Paper cut outs with print application

As planned, I decided to use my prints in a layered way and cut them out using the shapes that made the prints that I am using (as confusing and complicated as it sounds!).

As you can see, the shapes have been plotted out on the left hand page in both instances and then the same pattern has been carried over to the opposite page. On the first page, the first chosen print was stuck down, then I turned over and applied the second print onto the next page and then opposite that page I applied the third so that all three could be seen together when the print was active.

Colour analysis

I decided to look at WGSN again, this time for colour forcasting and to see what trends are immerging for colour in the coming seasons.

Whilst looking at some new trends, I came across the "Interruptive Brights" trend.

The title itself indicates a similarity to my own work, identifying the use of clashing and contrasting colours together to create interesting pieces of work.

I think that my work is extremely relevant to this trend and links to some of the imagery provided by WGSN which can be seen above.

Cutting and layering development, application of print

I really liked the cutting of the shapes and felt a sense of great achievement when I had completed the time consuming process. I wanted to develop these pieces further and even though I feel that the use of white on white is quite effective, it does not quite reflect the rest of my work that I have created during this project.

It would be wasteful when I have already created quite a range of prints to not reuse some of them in a different way. So, with this decision, I chose three prints that I would use to develop into cut paper pieces (see below).

I decided that these colours might interact quite well together and I wanted to see how many possible combinations of the prints could be made, so I did this visually within my sketchbook to determine which prints I would be able to make without having to make them all without knowing the outcome.

I feel that I saved myself time by planning carefully within my sketchbook and I have documented it visually so it is immediately visible which combinations could be created and could be a formula that anyone could use.

Cutting and layering

After speaking to Laura during a tutorial in knit, she suggested that I play with layering of colour and the shapes that I have created throughout my book.




Inspired by The First Cut paper exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, I decided that I would try and make some of the shapes that my prints are made up of and develop them from two dimensional shapes into three dimensional shapes, whilst allowing them to remain attached to the page. This would require a lot of careful planning and means that I will have to draw plans and figure out where my paper would remain attached to the page and where my 'anchor points' would be.

The shapes in this image (which are taken from a page in my sketchbook) have all been individually hand-cut with a scalpel and fold up to create a "V" shaped formation that can be folded back into the sketchbook page to lay flat again.

I carefully drew out all of the shapes and ensured that they were equally spaced and created a pattern within themselves. They are quite interactive too, given that they shapes when laid flat create a pattern and then when folded up they develop into a new pattern that can be altered as the audience pleases.

Prada AW12

I am keen to keep up with fashion trends and I endeavour to familiarise myself with the latest collections. On reflection of my own work, I immediately noticed that there were immediate links with Prada's AW12 collection, featuring geometric and quite solid prints. The colours are quite striking and appear to be quite optical.

 

The way that Prada have used geometric prints as well as a strong use of colour is interesting in itself, however the cut of the garments is quite an important statement within this particular collection.

 

The simple straight trousers temed with long flowing jackets and tops allow the print to be showcased to it's true potential. The movement of the garments whilst the models are walking down the runway accentuates the busy nature of the prints.

 

 I also find the way that the print has been applied to the floor using a suaded carpet and it allows the audience to be completely immersed in the prints that are included within the range of Prada's clothing. The jackets and trousers are also embellished with Rhinestones and jewels which also adds yet more depth to the prints.

WGSN

I luckily have gained access to Trend Forcasting website WGSN, which is allowing me to identify the key colours, trends, silhouettes etc for all areas in textiles which will mean that I can develop work that will be relevant if it was to be made into a product and it would be on trend for it's release.

Before going into knit within the Construct textile "world", I wanted to identify what would be on trend for knitwear in the coming seasons. I looked at this trend report entitled "Knitted Cooridnates" which automatically appealed to me and appeared to be relevant to my own methods of working.

WGSN analysis

• Silhouette: sweaters are fitted, skirts are pencil or A-line shaped
• Colour: monochromatic pattern or primary brights work well to maintain a retro feel, in keeping with the 1960s mood. Alternatively, use a darker palette of burnt reds, ochre, sage and navy for a more autumnal feel
• Yarn & stitch: simple yarns and subtle knit-stitch completes this look. Use micro-geometric repeats, contrast-colour border placements, traditional cables and Fair Isle patterns. A play on variated scale and openwork or pointelle stitches look newest for this trend
• For further 60s inspiration, view the recent 60s Modernist: spring/summer 2013 women's catwalk capsule trend

The analysis also allowed me to look at these images that give a general feel for the emerging trend

These outfits that the Trend Analysis provided shows clear use of geometric shapes and repeat pattern which are a point of interest in my own work. It would be a good idea for me to persist on using these patterns as it fits in well with this particular emerging trend.

There is some clear evidence of colour blocking, simplifying detail down into clear and quite structural shapes. I could take my own colour pallette and take shapes from drawings etc within my sketchbook.

Manchester Art Gallery, The First Cut exhibition.

I first visited the exhibition as part of the event that was put on by University, to try and allow people to network with artists, designers and other students from the school of art.

I decided to visit the exhibition again to get a real look at the work as I did initially find it very inspiring and was quite similar to the work that I like to create. A whole exhibition dedicated to artists that love to spend a great deal of time and effort into pieces of work that can sometimes be quite small in scale but very intricate and complex.



I was particularly interested in the work of Peter Callesen. I loved the delicacy of his work and the ways that he amazingly managed to cut a very complicated design into a single piece of card and allow it to remain attached to the page.

I liked some of the humour behind his pieces, particularly in the piece that features a man that is climbing up a "mountain" (a crumpled piece of paper). The man is absolutely tiny and is in perfect proportion to reality of a man climbing a mountain.

I'd love to try and complete my own versions of this kind of work, working with just paper and a scalpel and be clever in how I cut my paper in order for a shape to be formed that can still be attached to the page within my book.

See link for more Peter Callesen images http://twistedsifter.com/2012/11/sculptures-cut-from-single-piece-of-paper-peter-callesen/