Spring research

At the same time as developing the screen ideas I am collecting visuals around spring and developing a repeat pattern through attending a workshop on the same . This was to learn how to develop a half drop repeat with layers of colour and although I have not had the opportunity to print I am looking forward to developing the idea .

Moving House

On the 7th 0f May in the middle of essay writing and workshops I moved from the Lizard to a beautiful barn conversion and have realised how true my own research is ie the impact of ones suroundings .In the Poetics of SpaceBachelard puts forward the premise that
“The house shelters daydreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace “
Through my work I aim to put beauty, and a sense of magic into interiors and agree with the now well-known principle that William Morris proposed in his 1870s lectures on Design Theory:
“ Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”(Logan 2001:56)
Decorating the domestic interior establishes the home as:
“A site of physical and psychic comfort and “fosters aesthetic experience in daily life.” (Logan T 2001:76)

I include these three quotes from my critical review with this in mind . Although I am very grateful for living at Mawgan as I would not have discovered my tree design or experienced those wonderful inspiring drives home along beech lined roads I had not realised how thoroughly unsuitable the actual cottage was and how much not having ones own "stuff " around affects you . The cottage was cramped, damp and on three levels , dark cold and had no landline and for the bulk of the time there no access to the internet and the landlord and landlady unpredictable .
Unwrapping my treasures was like Christmas over again , being able to begin to make a home with my own private garden in
clean spacious surroundings the place I am now renting is the place I tried and failed to buy last november . It has been a long hard few months . What the effect of the move will be on my work remains to be seen All I know is I have a strong sense of relief (still surrounded by boxes ).I now have physical and psychic comfort No landline or internet as yet but I am working on it !

Screens

I am beginning to explore the idea of using my designs in interiors for a variety of purpose on fabric and other materials . The ideas for screens really excite me . They have a ceratin eastern aesthetic and remind me almost of Kimono designs .

Alistair Fuad Luke of Slow Lab

A talk by Alistair for Slow Lab at Wood lane last night followed up by my attending a workshop with other MA students and some BA this morning. The slow lab approach is very much in my own sphere as I always feel `I take too much time developing an idea
and that I should work faster . It is a relief to be given permission to do this and to hear other people reiterating this as their own experience ."Without reflection their is no consciousness , without consciousness there is no progress. "
He made references to Charles Jenks and posr modernisem and the idea of cyclic and linear time ,
www.slowlab.org.net
The workshop involved group work redesigning a plastic milk bottle with ideas for use beyond the initial one . I will publish the results on the blog when I get them .He gave us an a to z of sustainable design .( see part below)

Laura Watson of Saltwater

" Saltwater is a British label designed by Laura Watson who previously worked under Nicole Farhi before establishing the company in 1998.

Laura is originally from Cornwall and her background is clearly visible the earthy feel that all her pieces have reflecting a closeness to the sea and natural elements that are so deep rooted in the Saltwater ethos.

Saltwater combines traditional skills with more innovative techniques to produce textiles that have an understated richness of surface. The styling is simple with close attention to colour and detail which make these pieces very easy to wear.

I love the feel of English eccentricity that the Saltwater pieces have. You can effortlessly team a beautiful faded print skirt with a cashmere or arun jumper for a relaxed daytime look. " (website info www.saltwater.net)
All Saltwater collections: girlswear, homeware and womenswear (which this summer includes the prettiest, picnic-perfect cotton sundress and Guernsey jumpers for cosying into after a dip in the sea) continue to be designed by Laura from her Victorian house overlooking Falmouth harbour'

'The home is filled with beautiful pieces such as a vintage Ercol sideboard, a raspberry-pink Hans Wegner sofa, some rare, acid-yellow Charles and Ray Eames chairs, and contemporary Scandinavian glass and ceramics picked up in flea markets'

'Cornwall has an amazing creative heritage." Laura says. "I've always loved the work of artists such as Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. But also, my designs have a rustic feel, inspired by living here. I like things to feel slightly unfinished, but with beautiful details. I take time searching for fabrics and getting the colours right because I want Saltwater clothes to have a sense of joy - they're practical and unique. I want them to be clothes you can wear everyday but feel really special in'

Shy say and that it had not all been plain sailing but she loves what she does.She gave an honest report about how she set up the label with a backer for the finances a believing mirror as they say and that she did not aim to keep up with fashion rather developed her own style .I found this particularly useful as encouragement to follow ones own beliefs.
The tutorial was very useful as it is good to get opinions but from someone i the business even more so . She liked my designs and thinks I am on the right track and to keep on going .

Tangerine

Mike Woods from Tangerine , a multidisciplinary design company based in London , came to talk to us about his company and the secrets to a successful product design .He talked about understanding user aspirations and how it is important to do the right kind of research . Looking at what people want and the emotional qualities of a product . He also mentioned early prototyping to test the viability ie the costing ,looking for your own expert users to stimulate the design process therefore thinking about who your future market may be with or investigating a company who is doing something similar to see what the important trends are.He aslo stressed the importance of funtionality and branding .
When I spoke to him about my own work he suggested I think about the type of building that may hold my work , commercial or domestic and which rooms the might be in . All in all a very helpful experience given the stage I have reached in my work . To see more of Tangerine go to www.tangerine.net/

Laser cut paper

I have had a revelation when layering up the laser cut paper pieces . I love the way these create shadows and a feeling of space and am investigating the possibility of making screens .My initial idea was to stretch printed fabric over frames and have them on runners so that the layers can flow across each other . It has also been suggested that I consider other materials such as routing wood or etching into metal or glass. I have been talking to technicians about the practicalities of realising this.The idea of a screen would also be a possibility for the Hidden Art Fair in the summer that I have decided to apply for to test market my designs .