Easter bonnets!!

As well as being a full time BA student, I am also a mum to a 3 year old little girl.

 My daughter attends nursery most days and as she is now in the pre school class, the annual easter bonnet competition was announced for the start of the easter holidays.

Well obviously being a design student - I thought I have to do myself justice, out came the glitter , glue gun and a few fairy lights and we both set to work.

 I bet you have never seen a easter bonnet that lights up before! haha! Although we didn't win :( , both the staff and children in my daughter class were thrilled with our bonnet.

My daughter modelling her easter bonnet

Easter bonnet

One very thrilled little girl!

Exhibit - The concept models! - Exhibition design

I produced a variety of small paper mock ups based upon the concept designs for the exhibition stand. 

Using layout paper, I based the scale of the mock ups on 1:30 as this allowed me to figure out the spacing and how I could use it to the best of my ability.

These are just a small collection of photos taken of the concept models. 

Exhibit!! - Concept for the exhibition stand

As part of one of the modules for this year, an exhibition stand is to be designed alongside the honours project.

The brief is to design an exhibition stand which will give be exhibited at London Fashion Week (LFW) 2015. The exhibition stand will give the public in sight to the proposal which is my honours project.

I began by researching into different structures and types of exhibition stand, and also the types of stands that have been used previously at LFW. I have created a pinterest board that has a wide variety of inspiration images and also information to help guide this project forward.

Initial sketches of my designs have been very loose and not very focused , however once I had spoken to my tutor regarding the brief and  also reflected upon my visit to the Manchester Institute, I began to produce more focused ideas & concepts.

I have been inspired by the shape of a test tube - this is vital instrument within cancer research and I have developed a series of ideas for the exhibition stand based on this shape.

The images below show a variety of concept sketches and the development of the sketches using google sketch up and hand sketching.

Concept sketch1  for exhibition stand

Inspiration images board

Concept sketch 2 for exhibition stand

Concept sketch 3  for exhibition stand

Concept sketch for exhibition stand

Concept sketches & mini mock ups - Using layout paper to also figure out measurements & spacing

Development of concept sketch 1 in google sketchup and tracing paper

Development of concept sketch 1 in google sketchup and tracing paper

Development of concept sketch 1 in google sketchup and acetate

Development of concept sketch 2 in google sketchup and acetate

Development of concept sketch 3 in google sketchup and tracing paper

Development of concept sketch 2 in google sketchup and tracing paper

Mood & theme board to keep on target

I am now starting to develop further concept sketch 2 as I feel this is best suited to the theme and also connects with the final design for the store.

Presenting the final Window display!!!

So today was the day!! I finally installed my window display and I am thrilled with the final result. Here is a selection of images taken today - however I now have the huge task of editing them!

The backdrop for the display is made up of microscopic cancer cells, ranging from oesophageal through to breast. The colour combinations are that used the display are taken from the staining process that scientist use in order to identify the difference between a normal and a cancer cell.

Let the printer ….see the ink!!

Finally the props for my window display are being made, with thanks to my trusty dell printer and a box or two of laser print acetate!

Final design of images - I was playing around with ways of how to attach the shapes together here.

Ribbon will also be used to tie certain parts together as ribbon is the sign for cancer awareness

Square and square and squares of acetete!!  

My trusty old dell printer!!

All i can say is this is going to be a long night!!

Meeting Claire Basik.....

'Putting on a brave face' by Claire Basik.

Today I met with photographer Claire Basik, to discuss a future collaboration with each other.

Claire , like myself has the personal experience of loosing a parent to cancer. She also based her own honours project on her experience and feelings and this was entitled 'Manipulated cells' - diary of a cancer suffers daughter.

Claire gained publications in several magazines and this is a link to her blog, which Claire wrote during her mother's battle and I can understand and relate to her feelings and thoughts during this time.

http://manipulatedcells.wordpress.com/2013/07/

'Looking at the bigger picture' - by Claire Basik.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/basiukphotography/6185404195/in/photostream/ - This is the link for Claire's photo stream on flicker.

 Each image i see of hers, reflects the exact same feelings that I too have and do feel.

'Drowning under work load' by Claire Basik

At the moment this picture truly sums up how I feel, with managing a young family, the final honours project and deadlines looming alongside dealing with the grief and adjustment of life after dads passing.

So back to today, since leaving university Claire is now a freelance photographer and through posting an advert on twitter, she answered my call for help! 

In particular, I am drawn to Claire's images from a shoot she took to promote Charlotte Hudders, who is a silk designer and has recently launched a series of scarfs.

Image from photoshoot for Charlotte Hudders - Claire Basik photography

To me the images that she produce a feeling that they are from an 'Anthropology' catalogue.

Image from photoshoot for Charlotte Hudders - silk accessories - Claire Basik Photography

After a few cups of tea , Claire and I have developed a time plan and are going to be working together in the next week to produce the images for my photo shoot. I myself are very excitied as Claire had some fantastic ideas for my projects and she also gave me some further ideas for this project. 

Thank you Claire for your company today! Cake next time :)

Claire has very kindly allowed me to use her images within my blog so a very big THANK YOU !!!

Window display development!

After evaluating the designs that I have produced so far for the window display I have began to develop a number of ideas further. I am starting to get very excited to now and I cant wait to install the window next week.

Below are a series of images from the development stage.

The theme of my project - cancer cells

Within my theme board, I have chosen this quote from Laura Linney, as I felt that is very fitting for my project. Until a person or relative has been affected by cancer, you never realise how it affects a person and their reflection on life. 

"People's view of cancer will change when they have their own relationship with cancer, which everyone will, at some point."

Laura Linney

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/lauralinne452973.html#4t0RIVXDJblcic3o.99

From my own personal opinion from experiencing my dads battle, I feel I have adopted more of a carefree attitude towards life . Live for today and as my dad would say 'Ave it!' :)

Mood board - Mood that I want to portray within the project.

Lifestyle of my target audience

Window display development

Window display development

Window display development

Window display development - close up

Window display development

Window display development.

Now you will have to wait and see for the end result!