Today’s The Day

Today, I have woken up refreshed and rearing to go for my summer project.

I think I have an idea in place – using one of my imaginary spaces which I have created through Google SketchUp about two years ago. Instead of using an existing space, I think using an imaginary one of mine would be a good place to start.

However, I am not quite sure how I am going to sketch this properly on actual paper – I have only done that on my computer and that is quite significantly different from what I am about to start doing.

Similarly, I still don’t quite know how I am going to present this as that area of the project wasn’t stated in the brief. Should I presume that they only want the sketches and model? And not a subsequent book of thoughts behind my approach? I think this is the part of the project which scares me the most.

“Make A Sketch” – A Summer Project

The summer has started, and I am well under way with the various extra shifts I have been able to gain from work. However, a friend was speaking to someone on Twitter the other day about their Summer Project for their Art Foundation Course (to start in September). Suddenly, I had an inkling that I may have a summer project as well.

Sure enough, I check out the MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University – my first choice) website and there it is, a Summer Project, “Make A Sketch”. Not only this, but term dates until next summer, an indroduction letter (which contains blogs, magazines and books which would be worth the subscription/buy etc) and the timing and location of my first session.

There is no question that this has scared me quite a bit, especially as this happens to be one of the only things I have yet had to do for myself and by myself so far in my life. I know I will have many more projects like this throughout my years at University, but this has now started to strain my mind slightly – especially as I haven’t thought as artistically as I need to for this in a while…

The Project:

• Produce at least four A2 sized drawings of an existing or imaginary interior or space – these should also explore the three-dimensional views of this space
• Produce a “3D Sketch” (at the scale of my choice – I don’t think I have ever done that!!!) using materials which illustrate the qualities of the space I have chosen

I am being completely honest when I say I am not entirely sure where to start with this.

I don’t want to think too deeply into the project otherwise I might not fully appreciate the whole reason behind it.

My thoughts for this at the moment are to think about an existing space/interior which I could easily access for photographs and evaluations.

Usually for a project, I would have a series of photographs and then experiment with ideas and the different spaces/interiors which I have as an option and put all of my thought-processes into one small sketchbook and work from there.

Would this be suitable for just a summer project? Should I be that thorough with it, or literally just produce the sketches?

The Research Continues …

Recently, I have realised that it would be important for my future to do some research in architect firms (and of course interior firms).

There is one particular website which has grabbed my attention;

University Update

Before the Easter Holidays, I made the most important decision in my life; university choices.

As you know, I have had offers from Manchester Metropolitan (280 points), Birmingham City (280 points) and De Montfort (260 points). In case you don’t know, an A* is 140, A: 120, B: 100, C: 80, D: 60.

In the worst case scenario, if I got an A* in Textiles, B in Art and a D in Spanish that would still give me a total of 300 points.

On this basis, I have chosen Machester Metropolitan as my Firm Choice (1st) and De Montfort as my Insurance choice (2nd). It looks like every interview I went to has paid off considerably (considering in two out of the three I would receive an offer the next day).

I am very happy with my choices, and I am very glad I have made them. I would be equally happy at either universities, however I think Manchester has the better course and is more suited for what I would like to study; Interior Design but more geared towards architecture.

Ozone at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

This is yet another amazing post I have found whilst scrolling through “The Blogs I Follow”. The designs are truly stunning!
This is the sort of work which inspires me to do everything I can in order to be where I want to be in life.

seattleinspired

118 floors above the city harbour…

…there’s this new nightspot, Ozone!

On top of the world’s tallest hotel, Masamichi Katayama designed this super cool bar, themed around an “Edenic Experiment” – a man-made environment of nature in an imaginary world.

Found here.

xx

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First Significant Piece

During the Easter break, so far (yes, I know… It’s coming to an end already … But I still have more to do!) I have produced one significant piece for my exam Unit in Textiles. As you know the title is “Combinations and Alliances”, and I have been looking at the links between traditional and modern architecture.

From my second set of photographs (which I shared some of them yesterday), I have now produced this:

I have used the material which I printed on before the holidays, and put some wadding/wodding behind it and stitched through the whole piece (both horizontally and vertically) – I have also added a three blocks of other materials onto the piece to show my appliqué skills.

The following photographs are close ups of the piece:

Preparing For My Large Pieces

With my second set of photographs, I have also started to work towards some significant pieces. To start with, I have produced some quick responses through paper (nothing big just emphasising the lines etc).

I have three large pieces planned and to be able to do them, I have experimented with printing (using lino and cutting into that).

Here is my set up:

Setting Up My Space

As you can see, I have my lino print, a perspex board for the paint to be rolled on, and another roller (which is clean) to roll the back of the lino onto the cloth.

Here is my prints after the first colour – light yellow (orange fabric) and coral (black fabric) :

First Print - Light Yellow and Coral

After this first print, I have then cut into the lino again (these new cut outs will show yellow or coral in the second print). You should notice a difference in my set up:

Second Set Up - Second Print (Red)

Here, you can see my lino print more clearly – you should be able to see more of a change from the last prints I made.

And now here are the finished prints!!!

My Finished Prints

Stick around for updates on my significant pieces from these prints…

Textiles Exam: Second Contact Sheet (Photographs)

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but as you can imagine I am becoming more and more busy with all of my exams coming up etc. But I thought it would be a good idea to share with you my second contact sheet of photographs for my Textiles exam.

For this set of photographs, I have looked at a more modern approach to architecture and at the interiors as they portray more space.

Here are a few for you to take a look at:

Stay tuned for more!

At Least I’m Doing Something Right …

Yesterday evening, I recieved an email from UCAS notifying me of a change in my application… I logged on etc, and there it is. Something I have been hoping for for about 3 months.

An offer from Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester School of Art).

It’s 280 UCAS tariff points (300 points is BBB, so this is basically BBC) and I really think this is achievable!

I cannot express how proud of myself I am at this moment in my life. I have never felt like there are people out there who admire my work as much as the women did on Wednesday. I feel proud.

I think Manchester is the place where I need to go to progress further.

My Interview …

So today I have been to Manchester and back, and I think the interview went pretty well!! So a very good day indeed.

There was only two of us being interviewed this afternoon – which shocked me! – but apparently they only have between 35 and 40 students per year as students in total… And considering the amount of people who apply (something stupid like 400) I am feeling rather proud and confident that I was given the opportunity to attend an interview there.

The women who interviewed us gave us a quick talk/presentation on the course as a whole; what sort of work they do each year, competitions and various study trips. Something that was made very clear was that the course was definitely driven more to the architectural side rather than interior furnishings (that would be the worst course for me …). And because of this, I knew I was in the right place.

Even sat in “The Gallery” (a little cafe which holds live music from time to time!) I knew that I was sitting in the right place…

I think everything is coming together slowly now… And all I really need to do is focus on my school work to make sure I get the best possible grades in August – and one’s which I deserve!!