Evaluation for Practice Unit

After completing this unit, I have successfully developed a form of good practice in the sense of how I work; from taking an original idea, through to visual research, and then a successful realisation of the idea in the form of a print. In addition, I think I have successfully realised my place in the world of design as a digital print designer that utilises technology to develop conceptual prints that can be adapted to be used on a variety of garments, for a customer market of girls around the age of 17-28 that like to experiment with fashion and enjoy bright prints. This unit has helped me contextualise my work realistically for the outside world for when I leave university, which is what I originally set out to do.

For a successful project I found that having primary research is essential for beginning any design work, and that it is okay to look at ideas that have done before to inform a path of research. For example when I got stuck with realising the theme of death in what I wanted to do, going back to what I enjoyed doing and exploring a past interest of cells helped create a  healthy starting point to explore printing cells onto fabrics, to be made into garments, to come up with my idea of 'Wearing Death'. It is also very useful to go back to primary and previous visual research, and laying all my work out, when I get stuck on what to draw as sometimes looking back over things with a new frame of mind can spark an idea.

Market research has also been important to inform the development of my prints, as being aware of what is already out there and who buys what, made me realise what makes a successful print. This in combination with trend research has made me realise that I prefer working with a predicted theme to make my work relevant and successful to the right customer. After choosing to not to do the mature collection, I found that I preferred, and worked best, creating prints for girls around the same age as me, because this is the market level that I am most familiar with, and can relate to.

Artist research has also made me more aware of what is out there already and who works in a similar way to me, so I can improve on my own practice. It has also raised my awareness of how I could advertise my prints and my skills as a textiles practitioner, which are essential skills for when I leave university. Entering competitions, and work experience research has also helped prepare me for life after a student, as seeing my prints in context, highlights what works in a successful digital print for certain garments, and market levels.

For the next unit I look forward to further exploring the use of technology in creating textiles for fashion, by using more applications to create prints, and applying them to garments to be made into a collection.