Samples!

Printing with acid and procion dyes

Foil sample

Close up of foil sample

Pigment printing with puff binder text and barcode, I masked out some text to add foil later.

Dyed fabric sample, pigment print with puff binder

Another foil sample

Dying

Dyed fabric with pigment prints

Bay full of tests!

The Design Process

What do we need to consider as designers?

• Clients needs/ customers needs/ ask questions to save time wasting
• Time scale/ Time management
• Deadlines
• Meetings
• Costs/Budget/Constraints/Materials/Techniques/Quality
• Specific Materials
• Why they chose you? 
• Facilities/ specific techniques/ expenses
• Freelance?
• Payment for whole job or daily rate?
• Ethics?
• Style of work/Their branding/aesthetics
• Research the company to see if they have specific styles 
• Make sure the style fits the brief

This weeks group task was to write down our ideas on things we need to consider as designers.

Target Customers

• Age?
• Gender?
• What is important to the person?
• Hobbies?
• Jobs?
• where does customer shop for clothes and interior products?
• Political views?
• Influences on shopping?

The second task was to look at two different customers as a group and make assumptions answering the Questions above. 

Writing a CV

Here are some useful websites i've found with tips on how to write a good CV.

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/creativeCVs.htm

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/how_to_write_a_cv.htm

Here is a copy my most recent draft of my CV.

Details

Name - 

Address - 

Phone number - 

Mobile number - 

Email - 

Education and Qualifications

2009 - 2011 - Cleveland College of Art & Design

A Level Textiles - A

BTEC National diploma Design Crafts - DDD (Distinctions)

2004 - 2009 - High Tunstall College of Science

7 GCSE's Grade C or above 

-including English Lang & Lit , Maths, Art and ICT

Training

March 2013 - April 2013

City and guilds Level 1 - Employability & Personal Development for Hospitality

City and Guilds Level 2 - Food Safety  Hygiene in Catering

Work Experience

June 2008 - Primark

June 2008 - ASDA

I have had experience working in a customer facing environment. During this time I worked on the different departments which gave me an insight of the skills needed for each different department. I also gained experience of how to deliver good customer service.

Employment

January 2012 - Present - Wedded Bliss Events

- Venue Decorator  

- Handmade Wedding Favour Supplier

- Handmade Wedding Gift Supplier

June 2013 - September 2013 - AVenue Tearoom

- Summer job - Waitress

Personal Statement

I am a highly motivated individual who has recently completed a national diploma course studying Design Crafts and Textiles at Cleveland college of Art & Design. I learnt a lot of creative skills which I hope to put to use in the near future. I have also recently took part in an employability and hospitality course which has helped widen my knowledge on how to deliver good customer service and health and safety in the work place. From this I also gained a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate.

I am enthusiastic and have good communication and team working skills. I am a quick learner and I pick things up really easily. I am an organised hard worker and am capable of working under pressure and very rarely leave things to the last minute, I like to know that I am in control as much I can be of a situation and that it gets completed to the best of my ability. 

Although I have a creative background I am adaptable and always learn something new from every experience that I go through.

References Available upon request 

Pigment Printing

Luminous pink pigment

Luminous pink pigment

Puff binder & Minerfoam

Puff binder

Opaque

Creative Job Opportunity's

Job Opportunity: Freelance Surface Pattern Designers - Home & Fashion

Category: Creative Industry Jobs

Art Cottage are currently seeking exceptional design talent.

Freelance opportunities currently exist for Surface Pattern Designers across a broad range of product categories, but Art Cottage are particularly keen to hear from Textile Designers with a Fashion or Furnishings background.

If you consider yourself to be exceptional and feel you have something unique yet commercial to offer, then they want to hear from you.

Send your CV along with current examples from your portfolio tocarl@artcottage.co.uk or post to: Carl Hudson, Artcottage Limited, 63B King Street, Leicester LE1 6RP.

http://www.designfactory.org.uk/newsitem.php?filter=Creative%20Industry%20Jobs&id=3938

FREELANCE DESIGNER - Childrens Homeware

Competive Freelance rate
London, Retailer

This established UK retailer is looking for freelance designers to the strengthen the team across childrens homeware. You will have an established background in kids homeware. You will have good experience of working closely with buying and merchandising teams and be a confident communicator.

Your portfolio should indicate your ability to build ranges with key current and directional trends present. Must be proficient on illustrator and Photoshop and able to show different illustration styles by hand also.

This is a rolling contract initially starting at 5 days per week. With experience of working with a supplier or retailer, or brand, homewares design experience is essential along with the flexibility to work as a freelance designer. passionate, creative and dynamic team players.

If you have the relevant experience for this role, please click the apply button to send your CV (word doc) to Sally Dawson, remembering to state your current salary and package.

http://www.drapersjobs.com/job/2658845/freelance-designer-childrens-homeware/

Assistant Designer - Bedding

Assistant Designer - Bedding
Our client is a national retailer across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and home. They have an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Textiles Designer to join their team in the Midlands.

Assistant Designer - Bedding - The role
*You will work on the design and development of the adult bedding range
*Fast paced and challenging role
*Work on seasonal trends
Assistant Designer - Bedding - The Candidate:
*Experience of working on current seasonal trends would be preferred
*Candidates must possess excellent IT skill with previous experience of working on Excel, Illustrator and Photo shop
*Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
*Be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
*Have the ability to work as part of a team as well as on your own.

Assistant Designer -Bedding - The Package:
Dependent on experience

Please send examples of artwork with your application to jacqui@fashionpersonnel.co.uk

http://www.drapersjobs.com/job/2659742/assistant-designer-bedding/

Recruiter

Fashion And Retail Personnel

Posted

18 November 2013

Closes

16 December 2013

Ref

JQW31865

Contact

Jacqui Wall

Location

East Midlands

Category

Design, Print & Textile Designer

Sector

Homewares & Furnishings

Job Type

Permanent

Salary

Dependent on experience

Freelance Designer/Maker

Freelance Designer/Makers:

They are employed in a niche area of the crafts industry. They may specialise in techniques such as mixed media design, embroidery, hand weaving or hand-knitting.

They will have expertise in their chosen area and will have a high level of creativity. They will work for themselves, selling their work to galleries, shops, private customers and sometimes large manufacturing houses.

They will spend much of their time collecting inspiration, sourcing materials and researching new techniques. Designer/makers may also be involved in running craft workshops and attending craft fairs and exhibitions.

They will usually work irregular hours, depending on the number of commissions they have. Longer hours may be needed when working towards deadlines or when preparing a collection.

They would usually be based in a studio environment, this could be in the form of a rented space or based within their homes. The area should be warm and well lit. Those working with specialist machinery or equipment will need to make sure there is provision for these. 

Qualifications/Experience needed:

Most people who become a freelance designer/makers will usually have a degree or equivalent qualification in their chosen area of expertise. It is very important for them to continuously update their skills and keep ahead of newly emerging trends and techniques.

It may also be useful for someone considering a career as a freelance designer/maker to have some of the following skills and interests. An interest in their chosen field, crafts and trends. Expert knowledge of their area and specialist making skills. The ability to market and sell their work. Excellent business and communication skills and self-motivation.

Other things that may be useful: networking, gaining new contacts, gaining new techniques, being aware of standards, branding, attending trade shows and craft fayres to get yourself and your work known and approaching shops/galleries.

http://creativeskillset.org/fashion_and_textiles/careers/design

Employment/Self Employment

Employed

• You're employed by a company
• Receive salary, sick pay, pension, annual holidays etc.
• work in a design studio often part of a team
• PROS - Stability, sick pay, not lonely, collaborate, ideas bounce, time saving, promotion?
• CONS - Lack of creative independence, team could be awful, frustrating if team isn't hardworking, could get fired, office politics, permission for time off

Self Employed

• Work independently
• Freelance for a company
• Freelance with an agent
• You'd pay own tax, national insurance etc.
• No salary, paid when you sell work
• PROS - Flexible hours, recognition, freedom, possibility for varied projects, unlimited earnings
• CONS - Can be lonely, no salary, must be motivated, need transferable skills, personal skills, no employment benefits (no maternity leave etc.), start up costs (studios etc.)

Heat Transfer Printing

Colour Chart

Rainbow trout heat transfer print created using the following transfer paints, magenta, turquoise, violet, amethyst, emerald, bottle green, lime and green. I think this has worked well but it could have been improved by adding some finer detail using a smaller brush.

I decided to create another transfer print sample using a photocopy of my tin can label. I did this in layers. First I transferred the text and line detail then over the top of that print i painted some block colours onto paper and printed that over the top.

 Next I tried out a collage print. I painted some areas on paper and splashed on some transfer paint and added some lace, buttons and twine.

These prints didn't come out very well at all! I think i left too many areas white and should have added a lot more colour so the lace print would show up clearer.

Kodatrace

New Module! 

Textile Techniques for Making!

First we were introduced to producing kodatraces and the screen production process. 

Possible Careers

Possible Careers

• Fashion Fabric designer
• Designer for interiors - Product based, cushions, blinds
• Studio/In house designer - Product prototypes
• Surface designer for gift - gift products
• Self employed/freelance designer
• Community Artist
• Art therapist
• Designer Maker
• Stylist 
• Buyer/Merchandiser
• Curator/Gallery Owner
• Illustrator
• Arts event organiser
• Teacher - any ages
• Non related careers - Graduate trainee schemes
• Design agent

Gillian Kyle

http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/tunnocks-caramel-wafer-wrapper-cushion

I was browsing the cushion section on http://www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk and this quirky Tunnocks caramel wafer screen printed cushion designed by Gillian Kyle caught my eye! Loved it so I went over to check out their website.http://gilliankyle.com
Gillian Kyle create unusual, quirky unique Scottish Gifts, accessories and home ware that celebrate Scottishness and Britishness, with a dash of humour. The prints start as hand drawn pen and ink illustrations

TUNNOCK'S CARAMEL WAFER

Other screen printed products in this range include tote bags, tea towels, aprons and lampshades!
I like the simple sketchy drawn line effect and use of repeat pattern on these products.
 

http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/tunnocks-caramel-wafer-flat-tote-bag
http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/caramel-wafer-foil-greetings-card
http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/tunnocks-caramel-wafer-organic-tea-towel


 If you're not a fan of caramel wafers, they also have some other great collections.
A couple that I really like include:

SEASIDE CAFE

 
http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/delicious-ices-a6-notepad
http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/refreshing-drinks-mug
http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/delicious-ices-canvas-tote-bag

FISH AND CHIPS

  

http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/fish-and-chips-oven-mitt

http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/big-fish-tea-towel

http://gilliankyle.com/view-product/fish-and-chips-apron

Unique Gifts for any occasion!

Drawing for Making

My finished collection of 3D drawings and some of my sketchbook pages!

 

a wooden tree

After finding (and loving) the quirky reindeer wall hangings in Mollie Makes I went to the designers website to check out more of her work. 

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/

"Designer and vintage enthusiast Kirsty Anderson's label a wooden tree creates accessories and little pieces of artwork with a fantastical, yet old-time feel. Reclaimed fabrics from your granny's linen closet and vintage objects are given a new lease of life. Taking inspiration from nature and the forest for her designs, Kirsty's products range from hand-embroidered bird brooches, screen-printed linen tea towels, soft mountains made from woolly jumpers, Miss Foxettes and Floral Stags to adorn your walls."

I love the patterned vintage fabrics Kirsty uses to make her stuffed wall hangings. She has then used the vintage fabric as inspiration to produce hand drawn designs to create printed tea towels and digital prints which look great framed.

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/product/mr-roe-foxglove

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/product/mr-stag-tea-towel

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/product/mr-stag-a4-print

 

I think these cute little brooches would be great for stocking fillers. The foxes and walrus's are made from felt with hand embroidered detail. The anchor is made from strawberry printed fabric. 

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/product/new-walrus-brooch

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/product/owlface-brooch

http://www.woodentree.bigcartel.com/product/little-birdie-brooch

xxx