Introduction
This is the website for my explorations project. In this unit, we were given time at Freestyle to do research and create a project on a topic of our choice that we really care about and want to explore into.
My project is based around a huge passion of mine, fashion. Rather than sew a garment, I wanted to focus more on the step that comes before the garment is produced: fashion illustration. Last summer in 2016, I had the amazing opportunity to take a fashion design, illustration, and construction class at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Prior to this summer program, I had knowledge about prints, patterns, sewing, draping, and other garment construction methods from sewing lessons, but I did not know that much about fashion illustration and its importance when creating a garment. For 3 weeks, I learned about the illustration and fabric rendering techniques that are vital to fashion design and illustration. I also got to design my own mini collection of dresses. In addition, I got to take my first figure drawing class which at first, was a total challenge, but I enjoyed it so much that I continued to take them once I got back from L.A. Having knowledge and experience in figure drawing really helped me in fashion illustration because, although the proportions are different in each case, knowing how to draw a realistic figure in figure drawing made it easier to render the fashion model with more control.
When I heard that we would be allowed to pick our topics for this unit, I knew that I wanted to pick up my exploration into fashion illustration.
Process
Because I had a prior knowledge of fashion and fashion illustration, getting back into was not that difficult. Of course I had to review what I had learned over the summer, but this time I wanted to go beyond that with the fashion collection that I designed. In my summer at Otis, we focused more on rendering evening gowns. For my explorations project, I wanted to do research on general fashion illustration, and a little bit into designing streetwear.
My process was simple. The first thing I tackled was my infographic because while working on it, I would be able to do research and refresh my memory of the things I had forgotten since summer. Once my infographic was finished, I started to look up inspiration in garments, locations, and styles that I could use and manipulate to make a common theme that would make my mini collection cohesive. After I felt that I had drawn a sufficient amount of inspiration, I began sketching my ideaas out. I sketched somewhere between 30 to 40 different sketches so that I could try mixing, matching, and playing with different elements and styles. I also put together a collage of some of the inspiration that I used.
Below are some pictures of my sketches, plans, inspiration, and dreamweaver interface
Infographic
I seperated my infogrpahic intro three main sections: Fashion model/figure drawing, six famous fashion designers, and technical flats.
to view my infographic
I had a lot of fun researching about fashion illustration, particullarily looking at different works by different artists and illustrators. I found it really interesting and fasciating how each artist has their own iconic style and trademark that makes them different. I especially liked the artists whose styles were a bit quirky and unusual.
Reflection
Although I did not have as much time as I would have liked to complete this explorations project, I really enjoyed getting time to work on something that I am passionate about. I really hope that I get more opportunities in the future to work with fashion illustration, and maybe I will think about continuing it into my senior year.
I do not regret my decision to join Freestyle one bit. Although there were more than a few times that I struggled with learning all the new material, I am so happy with the results of my efforts. Making websites was and still is one of my biggest challenges, but i am so glad that I have been able to grow and will continue to grow in Freestyle. It's so fascinating to think back to all the things I've accomplished this past year because of y decision to join Freestyle. Freestyle really forced me to push my limits and for that, I am so grateful.