Final Project: Post 4

Almost there!

Since production truly began in the past week I have found myself hitting a few road bumps. After speaking with one of my professors about the liquid light process, she suggested I use iron on transfers instead due to photo emulsion processes cracking when put on material. I also decided to change my figure from a photograph to a drawing of a figure.

I decided to use ink and quill pen. I like the organic aesthetic to it and not having such an obvious form allows for the figure to appear more as an aura. Also, since it is a generalized female figure, it is much more relatable for the general viewer (or user) of the product. After experimenting with drawing this figure, I was able to visualize the possibility of continuing with the idea of a "yoga cloth" by drawing the figure in different yoga poses creating all shapes and sizes for more product options.

Here is the figure drawn and then slightly edited through photoshop:

 

I broke up the figure into printable sections, printed them on transfer paper, all ready to put together

I put everything together and now it's time to iron! I placed pieces of yarn on the figure to represent where the chakras will be placed. 

Now all that's left is ironing and adding the chakras and final details! 

I am really excited for the finished product!!! Here we go!

- Stay Positive My Friends -

Final Project: Post 3

Well things are definitely coming together! I officially have all of my materials, my image, my plan for making the negatives (that showed to be much more difficult than I had planned), and sketched out my chakra designs.

Here are my materials:

 I totally forgot to buy the blue yarn. I'm such a dummy... Oh well, another trip to Joanns.

I had to make sure that I got a natural fabric for the liquid light process so I chose a very simple cotton. I  decided to buy three yard so I had a bit of wiggle room just in case. After I print the image I will be using the yarn to create the design for each Chakra in the appropriate placement. Once these are completed I decided to color them in with fabric dye using that applicator bottle pictured in the bottom left corner. I am getting SO excited to start this part of the process!

Here are my sketches for my Chakra designs. I will be creating more detailed and exact sketches to create a pattern for myself so I don't go in blind.

 Here is the image I have decided to use for the print:

I want to make the figure life size, so about 6 feet from the toes to the finger tips. This means the fabric will have to stretch beyond it slightly both ways to create a visually pleasing composition. Since creating one digital negative this large has been extremely difficult to figure out, I decided I will be breaking my figure up into a multitude of 8x10 digital negatives which I will cut up, arrange, and tape down during my exposure process. I plan to create an example in photoshop to give an idea of this look.

Well, I still have a lot to do, so I better get back to it. *Don't forget the blue yarn, don't forget the blue yarn, don't forget the blue yarn.* More next week! Good night all!

- Stay Positive My Friends -

Final Project: Post 2

So, I tend to find myself often over ambitious and pushing myself to the limits. I realized in the short amount of time we have left this semester, I have taken on two extra projects in two of my classes in the video genre in which I have never had any experience. In coming to grips with my stress level for the next four weeks, I have decided to eliminate both of these video projects from my game plan and make the summer projects so I can really spend time and work on them. On that note, I have changed my focus for the final project in this class solely to my Yoga Cloth, or whatever you want to call it!

This week I did a lot of research and planning on what exactly I wanted to do and how I'm going to work out all of the details. I am contemplating which pose I would like myself or the figure to be in. These are the three (two very similar) that are still in the running. I am also deciding how detailed I want the image to be or if I just want a silhouette. Either way it needs to be high contrast in order for the printing method to work.

 Here are some examples of rough ideas for the figure:

(All of these images were taken off the internet then manipulated)

While brainstorming I also decided I would like to incorporate the chakras. For those of you who are unfamiliar:

Anyways... I want to incorporate them by using yarn to embroider them into the material in the correct placements on the figure. I will be creating my own unique symbols inspired by different ones I have found on the internet to represent each chakra. Here is some information I found:

So after this decision I began getting worried about color scheme. The plant based dyes I was wanting to use are only bright colors and each option I had would end up clashing with one of the chakra colors, and the colors of the chakras are very important to their symbolism. This made me come to the conclusion of using liquid light instead of plant based dyes. Using this method also gives me the ability to paint the light sensitive liquid onto the material giving me more control over the appearance. I am thinking about giving it obvious brush strokes and letting it appear very organic.

I still have a few details to work out, but I feel solid enough to begin shooting and editing the image as well as gathering my materials. Once I have my materials I can make a set color scheme and develop final drafts of the project layout. I am feeling much more excited and enthusiastic about this project idea now!

Also, Here is an updated, more finalized calendar:

- Stay Positive My Friends! -

Final Project: Post 1 - Preliminary Sketches & Project Proposal

So excited to begin a new project. The hardest part of an open choice project though is deciding what to do. Currently I am between two ideas. My first idea I feel more excited for and even though it may be involved, I would really like to try it. The second idea is something that I would like to do mostly because it uses an alternative photographic printing process and it would be more hands on in the creation. I think I may begin working on both and see which one seems to fall into place. Let's let fate decide!

These are some preliminary sketches and planning I did in my sketchbook. Since it is still in the rough stages, these are a little rough, but as these projects come to fruition it will become much more refined, obviously.

Project Idea #1: A music video for a cover of the song "Darden Road" by Beta Radio. I have never really done video work, so this project would most definitely be a learning experience.

Project Idea #2: A multiple use piece of fabric with an inspirational print made with organic dyes and a hole to allow light to come through.

Enjoy and as always...

- Stay Positive My Friends -

Pipeline Project: Post 5

Oh my goodness! The past week has been extremely stressful. We have gotten to the point in this project where everyone is really exposing themselves for how much they truly care about the final product.

Lately I have been reviewing everyone's progress through this entire project and how much work they have contributed. I then discussed this with Richard in order to get his point of view on it as well. At this point in the process my newest task is deciding how well everyone did individually, and luckily I feel like the right person for this job. I am unbiased and do not expect people to do the impossible, but I do expect them to pull their weight and keep communication lines open. Some people were able to work with this expectations without any trouble, others seemed as if they would rather be anywhere then helping with the project.

Other than that, this job has proven to be a HUGE learning experience. It was SO much more involved than I realize it would be. I did my absolutely best in sending out multiple obsessively detailed e-mails each week, talking to people personally about what they needed to be doing, keeping all of the details organized to the best of my ability, along with all of the other odd jobs and overseeing everything. I found a lot of my time was also spent problem solving and making things happen for people. If someone was having an issue and let me know, I would make sure it got solved. I stressed every time I talked to everyone or sent out an e-mail that is anyone had absolutely anything they had questions about or anything to please contact me.

At this point, I am trusting other members from the team to carry us into tomorrow's viewing of the final product. I have done all that I can do and I honestly do believe that we will have a video tomorrow that we are proud of as well as a documentary of the process that we are also proud of! Like I said, this whole process was a HUGE learning experience, and I can definitely say I am still not a fan of group projects, especially in this case where the majority of people had to step outside their comfort zones and learn about new things in a short amount of time in order to contribute. This proved to be a very difficult task, but I am really proud of everyone who stepped up to the plate and tried there best. Wish us luck for tomorrow!

- Stay Positive My Friends -