A Bird's Eye View
Ailsa
Williamson
BA Hons Textile
Design
Specialism:
Woven fabrics for Interiors
The display highlights a theme of a
British Bird’s Eye view. This was
created by development from a Negotiated project leading into a new
self-directed project. The main focus is
the British Flag displayed on the Olympic closing ceremony designed by Damien
Hirst. The use of shapes and lines that were created from the new project Birds
Eye View has been used to create an abstract break throughout the fabric
samples. The development of these final
pieces began with the Damien Hirst British flag displayed in the closing ceremony. With its range of tonal colours allowing the
colour palette to burst with colourful patterns with an added tie dye effect.
Sitting comfortably on a forty
minute flight after fortunately accessing a window seat, the bird's eye view
idea came to mind as my eyes gazed over the patterns in the fields below and
imagination picked up on the shapes and patterns from a bird's eye perspective. The British negotiated study moved from
Damien Hirst's British flag into the bird's eye view of earth, by using the
bird's eye view link. The colour
palette has still been focused on the Damien Hirst's flag art piece, as the
range of bright colours gives the fabric a creative approach allowing it to
stand out. Research in the library led to "The Earth from the air - 365
days", by Yann Arthus-Bertand and the new sketchbook was started.
As use of colour was the main focus
the technical development was simple but very effective. Cotton white yarn was tie dyed scarlet red to
create more tonal colour in the fabric giving a very interesting and abstract
effect allowing the samples to each be different. The process of dyeing was simple using the
Procion MX Dying Process and strips of plastic were used to mask off the area
to remain white. Although one set of woven fabric was not as deep red as hoped
as a mistake was made during the dyeing process, but this result allowed proper
focus to take place for future dyeing.
Experimentation was used in the process of threading the loom in order
to allow new patterns to be made giving depth to the fabric. This has been used
in new weaves as it gives highlights of depth through the fabric. The fabrics have been woven in double cloth
allowing the change of pattern to work, this is a very simple but effect
technique, a plain weave was used with added honeycomb to add texture through
the work. For Jacquard samples simple
designs were created and were proven most effective compared to previous
experimentation of very graphic samples.
Another challenge was found when creating the trimmings as developing patterns and samples was seen to be difficult to do
complicated work to relate to the main cushion samples. But after reconsidering and discussion, it
was discovered to be just as effective and relate to the rest of the sample
work if the trimmings were using the same colour palette and were creating
simple effects.
With
a huge colour palette, finding yarn suitable for weaving was very
difficult. Strong yarn was needed for
warping the Texel and hand looms and weak, breakable yarn was needed for
Jacquard weaving. The collection of yarn
was always rearranged; putting old un-used yarns back and adding new yarns to
use in the development of fabrics. A
wide range of textured yarn was used to add depth and texture to the fabric. The technical development allowed a desired
visual effect full of colour, texture and shape. Red, purple, blue and black
have been the main colour focus with other colours adding different tones and
colour throughout the fabric, these colours were decided from sketchbook work
as these were the main colours that stood out and worked well together in the
end. Through experimentation the
honeycomb effect was used to add more detail and texture to the fabric, giving the
samples more depth helping towards the development of them into cushions. From sketchbook work a new idea of breaking
up the tie dyed warp was used for a new warp pattern making the new warp very
bold as black was used a lot, this effect proved favourable and was then altered
and used again in the final warp.
This fabric will be for interior
market with the main idea and focus for cushions with some supporting
trimmings, the fabrics will be for the high street market level audience. Through research in craft and fabric shops in
Paris; including la Droguerie - a visual sense of the current style of
trimmings that were on trend was made clear. Through experimenting with design concept
ideas, the fabrics were more suited to cushions in a contemporary setting. Research
from on-line sites such as WGSN and own market research has allowed the fabric
to stay on trend ready for the Autumn 2014 collection. From research into company brochures such as
Sachco, a link to the colour palette was made and the fabrics started to relate
to companies work, suggesting that they were on trend with the interior market.
It was also discovered from Artist’ s
exhibitions that Red was being used to create a bold strong approach to the
pieces of art work, the photographer Tim
Walker was one of those artists who
implied this through his exhibition in London.
belofor
The development of the fabric has
been a steady process. There have been
no huge setbacks and the challenges faced have been resolved and helped develop
new ideas for the product. The technical work has developed my understanding of
weave and the looms, allowing the threading stages to become knowledgeable and
fast to learn and do. From work
placements I have been able to gather information and get an idea of what
potential job opportunities I want to focus on.
Through development throughout the 3 years and especially the final
stages of development my strength lies in the manufacturing sector specifically
in weave. This has allowed me to look
into specific areas of work in order to find the right place suited to my
strengths. Overall this was a very interesting self
directed brief bringing new ideas, challenges and using the strengths I have as
a designer.
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