new home...

I've moved house. Please follow my blog at laura-wade.com :)

hairspray...

The colour of the paper dress is something I need to decide asap so Caz knows what colour card to construct the accessories in. I mentioned how important colour will be in the exhibition a few posts back. I don't think having it in white will work against the back drop of the photo shoot, so black will be the best option. Thinking about how much impact the hairspray had on the shoot, I had an idea to maybe include that on the paper dress. Just having the black dress may not highlight the links and loops, so when I sprayed the sample with the pink I was really happy with the results. The effect highlights each loop and adds an injection of colour to the garment. I'll ask around for more opinions but I think this could work in the exhibition.

the shoot...

Yesterday we had the shoot for the exhibition. I’d never done a photo shoot before so I was nervous about the day. It went really well and Jake (photographer) was so helpful directing the shoot, I can’t wait to see some of the photos. Amelia’s makeup was great and once we sprayed Emily’s hair with the pink hairspray it seemed to give us more to play with in terms of styling and poses. The pink hair against the black dress created a great contrast.

Today I was working on Illustrator and playing around the files to figure out the best way to print the final image. I wanted to find a way to customise the tile size for printing. Instead I found a better way, using artboard’s to create a grid of the print area. Artboard’s are similar to pages, you can create multiple artboards in different sizes or use the same size in a grid. It was exactly what I needed and I guess I’m just lucky that I have CS4. From what I’ve read it was a new feature Adobe added to the version. I printed a trial at home and so far everything is lining up really well. There are a few images below of the trial. As the image is blown up so large, up close there are beautiful areas of coloured pixilated squares that when you step back from the knit, you don't notice. It reminded me of my work in first semester third year, where I pixilated images to extract design lines.

Image: the giant knit

Image: a close up of the trial knit.

Hopefully now it’s just a matter of inserting the chosen image in the file; printing, cutting the shapes, connecting the links and knitting the whole piece. I’m going to organise a 'BYO scissors night' with family and friends to help me cut out the loops. This weekend will be basically preparing for next week so any trouble-shooting will be sorted and work set up so I can use the week to assemble elements of the exhibition. Fingers and toes everything runs smoothly. Seriously I’m crossing everything!

Confined spaces...

Today we cabbed back to the Docklands to take another look at our containers. We actually couldn’t get in the mini-me container before so it was a great to get a crow bar and muscle our way in. I brought along a measuring tape and one row and column of the paper knits to see what they might look like in the space. I’ve made all my models to scale and I’ve tested different layouts but seeing the container in real life was a reality check. It’s completely different when you in the space and it gave me a few things to think about.

Image: Scale model of mini-me container

Images: outside and inside the container, trialling with the paper knit

Here is a list:

Photo shoot- for someone who is a little afraid of colour, it’s something I’ll have to get over quick smart. The photo shoot is so critical to the exhibition. I will have to be really organised and know what things to try with makeup, styling, posing, lighting etc. I’ve already put together a little ‘inspiration’ board (as they say in the biz) for the direction of the makeup and style of the photography. I think I should put together a few more references so on the day there is a solid base that everyone can work off.

Accessories- the colours in the photo shoot will really impact what colour paper/cardboard the accessories and dress should be made out of. Originally I had thought it would just be either black or white but I need to take into account the environment. If the photo shoot is quite dark I may need the dress to be white and vice versa. Caz brought up a good point; to see the links in the dress I may need to work with different coloured paper to get the full effect of the work.

Paper knit- I’m going to ask a printer if they can help me figure out the tiling on the paper knit. I know what has to be done but there are a few problems that need to be solved to make sure the printing will be spot on.

Once the photo shoot is over I think I can make more decisions that will move the project forward. Fingers & toes!

Planning and doing...

Last week was crazy because of Friday’s proposal. It was fairly casual but I was glad that I made the models for the day; it showed exactly what I was planning. As it was to scale it was a great way to know the proportions inside the container and how it may look. Now I know I’ve got the smaller create I’m going to do another scale to work out new plans.

I’m starting to move away from the planning now and actually doing which is great. The photo shoot will hopefully happen next week, which will give me time to work on the printing and construction of the paper knits. Sadly bracketsfashion will be moving to a new home, I’ve been working with communication designer Jesse Mallon on updating the blog to laura-wade.com. It will be up by Spring Fashion Week and be a good platform to show my work. I really think a professional web presence is an important frame for your work. I judge a designer/company/blogger by the design of their blog so for me this is something that is a must. As my studio is based on the communication of our work I want to set up systems for people to view/experience my work. The combination of the exhibition, flyer and blog is critical to that original plan I proposed way back in the mid semester crit.

Here is an option for the typography for the title of the exhibition. I'm not going to use the same font for the title as I did for my name. Really, they are representing separate concepts. My name represents me as a designer and link represents my concept for the year. The advertising images I developed last week will have the title as the main focus, with 'LAURA WADE' in smaller print.

mini models...

On Friday we had the assessment/ proposal for the containers. I wanted to make models that were to scale so I could start to design the space. As it was to scale it made me think seriously about the proportions inside the space and the location of any hardware that would be needed. There were four versions I created each with a different layout and use of the container. I’m not sure which one to choose, it will just depend on which part of the container I am given. Here are a few images from the crazy model making day that was Thursday. I took over the house.

If you saw my work at open day and have had a look at the blog thanks very much!

collaborations...

Just found an interesting video on collaborating fashion designers and architects here. It includes Iris Van Herpens water pieces that she showed recently at Amsterdam Fashion Week, that's how she did it...