#I wish I could make Photoshop-level gifs but I will likely never own Photoshop

[toddgreenblog2]

Project Evaluation

During this module I have created a body of work that shows my skills in identifying, developing and analysing trends that can be used in a professional practice. The work I have produced has been displayed in the forms of a physical look book and a reflective blog where I document my progress. The look book is a visual representation of my chosen trend where I clearly portray the elements of my trend such as; key materials, shapes, silhouettes and colour palettes. For my trend concept, I have chosen the narrative of Cyborg Punk. This trend relates to portraying the future of punk, where the original punk aesthetic and machinery/ technology come together, creating a future dimension to the trend. What I want to achieve in this project is too change the stereotype of punk by the addition of technology while still withholding the punk image, also I hope to develop a greater range of skills, due to the processes in this project at first are unfamiliar to me.  

While completing work, I have gathered information from multiple sources to develop a clear trend, with which the elements are clearly established for me to transfer to my look book. My first steps towards research were inspired by the trend forecaster Els Dragt, where Ive looked at the environments around me and made connections between the shapes and colours around me. I documented them using digital imagery, compiling all the elements around me, if that’s architecture, people or wildlife, it’s a great starting point for inspiration. Alongside research for my own specific trend, during this module I have also researched into trend theory, expanding my knowledge of the industry, including the roles, where trends originate and how they spread. Moving on from this I have developed a knowledge upon trend influencers.

 In the process of developing my mood boards and look book, I have developed my skills both using photoshop and InDesign. At first, I had never used photoshop, so everything was a learning curve. My first mood boards I used as a chance to explore all the tools to understand what they do and what outcomes I can create. After becoming aware with the tools, I then was able to create specific looks, exploiting individual tools to their maximum. While completing my first mood boards I researched into several trends, through the collection of fashion imagery and research from trend forecasters such as WGSN. After, several accounts of research I chose a specific trend to take forward for my final look book.  

As well as this, I have learnt a great deal around sustainability within fashion, from first hand research through lectures from sustainable pioneers such as Kate Fletcher. Where I was introduced to sustainable pathways that I could relate to my own trend to make it sustainable, as its fundamental that the future of fashion is eco-friendly. Inspired by this I have completed some of my own research into sustainable practices that can relate to my own trend to make sure that there’s environmentally friendly alternatives.

In terms of my outcomes, I am really pleased what I have created. I believe I have clearly identified a micro trends, which has been inspired by multiple angles of researching , such as into designers, collections and other industries like music and film. Thus making my outcomes have a great deal of meaning and inspiration. I believe I have shown inspiration from WGSN where I have taken elements of previous trends and manipulated them for my own work. In relation to the physical appearance of my look book, I am happy with vibrancy of the colours, the choice of using a glossy finish paper really enhanced the colours making the compositions pop.

However, if I was to complete this project again, I would make sure that I establish my Photoshop skills earlier on, so that the creation of my look book is not postponed. Having more time would of meant my compositions would of had a greater level of detail and skill. Moving on I wish, in my look book I used more fashion imagery to highlight my research of designers and collections visually. Thirdly I would of love to of experimented with printing outcomes, in terms of the paper thickness, and the structure of the look book, in terms of folded pages and pages of different materials, to add an interesting element to my look book. On the same lines as this, if I had more time I would of liked to of explored paper shapes outside of an A5 rectangle, to see the possible shapes I could create and if they would benefit my trend narrative.