Wednesday 31st December 2014

Again, today I continued to write my industry report. Today, it was a lot more difficult as it involved sorting out a lot more research and writing again from scratch. I was working today and perhaps a little distracted, so did not get as much done as I would have like, BUT as my new years resolution states, I will celebrate every victory, however small. Today I have written just over 400 words, bringing my total up to 1,478 Words. As long as I continue to write, I will be progressing in the essay :)


On top of my writing in my research I discovered a luggage brand based on traditional craft. Created by Jeffrey Kimathi, Buyu Luggage is based upon local weaving craft in Kenya which was traditionally used to create baobab baskets. The brand is intended to go global and is based on a more sustainable goal, of sustaining the craft and the local community, with 50% of profits from the products being fed back into the community.

Today's writing...........

The possible impacts the globalisation of the textile industry has on the relevance of craft in the UK.

The expansion of a global craft market brings a wider audience and more opportunities for craft recognition, but is there a downfall in these globalisation? Does local craft get lost amongst other makers from across the continent? And with fast fashion easy available anywhere, is the consumer willing to pay more for handmade? Has large, globalised successful business resulted in a lesser focus on craft?

Businesses see the potential of the craft and handmade sector, and look to incorporate this into their designs. This gives them an edge over the sheer volume of design worldwide. A great example is the global brand Cath Kidston. This brand was established 1993 in a small shop in London, and by 1999, the brand exploded and began to become the international brand it is today.  “today more than 50% of women aged 16-65 are aware of the Cath Kidston brand” Cath Kidston. 2014). The company has grown, based on re-creating that individual craft element which is desired worldwide and has recently seen the brand enter the Chinese market. Is this the future of craft, design being mass produced to mimic the craft style? Can this still be considered craft?

However, the Craft industry has seen to adapt the changing nature of consumerism with the introduction of sites such as, ETSY and FOLKSY. These sites are available all over the world and allow anyone to sell their craft products to consumers everywhere. These sites are extremely popular as they allow everyone from student, to part time crafter to sell, and as a result, craft has become globalised. In 2009, Etsy recorded it number of active sellers at 150,000 with sales totalling £110 million to 800,000 and £328 million in 2011. Similarly, Folksy saw sales increase by 526% between June 2009 and June 2012. (Vanessa Barford, 8/11/12).

It would seem that the craft industry has taken advantage of an opportunity make selling easier. Instead of trudging around craft fairs over the country, makers can post their work online and delivered anywhere. This has put craft back into the public sphere and with the global high-street culture promoting fast fashion, craft offers and individualised alternative. "In an era where everyone is walking around with Kindles and PCs ... handmade and niche items are a real opportunity to express personality,". (Vanessa Barford, 8/11/12). This desire is being described as ‘Craftmania’.

Tuesday 30th December 2014

I spent some time again today going through my industry report, as timetabled, in order to try to get as much of it done as I can this week. Today saw me reach the end of going through what I have already written, changes displayed below. This is good, and I feel much happier with what I have now written, but now comes the hard graft. Now I have to carry on writing from scratch, so probably need to complete a little more research. Up until now it has been pretty much plain sailing and has not been too difficult, now it will take a little more time to get a smaller amount done, so this is when progress becomes slower :( So far I have completed......1,070 words out of 4,000. Only 2,390 words left!! :D

Craft is a major sector of the textile industry, particularly in the UK. A report by the ‘Crafts Council’ in October 2014 revealed that craft skills generate £3.4 billion for the UK’s economy (Crafts council. 2014), a rise in contribution compared to £3 billion in 2008 (Department for Culture, Media & Sport and The Rt Hon Maria Miller MP. 2014). However, in relation to the £71.4 billion the creative industries contribute to the UK economy each year, craft only generates a small proportion. (Yair, K. (2010).

Although it is a relatively small part of the wider textile industry, statistics show an increased demand for luxury, handmade goods. Rosy Greenless, executive director of the Crafts Council, has said that recent statistics evidence the importance of craft skills the UK’s economy. Craft contributes to the creative industry across all sectors, to boost creative production as a whole. For most of which areas, the UK leads the world. (Crafts council. 2014). This idea is further backed up by the following statistics from the Crafts Council which suggests that craft is not a standalone industry. Craft skill is contributing;

• £745 million to the economy through the craft sector.
• £243 million to the economy through creative industries such as fashion, film and architecture.
• £2.4 billion to the wider economy in industries such as bio-medicine, science and engineering.

(Crafts council. 2014)

With statistics displaying a rise in the craft contribution to the UK economy, is it possible that has diversified and become more spread across the creative sector? It is clear, from the statistics, that there is still a craft industry,  that it is an evident sector. The craft sector has diversified, so is less visible. Are ‘craft’ and ‘handmade’, phrases which can remain relevant in such a consumer focused industry?

An overview of the wider textile industry and the possible impacts on the relevance of craft in the UK.

It could be argued that the craft industry is such as small part of the global textile industry, that it is no longer relevant in today’s consumer conscious culture.

The creative industry in the UK is a major part of the country’s economy and its contribution to the global export market. In 2010, the creative industry brought £71.4 billion to the UK economy and in 2011; the value of services exported by the Creative Industries was £15.5 billion. This was eight per cent of total UK service exports. (Department for Culture, Media & Sport. 2014). In fact, in 2012 the creative industry was responsible for one in twelve jobs in the UK. (Department for Culture, Media & Sport. 2014).

It is fair to speculate that design in the UK is a growing sector as more and more large UK based companies are becoming recognised globally. Growing global brands such as Orla Kiely and Cath Kidston boast 166 stores globally and international sales of £46 million (Jamieson. (2014), the UK is definitely a distinct player in the global creative industry. UK based design is desired worldwide and is known for notions of quality and style.

Monday 29th December

Oh gosh, time to get back to work.

It has been nice to have a bit of time off over Christmas, but I think it is now time to start going through and sorting things out again now. I have been trying to do some work over the last week but, the dribs and drabs are nothing to write about really. The start of this week marks my intended return to my practice again, although I am still working a lot and have family over so it might not be the most successful week!.

Here is my planned timetable for this week...

29/12/2014	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
09:00	Industry report	Industry report	Industry report	OFF	Industry report	OFF	Industry report
10:00	Work - Lifeguard	Industry report	Work - Lifeguard	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	Industry Report	Work - Lifeguard
11:00	Work - Lifeguard	Swimming	Work - Lifeguard	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
12:00	Work - Lifeguard	Swimming	Work - Lifeguard	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
13:00	Work - Lifeguard	Swimming	Gym	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
14:00	Work - Lifeguard	Swimming	Gym	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
15:00	Work - Lifeguard	Eat	Eat	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	OFF	Work - Lifeguard
16:00	Work - Lifeguard	Shopping	Research for report	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	OFF	Work - Lifeguard
17:00	Work - Lifeguard	Shopping	Research for report	OFF	Work - Lifeguard	OFF	Eat
18:00	Work - Lifeguard	Shopping	Eat	Industry report	Eat	OFF	Organise
19:00	RPM class	Eat	Industry report	Industry report	Industry report	Industry report	Organise
20:00	Eat	Industry report	Industry report	Industry report	Industry report	Industry report	Organise
21:00	Blogging	Blogging	blogging	OFF	Blogging	Blogging	Blogging

As you can see I am working a lot more than usual and of course, new years day is slap bang in the middle of the week. However, my main focus for this week is to get the majority of my industry report written. This was suggested by our tutors as something to complete over the Christmas break and although I have been doing other things, I thought that I would at least see how much I could get done before I go back. That way it will save me a job!

Today I went over the first part of my report, going through it based upon my feedback at the end of last term. This feedback was basically focused on a narrowing down of ideas, becoming a little more focused on what I was was writing about. I still aim the write about what I have already started, but I am going back over it to try to get down what I am trying to say, clearer!

So far...

Is craft practice still relevant in the twenty-first century?

Introduction

The modern textile industry contains a variety of sectors, one of which is the craft industry. However, recent innovations of technology mean that manufacture is mainly a digital process. As a result, has textile practice moved on from hand-made craft and design, or in a consumer conscious retail industry, does this sector thrive off notions of quality and individuality?

Through research and statistics based around the craft industry, I aim to explore the current market, in order to investigate the maker’s practices. I will complete primary research into the development of digital technology and  the possible impacts this could have on the craft industry. Through this I aim to give evidence of a British craft industry. An understanding of the consumer’s view of the craft industry, including their buying values is important research for the report into the public’s perception of craft. My research, gained through primary sources, will be aimed at craft in the South-East of England, and whether this popular craft area has seen any noticeable changes.

Through research from the report, I have reached my own conclusions on the relevance of craft. Rather than pushing the craft industry into decline, recent innovations have helped to boost it. The craft sector is slow to adapt to change, but a huge movement in consumer perception and values have kept the local design industry alive.

An explanation of the craft industry in relation to the wider global textile industry

In order to complete research into the craft sector, it is vital to define craft. The depth of this industry makes it difficult to pinpoint an exact definition as it covers a wide field of expertise. A dictionary definition suggests craft is, “an occupation or trade requiring special skill, esp. manual dexterity” (Collins. 2014). This definition suggests that craft is focused on holding and building upon a level of skill.

Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Mark Jones believes that; “Craft is remembering that art is seen, felt and heard as well as understood, knowing that not all ideas start with words, thinking with hands as well as head.” (Reference).  Whilst Director of the crafts study centre, Professor Simon Olding says; 'An expression of human endeavour creatively realised on the borders of utility, design, architecture, sculpture and art. Craft is specific, recognizable and broad enough to carry loaded meaning with good cheer. It means little without its association to the individual maker and the organisations that give it life and value.'(Victoria and Albert Museum. 2012). Whilst many people agree that craft cover a mass of individual practices, the term has diverse meanings to different people. Defining craft is a problem for research into areas of the textiles industry, where do you draw the line between mass produced and individual design?

For the purpose of this report, ‘Craft’ has been characterised based upon the Crafts Council’s description, focusing on a more individual design, small design businesses specialising in a discipline.The crafts council give a more broken down image of the variety of the term ‘craft’ in their ‘Making It Local’ report; “those working with a contemporary aesthetic in craft disciplines including but not exclusive to automata, basketry, blacksmithing, book art, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, lettering, metalwork, mosaic, paper, printmaking, puppetry, stone carving, textiles and wood” (Brown, J. 2014).

This part of the report makes up 550 words out of 4,000, so I still have a way to go. My plan for the rest of this week is to at least get to 3,000 words, fitting the writing between everything else. This will give me one less thing to worry about when I return to university in the new year!

Friday 19th December

On a Friday I take the day out to work in a Primary School to gain experience because I would like to someday become a primary school teacher. I will sometimes in my spare time on a Friday complete a little work, but today I took the whole day off university work.

In the new year I have an interview for a place on a teacher training course and in preparation for this which involves completing an activity for a group of children. I want to show off my creative skills, so want to make something which I can use for the activity. The activity is set to last only 10 minutes,so I need to show off as many of my skills as I can.

The activity will be based around me showing the children a special object. I shall make a fabric covered box, enclosing a paper mache egg. The activity will be based around creating a story for this magical egg.

Today, I set about creating the box and a dummy egg in preparation for a test of the activity, at a school I am currently helping out at. I loved getting my sewing machine out again and actually asking something!! I used lush, vibrant fabrics to give an inviting look to the box.

The tester actity with children went well and although they were a little hyper, it was the last day of term sooo, it went rather smoothly. Now I just need to create a paper mache egg in preparation for the real thing!

Thursday 18th December

Although I have not been doing as much work as I had previously planned, I am still doing work and am finding lots of different things, new jobs I need to do.

One of these new tasks, which I tackled today, was my digital presence. Right at the start of December, we had a seminar based on the three main points we must consider when entering the design world; Ethics, digital and globalisation. My aim to to at least to try to make more of a reference to these points which are current in the market. 

In response to the digital section of this, I have today set up a twitter account for my textile work. The idea for this account is to get myself out there, in the public eye. I can quick and easily post small updates regularly about what I am creating at various points of the project and also put me more in touch with the design industry, allowing me gain more research from different sources.

https://twitter.com/nathantextiles

Wednesday 17th December

As planned, today I took a trip to Sherringham to really kick start my project. My aim from today was to come home with a real bank of photos and a few sketch like drawing which I can work from, as a starting point. As I was at the coast in the middle of winter it was freezing, so sitting and drawing would not have been the best thing in world. I did get some drawing down, but gaining imagery and inspiration was the aim of today's game!

All of the photos from my drawing trip today will become available on my pinterest page, but will also be aimed to be displayed in my sketchbook as my drawing and sampling develop.
http://www.pinterest.com/nathanmison9/ba8-visual-research

I happy to have begun to complete some physical work for the project, as much as I enjoy completing the writing and research, it is nice to have some more physical work rather than having everything on-line. I am looking forward to developing my drawings into samples and sorting out and organising them as a nice physical collection.

Everything I have completed today shall be used to help me in the beginning stages of the work, but I do not aim to complete this until the new year. This is because I want to still focus more on the writing and research, to get as much as I can done, and to get into a good routine ready for my return to uni in the new year.

Tuesday 16th December

I have gone through some more research today, which is displayed in my design inspiration file, looking into the sculptural side to the wire net. This is where my work was heading in the last few weeks of Ba7, and is something I want to start the project with

Research from today...


Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is an artist who work across the art sphere. This exhibition, from 2007 in New York, explores a combination of sculpture,painting and poetry. This is a very exhibital exhibition, based on creating a flowing, interpersonal space for an interaction between the maker and their target audience.

This exhibition stood out to me because of the very structural nature of this work, and the intention of the application of the work in a gallery space. Compared to last week, when I looked into the paper chandelier, this is a completely different set up. It is interesting how, in a small space, a lot of very different things can be created to give different effects and structures.


Dana Melamed

Dana Melamed is wire work artist based in New York. She is a very current, hard working designer who has recently appeared in a number of exhibitions. After studying fine art, Melamed developed her work through the medium of wire to create unique pieces of art and wall hangings.

Again similar to previous pieces and designers I have looked into, Dana Melamed focuses her work on gallery spaces, where she sells the majority of it. And yet again, this is another completely different style of work, using the wire to create highly textured pieces which almost look hand drawn. This is another element I could bring into my work, exploring imagery in wire.

Monday 15th December

After having a talk to my mum about my project so far, I have made a decision to take it a little slower over the next couple of weeks. I am on the Christmas holidays and know many people on my course who are not going to be doing any work over this period. Even though, personally it is physically not possible for me to have a total break, I do want to take it a little slower.

My timetables that I am creating at the moment are more based upon my time when I am at uni, when I am running at full speed. I need to learn to enjoy the break while I have it. I will carry on doing work over Christmas, but just at a little slow pace.

So, today instead of completing my planned work for my industry report report, which I now aim to really tackle after Christmas, I took the opportunity to catch up on a few things and to complete a few of the small jobs which are often missed out on. These included things like labelling the sections of my notebook, it is simple, but helps with the signposting ready for hand in. Trust me, I will thank myself for getting all of this done when it comes to hand in!!

Sunday 14th December

As I had plaaned to do over this weekend, I spent a little time today to keep ploughing through the learning agreement template as a way of quickly being able to focus my ideas down and organise myslef so I know what lies ahead. Currently, I think some parts of the plan are a little vague. This is beacuse althoiugh I have an idea of waht I want to do, I am not sure what will turn out well or what I might learn from my time in university. I think the idea of taking it one step at a time, planning at least a week in advance allows me to be organised and staill change my ideas as the project develops.

To continue...

(PLANNED) Assessment Work:

• Completed 4,00 Word Industry Report & Bibliography.
• Research file based on work for Industry Report.
• Research and inspiration file, containing designer research & visual, inspirational images to me.
• Pdp journal, containing thought and opinion, including reflection of my practice.
• Pdp Blog, another source of reflection, similar to journal, less in-depth, more broad, talking about everything that’s going on in terms of the course, not just the work I am creating.
• Sampling files based on an exploration and experimentation of knotted technique.
• Larger sampling experimenting with scale and how technique works in larger environment.
• Sketchbooks, displaying a visual exploration on the sea and the fishing industry, a development of ideas and ideas for combining techniques.
• Larger drawings experimenting with scale and pattern design.
• Notebook with notes from timetabled university lecture, seminars and tutorials; also with planned timetable of work and updated to do lists for organisation.
• Collection of final samples/pieces for the context of the interiors market.

I am hoping that making it clearer where everything is, and splitting up some things, will allow them to become more obvious when marking. For example, in my notebook, I have a section for my planned timetables, something which was not clear enough in BA8. I am also completing two examples of Pdp reflection, because I now see how important it is to our work.

I have also, as timetabled in this weeks plan, completed a timetable for the coming week. As I now finished university for Christmas, I am working a little more and have a few other things on my plate, but still want to get as much work as I can done. The keys to this week are to really get stuck into my industry report and get a good chunk of that all sorted and to gain some visual inspiration for my drawing.

Plan for next week...

W/C 15/12	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
09:00	Researching for	Work - Creche	Planned trip	Work - Creche	Hardwick School	Gym
10:00	Industry report	Work - Creche	to Sheringham	Work - Creche	Hardwick School	Gym	Work - Lifeguard
11:00	Researching for	Work - Creche	Planned trip	Work - Creche	Hardwick School	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
12:00	Industry report	Work - Creche	to Sheringham	Work - Creche	Hardwick School	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
13:00	Eat	Work - Creche	Planned trip	Eat	Hardwick School	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
14:00	Write report	Work - Creche	to Sheringham	Sort out folder	Hardwick School	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
15:00	Write report	Eat	Planned trip	To do list	Hardwick School	Work - Lifeguard	Work - Lifeguard
16:00	Write report	Relax	to Sheringham	Sort out folder	Swimming	Work - Lifeguard	Write report
17:00	Eat	Relax	Planned trip	To do list	Swimming	Work - Lifeguard	Eat
18:00	Blogging	Eat	to Sheringham	Eat	Eat	Experiment with	Sort out work so far
19:00	Work - Lifeguard	Write report	Planned trip	Plan tomorrow	Rest	knotting	Sort out work so far
20:00	Work - Lifeguard	Write report	Blogging	Plan tomorrow	Rest	Experiment with	Plan for next week.
21:00	Work - Lifeguard	Blogging	Blogging	Blogging	Rest	knotting + blog	Plan for next week.

Saturday 13th December

I have, although i am working this weekend to try to plow through and keep completing work for uni. I want to keep the momentum going because i am really enjoying myself. 

Although Ba7 did not go as planned, i did receive a great deal of useful feedback which i hope to begin applying to this project to help boost my grades. I want to see one of my tutors asap after we go back after Christmas, just to make sure i am on the right, but also to get some more feedback that i can bring into this monumentious project.

Key points from feedback and my reflection on this...

• organisation skills need to be considered. I think i am attacking that head on with my clear planning, which contrary to what the tutors might think, is meant to help me. In truth i am probably a little ocd in planning and lists and if that is what they are asking to see, i am more than happy to share that with them. This is very important to make sure i achieve better in Ba8.

• Need more engagement with the course. I have to admit that yes, this is again true, and i will hold my hands up and say that i definately understand the importance of coming into uni. I have shifted my working times to help me come in more often, but uni are going to have to accept that i have other things going on as well and with more trips in the plan than ever, missing uni is sometimes avoidable. But i have found it is easier than i may think to tailor days out to my learning and development and drawing trips are a must.

• More work is needed. I have to admit that i was a little shocked at this because i think that i done well getting all that i did done, but then i realised that we are in our final year and that the barriers have definitely been risen! Better planning will help introduce more structure into my work which will lead to a more focused development of work. This will lead to a more progressive development and will create more of a story/journey for both the project and myself.

• extend you research. Again planing planning and more planning. I have made research more evident by putting it into its own file and reflecting on it in my Pdp. My only hope is that when i comes to hand in, that my tutors do make the effort to read through my Pdp and see the evidence of this, it is important to my grade and behind all the waffle is reflection, its just the way i work!

•Deeper level of investigation. I have, for this project, developed a more structured approach, which will aid the quick turn over of work. I want to great a lot in a short amount of time, exploring knotted technique in depth to help with the next stage of the project. If i have a lot of work in the beginning stages, then when i comes to being selective in mg development, then i will have more ideas to work from and i wont run out of ideas or steam!

• Limited evidence of structure of the proposed report it does not follow the guidelines. Personally when reading through this, even now, i think it was a little harsh. I can understand where they are coming from and after speaking about this with one of my tutors, things are a bit clearer, but this didn't give me much to work with. I actually used the guidelines they produced to plan the writing in the first place and yes, research is limited and bibliography is small, that is because it is a draft and is only the first 1,000 words of a 4,000 word essay! I think the idea that they are trying to get across is that i need to make it clearer what i am writing. I think changing the title will help with this. I will complete as much as i can over this holiday and go back after Christmas to get their opinion again. Hopefully they might understand the approach i was taking better?

Friday 12th December

Following my tutorial yesterday I have taken the opportunity today to go through my learning agreement and change it, only slightly, but enough so it fits with yesterdays blof post of how I have decided to change my course working.

Norwich University of the Arts

Learning Agreement

Course and Unit Number: Textiles Ba8

Name: Nathan Mison

Proposal:  What do you intend to do?

Self Planning…

This course of work, intended for the Ba8 hand in, is based upon a progression of ideas following on from Ba7. Although there were major flaws in planning and preparation in Ba7 which ultimately lead to it not being so successful, the technique worked for me and it is something I would definitely like to develop further. In this course of work better planning will lead to a more thorough and rigorous exploration of technique and possible uses for it in the interior market.

However, as this is the last project of the textile course, I believe we need to produce a really special body of work. I want to put everything I have learnt over the last two and half years together to create a collection of work I am proud of. As i hope to use my more concise planning skills, I see my work consisting of lots of different ideas and routes which are their own individual ideas, but all link together and inform each other.

From a reflection of Ba7,I think to move my work forwards, I want to now take in one step further, to the next level. I need to be able to produce a larger amount or work in a short amount of time. exploring technique further and in more depth alongside and exploration into further visual imagery will push my work into new boundaries.

There will be two parts to the project which will connect an interlink to form one informed, in-depth project which is well thought and well planned…

1. A continued experimentation of knotted technique. This will include smaller samples based on a range of knotted techniques, experimenting with materials. Unlike in Ba7, this will be a smaller part of the project, displayed in a display wallet, more as a technical file as ideas to use in the other two sections. This will include a smaller experimentation into the more structural side, briefly explored towards the end of Ba7. However, also experimenting with scale, creating larger pieces to see what the larger properties of these pieces are and the possible uses on them in the interiors. I see the work being the interiors rather than decorating it!
2. Alongside this experimentation I will complete a visual exploration based upon the sea and the fishing industry. I will explore this through drawing and sampling based on imagery and colour with a focus on texture, with the intention of creating designs which i aim to collaborate with the knotting to take the project one step further.

Individual designs will be completed in each of the sections, but they will all interconnect and inform each other in order to create one succinct, connected project set of final designs which compliment each other and work as stand alone designs.

I also began completing and writing up some research from the designers I found yesterday on the internet. I have printed out and annotated the website print outs, to be displayed in my design inspiration file, and images/links are available through my pinterest page for this section of the project (http://www.pinterest.com/nathanmison9/ba8-design-inspiration/) . I am enjoying sorting out this work and getting all organised. so I do not repeat myself over and over, I aim to give a little information about the designer and their work and then, why I find it interesting and any possible ideas I could bring into my work.

Cristina Perreno & MIT
I came across an article about a collaboration between Cristina Parreno & MIT for the ARCO Madrid fair in Spain. This is an amazing collaboration which took over the VIP area at this event and consists of a large almost sculptural form of lighting. The two designers have used cardboard which is shaped and hung on a wire mesh creating a flowing form of mood lighting.

I think this is an amazing project, I love the way that the idea of the lighting has been completely taken to the next level, turning into a sculpture itself. This relates to my own work, and gets me thinking about the kind of craziness of my own work. This work is going to be more experimental, but I think I should let the work lead the idea for context, focusing more on having fun and thinking outside the box. I do not want to create something that has already mean done!