Live Brief: Tigerprint: Mark Making

This month I decided to take part in the most recent Tigerprint competition which is based on Mark Making. I wanted to take the opportunity to use the natural theme that I have been working with within the brief of mark making. I therefore looked at textures and patterns found within nature, as well as using natural objects to make pattern. The idea of printing with natural objects and making my own tools to paint with was an idea that I left behind in the Practice unit, but now that it's relevant, I decided to pick it back up again.

I started off by collecting plants and natural objects that I could use to paint, or make tools with. I also observed natural patterns and textures to replicate with the tools, as shown below.

I enjoyed the challenge of completing a shorter project that allowed me to work with more abstract patterns, whilst picking up work I had left behind. After sampling with the mark making that I had completed, I selected a final collection of eight designs shown below. I decided to use two different colour ways, to show how I can use colour, whilst trying to cater to the brief, as I don't know what colours they are looking for.

I have submitted the designs with orange circles next to them, because they fit the brief, whilst all being different and suiting their context. The pastel stripes design (top left) was shortlisted, which I am pleased with because it shows that I was working well towards the breif. I also completed a photoshoot to show how I visualise these designs in the context of gift wrap.

Creating Promotional Material . Preparing for Degree show .

Due to the fact that I am showing my work at the degree show and New Designers, I want to make sure that I have business cards and post cards to promote my work. After collecting many business cards from the degree show and the Northern Contemporary Craft Fair last year, I looked back at some of my favourite designs to get some inspiration.

I felt that the most effective business cards had a simple side with writing on (including website, and contact details), and a design on the opposite side. The most effective post cards contained a brief summary of the artist and their work on one side (and contact details), with a variety of designs on the opposite side. The post card allowed for a more complex design due to the size.

Below is the design for the postcard. I might change the designs I have chosen when my collections are finished, but I feel that the postcard will provide the reader with a sufficient amount of information about myself and my work.

Post Card Design

The smaller business cards contain less information but I feel that they are perfect for their purpose. I will print the same information on all of them, but include a variety of designs on the back so that people can chose their favourite design.

Business card designs

Along side this I have started to consider my display for both the degree show and New Designers. This has been harder than I expected because I want to display both my surface pattern and wallpaper collections. However because they are different styles with diffrent colour pallettes, I run the risk of making my space look cluttered and crowded. Showing both collections in some way is important to me, as I want to show the breadth of my practice, especially at New Designers, as various companies will be present.

I have therefore decided to use the idea above: hanging two bold wallpapers and having a small simple shelving unit to display a few stationery products. Placing the black and white design behind the stationery products should ensure that the colours don't clash, and bringing the product stand forward from the wall should separate the two a bit more. I will check whether I can use this method of display at New Designers, otherwise I will consider how I can adapt this idea.

Along side this I have also considered how I will produce my wallpaper and stationery products. I have therefore been researching different companies and collecting samples from them to check the quality and pricing. I have decided which companies I am using so I now need to liaise with them to ensure they can produce my products to the correct standard.

Developing the Moments collection

After completing a large proportion of my Botanical collection, I have started working on my surface pattern collection.

As my surface pattern work is based on moments in time, I wanted to make a print based on the pond in my garden, as I have always been fascinated by the amount of plant and animal life that inhabit it.

Some of the nature that I drew from consisted of plants, frogspawn, duck weed, lily pads, frogs, dragonflies and iris petals. The designs above represent the pond in the way I envisaged, however the colour isn't perfect, and I feel that the designs below have more potential, due to the good use of colour and composition. The Iris design would add a variety to the collection so far, and the dragonfly design captures the pond perfectly, corresponding to my initial learning agreement.

After visiting the Lake district over the easter break I wanted to use this as inspiration for my Moments collection as well. Whilst I was there I took photos and sketched things that interested me.

After drawing motifs to design with, I started to assemble designs. I think that the design on the left is visually appealing, however the vertical stripe is too strong, and it's too simple. The design on the right also didn't fit the brief as it doesn't convey the Lake District, however I feel that this is because of the colour use.

 The design below was based on Grisedale forrest and I am happy with the result, as it portrays the layering of trees on the hills, with a good use of colour and line.

I also really like the design below based on a visit to Grassmere because of the composition and the fact that it represents my visit. It also suits the products I am designing for well.

The context for the Moments collection is the high end of the highstreet. I can see my products being sold in companies like Paperchase and Selfridges. More specifically, the context for my work is similar to that of Anna Emilia and Khristian Howell. They both create and design contemporary, quirky stationery that sells on their own sites and through companies on the High street, such as Waterstones and John Lewis. The price range for these products is therefore between £5-£20, and is of a very high standard and quality. I therefore feel that my work fits this market because of the style of design, colour use and quality of final product. Creating visuals and doing a photoshoot will allow me to portray this to others as well.

Anna Emilia . Khristian Howell