Section One:Final Major Project
My title for my Final Major Project is ‘Nature under the Microscope’. I will be concentrating on the concept of surface design and repeat pattern. This is because in my last project in Textiles, I ended up developing my work in a direction of surface pattern. I had explored the different ways in exploring this concept using different media and found it interesting; therefore I will be investigating it in a more detailed approach.
I will be working towards creating an installation that will involve my own wallpaper, table cloth and place mat designs using repeat pattern. I have been inspired by nature, specifically insects such as bees and butterflies. As a result, I will be keen to explore the designs up close to reveal the patterns.
Section Two: Influences, Research, Sources and Ideas
In my final Textiles Project, ‘Adornment’ I was examining the concept of print and as a result of this experimentation I have decided to develop this further. It will extend my knowledge from my Pathway Stage work because I will be visually representing my samples on a real life subject, nature.
I have decided upon this theme because I have always been interested in nature throughout my life and found it a very broad subject. It has always been a theme in my work.
Some of my influences have been my auntie’s hometown because she lives in a cottage in the Fens in Ely. Since she moved there 8 years ago, my family and I have regularly visited her and have been on long nature walks. I feel it is a very personal subject to me.
So for my subject matter I will be focussing on nature, specifically insects and will be researching images and breaking them down to reveal shapes, patterns and colours.
Places I will plan to visit are the Zoology Museum in Cambridge and the Butterfly Park in Bedford. I will also use books like ‘The Life of Birds’ by David Attenborough. I will also borrow a microscope from my old school for this project.
Section Three: Techniques, Processes, and Timescale
As part of my research I will be creating samples using different printing techniques i.e. block print, and screen print. I will also create colour studies in a variety of mixed media and will be taking close up photographs of insects and blow them up for a more detailed, simple outcome to work with. I will use a range of materials from calico to materials like wrapping papers to create a series of collages. I will explore mark making and use things around the house and garden, such as red wine, tea, coffee and twigs to create samples.
Section Four: Method of Evaluation
Throughout my FMP I will continuously evaluate my sketchbook, experimentation and final outcomes to determine which process I will be using for my final piece. I will propose to assess my final outcome in my peer and tutor assessment.
Appendix
I plan to use a variety of different sources such as photographs I have taken, magazine and newspaper cuttings, natural objects, books on nature and websites relating to the natural world and dead insects, for example dead bees I have found. I also plan to use a microscope for magnifying found objects like leaves and dead bees’ wings.
For my timescale, I plan to break down my sections into four different areas such as research, observational drawings, sampling and sketchbook work. However I plan to evaluate my experiments as I go along, so for each section I have set aside three weeks, leaving four weeks to make my final pieces and any make sure my sketchbook is completed to the standard I want it.