Ceramics: Contextual Research

Designer: Matt Gagnon

This ceramic lighting piece by designer Matt Gagnon really caught my eye, the hollow shapes must cast some really nice shadows when the lights within the centre of each one are turned on. I like the idea of clustering ceramics shapes together to cast shadows and also creating negative space within my own design.

Ceramics: Visual Research

When looking at my abstract sketches of photographed buildings they reminded me of clouds so i decided to then look at images of different cloud formations, not only because my sketches are similar to there forms but also because clouds in general have very soft and feminine values.

When making small abstract sketches along side each image i realised i was interested in the shadows formed in between the folds of the clouds, when applying my finished piece to the body i would like my piece to cast forms and shadows just as clouds do.

Textiles: Contextual Research

Designer: Simon Peers

This intricate one of a kind golden cape above was designed by Simon Peers, it is a piece of art within itself as the golden silk used to create the cape was produced by Golden Orb Weaver spiders found in tropical parts of the world like Madagascar.

Golden Orb Weaver Spider

The image above shows a Golden Orb Weaver Spider used to create Simon Peers cape, when looking at the back of this particular tropical spider i noticed it had a really interesting pattern, i could incorporate this spider pattern into my textiles prints adding a tropical theme to them i also like the idea of using black inks on top of bright colours.

Textiles: Visual Research

I have started my textiles visual research by creating A3 size mood boards reflecting my two chosen phrases 'Tropical Forest' and 'Electric Neon'.

Tropical Forest.

For my tropical forest theme i have looked at bright, bold coloured fruits and flowers, animals more so insects have also been added based on patterns and shapes. I decided to add real leaves to the board to give a feel for the textures found within a forest, a bark rub experiment of my own was also added to give an abstract outlook on trees and mark making.

Electric Neon.

When collecting imagery representing electric neon i came at it from a few different angles, at first i chose to look at sea life from neon coloured coral to fish, i then began to look at lighting bolts, x ray images and even flashing neon signs found around large city's like New York.

Ceramics: Contextual Research

Artist: Philip Li.

When researching existing ceramic artists/designers work for inspiration i came across young London based artist Philip Li who creates ceramic body pieces. Philip Li's work involves challenging the assumed limitations and placement of ceramics, his pieces are made to adapt to the human body and give off a really masculine feel.
I like how Philip Li places and adapts his ceramic pieces on the body which is what i plan to do with my own finished design, however i want my work to have a feminine touch with smooth, soft shapes rather than hard and strong masculine shapes.

Ceramics: Visual Research

Metropolitan Cathedral.

As part of my visual research i began to take numerous photographs of buildings around Liverpool's City Centre, when selecting buildings to photograph i was looking for sharp and rigid shapes or lines as i felt the odder the shape of the building the more sketches and ideas i could generate from it.

This photo shows a few of my initial quick sketches inspired by my photographs, to begin with i was using straight lines making my sketches really sharp and angular but i then began to create a lot more smoother and flowing shapes making my sketches look quite natural and organic.

Project Outline

Ceramics: To design and create a ceramic piece that can be adapted to the human body and become wearable, the starting point for my visual research will be on structures, buildings and architecture based around the city of Liverpool, i will also be looking at shadows and existing fashion statements.

Textiles: To design and create two professional looking prints to be visualised onto a piece of clothing or furniture, my initial visual research will be based on the two phrases 'Tropical Forest' and 'Electric Neon' giving me a wide variety of visual imagery to work from.Experimentation will be essential for my project as numerous ways of print making will be used from Heat Press Printing to Direct Dye Printing.