Pitching for 'Primary Europe' Commission

I'm so glad I got involved with this project. It was a pitch a piece of work for Primary Europe's office space off Albert Square. Although I did not win the commission, the experience of pitching and applying my work to an Art context was really beneficial and I would feel confident to do it again. For the pitch we had to put together a 5 minute presentation, including visualisations, budget, and technicalities like fixings and size. The panel asked some difficult questions but I feel I answered the best I could, and gave me an idea of the kind of things that a client would want to know if I were to pitch again in the future. 

week 16 26th-30th Jan

This week I have been back on the laser cutter this time to experiment cutting out perspex pieces to fill in the space of the expanding designs. I am really pleased with this technique and it creates interesting forms by holding the surface in place. There is lots to explore with this technique, scale, shape, colour, other materials, so am keen to get going. These samples could fit a variety of contexts. The sculptural quality could lend itself to body adornment, jewellery, interiors and installation, all by varying the scale. Inserting the elements could make it an interactive piece.

I have also been trying out some new designs on the laser cutter, translated from my drawings of pattern in the environment. I was keen to see if I could create something that has movement like my previous work, which it does slightly, however I think this is idea is purely aesthetic. I really enjoyed doing something different and will continue this strand of work, exploring pattern.

Below is an image I took this week. I kind of forgot about this area of my practice, as pattern, rhythm and repetition in the environment is really what started this project, and I haven't been regularly collecting images. Going into Unit X I will keep this process going through out the project as it fills me with inspiration.

Week 15 19th-23rd jan

This week I have been on the laser cutter trying out my template on the smallest scale yet. I think this is the smallest I can go with out it ripping but I will try to go smaller next time I go on the laser cutter.   It has transformed the neoprene into almost a mesh type fabric that could be used in clothing or sportswear. It is really stretchy so would work well over knees or elbows, and it is breathable.

I have also tried combining my wadding with my piping technique. It makes the piece a lot softer on one side.

Week 14 12th-16th jan

First week back after Christmas has been a slow one, getting back into my rhythm and thinking about what I want to develop forward from last term. I went on the machines to do some piping. I tried it with a stretchy sports mesh using the silicone tubing. The feel of this sample it really bouncy and light, perhaps this could be used for a garment. And the mesh makes it breathable so could be used in sports wear. I also tried a sample using wadding inbeween PU coated fabric. Again this could be used for sportswear as it is comfy and protective. 

I also entered my laser cut neoprene into the New Design Britain competition in the surface design category. It was good practice having to describe the work, inspiration and uses in a professional way,  so hopefully the next competition I enter will be a little less daunting. Photographing the work was also beneficial, working out how to capture the movement and expandability of the surface.

Week 13 15th-19th dec

This week on the laser cutter I played around with scale using the PVC coated tarpaulin and neoprene. I feel I have gained a solid understanding on the variables in cut widths and lengths and how these affect the movement of the samples.

I also experimented with scale, testing how small I can cut. I am really pleased with the sample in the video. The small scale gives the sample a completely different feel to the larger ones. The movement of it is subtle and fluid. I will make a bigger sample if this piece in my next session so I can experiment with it as a surface in different applications.

Week 12 8th-12th dec

I have been exploring piping as a technique using different materials as the cord and different fabrics to sandwich them inside. I have tried different sized pvc tubes, thick braided rope, silicone tube, rubber hose and elastic, and sandwiched them in between felt, pvc coated fabric, pvc coated tarpaulin and spacer fabric. The process of stitching in straight lines, back and forth is rhythmic and repetitive. The texture of the pieces are also rhythmic and are very tactile. These surfaces could be used for a variety of applications such as clothing or surfaces for interiors. The tactile element makes them therapeutic and would be good on the arm of a chair to be used as a stress reliever.

Week 11 1st-5th Dec

Now I have finally handed in my dissertation draft I have been easing back into my practical work. I have been feeling a little bogged down with concept/context so thought I'd inject something new into my project. I had a go with the cording foot in the embroidery workshop. The structure resembles piping and I wanted to explore the possibilities of the technique. I used two sized cords and black felt to stitch onto. A lot of the products I have been researching have been made out of felt. Its soft, comforting, protective and warm. Perhaps the cold weather at the moment drew me to it. The process of stitching back and forth, back and forth was therapeutic and rhythmic.

The process of stitching down the cord is creating order, but sometimes the foot slipped and made the line irregular. What if I used a more unruly cord, more chaotic? Or left breaks in the stitching to reveal the cord, or a tassel?

I am pleased with the tactility of the surface and the rhythm it creates as you run your fingers along.
The finished surface is playable and holds its shape well. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the surface changes when other materials are used for both the ground surface and the cord. Scale is something I am keen to investigate, although I won't be able to use the cording foot. What is the biggest "cord" I can stitch over? Maybe I will have to stitch by hand.

A selection of samples

Holding structure

Mid point presentation

This week we presented a 5 minute presentation on our work so far to my and another tutorial group. I found the process of making the powerpoint challenging, trying to edit what were important points of the project so far. I personally get caught up in the detail of things, and worry that people won't understand unless I explain every aspect. I do this when I speak in general. I realise this is not the case, and all is needed is to be quick and to the point. My presentation went over the 5 minutes by almost double, so next time I must really practice exactly what I am going to say to keep within the time. I also found my self speaking really quiet and slow in order to keep control of my nerves...I was very nervous. So next time I must project to the back of the room. Hannah said in my feedback that my concept wasnt really clear until the end as I presented my work in chronological order, so in the future I need to get this across at the start as to keep the aqttention of the group.

Week 9 17th-21st nov

My second go on the laser cutter I experimented with different materials to see how they react to the pattern. The results were extremely varied and the the materiel as completely transform as surfaces.

The clear pvc, pink pvc coated fabric and black rubber became very loose and draped. These sample may work applied to the body as they fall in shape. The black rubber however became very messy once lasered so I don't know if this is a suitable material for the process. I haven't yet tried washing it though so it might clean up. I tried some thick spacer fabric as I am interested in fabrics that expand and contract. The plastic inside melted so I don't think it is suitable.

The neoprene and blue coated sheet reacted totally different to being cut into. They spring back into place after being expanded which is really exciting. The blue coated sheet I used a wider template than last time and this has had a big impact on the elasticity of the surface. It really pulls back after being stretched, almost like it doesn't want to be pulled apart.

Week 7 3rd-7th nov

Thinking about the advice given in my two tutor crit, I tried increasing the scale of the tassels, using silicone tubing and larger pvc tubing. I pierced inserted each tassel into a piece of rubber sheeting as the ground surface. The surface is very tactile and I like the idea of it being used for therapy or even just chill out time at work. I also tried a sample using cut up rubber sheeting. This sample doesn’t stick upwards the same as the silicon tubes but is still tactile.

Week 8 10th-14th nov

I designed a template for the laser cutter to try out on a few different materials. I am interested in how   incisions into a surface can allow it to expand and contract. My session was short so managed to do two samples. One using thick pink PVC (which I don't think I will be allowed to use again because of the fumes) and the other on PVC coated tarpaulin. 

I accidentally placed the pink PVC slightly off on the laser cutter bed so the edge didn't cut through. But I am pleased with the result as holding one end in place totally changes the movement, allowing the surface to fan out. Several people around the studio have placed this piece around the body, as a sleeve, cape or neck piece. It's interesting to see how different people react to the samples. I like that fun engagement.

The template for the blue pvc coated tarpaulin was thinner more dense. This really alters how the finished sample moves around. It moves around more fluidly and even has a slight pull back when laid flat.

There is a lot of experimenting to be done with this template. Next I want to try other materials as well as changing the length and width of the lines, and see how this effects the movement. 

Week 6 27th- 31st oct

Thick PVC modules connect with cable ties

Cylindrical piping

Expanding tube, almost like a Slinky

This week I got inducted on to the tufter machine. I like the surface it creates and could use this as inspiration for something larger scale. I have also been playing around with materials using repetition to create 3D forms. The above image uses pink thick pvc, joined together using cable ties. The sample moves fluidly almost like those toy plastic snakes made up of modules.

Cat has a slinky type tube in the studio at the moment and I love the way it expands and contracts. It inspired a cylindrical piping sample which does the same, however it is a little stiff so should need to be made of something more supple than the clear pvc I used.

In my tutorial a few people mentioned health and therapy as a potential context for my work. The movability and fun, tactile qualities lend themselves well to this so it's something I need to research further.

Week 5 20h-24th oct

Fake suede cord and pvc tube tassels

Yarn and pvc tube tassels stitched together

Nylon coated rope macrame with cable ties

This week I have been exploring tassels and using them to build up a surface. Im interested in the fun, tactile quality of them and am keen to see what would happen if I made a huge surface out of them. At this scale though that would be extremely time consuming so I need to see what other materials I can use to work on a bigger scale.

I have also experimented making macrame out of rope and cable ties. Using a stiff, strong material totally changes the quality, and it expands and contracts. This movement I am keen to take forward and develop as I like the idea of my work being functional.

I had my two tutor Crit this week with Mark and Julie along with some of Julie's group. The session provided a good insight into how print students work and how the context is a driving force in the design process. Although I have had a vague idea of context after making the summer boards, perhaps I need to research this more to have a better understanding of where my work will fit. However, I do not want to pigeon hole myself as I believe that my work can easily fit in numerous contexts after some refinement. Mark mentioned a few times that my samples could work as interiors and Julie said surface design, so I will do some research on large scale, tactile surfaces and product design. 

Halloween at Peel Park

On Halloween I assisted local community artists Fi Smith and Jo, set up at Peel Park in Salford for the Halloween event that evening. I met Fi over the summer at the Just So Festival I worked at, helping her with a lantern making workshop she runs. It was really nice to chat to them both about their work and how they make money, they were both really generous with advice. The set pieces were a mixture of work form previous years and new stuff made especially and it was good to see how a community event like that is set up. I hope to stay in touch with Fi and Jo and help them out in the future.

Week 4 13-17th oct

This week I have been thinking about Order vs Chaos whilst sampling. I cut up a rubber hose I had and stitched the pieces together at the base to try and create some order, but the top I left loose to keep the natural movement of the rubber. This pieces could be applied to the body as possibly as piece of jewellery or something more conceptual.

I have been investigating how to create a surface without a solid grounding and thought Macrame could be a good technique to try out. Kim in my tutorial group is also interested in this technique so this week we did a quick Macrame workshop using a tutorial Kim found in a magazine. Instead of tying knots in the yarn I decided to use pvc tubes to hold the plastic cord in place. This worked well an I even found that the sample could expand and contract which is something I am also interested in.

Week 3 6th-10th oct

Rubber cord joined together

Machine piping using clear pvc and silicone tubing

Yarn tassels inside pvc tubing stitched together

Following on from my sample exploration last week, I have continued to play around, joining materials together in different ways, creating 3D forms. The top image is a light rubber cord, stitched together using thread, with pvc beads in-between. I like how unpredictable and chaotic this material is. Stitching it together brings some order to it.

The middle image is a machine stitched piping sample using silicone tubing and clear pvc. It was difficult to get through the machine as the pvc kept sticking. However I like being able to see the stitch through the clear pvc, even if it is messy.

The bottom sample is yarn tassels pulled inside pvc tubing, stitched together. I am interested in the contrast between the hard and soft materials, bright vs monochrome, skinny vs matte. I want to explore tassels further and see what else they can be made of.

Set Dressing Work Experience

This weekend I went down to London to assist Abi Sehmi, the set dresser/stylist on a music video shoot for a band called Perhaps Contraption. I got to hear about the call out through the Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Just So Festival I worked out over the summer. The day was really long but fun, assisting Abi dressing the space ready for filming. We had to move things around during the shoot to suit different camera angles, and to not inter fear with the projections. We also got to watch the band perform which was amazing! It was nice chatting to the band members (I think there were 10 altogether) about what they studied and being musicians. It was really useful chatting to Abi about where she sources materials for projects and what other things she works on, which is a lot. She also plans events/parties all around London and tours the festivals in the summer with the events company she works at. It made me realise that this industry is really faced paced and no job is permanent. A lot of people don't do just one thing, so meeting the right people is essential to get your name out there and finding work. But it is a fun atmosphere would love to do something like this again.

Week 2 29th-3rd oct

Joining found thick industrial rubber with cable ties

Piping sample using cable ties, pvc tubing and clear pvc sheet

This week, along side the live project, I have been playing around with the materials I have been collecting over the summer. For this project I want to explore traditional embroidery techniques using synthetic materials such as rubber, pvc, silicone etc. The top image shows a sample made of found rubber cord possibly used as a door seal. I have joined it together using cable ties, exploring the movement of the material. It is uniform and predictable, probably due to the weight and strength of the rubber.    

The second image is a sample exploring piping using cable ties, pvc tubing and clear pvc sheet. The piece expands and contacts almost like a concertina or pram hood. This movement is really exciting and something i would like to explore further.

Week 1 22-26th sept

Cat making notes

Kate and two Gap employees- testing denim in the space

View facing the roundabout

First week back and I've signed up to a Live Project to create an outdoor installation piece for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, working from the theme "Icons in Blue", a discount campaign that the piece will promote. I will be working with Cat and Adele on the project as we decided to work as a team. We went to visit the site and meet the Marketing team to discuss the brief further. It was a an insightful experience meeting with them and got a good understanding of the kind things they liked and disliked. We also discussed budget and health and safety which was useful as neither of us have done this before in a professional environment. The site is large so considering scale will be essential in the design process to ensure the piece is seen by the passing cars. We persuaded the staff at Gap to bring some denim out for us to photograph in the space. If you don't ask you don't get!

Manchester School of Art Degree Show 2014

Ursula Rae



Elnaz Yazdani

Part of our summer project is to pick three students at the degree show whose work you most admire and relate to. Each student I have chosen had their work displayed both on the ground floor studio and in the entrance to the Art School. This shows how they were all able to adapt their work to a large scale which is something I am keen to work towards.

Danshuma showed a collection of 3D pieces made of a combination of cord, laser cut Perspex and 3D printed objects for both body adornment and sculptural forms. I like the idea of things being applied to a variety of contexts and am keen to adapt my work in this way. She also made a piece for the entrance to the Benzie that hung from the balcony. This scale of work is something I aspire too.
Ursula had work in the courtyard using a combination of laser cutting and print on PVC. Again I like the scale and sculptural quality of the work, and that it is durable enough to display outside.

Elnaz had work in both the foyer, the studio and a film showing. She adapted her work to different scales and the film showed her work in context applied to the body. Elnaz’s concept was really strong through out her work and the film also supported this. Being able to present my work through different media’s is something I hope to achieve.

Summer Project

The project set for over the summer was to create four boards outlining our INSPIRATION, CONCEPT, MEDIA and CONTEXT. I found the task both useful and challenging. 

From looking back at my work over 1st and 2nd year, I realised that pattern, repetition and structure have been constant sources of inspiration and I had taken a lot of photos over the summer of pattern in the environment so would like this these to drive my work over the next few weeks.

Concept I found a tricky one to illustrate, but maybe this will become clearer as my work progresses. It needs to be open enough to develop over the long unit but not too broad so that I get lost or overwhelmed.

Media/Process will be materials I have been using in second year such as rubber, polypropylene rope, pvc and experimenting with traditional embroidery techniques such as piping, tassel making and embellishment. 

I would like my context to be flexible, so my work can be applied as body adornment as well as surface design for interiors. 

Radical Geometry at RAA

This exhibition looked at the work of a movement of artists in South America between 1950s and 1980s. It was a nice mix of paintings and sculpture with Gego's series of 'Drawing Without Paper' really standing out to me. I made a few sketches as photography was not allowed, which I enjoyed as I spent time really studying the pieces and I can remember them better. Gego's work looked like 3 dimensional sketches made of different wires, some quite abstract and some more orderly and geometric.

Layout and colour at Smug

Hay Mini Market at Selfridges