Bradford Project - Sampling

After making the decision to refine my colour palette, I knew that I needed to take a third set of images. So again using the App that I downloaded I took further images using my new colour mood. Using the images I started to create some digital designs, I did this by selecting a section and simply repeating. In order to keep the kaleidoscopic aesthetic I selected equilateral triangles and repeated them 6 times into a hexagonal shape. I then used the hexagon to create the repeat. I noticed that changing my selection the smallest amount would completely change the design; similar to how it would when selecting areas of the Islamic patterns to add colour. This meant I had to be considered in my selections, in order to create interesting shapes and patterns within my repeat designs.

Whilst talking to my tutor we decided that my initial designs were too repetitive in a sense, they had a uniform rhythm and did not have much impact. This was when I decided to try developing my designs in order to become less repetitive repeat patterns, putting a twist on a standard kaleidoscope image. Using the same initial triangular selection I started playing with scale, this is when I discovered the importance of ratio when making geometric repeats. By varying scale, I think I have developed designs that have a higher impact and more of a purpose in fashion.

After each digital design that I created I then took the time to decide which areas could be removed using the laser cutter. Some designs I selected areas and some of the designs I drew new shapes completely, creating a new pattern to remove. This is my first time using the laser cutter, so after an induction I knew that I had to create my line drawings using illustrator. When choosing what areas to have laser cut I thought of my samples in a fashion focus, imagining that my samples were trims for garments, for example; the bottom ends or panels of dresses or jackets. Therefore, I tried to create designs for the laser cutter, which would dissipate into the rest of the digital design. 

The next step in my work is printing my designs on the transfer printer, which uses reactive dyes to print, meaning I can then just heat transfer my designs onto fabric. I chose this method for various reasons over using the digital printer. Firstly because when using the laser cutter on fabrics, I’ve been told that synthetic fabrics tend to work a little better because the cut edge melts slightly and binds, stopping the fabric from fraying, and our digital printers use natural fabrics only. Secondly, by using the transfer paper it means that I have more freedom to match up my prints with my fabric after they have been laser cut. This hopefully leave less room for error when synchronizing my digital designs with the laser cut shapes.