Digital Sampling

Colour is important in my work but I have struggled to focus on colour, pattern and texture all at the same time when designing by hand. I have used photoshop in depth in my degree but I have aimed in this project to fully understand the programme and use it with more confidence. It was through photoshop that I could really push my colour pallet experimenting with a range of colour ways and colour formations. Colour separation is a new skill I have gained which enables me to transform any design into a format fit for screen printing. In terms of context towards making a collection of designs, the combination of these skills will allow me to successfully combine digital prints, screen printing and flocking all as a mixed media surface pattern.

One thing I found particularly useful about working with digital print and screen printing was that when screen printing was fully booked, I still had means to carry on design development whether that just be suggesting ideas for screen printing in photoshop. Perhaps the issue of access to the screen printing room has benefited my practise as it has made me adapt my work in a way that I might not necessarily have had to/ learnt how to otherwise.

Flocking

To link my project back to my original concept images of relief pattern, I experimented with screen printing. After looking at the work of Marcel Wanders, whose designs incorporate this process, I wanted to experiment with flocking as this would give a relief quality to my prints that translate some of the decorative stone work from my initial photographs. This enabled me to work with a variety of textures and create unique print surfaces. I was unsure as to how well flocking with aquabind on to paper would work as the screen mesh is much finer than that for fabric. The result was really successful and I aim to push this forward in Unit X.

Screen Printing

During a tutorial with Teresa, it was agreed that my original designs, particularly the larger scale lino prints and some of my earlier digital development prints felt quite flat.They were lacking in elements and I had not incorporated enough processes to innovate my ideas. 

Home at Christmas

Whilst home at Christmas my previous BTEC Art and Design tutor had asked me to visit my old college. Asking me what I was currently doing in this project, I told them that I was going to be developing my work in screen printing. She has begun to teach screen printing workshops herself and asked if I would like to help in the classes. It has been a while since I have used screen printing and whilst I am refreshing my skills in my current project at University, it would be good to see further practise in teaching some students. I have also been asked to go into to do a small presentation to the students about my university experience, what my work is about and what I am looking to do. I feel that this could benefit me in summarizing my work and focus on asking myself what I want to achieve this year. Presentations are still not my strongest point so a little extra practise wouldn’t go a miss either.