Exploratory Stage Review

It's the end of the exploratory stage so I have to write a review of everything that went on. The aim of the exploratory stage was to try out different things and see what we want to specialise in.

The first two weeks we were doing 2D design, which is textiles, illustration and graphic design. We did a lot of blind drawings, some of which came out better than others. At first I struggled with the outcomes because they look messy and unattractive in my sketchbook but apparently I'm doing it right. I've mainly taught myself not to mind too much about it looking messy any more. We also did a lot of work on composition, for example looking through viewfinders. I think this has made me better at thinking about how to lay things out on a page. I think I learnt a lot from this section, but I don't think I'll be specialising in any of them.

The second two weeks were fine art. I found the ideas element of fine art a little difficult, although I enjoyed it. I think I'm good at having lots of random ideas but not necessarily joining them together. But over the two weeks I feel like I really improved in terms of conceptualising and doing spider diagrams to think of ideas. I most enjoyed the photography day because it was a lot of fun and we were trying out interesting and unusual photos. I came to college feeling like I wanted to specialise in photography and I think that is still the case.

Lastly we studied 3D design. Despite being apprehensive at first because I didn't really know what I was doing, I really enjoyed this section. I definitely approached it from a fashion mindset, because whatever task we were set I always ended up making some kind of headwear or skirt or cape etc. I don't think other elements of 3D design come naturally to me. I enjoyed doing the research projects as well, because they felt like quite complete projects if that makes any sense.

The things I found difficult were getting used to working in a looser, more 'messy' way, and managing my time on the independent study days. I either end up spending hours and hours more than I should do on something, or else not enough time. That's something I need to work on during the next stage.

My homage to Comme des Garcons

So I had battery problems so these are really terrible photos but anyway here is my homage to Comme des Garcons S/S 2012 collection. Also the lighting was horrible so I did a Caravaggio and bumped up the contrast x5000 to try and make it look like it might be meant to look like that. But it's 3D design week not photography week so who cares.

Comme des Garcons and Meadham Kirchhoff

(image from vogue.co.uk)

I decided to choose Comme des Garcons as my main designer to research and create a homage to in 3D design because I like that it is not just about clothes that look pretty but there is a lot of conceptual meaning behind them. I decided to focus on the S/S 2012 collection because I was drawn to it by the all white aesthetic. This makes it look good visually and gives a strong coherence to all the pieces together but the colour white also has a lot of symbolic associations - birth, death, marriage, purity, saintliness etc.


The attention to detail and the inventiveness really makes the collection stand out. For example the idea of creating a skirt using silk flowers in mesh bags is very striking. The whiteness, cage like structures, obscuring and muffling of faces all hints at the entrapment of women by societal expectations to behave in certain ways. It is also a very beautiful collection despite being quite unconventional in terms of structure of the garments. I don't know how wearable it would be though, especially the headpieces. Also I could very definitely not afford any of this.

(Credit for these images to thecuttingclass.com)

I also chose to research Meadham Kirchhoff's S/S 2012 collection (only fair haha). This was SO CUTE. I'm in love with the pastel colour scheme. I think this collection would be more wearable than the Comme des Garcons one but then again I don't think it has the same conceptual punch. I don't really know what else to say.

I think this one has to be my favourite piece ^

Also this is from Spring 2011 but look at this rainbow hair!

Meadham Kirchhoff = extremely awesome.

Comme des Garcons = extremely awesome too.

Outside tube photos

In the afternoon we got sent outside to take pictures with our tubes because the weather was good. I got to use one of the Nikons because my phone is terrible haha

3D design studio photos

For our 3D design block we have all had to make some tubes out of materials like canvas and bin bags. Once we had made them we used them as concepts for photographs. Here are the photos we ended up with in the studio.

 For these two I was directing and photographing. I quite like the composition of the first one but the lighting in the second isn't very great. I think the colour is actually important in these photos so putting it into bw probably wasn't the best idea.

I think this one worked super well! It reminds me of an old painting for some reason. I like that a lot of concepts could be interpreted behind this. For example why are we connected but facing away from each other?

 I also think this one works well; it looks like an interesting photo to look at. I think the fact that none of out faces are visible is good as it adds a sense of mystery.

Here's the whole of our group in one tableaux. This one also reminds me of a modern spin on an old painting. The richness of the colours and the sense of contrast adds to this effect.

Fine Art two day project photos

some of these are pretty random but I was just experimenting~

 I like the composition of this one and the contrast between the light and dark areas.

 I think the blur of the background works well.

I think it works well how the figure is blurred as it suggests movement. I like how the diagonal lines lead into the photograph.

 I think the light in this works well but the composition might be a bit boring.

The shadows in this are a bit dark but I like the richness of the colours.

 I think the composition of this works well.

The composition of this one is a bit cluttered.

I like the black and white tones of this one and think the composition is quite striking.

Action and Place Photography!

So at college today we had to write an action on one piece of paper and a place in the room on the other and put them in different piles. Then in pairs we had to pick one of each out and one of us do it while the other photographed it. Here's what happened with mine...

Stroke the wall

Hug the ladder

Gregory Crewdson

The composition of this image works great with the framing by the bridge and trees drawing the eye to the man in the middle. Also the fact that it is dark at the edges and light in the centre. I love the shadows cast on the ground. The whole image has a sense of mystery, you want to know what is going on.

Francesca Woodman

I think this image is very interesting because of the interesting angles used. This is by no means a conventional portrait. I also think the contrast between the real cutlery and the designs on the paper adds a very important element of humour and surprise. I also love the dreamy looking tones and slightly blurred effect as it gives a sense of nostalgia.

Nan Goldin Photography

This is from the series Memories of Rodarte. I love how the the design of the wallpaper and fabric evoke each other. I also think the use of the mirror to show the other model and the main model from a different perspective makes this image very interesting and striking. I also think the brown tones work well, creating atmosphere and referencing sepia helping make the image look timeless and classic.

Walking Project

We also had to go for an hour long walk and record it in some way. I decided to use photography and take the dog with me. That meant that the walk was more from her perspective than mine, because she walks quickly and you don't have time to carefully set up each shot etc. The aim wasn't exactly to produce good photos but just to make an impression of the walk. If I had been on my own I would have probably ended up with completely different photos. 

It was really foggy which made it very atmospheric/blurry. Anyway here are a lot of photos.

 There is normally a good view here but not today.