Pattern & Repetition - Julie Cirelli, Kinfolk

Pattern design is something that I have been drawn to through experimenting with illustration however the theory can be applied to a number of different areas of design. In the article on Kinfolk.com, it is said that our intuition is 'so strong that we're prone to seeing pattern even when there's none'. This is an interesting piece of science as it means that with any piece of design, an individual may see a pattern that another may not. This could specifically relate to a block of text where rivers are formed. In terms of pattern design, it is said that we find 'comfort in regularity' which could be why individuals favour a repeated pattern in fabric and art. This is also why many homes are decorated with wallpaper.

Wedding invitations

Completing the wedding invitation request has been an up and down process. This was due to the client being vary vague in their requirements then suddenly changing their mind with the theme/delivery of the invitation. These are tasks that I was able to overcome quickly due to my practice in time management however found the process highly frustrating. This was due to completing a range of designs, with elements from all being taken on to the next development stage. Once at this stage the client then changed their mind with the style and overall design of the invitation. 

'Dear Kathryn. This weekend we have been talking
2 designs... * can it just be an electronic invite that we email everyone? * one that says 'come & celebrate the day', one that says 'come & celebrate the evening'! * Could it have a simple front design & could it have an option to click to read the inside for the details? * the theme will be blackwatch tartan ( it is navy, & green colours), red bridesmaid- like the colour of the flowers on 2nd invite and a simple Scottish thistle. Can any of these themes be included? Even a simple thistle with a tartan border and a touch of red inside. * re the wording on the outside what about An invite to celebrate the marriage of Pauline and Rob. Inside we can say where when * 12 on 16th sept. Will send you the details of the venue etc Thank you so much, Polly
Although there were struggles with completing the invitations, with a number of the above comments only being suggestions, it has taught me how to communicate and work for a client. Although the 'job' was unpaid, I designated a number of hours of my spare time to complete the design. In the future I will be aware of the importance of receiving all the requirements at the initial stages and if these are not available then to postpone developments. This will ensure that time isn't wasted on experimentations that do not fit the likes/requirements of the client.   

Contacting Creatives

Through discussions with tutors it has been made apparent that the use of emails to contact creatives is becoming something that is said to be 'old' and not widely responded to. An email is very impersonal and the likelihood of the creative reading the email from an address they are not aware of provides its difficulties. Even if the email is read, there is also a chance that a reply will not be received. 

Other ways in which to contact creatives/design studios:

1. Go and visit - if the creative/studio is local then visiting their place of work is one option of getting in contact. Through discussions this has been said to be one of the most successful methods of communication. Having a face to face conversation allows the creatives to see that you are interested through the passion and ambition of visiting them. It will also mean that a reply will be more likely if communicating with them after the visit as they are able to put a face to the email address/letter.


Creatives to contact:

1. Ola Studio

- This studio was founded by Kate Goutefangeo, a printmaker and bookbinder. From her knowledge learnt in her fine art degree the studio has become a traditional manufacture of notebooks, diaries, cards and patterned papers. All crafted by local manufactures and their dedicated team. 
This studio is a demonstration of a route that I have considered for my future. Through contacting the studio it would be interesting to learn the direction that Kate took after graduating and how she achieved what she has. Although I know a lot of that would be through self determination, starting your own studio/business is something that I have limited to know knowledge of. 
2. Jade Fisher

- This is a small business based in Cardiff UK that I discovered through following Ola Studios on social media platforms. Their designs specifically focus on illustrative greetings cards, which is an area of interest that I have recently began practising. As I use their designs as inspiration for my own, this is one creative area that I would like to know more about in terms of how they produce their designs and how the business started. 

The City Talking

1. The City Talking

- This is a publication that I became aware of through the research process for OUGD504 Studio Brief 01. Through the research I learned that the publication originally began in Leeds and has since then moved across other cities, focusing on stories of the individual areas. The content of each publication is described on the website as: 'We focus on stories, because that’s how we understand cities. Whether we’re talking to business or restaurant owners, designers or artists, athletes or musicians or people we’ve met in bars, we listen to their stories and then tell our readers about them, through words and images.' This makes the publication unique are more appealing to me as a creative. They are producing something that is different from your standard newspaper or commercial magazine. This is a field that I have an interest in due to the more independent element. 

- Editorial team:news@thecitytalking.com

- Address: Hebe Works
31 The Calls
Leeds
LS2 7EY
United Kingdom

- As the original studio is based in Leeds, this would be an opportunity to experience what they are working on through first hand. One way in which contact could be made with the studio is by visiting and asking whether they have time so show me round and have a chat about what they are currently working on.

Fabric screen printing

Prior to the fabric screen printing induction, to practise the printing method I decided to design and print a cushion. To give this brief purpose, the print will be for my mum. Having an audience to design for makes it simpler in ensuring that the design is appropriate. 

As it is approaching christmas I decided that this is the theme that the design would work around. Rather than going for something obvious I wanted the design to be personal to the receiver. This then led me to sketching a range of different designs in my own illustrative style. The most successful design was the robin. This design would allow me to experiment with one or more colours for printing. 

To prepare the design for print I then went onto use Illustrator to create a layered image of the design. At this stage experimentation with colour and design was important so that it would work successfully in print. Consideration was also taken into the thickness of the line length.



Illustrator:

Screen Printing:

Preparing the document for exposure is an important element of this design. From having previously experienced a bad exposure of the image, it was important that the pigmentation of the black ink on the paper was important. This would ensure for a clear exposure of the image on the screen. 

Learning again from previous experience, tests were completed before the final print of the design. As there are three colours involved in the image, three colours were used in print; brown, red and black. Due to the three different colours involved in the print, it became more complicated when printing. These complications then led to errors being made in the print. For example, areas of ink being printed where they were not supposed to. As I had exposed each section of the design onto the same screen, this meant that when printing, the design that I wished to not be printed had to be covered. This was very time consuming as well as the screen also having to be washed after each colour print. Having to separate and cover the separate designs led to certain print 'mistakes' being made due to the covering not being 100%. Although this adds to the handmade appearance of the design, it meant that the print was not as neat as I would have hoped. In the future this will mean that a bigger screen would be used to ensure that there is enough space for covering and therefore reducing the chances of mistakes being made. 

Through discussions with peers around me at the time of printing and then the technicians, it was concluded that the large black mark would not come out any more than it had through sponging with cold water. This is an error that I will be able to learn from in the future, and to ensure that all other areas of the screen that have been exposed will be covered before printing individual sections. However, through this I also learned that using a certain method of home cleaning can remove these marks. 

The outcome.

Catalogue

As working in a small studio is one of the areas that I am interested in knowing more about, I have been researching local studios who reflect my interests in design. The Leeds based design studio, Catalogue are a creative practices that specialise in graphic design, web design/development, art direction, visual identity systems, books and magazines. Having such a varied area of work is something that is appealing to me as a designer as I do not like to be limited to one area of design. This is enables a designer to bring in the various styles that they may have and to experiment with how they can work together under one outcome. 

I first came across the studio through their visual identity and creative direction projects through Instagram which appeared through the 'based on your likes' page. Through researching the studio I related to their experimentation of photography and illustration in their design as well as the production of editorials for clients.

 From having an interest in their work and being drawn to the various sectors of design that Tom and Oliver work in, I then went on to research the individuals further. This is when I came across the Alumni Profile on the Leeds College of Art Website, where I learnt that they are two alumni students from LCA. This page provides an interview with Catalogue which has provided a more indepth understanding of their work and how the studio came about. From reading this interview it has intrigued me more into the way that they work with clients and as a pair. 

In the interview they are asked when they set up Catalogue. In the response, Tom goes into detail about how receiving the change to produce to prospectus for LCA was the start for them starting their own studio. To expand on this, it would be interesting to know the process they went through to organise their own business and the space that they work in. Through the interview I have already learnt that they completed an Enterprise and Innovation course that helped with starting the business however finding out more about this would benefit my exploration of directions after graduating.

Do The Green Thing

Do The Green Thing is an website that I came across whilst doing research for COP. They describe themselves as being 'a public service for the planet that uses creativity to tackle climate change'. This is a subject area that I am seeing on a more regular basis and have a growing interest in. Being aware of these impacts is important as it a current ongoing issue that is sculpting the way we live as individuals and as a population. This therefore has an effect on the design that we creatives produce.

Every two months there is an issue published that 'challenges the unsustainable status quo through long-form arguments and creative provocations.' These issues are written in a very real tone of voice, with a straight to the point argument that many would be intrigued yet shocked by.

The most issue released is named 'Why Santa must die'. The first of all shocking title demonstrates the serious yet playful nature of the article which goes on to explain the trauma that overconsumption is causing on our planet. As well as going into detail on how we as a population are harming the planet, the article also explains ways in which this can be taken under control. This is what sets this 'service' apart from others as many tell you what you're doing wrong but not how this can be changed. 

Country Living Fair

Attending this event is something that has become a yearly activity. Country Living is something that I personally follow through reading the magazine and engaging with the content through the website and social media. At the fair there are a number of stallholders who are all part of a small business/individual creative. Many of these are those who have featured in the magazine over the year. This opens up the opportunity to discuss with them the pieces that they produce and how they've got to where they are.

One creative that I engaged with was Hannah Knapton. This is a creative who I was previously aware of before attending the event and wanted to engage with her to identify how she produces the designs she does. Hannah set up her own design brand after working as a primary school teacher. She prints her own designs inspired by nature in her local design studio. The designs are then scanned and sent to a UK based printer to produce the various products; such as cushions, make-up bags and lampshades. This was interesting to learn as I was previously under the impression that the prints were produced by Hannah by hand. However, she was keen to explain that as her business developed she was able to produce the prints to a higher quality and therefore was able to use a secondary source to print her designs. 

As well as being able to engage with creatives at the fair, it was also a vast feed of inspiration. A process that I have identified as one that I wanted to better my skills in is fabric screen printing. I received many elements of inspiration that have given me a number of ideas of areas that I could practise in to practise this method of print.