lot further in sampling with the ideas and skills I had developed if I had enough time to do so. For my Self-initiated project my samples were so much stronger. Taking the first projects concept I focused in one the formation of ice to base my samples around. I experimented with different materials like silicone and manipulated samples intensively. I also developed my hand embroidery skills and tried my best to make the samples as interesting as possible for the Hand and Lock brief I had chosen to do. I think sampling this unit has pushed the way I think about making and developed my skills for professional outcomes.

As this unit has been my first projects working towards a live brief, I therefore had to learn how to professionalise my practice. Working on the engineering embroidery unit I have challenged my research skills to fit my work in to the criteria while personalising it. I have learnt to visualise my samples to be able to see how they work with the objects they are created for. This has helped when considering the structures of designs and what will work best for the intended purpose. The self-initiated brief has also helped further develop these skills and start to think about how I want my creative brand to be seen. I have started to consider applications for placements in the summer and future creating a Cv and cover letters. I have also been in contact with textiles Artist Alice Kettle sending my cv for any future projects she needs help with.

The units have extremely benefited my practice, I am especially glad about the professional skills I have gathered through working on live briefs as they are vital to the industry I will be going in to. I think my work has flourished this unit and I am excited to be spend more time throughout the year developing techniques to make my work the best it can be.