Evaluation

My main focus in this unit has been on producing my vision and making sure it is executed impeccably. I thin I have succeeded in the make of the product and ensuring it is made beautifully. During the course of unit X I have also tried to experiment more and push myself further again. Although my main focus for this project was to continue making my envelopes from the previous unit, I have tried to incorporate other elements into my work but introducing new and different screen printing techniques such as foiling and puff binding into my work. Combining hand made prints, patterns and drawings with embellishments was also something new for me. It was interesting to combine different techniques together but ensuring they all fit together efficiently and were still in line with my learning brief was something challenging but interesting for me.

The use of different techniques have enabled me to look back and forth between my learning brief and practice as I did not want to stray to far from what I intended to do but also experiment further and encourage myself to try new things as I feel in my previous project thats where I lacked confidence and held back trying new things. I was uncomfortable with screen printing during my last project so naturally I was skeptical about going back in and trying out a whole new technique but giving myself the push and considering filing then gave me the push to go and try puff biding too and it has been very beneficial for me as it has resulted in a more intricate and beautiful product. 

My envelope idea is still something unique which has been difficult at time research and context wise but I have managed to combine research in different things together such as substituting the envelope for a clutch bag as they are similar sizes and can be made in a similar way. I have also looked at different ways to make an envelope and selected the best easiest and most impeccable result to execute. This has been a difficult part of this unit but also a learning curve having to think outside the box and selecting relevant research and information that can cater to my project without having me exact. 

This project has also enabled me too look at different contextual areas within my practice and culture and not restrain myself and focus on one specific area. This has also helped me network and and open a window for a new wider audience to be interested in my work and introduced potential clients and opened exciting new doors for me. This has also encouraged me to think about future project beyond university and along side a teaching course. 

My plan for the rest of unit X is to carry on producing more envelopes and cards created in a flawless manner. To continue combining different techniques such as the many printing techniques mono printing, digital printing, foiling and puff binding techniques I am currently using to create something new and unique. 

Sample making!

This week I have been working on producing a sample for my final product. I started off by experimenting with one of my samples by embellishing it and introducing another texture element. I think this was a good idea because it added another dimension to my samples and it also finished them of and gave them another luxurious feel and emphasising my concept for a bespoke hand made wedding invitation. I plan to add these to a few of my samples as I would like to offer a choice and show a more embellished envelope and a more simple but still effective one. I also created an envelope myself this was a difficult task but I feel that the envelope is professionally made and I have refined the making to make sure it looks good enough to be in the degree show and also good enough to sell to clients. My next plan is to continue making more envelope samples and also create cards. I have planned to make my cards a mixture of paper meshed with fabrics I am also combining foiling with the puff binding technique for my cards. Still keeping my slightly raised cushion section as part of my card.

Faika Karim

I have been approached by various women and girls asking about my prints and whether I would be selling them sewn into assign attire. This has sparked an idea in my mind encouraging myself to research further into this audience and business to see if I am able to place myself in that industry. I looked at a specific designer called Faika Kareem who is a pakistani clothing wear designer who often uses digital prints in her Pret collections. This has inspired me to reach out and put out my prints in different contexts especially as people seem interested in it in this particular context. I have decided to get in touch with a graphics designer who has agreed to help with some branding and logo specifics and I am currently sourcing a digital printer who can print my prints for me. this project is getting exciting for me and challenging as I am not thinking about my work in a whole new context and whether it will work in that context too!

This particular designer has inspired me because its an area that I feel my work is similar and relatable. She uses luxurious prints and colours that make her work look expensive and inspire women. Karim digital prints are vibrant and colourful as are mine. I feel my work fits in perfectly in this context and enforces the fact that i don't want to limit myself to one particular context.

Commission

I was approached by a lady who's sister was getting married, she asked me if I would create a personalised card for her sister from her. The time frame she had given me was a week. This made it difficult but I managed to produce a card. I used some hand drawn intricate patterns which I than scanned in and photoshopped and created a print that I placed on the front of the card. Given the short amount of time I was able to produce something that went with her criteria. She gave me a mostly open brief which made the short creating time a little easier as I was able to do what I wanted and also experiment at the same time.

Evaluation

During the course of this unit I have been able to explore different parts of prints and different printing techniques. it has given me the opportunity to go down a route that I prefer with the allowance of trying a variety of paths. I have learnt my strengths and weaknesses through the different printing methods I have tried. I have also been able to explore different contexts to find a perfect one suited to my research and work. This unit has helped me learn more about myself, my work and my own culture. I have been able to explore people who work in a similar way to me.

The change of context in my practice was big vital moment in my work as it made me come to a decision where I had to think about ways my work could cater to a specific audience this change helped that as my work perfectly slots in to the context I have chosen. The context research has also helped me produce something very unique that has not been done before. This is something I m very proud of as I know wedding invitations could come across as a tacky cliche choice but I have made an conscious effort to create something innovative and unique.

Through the different techniques I have been using I've been able to stick to my learning agreement and follow it through. These techniques have enabled me to stick with the concept of texture, culture and journey. My work has been very personal I feel my work at the point I'm up to is able to show my journey and portray what my life is about. I feel my personality is something that comes through my work and the audience is quickly able to see what I am about and where my work leads to. 

This unit has also contributed to my confidence in presenting and displaying my work for audiences. The short presentations at university I feel have helped me gain confidence in my work and talking about it at interviews I have had that have now led to offers. I have also learnt a lot about professionalism and how to portray yourself to an outside audience and how you want your work to be perceived. 

In unit X I would like to continue to work the way I am at the moment with enthusiasm and motivation. I plan to carry this project on and perfect it by taking my best parts and improving them as much as I can to make them look professional and to show my journey. I hope to create properly executed envelops made out of my prints and beautiful cards of a wide variety full of textures and prints and colour, portraying my research and influence of my life.

First Offer

I received an email today about my first offer for a place on my first choice this has motivated me more and excited me about my future! My preparation and enthusiasm has paid off! during the interview I was asked many questions about the curriculum and about teaching in general, I researched these things before hand and made sure I was fully equipped with all the information I would need to support my interview.

Interviews

I have been invited for interviews. In preparation for these interviews I have been asked to bring a portfolio for one and a presentation for the other. It is a little scary but I am excited to go and show my work and my enthusiasm for teaching. I have been working on a presentation for one interview showcasing my best work and I have put together a portfolio of my best work for the other.

Teacher Training

I have been putting together my Ucas application for teacher training as this is the chosen career path I have decided to take. I have had two meetings with career advisers regarding my personal statement and the application process now that my application has been sent off I am hoping for interviews. My main choice is a PGCE in textile and food design technology at MMU.

Live brief Pattern Mash

For my live brief this year, I participated in a Pattern Mash task called Prints of Persia. This was perfect for me as the brief was quite similar to my own brief so I was able to marry the both together and create some prints for it. I used the same mono printing technique and used photoshop to layer different sections up. I also did some drawing which I placed on top of the textures as a motif.