UNIT 130

Evaluation

My task was to complete unit 130 my final major project. This included writing my own brief, researching into all the different market levels, making a time management plan, personal research to find inspiration, put my findings into a A3 sketchbook, collect fabric samples, A2 design sheets, produce four spec drawings of the chosen designs, choose one design to sample and toile, produce a A2 story board of the concept, weekly blog entries.

As part of my first task I worked alongside my tutor to create my own personal brief. It was my first attempt at ever writing my own brief, I found it hard as I am used to following a brief. Then I researched into the different market levels, putting my findings into a research file with images. I spoke about each level in detail with examples as to where I would find this market level. I already knew the basics about market levels, but after researching in depth I am clear about the differences.

Task two included creating a time management plan or the next few weeks; bearing in mind the time when I would be in work and busy, so that it is realistic and easy to stick to. It was easy to fit everything in my plan, but has been harder to stick to the plan by the days. I chose my theme and carried out research to further my inspiration. I found artists, designers and architecture that linked in with my theme, and then from that research I produced more inspiration. I put all my research into my A3 sketchbook, this included annotation, drawings, photographs, and primary and secondary research. I collected fabrics, and sampled in fabrics that would be appropriate to my inspiration. I think that I researched into depth and got out all the information I could. It all helped me further my design ideas in my next task.

Task three was to design 50 outfits. My designs had to be front and back view presented on A2 boards. My designs developed from my sketchbook and research file, they gradually become more developed. I used water colours to add colour to my designs, this tool worked well as my garments could look transparent, as the fabric would be. I am happy with all of my designs; it was a hard decision to choose just 4 to manufacture. I chose my designs with my tutor, we chose the outfits we chose so that I could experiment with areas of design I have never done so before. My outfits will require a lot of patterning, sampling and time. Regrettably I never experimented with how to present my designs, so I will experiment with different ways in later tasks.

Task four was to create drawings of my final garments. I produced four CAD spec drawing based on my final designs. I spent a whole day on tutorial videos showing me how to use Adobe illustrator, as I struggled to grasp the concept of how to use it previously. I now feel my skills on CAD spec drawings have improved massively. My designs are detailed and neat.

For task five I have to choose one of my outfits to sample and toile. My tutor and I chose the shirt and hot pants design, as it was going to need the most time to sampling and toile. I decided it was wise to get the hardest one over and done with so I can spend the most time on it. I sampled areas including finishes, zips, dip dying, and sewing in Lycra. I found it hard to use Lycra at first, as it is a stretch fabric. I mistakenly cut my Lycra fabric on the bias, but I later realised it is only when you want a non-stretch fabric to stretch that you cut it on the bias. I have made a note of this for my final garment.

Task six was to produce a story board of how I got to where I am now in my collection. I was to include images, themes, colours, words, my customer and any techniques that stand out in my collection. I found strong images and printed them onto acetate so that the board was strong. My images where of trends I had looked into, inspirational designers, techniques such as patchwork I was using etc. I think that my board looks professional. The story board didn’t take as long as I expected it too, as I was telling my own story; therefore I already had the images.

I struggled a bit with time management but managed to get my assignment finished. I found that having the time management plan helped me concentrate on what needed to be done and by when. I will continue to create a time management plan in future to help with my time keeping.
The cost of my fabric for my toiling and sampling was free, as a donation of a family friend. The fabrics that where given to me where in the colour scheme of the fabrics I needed. I had to buy a few metres of Lycra and other materials, but the budget was still kept at a low cost.

Throughout my unit I have updated blog entries in relation to my work, including photographs, research and my own work. I think that my blog entries are of a high standard, and frequent.

My strength throughout the unit was creating my spec drawings. I feel that it was the most independent learning I have done. I took time out of my schedule so I ended up behind on my plan, but it was a necessary skill I needed to learn.

My weakness was writing my own brie. I struggled but managed to get it done. I felt like I have no guide lines, even though I did. I will be more confident in the future if I have to write up my own brief again

If I was to do my assignment again I would stick to the same theme, as I feel my outcome is great. My only change would be to sample faster so that I could have moved onto my toile sooner.