Our first project that we have been given this Semester is part of the Royal Society of Arts Student Design Awards, which they compile every year open to students and allows people to submit their responses to each brief in aid of a fairly generous prize to the most successful entry.
The brief I’ve chosen to focus on this year is In the Round:
“Keep teenagers interested in 3D
Design an object, tool, kit of parts, game or set of instructions to sustain teenagers’interest in the system of three-dimensional products in which they live and give them a sense of agency and control over it.”
My idea is to create some sort of wearable textile knitted design that will be easily (but interestingly) assembled through means of stitch, buttons, ribbons and a number of other ways – it’s up to you!
Each item will be entirely customizable including detachable collars, necklines, cuffs, sleeves, pockets, etc.
I began my thought process by brainstorming initially what came to mind when thinking about teenagers and 3-D real life activities.
Crafting and Sewing encourages young adults to get involved – be creative and also have a sense of strong self accomplishment at the end of it.
Next on my agenda was to initiate a colour scheme – something fashionable, young, something that was in style but would also be highly versatile.
I researched the fashion forecasting books and textile magazines in our library to find lots of neutral and basic colour patterns – lots of beige, creams and toffee browns.
I then looked at the local fashion among teenage girls and it was an increasingly noticable trend for young girls (13-18) to be seen wearing vintage or vintage styled clothing.
By creating this product using a colour scheme that will resemble vintage clothing but also be easily customizable allowing the buying/user to have control of not only the general design of the product but also encourages expressive design and creativity.
By using the imagery from sewing patterns and old maps I have begun drawing inspiration (literally) from these items and hopefully will lead me to an award winning knitwear design!!
