Blowing my own trumpet

So the other day when my tutor was checking over my blog to see if it was heading in the right direction , she thought that I was although suggested that I 'Blow my own trumpet'  so im going to upload some photos of some of the things ive been working on towards a craft fair.Ive been really getting inspired by the whole idea of Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) with the crazy sparkly embellished trinkets, shrines and fabrics. Im really excited to have my new products and work on show at the craft fair !

Meeting a brief when you are a Textiles surface Designer/marker

  

Customer 

When looking at what Designers need to consider when reacting to a brief , we looked at the exterior of people. Judging a book by its cover as some may say. We looked at two 'customers' and their surroundings in the photograph and became really judgmental , and mentally depicted their 'lifestyles'  we decided where they shopped, lived, who they provided for, who where their influences? political views?

When designing to a brief you have to consider a lot of basic information when put together will guide your work and help it flourish into what would hopefully be a final design/collection of final designs that the company is happy with.

When meeting with the client;

Introductions - are a must ( in case you need to call them ect)

Research the company you are working for.

The Format- how do they work? Skype meetings? phone calls?

How do they want you to present your work? mounted? digitally? ect.

Do they want you to brand your own work? Or does the company have their own branding methods they want to use?

DEADLINES - Make sure you will be able to meet the deadline before you commit !

Amends - ensure that you discuss your rates of amendments (do this before you agree to anything and start the project!) This will ensure you don't waste your time and break even when you need to earn a living and make a profit.

Trends 

Spring, Summer , Autumn, Winter.

Colour of the fabric, fabric weight , initial design , type of clothing , and the cut of the garment. (some of these apply to the UK )

Gift and surface designer/maker ( the work will be less weather influenced)

Holidays and the school calender will be more of an influence.

Christmas , Birthdays , Halloween , Motherdays ect..

When looking for the trends that are going to inspire the designers there are books and journals with he predictions in.

Today Music, film , global culture , cross over design trends and social trends influence us!

The use of pan-tone colours is much more apparent and keeps the accuracy of colours higher.

Trend sites 

A few years ago i foound this amazing site , which enables you to collect images (default or your own) to create a 'trend' collage. You can add colour charts and furniture mixed with fashion garments/accessories to create quite a sophisticated collage.
Here are a few examples created by different member of the website ; http://www.polyvore.com/

City Style Home - Teach Mom Polyvore by thewovenwolf featuring rod pocket curtains
http://www.polyvore.com/city_style_home_teach_mom/set?id=140983717

Untitled #815 by alyssastar featuring ceramic table lamps
http://www.polyvore.com/untitled_815/set?id=140950252

Winter Trend Burgundy by stylepersonal featuring Free People
http://www.polyvore.com/winter_trend_burgundy/set?id=140859276

Mexican colour schemes by bettiehope featuring mexican home decor

Here is a quick collage that I made using the Polyvore website, I collected a series of images that would help inspire my latest project which I am currently doing. Im making a lot of over the top Mexican shrine boxes that are all sparkly and bedazzled, its a really fun project and the boxes will be for sale as part of a collection for a craft fair!

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=141358836

Stationary and Gifts

Gemma Correll

Gemma Correll (http://www.thecuriouspancake.co.uk/recreational-drugs-greeting-card/)

Gemma Correll (http://www.domesticsluttery.com/2011/08/great-tape-gemma-corrells-animal-parade.html)

Gemma Correll is an illustrator whom I love a lot , her very childlike and simple illustrations along with fabulous puns have me cracked up. I noticed over the last year or so her illustrations on much more functional things, and more stationary's like sellotape. Her keen eye for whit and cute drawings are very popular and they have even been seen on t-shirt bags and other accessories. Whenever I go into paper chase I always hunt for a Gemma Correll card as I simply love the humor that she involves in her illustrations.

The Carousel Show 

The carousel show (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thecarouselshow/product/owl-stationary-set)

The carousel show (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thecarouselshow/product/toadstool-eraser-and-sharpener)

I came across The carousel Show on Not on The Highstreet and instantly fell in love. The colour scheme and themes they use give off the feeling of one with nature. The toadstools are really surreal and really remind me of being a child with a huge obsession with fairies, I think this is why I connected with  these products so much.

Bonnie and Bell

Bonnie and Bell (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/bonnieandbell/product/pencil-sharpener-the-last-log)

Bonnie and Bell (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/bonnieandbell/product/melamine-plates-butterflies)

Bonnie and Bell have taken somethings from nature and created very contemporary products that are veru quirky. The pencil sharpener is an amazing idea especially once you have got some pencil sharpens inside the dome that look like leaves that have fallen off Autumn trees.These plates are so glamorous , im not sure if its the fabulous butterflies or the highly glossy bright colours the butterflies contrast against , owning these plates would be amazing , however i would dare eat off them to in case they got ruined! 

Eden's Paper 

Edens paper (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/edenspaper/product/super-food-plantable-wrapping-paper-pack)

Edens paper (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/edenspaper/product/sunflower-100-plantable-wrapping-paper)

The bold and intricate wrapping papers made my Eden paper are absolutely delicious I instantly fell in love with all of their collections. They give off a real retro vibe and the use of bold colours and prints is really luring , I really want to buy them all and wrap every single present I ever buy for someone in them, Once the paper has been used for one purpose ( wrapping gifts) it can then be planted into the garden as they have the seeds embedded into the actual paper. You can grow a full garden of beautiful flowers and veg. This idea is fantastic and really creates a more economical way of using wrapping paper and creating something else beautiful.

Memo Illustration 

Memo Illustration (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/memoillustration/product/house-plant-drinks-coasters)

Memo Illustration (http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/memoillustration/product/pattern-tags)


I chose Memo Illustration to look at because of the simplicity of the designs but the choice of colour scheme and the fact that the designs all look like they have been screen printed. This company really seeks to inform the buyer of the actual surface design and how it has been applied to the object.


Paperchase

Paperchase (http://www.paperchase.co.uk/christmas/christmas-decorations/christmas-tree-decorations/glass-totem-statue-decorations-pack-of-3.html)

Paperchase (http://www.paperchase.co.uk/christmas/christmas-decorations/wreaths-and-garlands/multi-crochet-wreath.html)

I found these beautiful decorations on the Paperchase website and i adore the Totem statue decorations they have a real kitsch vibe and they would look amazing hanging from a heavily decorated tree that looks almost tacky and over the top but fabulous. The wreath is also lovely as it bring a sense of hand craftsmanship and the colour scheme is really complementing on each other. I think the wreath is a lovely idea however I couldn't imagine it being outside on the front door as I may get ruined from the weather.