I have to say that this has been a weird month. I blame the super moon. What other reason could it be? I have not attended college all month, mainly because I have had to find a new job that contracts me to more than 8 hours a week because you can't live on that. I am now working 20 hours a week for Hallett Retail (they provide concesions with space in stores such as New Look, which is where I am based.)
It is a really different position to the one I had in Monsoon but it is quite busy and challenging so I am enjoying it.
Back to college tomorrow I think....that is really the only way that I am ever going to better myself. :)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
In the midst...
There was a point recently where I was feeling really overwhelmed with everything. I felt as though there was too much going on and applications to university were making me really analyse my work to a point where I believed that it was really no good and not worth looking at.
Since then I have struggled to design anything at all really - I can draw and drwa and draw and my head is full of ideas of outfits that I would like to create and yet I am constantly struggling with themes and focussing my ideas and narrowing everything down. I know that design is all about working within certain parameters and it was worrying me that I don't like to work like that. I like ideas to develop and become something else once they become fabric creations. I have found that I have been working better on the mannequin and trying to drape fabrics has been really rewarding. I am pleased with the results so now I have about one month to get my arse in gear and make something beautiful. That is my aim and my new focus.... and the theme has kind of developed into seaside, parasols and colourful beach huts in front of a backdrop of stormy purple clouds. Pretty much inspired by some photographs that I took on New Years day when I went for a walk along the promenade in Blythe. It was a beautiful day so something beautiful should come out of it.
Since then I have struggled to design anything at all really - I can draw and drwa and draw and my head is full of ideas of outfits that I would like to create and yet I am constantly struggling with themes and focussing my ideas and narrowing everything down. I know that design is all about working within certain parameters and it was worrying me that I don't like to work like that. I like ideas to develop and become something else once they become fabric creations. I have found that I have been working better on the mannequin and trying to drape fabrics has been really rewarding. I am pleased with the results so now I have about one month to get my arse in gear and make something beautiful. That is my aim and my new focus.... and the theme has kind of developed into seaside, parasols and colourful beach huts in front of a backdrop of stormy purple clouds. Pretty much inspired by some photographs that I took on New Years day when I went for a walk along the promenade in Blythe. It was a beautiful day so something beautiful should come out of it.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
University appications and design disasters
Having returned to college in the New Year I have hit what is known as a brick wall creatively. This may have something to do with the fact that my brain is swamped with the thought of university applications.
It is something that I am really struggling with because I am never happy with any work that I complete and therefore feel that any portfolios that I have produced could be improved on.
I know that this is a good thing because it means that I am constantly developing and pushing myself but it really would be nice to feel proud of myself....
It is something that I am really struggling with because I am never happy with any work that I complete and therefore feel that any portfolios that I have produced could be improved on.
I know that this is a good thing because it means that I am constantly developing and pushing myself but it really would be nice to feel proud of myself....
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Post Xmas update
Well thank goodness that's over. I need a holiday from Xmas and New Year. Don't get me wrong it is so nice to be back home and to see snow over the Christmas period was beautiful, but all I did was work at Monsoon and try to catch up with friends and family. Monsoon sales are just insane. Constantly scrabbling about on the floor picking up clothes from the floor and watching people trample over expensive silk evening gowns for which they seem to have lost all respect.
Constant queues at the fitting room and till, constantly repeating " you have seven days to return sale items for a refund or an exchange". This makes me so infuriated because we have to take responsibility to inform customers that the refund policy has changed even though there are signs around the store and it's on the receipt. I understand why we have to do it but it doesn't stop me from feeling like a robot, and I am not a robot.
On returning to college I felt like I had been slapped in the face with a massive amount of work. For my sketchbook that I had handed in pre xmas for the Anh Mao project I received a Merit which is pretty average. I was annoyed with myself because the parts that I lost marks on were pretty easy to have completed - maybe that's why I didn't do them - I don't know.....
Anyway, I have since applied to five universities - Kingston, Glasgow School of Art, Leeds, Northumbria and Newcastle College. I have to say it took me ages to write my personal statement because I am not the most fluid writer and I am a perfectionist. Now I have received notifications from these universities to say that I need to supply portfolio pictures to even be considered for an interview. Scary Mary. These are due on the 28th of January and the 7th of February so far.
EEEEK!
I also have to complete my Digital Applications Module which is due on Wednesday 25th January, post off a design sketch for Escada by the 31st January and do some more research and designs for our new project. I also have to attend a meetingon the Wednesday morning this week and work on my portfolio for universities so that it looks amazing. Oh and I am at work tomorrow and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Where can I squeeze all of this in eh?
I know- I know - if you're reading this then you're thinking well stop blogging and go and do some work then you lazy cow and believe me I am thinking the same thing. However this is also part of my PPD module and if I don't keep updating this then it is going to be one of those horrible things that you have to do all in one night. I think if I did that then it wouldn't be very interesting. I think that the whole part of blogging is to update it as and when stuff happens because it is the immediacy that makes it addictive.
Did I mention that I have to sort out my work experience placement as well and also start thinking about a design for Miss Newcastle?? My cup overfloweth methinks. But it's all good. This is real life and it is not supposed to be easy. Good job I like a challenge otherwise I think I might have to rethink this career choice!!
Several positives came out of the past couple of weeks as well... We got our marks back for the construction of our dresses for the Anh Mao project. I got 82% which is a distinction so I was really pleased about that. Also we got to do a couple of workshops with a lovely lady called Jane Shaw who runs a company called "People into Enterprise". She is helping us think about starting up a business and how we perceive people in business. It is really worthwhile as I am in talks with another designer about setting up website - you know in my spare time!!
We also spent the day with a designer that has worked for Pringle, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Nautica to name just a few. His name is Colin Reed and he has recently moved back to Kelso from America. I have made a page about him because he really is inspirational and despite the array of amazing famous designers that he has worked with he still has his feet firmly planted on the ground, in his roots and traditions. Above all what he expressed to us was his love of design and his passion was clear for everyone to see. Great day!!
Constant queues at the fitting room and till, constantly repeating " you have seven days to return sale items for a refund or an exchange". This makes me so infuriated because we have to take responsibility to inform customers that the refund policy has changed even though there are signs around the store and it's on the receipt. I understand why we have to do it but it doesn't stop me from feeling like a robot, and I am not a robot.
On returning to college I felt like I had been slapped in the face with a massive amount of work. For my sketchbook that I had handed in pre xmas for the Anh Mao project I received a Merit which is pretty average. I was annoyed with myself because the parts that I lost marks on were pretty easy to have completed - maybe that's why I didn't do them - I don't know.....
Anyway, I have since applied to five universities - Kingston, Glasgow School of Art, Leeds, Northumbria and Newcastle College. I have to say it took me ages to write my personal statement because I am not the most fluid writer and I am a perfectionist. Now I have received notifications from these universities to say that I need to supply portfolio pictures to even be considered for an interview. Scary Mary. These are due on the 28th of January and the 7th of February so far.
EEEEK!
I also have to complete my Digital Applications Module which is due on Wednesday 25th January, post off a design sketch for Escada by the 31st January and do some more research and designs for our new project. I also have to attend a meetingon the Wednesday morning this week and work on my portfolio for universities so that it looks amazing. Oh and I am at work tomorrow and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Where can I squeeze all of this in eh?
I know- I know - if you're reading this then you're thinking well stop blogging and go and do some work then you lazy cow and believe me I am thinking the same thing. However this is also part of my PPD module and if I don't keep updating this then it is going to be one of those horrible things that you have to do all in one night. I think if I did that then it wouldn't be very interesting. I think that the whole part of blogging is to update it as and when stuff happens because it is the immediacy that makes it addictive.
Did I mention that I have to sort out my work experience placement as well and also start thinking about a design for Miss Newcastle?? My cup overfloweth methinks. But it's all good. This is real life and it is not supposed to be easy. Good job I like a challenge otherwise I think I might have to rethink this career choice!!
Several positives came out of the past couple of weeks as well... We got our marks back for the construction of our dresses for the Anh Mao project. I got 82% which is a distinction so I was really pleased about that. Also we got to do a couple of workshops with a lovely lady called Jane Shaw who runs a company called "People into Enterprise". She is helping us think about starting up a business and how we perceive people in business. It is really worthwhile as I am in talks with another designer about setting up website - you know in my spare time!!
We also spent the day with a designer that has worked for Pringle, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Nautica to name just a few. His name is Colin Reed and he has recently moved back to Kelso from America. I have made a page about him because he really is inspirational and despite the array of amazing famous designers that he has worked with he still has his feet firmly planted on the ground, in his roots and traditions. Above all what he expressed to us was his love of design and his passion was clear for everyone to see. Great day!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Dress Development - Patternmaking and Toiling.
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| Creating half circle skirt pattern. |
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| Cutting out the toile from calico. |
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| Initial shape. |
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| Trying to decide how to create a ruffled overlayer. This is not working. |
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