Saturday 26 April 2014

WGSN S/S '15 Macro Trends

Bio Dynamic
Freeformer - looking at micro-organisims
Jonathan McCabe

Turing Patterns

60 years ago, mathematician Alan Turing proposed mathematical equations showing how micro organisms create regular repeating patterns in nature, resulting in the stripes on tigers and the spots on leopards. These patterns inspire fresh print directions based on biological mutation and differentiation.
 
 History 2.0
Regional Futures - imagine improbable futures
  • Floating desert hotel

  • PLaT Architects, a China-based firm, recently completed the spectacular Lotus Hotel, an innovative structure in the middle of the Gobi desert, which was built using no water or concrete. It boasts a new structural system, designed to work like a ship floating in the sand.
  •  


    United Micro Kingdoms

  • Designers Tony Dunne and Fiona Raby are the pioneers behind the movement of Fiction Design. Their latest show in London imagines a future UK where regions are reconnected with their traditional crafts and local inhabitants are genetically engineered to better perform these crafts.



  • Memory Carriers

  • Royal Academy of Arts, The Hague graduate Brínea Costa presented a beautiful accessories collection as part of her final project. Pendants are designed to emit the various smells of her Brazilian home when rubbed, twisted or scratched.brineacosta.wix.com
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    Focus


  • The Puppeteer

  • Jólan van der Wiel’s sculptures remind us of an optical illusion, like the strangely rendered virtual sculptures you may find online. These are in fact three-dimensional objects made from “tools” which he creates by combining technology with natural phenomena.
    jolanvanderwiel.com
  • Friday 21 March 2014

    Food and Games - Meon

    Looking at the current econamy of over consuming and the shortage supplies of food, thus leading people to eat process foods and with the recent meat scandle. People have been looking at ways of creating 'Atomic' kitehcnes encouraging people to be green fingers and looking at more sustainable ways of living.
     

    Wednesday 19 March 2014

    App research
































    Further research from 3D printed food

    Interview with Iris Van Herpen :
    http://www.dezeen.com/2013/04/24/iris-van-herpen-interview/



    http://www.dezeen.com/2013/05/13/print-shift-extract-3d-printed-food/

    http://www.dezeen.com/2014/01/09/first-food-3d-printer-launched-by-3d-systems-at-ces/

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25647918

    http://3dprintingindustry.com/food/

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2014/03/19/3d-printing-in-the-home-1-in-3-americans-ready-for-3d-printer/

    Thinking of a theme

    I wanted to move on from the theme of death so here are a few themes that I have though up of:

    Lights

    Continuing the work with patterns from neon lights idea.
    Turning these into abstract shapes and then linking in the retro games idea below to create retro/geo shapes:





    People that are already doing something simmilar:

    Geometry Wars is a minigame created by Bizarre Creations as part of Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox, accessible through the in-game garage.

    Food
    Blogger Chiara Ferragni wearing Moshchino Source: Instagram.com/chiaraferragni



     
    The Food logos looked a bit retro and a bit 'flash from the past' which reminded me of retro games, this ties in nicely with the lights theme.


    Embedding Technology

    http://www.dezeen.com/2013/11/30/genetically-engineered-plants-that-produce-edible-textiles-by-carole-collet/



    http://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/19/movie-shamees-aden-protocells-regenerating-trainers/

    Birthing your own food


    Monday 17 March 2014

    Technology Research - QRcodes












    Various uses of QRcodes:

    http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/qr-code-integration

    From marketing polys to gimmick messages places on various surfaces, QRcodes have been incresingly used since it's existance.

    QR codes seem to be on the rise in the tech world but what about in the fashion world? Don’t self proclaimed “Fashionistas” of our generation deserve the same sort of information quickly and efficiently? Fashion changes daily, almost hourly on the fast paced runways of New York to the boards of Vogue Magazine. So, why not implement a tool that could potentially get fashion and trends out to the public quicker than ever?

    QR codes are a fashion statement in itself, what with its little pixels placed so perfectly into a little square and with its very chic black and white design. It’s no wonder clothing companies like Ralph Lauren and Gucci are cashing in on these little “Haute Couture” gems.

    Let’s say a fashion buyer is at a New York City fashion show at the Lincoln Center and they are waiting for an up and coming designer’s show to start. But before they sit down the buyer spies a QR code on a special boxed gift for each attendee of the fashion show from the designer. That QR code, after being promptly scanned by their trusty smartphone takes them to a bio about the designer, where she came from, how she became a fashion designer and even a sneak peak of some of the fashions. That designer has just piqued the interest of the buyer which makes them more inclined to buy clothing from that line and put the pieces in their upscale 5th Avenue boutique.

    Not only do QR codes work for the runways they are creating quite the buzz in department stores and stores like Express and Aldo. By having a special QR code in their stores, either at the front of the store or at the cash register stores like Express and Aldo can create a one of a kind fashion experience for the customer. The QR code could lead them to accessories that would look great with that new sweater they bought or entire outfit suggestions to get the customer to come back to their store to shop for that party of the year that customer is going to.

    QR codes can also be generated to pique even more interest in that particular stores fashions by directing the customer who scanned the code to an interactive page where customers could build their own outfit or collect images that they like and then receive suggestions on what to buy in order to achieve that look. Not only that, but QR codes can bring them to a special events page or a coupon that promises a percentage off their next purchase. Larger fashion designers are evening offering a sweepstakes entry after a QR code is scanned. While fashion is ever changing so is technology and it is about time that they went hand in hand.

    By Lisa Sanders


    Model image from - http://www.inspirare.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1-Paper-Shape-Maria-Mrowca.jpg
    Thinking about QRcodes on garments. I decideded this idea was too basic and from the research I have found it has already been done, before so I will continue with my research for a suitable theme.

    Thursday 13 March 2014

    Thinking About the Future - Artist Residancies

     There are many vacancies online that you can look for:

    http://www.artfunkl.com/

    http://www.artquest.org.uk/articles/view/visual-arts4

     http://www.isendyouthis.com/opportunities.aspx



    How much am I worth? Pricing Research and lecture reflection

    Thinking about freelancing and how much I would sell my prints for, I have to take into consideration if I am selling a product with the print on or the prints as a collection to be used by the client.

    Looking at Nada Hercerg, the digital print artists that creates kaleidoscope prints similar to me. She possibly creates the prints and then sells them onto DiGuardo Boutique (http://diguardo.co.uk) which they then get them printed and then sold in their pop up shops and online store. Or she may have them already printed onto 100% silk all roughly around a square metre.


    http://diguardo.co.uk/products-page/accessories/blooms-cashmere-scarf-spring-2014/

    This website supplies accessories from a range of designers. Looking at scarves they sell them at a price range of £35 for a viscose scarf, up to £79 for a 100% cashmere one.

    From the 'How much am I worth?' lecture and seminar, I have found that you have to consider ALL costs, some which can be easily overlooked. Consideration of price per hour of your time communicating ideas, making, researching and proofing your work in taking into account for a job.
    Never undervalue yourself and work out how many hours you will realistically work in a year and decide on a salary. More will have to be included once you have a studio and place to live, as this will include overheads of bills and making a living in the price to not only cover the costs but you will also have to make a profit and have money for the days that you will have no work when you are only freelancing/rainy days.

    Job/work experience search

    Thinking about jobs after graduation, it's more difficult looking for graduate/junior jobs, and existing ones require an extensive amount and range of experience. But there are many websites that you can search for jobs, here I have found some tailored to creatives.

    Creativejobs.co.uk

    http://creativepool.com/jobs/
    http://www.nucreativetalent.co.uk/candidates.html

    http://www.orchard.co.uk/

    There are agencies available to do the job searching for you however they tend to go on commission or a fee. I am currently in the process of researching and finding any agencies that specialise in creative/print.

    Monday 10 March 2014

    Art prints: emerging swimwear trend

    http://www.wgsn.com/content/report/Trend_Analysis/Swim/2014/02feb/art-prints--emerging-swimwear-trend.html


    By Jo Lynch, WGSN, 20 February 2014
    Inspired by the art-themed prints seen at Céline and Chanel on the spring/summer 2014 catwalks, bold paintbox smudges and brushstrokes set a trend in swimwear.


    wgsn analysis

    • Inspiration: as seen on the spring/summer 2014 catwalks, art-themed prints use hand-drawn scribbles, bright paint splats, brushstrokes, smudges, graffiti-type graphics and Cubist colour-blocking
    • Primary brights: paintbox shades of bright blue, yellow, red, green, black and white are influenced by the spring/sumnmer 2014 colour palettes of Céline and Chanel
    • Styling: lending itself to both contemporary and mainstream looks, art prints update a variety of shapes from simple triangles to body-sculpting one-pieces, as well as working for billowing avant-garde, semi-sheer cover-ups
    • Key detail: white print grounds enhance colour impact and black can be used for trims and accents for a contemporary edge
    • For further inspiration: see Catwalks Seasonal Analysis spring/summer 2014, Actionable art: Samia Halaby, canvas to catwalk and the Artful collage womenswear trend


    S/S 15: Première Vision print analysis


    By Sandra Keating, 28 February 2014
    Painterly prints are hugely significant with abstract art house, florals and Impressionist textures driving the key print directions from this season's show.
    CLICK to return to the S/S 15: Première Vision index page.

    Abstract art house

    A popular print direction evolving into a strong commecial route for the womenswear market, sees expressive mark-making and naive hand-painted forms with an art house feel driving a lively print trend that strongly echoes WGSN's Bio-dynamic macro trend. Playfully mix painted forms and brushstroke textures to create energetic and free abstract print compositions.


     

    S/S 15: MarediModa from WGSN research

    S/S 15: MarediModa print & fabric trend analysis


    By the WGSN Swimwear team, 13 November 2013
    Innovative 3D fabrics are high on the agenda at this year's MarediModa, alongside movement and light-inspired print trends.

    Innotex Merkel & Rau GMBH at MarediModa spring/summer 2015
    Future innovations were the key focus at MarediModa this season, specifically in relation to beachwear. Seminars were held on How to Boost Innovation, with conversations turning to smart textiles. Flexible circuit boards that monitor breathing capacity were cited as the future training kit for the swimming elite, and cosmetic textiles and sand repellent fabrics are also high on the agenda.
    Elsewhere, the overriding theme for spring/summer 2015 is movement. Seen across both print and hardware, swirling marble motifs add depth to beads and pendants. The movement is emphasised using a bold multicolour palette.
    Sharp linear patterns also feature heavily, often arranged in a haphazard manner, and accompanying hardware had a clean matt finish and industrial styling.
    Iridescent light effects are a strong message in fabric and print creating a multi-tonal effect. Light and movement inspirations are also visible within the emerging kaleidoscope trend seen at the show, with bold and angular patterns, and dark undertones.
    Subtly altered and filtered florals update commercial prints, playing with vibrant colour seen at Lior S.R.L., and fabrics are manipulated with 3D textures taking centre stage.
    Colour-wise, fuchsia, persimmon and blue create a fresh look for spring/summer 2015.

    Iridescent light effects

    Movement is a key theme illustrated at the show, using motifs of light. Rave-inspired prints use digital and rotary techniques.


    Kaleidoscope

    Striking kaleidoscopic patterns suggest movement and light effects. Bold and angular repeats feature dark undertones.


    Fabric & detail

    Iridescents

    Iridescents are a strong message this season. Light effects are mimicked in fabric and hardware, creating a shimmering ombré finish in-line with our S/S 15: textiles forecast.




    S/S 15: MarediModa top 5 messages


    By Chantell Fenton, WGSN, 11 November 2013
    This season focuses on movement with swirling marble, linear lines and experimental marks at MarediModa spring/summer 2015.
    CLICK to return to the S/S 15: MarediModa reports index page.


    Anna Llop Disseny S.A.

    A directional brand and leader in the sector Anna Llop Disseny S.A. has made a huge investment in technology to ensure it is at the cutting edge of innovation. The company creates high-quality prints on stretch fabrics predominantly for the swimwear market, and this season sees complex prints with an illustrative feel.