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!