When thesis first started in August, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. Doing the domain map and beginning projects got me thinking about my interests and passions. From that I knew I wanted to work with nature, and study the natural patterns within it. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the process of my thesis class, and all of the practice that I did. I enjoyed how one project led to another, and each time got me closer and closer to my end result. The biggest challenge was figuring out what I wanted to do. Once that was decided, it was all a matter of trial and error, and user testing. It is important to see others reactions and hear their advice. I have learned that I like to step away from the computer sometimes and make things with my hands. The interesting and nice thing about this project is that I get a mix of both; I create the artwork by hand, and then use the computer to make different patterns with it. In terms of the next steps, it is important to keep creating, researching and sharing my work with other people to get advice. After the last critique, I am leaning towards focusing on making different collections of patterns inspired by different places and cultures. I will research each collection theme and make patterns that represent them correctly.
I got a lot of great feedback from the final critique, and even a few comments after class from some students! This final presentation included some new information and new prototypes that no one had seen before. I went deeper into the meaning of color and emotion, and more about what the patterns can make you feel. I also explored making urban patterns, which I had never done before. All of my other works, were strictly inspired by nature. Out of the two directions that I went (making different collections of patterns and emotional patterns), I enjoyed the collections more. I think that it was good for me to play with color and emotions, and learn about what colors mean, but I feel as though it didn’t get across to the class and critic as well as the others. The feedback I got was about different way to make patterns which was really interesting to me. Jess also mentioned that during our meeting. I think the next direction I want to take will be exploring that. I was told to work on playing with the digital tools that we have to make patterns, and Jess mentioned playing with scale, and working with the elements within my patterns and change the size, shape, color, etc., which will make a new pattern that may cause tension. Every one this semester has helped me shape what my thesis project has become. I make my work with all of the advice that I get. All of the artists and designers that Michael mentioned on Thursday will help me with inspirations, and learning. After class Taylor also mentioned the designer, Givenchy, who has really beautiful patterns!
i’m continuing to work and make patterns. I’m trying to decide which direction to go in and whether I should go deeper into the meaning of why I’m making the patterns. I’m really interested in color and the meaning of it. I am also looking into what surrounds us and how it makes us feel. As I said before, I am continuing to make artwork, but spending most of my time researching and figuring out what direction to go in!
I got a lot of great feedback and advice from everyone in class. After my first round of making patterns, and then turning them into wallpapers and pillows, everyone told me to keep making and see what I learn. I made a few more patterns inspired from nature, and presented them at the design fair. At the fair, I got good feedback too. People gave me positive thoughts, but mentioned that maybe I should not only focus on interior decor, but expand to other products as well. A couple of weeks later (this past tuesday) I had prepared more products. Unfortunately, I had ordered patterns but they weren’t going to be ready in time so I focused mostly on paper products. I printed my patterns and started making products out of them. I covered notebooks, tissue boxes, bags, wrapping paper, printed on a t-shirt and also printed on a ribbon which was then wrapped around a hat. I had a lot of fun doing it, and it was nice to see the patterns on other things than home stuff.
After presenting, people gave me good advice for the future. So far, I had only been using nature as my inspiration to make my patterns. The feedback that I got included: make collections of different patterns, use other materials, tell stories, think about the meaning of colors, cover other products, think about the form of the object, and much more! After thinking about all of the ideas, I came up with my next steps.
I am going to make different collections of patterns based on places; beach patterns, urban/city patterns, and greenery/forest patterns. I will look at the meaning of color and figure out which colors work best with the collections. I will do more research and talk to professors at the school that can give me advice. I will also pick an object and figure out the best way to create it out of patterns based on the forms.
A picture from National Geographic magazine of tree shadows on a mountain. Looks like a pattern/textile!
As I am doing research I am realizing that a lot of older designs are very inspirational and helpful. William Morris also uses nature to make his patterns.
From the suggestions at the design fair I am going to work with fabrics more and see what I can create from them. With my original idea of only doing home products, I want to cover a chair, or make curtains, etc. I got a lot of recommendations for clothing and other products, so I also want to try a few small things such as scarves, a tank top, a tie, notebook covers, etc.
I will also continue to research and take photographs of nature, paint, and make patterns.
