Ba7......... Final Learning Agreement

Norwich University of the Arts

Learning Agreement

Course and Unit Number: Textiles Ba7

Name: Nathan Mison

Proposal:  What do you intend to do?

It’s Knot All Conservation.

‘It’s Knot All Conservation’ is a project which aims to explore the many types of conservation which are in place in our coastal areas.  The project focuses on three main areas, building on an exploration of the Suffolk and Norfolk coast, including; seabirds, knots and netting. Through these three themes ideas of conservation will be set against studio work based around print and stitch.

The main theme of conservation is apparent throughout the body of work, as an exploration of coastal conservation runs alongside an exploration into hand print and stitch techniques, as well as reaching to digital age to aid their revival.

The work completed in this project is aimed at the bespoke, high end market, focused on creating a set of designs for the interiors market. This will be focused against the ideas of mass production, exploring the handmade sector. There is a place for this way of working, particularly in recent years where the consumer is more willing to pay more for a design/product with a personal edge which is seen to promote quality.

In order to complete this concept, there will be research into current and future textile trends; particularly a recent trend which plays on the intertwining of a busy city life and more natural surroundings. This focuses on the idea of bringing the outside indoors and vice a versa, bringing a sense of nature to urban lifestyles whilst adding comfort and colour to outdoor spaces.

An accompanying industry report will directly relate to the core values behind the studio practice, looking into the future of the textile market. The report will explore the idea that there has been a decrease in the craft/bespoke areas of the market. Has the introduction of machines and, more recently, digital techniques, meant the textile market is controlled by mass producing companies. Through this discussion, there will be an exploration into the current textile market and its development into a more industrial approach, alongside research into the value of individual/boutique designers in the textile market. Is their popularity enough to maintain an individual, more bespoke approach to textiles?

Assessment Work:

• Draft Research Report.
• Blog and Pinterest site. (Source of PDP reflective journal).
• Learning Agreement.
• Sketchbook full of drawing and sample development.
• Reflective journal

Schedule of Work: (to include the deadline for submission of assessment):

W/C 6th Oct

• Create Learning Agreement.
• Visit both NUA and Norwich forum Library for inspiration. (Look at the journals in the NUA library for recent visual trend information and Norwich forum library for inspiration into technique use, to push my experimentation.)
• Plan an idea for research report.
• Begin initial research for report, set up a plan for research and start exploring the internet for websites which look into the positives and negatives of mass production.
• Create mood board and mind map for Ba7.
• Buy Sketchbook!
• Begin Drawing, based around the beach theme, thinking out of the box for sources of visual inspiration.
• Book dye kitchen for 15th October.
• Blogging.
• Buy wool to hand dye, research natural and sustainable sources.

W/C 13th Oct

• Continue Drawing, focused on three key areas; netting, knotting and birds, focused around the ideas of conservation.
• Use workshop to experiment with materials (booked on Wednesday after AVA workshop). Dye own wool for machine knit experimentation.
• Visit Norwich castle Museum (as a source of inspiration, looking for new sources of visual information, particularly in the birds display).
• Continue gathering research for report, go to the NUA library to look at the journals for articles based around the subject.
• Blogging

W/C 20th Oct

• Develop drawings and continue to experiment with a range of drawing techniques, giving me lots to play with as I move forward into sampling.
• Drawing visit to Great Yarmouth, Weds 22nd. Go to time and tide museum and do lots of drawing around the town.
• Collate all research together for report; begin writing up some of the findings, pros and cons of mass production.
• Visit Norwich library for more inspiration and research, looking into roping knotting techniques.
• Research independent companies and email them for research report, asking questionnaire.
• Blogging.
• Go to castle museum to continue drawings of the bird collection.
• Trend research, based on work in the NUA library on the journals.
• BOOK PRINT ROOM FOR NEXT WEDS AND THURS!!!

W/C 27th Oct

• Develop drawings drawing more into the three main areas focusing down becoming further developed
• Properly start sampling, getting the print room, making sure to start sourcing materials.
• Begin to write research report, and complete more research into figure and stats if needed.
• Collect appropriate materials for sampling, based from a conservation ideal. Sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly.
• Blogging and Pinterest.
• Visit Smiths Row, (exhibition) “To Start a Conversation across a Crowded Room”.
• Book print room for next MONDAY

W/C 3rd Nov

• Reflect on drawing and sampling so far in the project, and use these ideas to take new steps into drawing and sampling. Using what I have done so far to further develop my work.
• Trip to LONDON, to visit…

PATTERN Watts’ Architect Wallpapers 1870 to today @ fashion textile museums

V & A

For inspiration

• Booked session in the print room to continue experimenting with dyes, natural dyes? And colour.
• Blogging.
• Continue writing research report.
• BOOK PRINT ROOM FOR MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

W/C 10th Nov

• Reflect on drawing and sampling so far in the project, and use these ideas to take new steps into drawing and sampling. Using what I have done so far to further develop my work.
• Blogging.
• Continue writing research report.
• Visit NUA library for more inspiration and research, look in journals for latest trend research and books on techniques I may want to integrate into my sampling.

W/C 17th Nov

• Continue developed drawing based on furthering research into conservation.
• Begin to finalise sampling, ready for final week of work. Prepare vision for end of unit.
• Finish writing a draft of personal statement.
• Blogging.
• Visit to Blackthorpe barn, Christmas exhibition, seeing local craft fair in action.
• BOOK PRINT ROOM FOR NEXT MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

W/C 10th Nov

• Finalise developed drawings and further sampling.
• Use booked print room sessions to create set of final samples ready for hand in
• Blogging.
• Fill in course hand in documents.
• Review draft of research report ready to hand in.

Resource requirements:

• Access to digital print/stitch??
• Access to print room.

• NUA Library - research for report and studio work.
• Norwich Library - research for report and studio work.
• WGSN. - Trend research.
• Crafts Council Website - articles and research for research report.
• Blackthorpe Barn, see Christmas craft exhibition.
• Norwich Castle Museum, in particular natural exhibition.
• Smith’s Row Art Gallery - to see ‘to start conservation across a crowded room’.
• V & A, research trip.
• Fashion and textile museum - patterned wallpaper exhibition.

Tutor's comments:

Learning agreement agreed and signed by:

           

Course Leader:              Date:

Unit Leader/Tutor:     Date:

Student:    Nathan Mison          Date: 17th October 2014