Reflective Statement

Throughout this unit, I have learned how to collect things and make into my own collection, research, and develop my ideas further. I managed to express my thoughts visually by demonstrating photos and their manipulation.
Rough Guide has provided an opportunity to me to discover interesting aspects about an area called 'Notting Hill,' especially 'Portobello Road.' I not only managed to reveal my thoughts visually and virtually but also tasted a new atmosphere which is warm and comfortable in this busy city, London.

Study tasks have also influenced me educationally and emotionally. I have obtained an excessive amount of knowledge as I completed the tasks by seeing exhibitions and researching them further. This study made me aware beyond art and textiles - I reconsidered about the relationship between art and culture, art and identity, art and social/political issues.
Although writing up on Blog was somewhat difficult, I was pleased to find something new I had not known before due to the tasks.

As I was updating my blog, I looked into other blogs. Even though blogs with many written ideas were informative, strong photos and concise description grabbed more of my attention. I was more inspired by photos of samples and the process of producing them or research other people have done. Something brief yet clear...
http://slowtextiles.blogpost.com & www.fashion-mk.com

As I review the work I have done so far, I could have mixed more materials into the others. I could have experimented with a variety of materials rather than just photographs. Moreover, in the future I would like to approach more personally and emotionally on study tasks.

Stitch

Stitch has taught me various technical skills. My first impression on stitch was just producing work by utilizing a sowing machine; however, my initial thought has totally changed while experimenting.
It was more about mixed media by which I was amazed. Although I highly concentrated in stitching into diverse materials for final 4 samples (felt, silk, silk metallic, organza, mirror papers, metallic papers, ribbons and acetate), I also learned how to use bondaweb, heat press machine, melting, burning specific fabric such as lycra and other techniques.
I loved how all outcomes turn out unexpectedly yet sophisticated.

Knit

During these two weeks of knitting, I learned various techniques to design my own samples.
Since my object for this block was 'key' and its cutting shapes, I focused on geometrical shapes and their layers. Techniques such as 'tuck in,' 'lace holes,' and 'ladders' were mainly used on my knit samples. I built a structure that relates to my object. Furthermore, I often avoided using thick yarns because I did not my samples to look fluffy.
Metal and leather yarns were used in order me to relate my collection.
Looking back at these samples, I could have used a variety of materials and other techniques such as patterns.

Photography Induction

During the class, we learned how to take photos with appropriate functions and light.
I took photos of two of my drawings in different angles.

Weave

 Plastic Bag and Cotton

Winding and Wrapping 

 on a branch

 on a CD

 Plastic Bag and Wool

Cotton (+ shoe laces)

For this block, I mainly concentrated in color. Since my objects were cleaning tools, I focused on bright colors. the image above is one of my weave examples which is influenced by my object, orange gardening rubber gloves. I tried to experiment by using stripes of plastic bags instead of orange yarns.
Samples below the image are some of my winding/wrapping.

Print

 Digital Print

 Digital Print

Dyed and Printed on Silk + Viscose

My first technical block was Print. 

Learning Photoshop has led me to manipulate my original image in a more interesting way. Using many different tools given, I cropped, defined patterns and brushes with details. These images which I re-created were printed digitally on fabrics. 

This block also taught me how to print and dye with various techniques- devore, white discharge, color discharge,  and illuminating discharge. By utilizing the techniques, I tried to experiment and develop my collection.