18th December 2013 - Pantone

18th December 2013 - Pantone

http://www.pantone.co.uk/downloads/support/FCR/PANTONE_FCR_Spring_2014.pdf  - Link to website

The Image above was created by Pantone and is the starting point for my colour scheme based on the illustrations project.

Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is the world-renowned authority on color. For nearly 50 years, Pantone has been inspiring design professionals with products, services and leading technology for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity.

In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE® MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized color in fan format.

Pantone has since expanded its color matching system concept to other color-critical industries, including digital technology, fashion, home, plastics, architecture and contract interiors, and paint. Today, the PANTONE Name is known worldwide as the standard language for accurate color communication, from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer, across a variety of industries. Pantone continues to develop color communication and inspirational tools, and aggressively adopts new digital technology to address the color needs of the creative community everywhere.

17th December - Colour Scheme Decisions

17th December - Colour Scheme Decisions

Now I have completed some research based on Illustrators, I feel that I should begin drawing again, thinking carefully about the target audience for the project, children. I have looked through a variety of different catalogs from a range of high street stores to gain research and ideas for design colour and style. 

Whilst completing this research I noticed two main styles and applications of colour within the children's patterns. One was a bright, vibrant design, and the other combined pastel colours to create a more naturalistic pattern. I aim to combine the both of these styles in my choice of colours, exploring both the abstract and representational. 

I came across the image above on pantone's website, a colour scheme for women's fashion in spring 2014. this colour scheme stood out to me because of the combination of bold and pastel colours. using this as a basis, I added a few more colour shades, and now I have my colour scheme for this project.

17th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries... John Burningham

17th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries

 John Burningham

Born In 1936, John Burningham is a popular illustrator who studied at ‘Central School of Art and design’, London.

As an illustrator, John Burningham creates minimalistic drawings. He believes that drawing is not a mechanical skill such as bricklaying, but something which has to be constantly practiced to maintain style. In his work he believes in creating masses of preparation drawings to get his final illustrations just right. Burningham uses a variety of materials in his drawing, always looking for a lively line. He has no rules for his drawing style, he lets his drawing take him on a journey.

Although Burningham uses the computer to create his illustrations, all of the images used are his own. Even after forty years of creating illustrations, John Burningham does not find it any easier, each new book bring and new journey and opportunity.

17th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries... Sara Fanelli

    17th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil',                British Council and British Libraries

Sara Fanelli

Originally from Italy, Sara Fanelli came to London to attend act school as she believed it would offer her more opportunities to develop personally as an artist. Whilst at art school, Fanelli developed an interest in collage, to build upon her flat painting, as a way of adding texture and experimenting with composition.

This is an evident part of Fanelli’s Illustrations, creating a bright, abstract style. In her illustrations, she begins by drawing, before layering them using collage to experiment with composition, adding in typography, her own designed lettering.

All of the drawings created by Sara Fanelli are from her travels to cities where she keeps a sketchbook based on museums and other places of interest.

Unlike many of the illustrators I have researched, Fanelli does not use the computer at all. She believes that some artists and illustrators rely on it too much.

16th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries..... Quentin Blake

16th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries

Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake is a children's illustrator, famous for his illustrations for the collection of children's books, written by Roald Dahl. Quentin Blake has a very individual style to his illustrations using ink and watercolours to create very definite marks onto the paper. Blake's use of bold and bright colours combine with humorous motifs to create memorable and timeless illustrations
Quentin Blake began his career whilst still at school, creating cartoons for the popular magazine, 'Punch'. Despite this early start, Blake went on to read English at Cambridge and Education at London. It wasn't until Blake had finished as a student before he began art training. Blake became a part-time student at Chelsea Art School where he learnt about drawing bodies. This is where Blake met Brian Robb, who later gave Blake a part-time teaching post.
Quentin Blake pays his success in illustration to his magazine work where he learnt the spontaneity of drawing which allowed him to be free in his work.

16th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries..... Lauren Child

16th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries

Lauren Child

Lauren Child is a children's and author whose work is instantly recognisable with a mixture of hand drawn and computer created illustrations. Lauren Child's combination of traditional and digital work in harmony to create bold, colourful and playful imagery.

Lauren Child studied at 'Manchester Polytechnic' and 'City and Guilds of London Art School'. She found art school boring due to the lack of discovery and excitement. Inspired by illustrators such as Quentin Blake and E.H. Shepard, Lauren Child discovered a passion for creating books and stories aimed at children.
In the creation of her illustration, Lauren Child uses the computer to create a variety of different back grounds using a range of sources like collage and photographs. From here she scans in her hand drawn figures which she superimposes onto the back grounds.
Lauren Child is probably best known for her collection of 'Charlie and Lola' stories which have been turned into a children's programme.

16th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries..... Tony Ross

16th December - Research... 'Magic Pencil', British Council and British Libraries

Tony Ross

Tony Ross is a children's book illustrator known for his varying drawing style. he is probably best known for his 'The Little Princess' illustrations which have influenced a hit children's programme.
Whilst studying illustration at art school, Tony Ross noticed that most illustrators stick to the same style of drawing throughout their careers. Ross did not want to commit himself in that way, instead his style of drawing often changes based on the context of the illustration.
Tony Ross trained as an etcher, so believes that line and the actual drawing come before the colour additions, that line is more important than the use of colour. This is one the main rules Tony Ross taught as a teacher of illustration,
Tony Ross draws mainly using a dip pen. He describes it as his most important tool, but that the choice of nib is extremely important to the relationship the illustrator has with their illustrations.

1st December - Article analysis, Libertys goes digital

1st December - 

Ba4 Research... Libertys Goes Digital

http://www.thepeoplesprint.com/liberty-goes-digital/

Libertys Digital print scarf

A while back whilst researching Melanie Bowles, I realised that she co-founded 'The people's print', (www.thepeoplesprint.blogspot.co.uk). 

This blog looks into the newest trends in digital textile design. The People's Print pioneers new concepts for textile design combining traditional and digital technologies, open source, participatory and co-design, aiming to create a community of like minded people with a passion for designing their own textiles.

Libertys Digital Print dress

"Liberty is one of the last great emporiums for innovative and eclectic design. Situated in the heart of London since 1875, it remains to this day the destination of choice for the savvy and sophisticated shopper. At Liberty, a rich heritage combines with the cutting edge and avant-garde, making each visit a voyage of discovery and excitement. We hope you will be inspired and delighted by our carefully selected offering of beautiful and luxurious products. We welcome you into our eccentric, indulgent and utterly charming world, and invite you to get truly lost in Liberty." - extract from Libertys website.

The department store Libertys is well-known for their ranges of screen-printed fabrics. to keep up with the changing nature of the textile pattern industry, they have created a range of digitally printed fabrics. I would like to research 'Libertys' and their fabric collections further with the mixture of traditional and more modern print techniques.

30th November - 'Scarves' research findings

30th November - 'Scarves' research findings

Following my research into scarves over the past couple of days, through the book, 'Scarves', Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke', I have learnt a great about the scarf, not only in the fashion sense. The scarf is a versatile piece of fashion, which although may change from season to season always manages to appear in the great fashion collections. It can be a piece of art and fashion statement or an object to help keep you warm on a cold, blustery day.

Looking back at the eras and the development of the scarf I can see behind it sole purpose, which I first associated it with. I first believed that scarves were for warmth, that was their purpose and that this project was going to us all sitting around a table knitting like our grannies. I have found the knowledge from the 'scarves' book invaluable, this with some market research, which can be viewed on my pinterest page (http://www.pinterest.com/nathanmison9/), has helped me to realise that the work we are doing is valid and following the trends of fashion. It may be winter here, but the fashion scarf create from delicate, soft silks and other such materials are still a key item of fashion. 

Research is something which I now realise as invaluable, I just wish I had have realised this earlier on in the project, as well as drawing this makes the backbone of projects. Sure pattern making and digital skills help, but the core is research both visual and textual. 

I shall definitely carry on to realise the importance of research and continue to use it to aid me throughout this project as well as in the future.

30th November - Project Research... 'Scarves', Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

30th November - Project Research... 'Scarves', Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

'Scarves', Nicky Albrechtsen and Fola Solanke

Scarves, The Travel Scarf

In the 1950s, prosperity soared and was accompanied by the development of rapid air travel which was able to take people from all social classes to foreign places.

The headscarf was a popular fashion accessory in the 1940s and a vital part of a woman's travel wardrobe. It was seen as the perfect medium for advertising in the travel and holiday industry.

The souvenir scarf was a memento of the holiday destination, but also the mode of transport, such as an airline scarf.