Assignment
Design and produce a surface pattern. May incorporate digital methods for sketching and/or send away for a digital print on fabric.
Digital Print on Fabric
Spoonflower will print your design on fabric. Important to schedule delivery of your fabric before the due date and time to hem edges. Otherwise work receives a late grade.
Objective
Explore processes and techniques used to create an innovative surface design pattern. Research and reference historical and contemporary surface design patterns.
Inspiration
Search right column index for "Surface Design Pattern Inspiration". Or go to link below. If you are on your phone and do not see right column, scroll to bottom and click on "web version".
https://textilesatflaglercollege.blogspot.com/search/label/Surface%20Pattern%20Design%20Inspiration
For some students, incorporating the cyanotype process might inspire ideas. Students will have to purchase their cyanotype materials if they choose to incorporate this process. Go to link below to learn more.
https://textilesatflaglercollege.blogspot.com/search/label/Cyanotype
Student Work
Search right column index for "Surface Design Pattern Student Work" or go to link below. If you are on your phone and do not see right column, scroll to bottom and click on "web version". Or go to link below.
Due Date
- Announced in class and on the course calendar (File Section in Canvas).
- This assignment includes a presentation of ideas and progress check in dates. Points deducted from final assignment grade for missed presentation and/or missed progress check-in. Progress must be tangible.
Materials
- Graph paper (I can provide if you don't have), pencil/pens/markers.
- A smooth surface fabric.
- 22" x 32".
- Final solution will be 20" x 30" as you will hem the edges for a clean finish.
- Avoid a textured surface on the fabric as the raised texture will prohibit a smooth application of paint.
- Acrylic paint (or fabric paint).
- You may incorporate stitching beads or other elements to the surface. These materials are your choice and should be used to enhance the design.
- Fabric glue is an option for those materials that are suitable for glue. Make sure surface fabric can support weight of what you put on surface and no glue showing.
- If you are choosing the digital option, you do not need fabric as you will have to email your design to company that will print on the fabric for you. You have the option to stitch/paint on the printed fabric - combining "by hand" and "digital print". Go to the end of this post to see the link for Spoonflower, a company that prints on fabric.
Guidelines
- Pattern is defined as elements (shape, color, line, texture) that repeats in a predictable manner. Use at least four elements in your design.
- The final solution to measure 20" x 30".
- This is the size after edges have been hemmed. This means the edges of the fabric must be finished, clean edges. You can hem by hand stitching, sewing machine or fuse tape. I have a "how to video for fuse tape" here on the class blog. The other two options will be demonstrated in class.
- https://textilesatflaglercollege.blogspot.com/2024/01/how-to-use-fuse-tape.html
- Strive for patterns that are innovative and demonstrate time and effort.
- While clean lines/marks are necessary to visually communicate the pattern, realize some of the materials you select may not produce perfect results and this is okay as long as work appears visually coherent.
A Few Ideas
- Stitch pieces of the fabric on the surface.
- Stitch or glue objects to the surface. No restrictions on objects but if using glue make sure objects will appear professional - no glue showing.
- You can make your own objects from clay, hot glue and/or sew miniature soft sculptures to then be sewn on surface fabric.
- Stamping. The stamp cannot be a pre-fabricated design. You must make your own stamp. Link below to shows examples.
Tips For Designing A Pattern
- Consider how the colors you choose will work with the surface color. Consider color schemes such as monochromatic color, complementary color, triadic.
- Consider how texture can be part of the pattern.
- Consider the size of the shapes/marks you are making. How can various sizes create a pattern?
- Consider multiple patterns on one surface. For example, a border pattern with a different pattern in the interior space.
- Pattern can be created with various approaches.
- You may strive for a pattern with clean, crisp lines - visually communicating a graphic quality of vivid marks and details.
- Or you may explore a pattern made with loose, gestural marks as long as work is visually coherent.
Steps to take:
Step 1
- Research
- Collect three (3) pieces of research for inspiration.
- Research includes images that contain patterns or inspires patterns.
- You can also reference any information that appears on this class blog.
- **Important - Must include a source link for all research. Always give credit to the source when posting on your blog.
- Make sure to search student work (link above) so you can see how others used research to develop their idea.
- I collected several online databases for research. I suggest you begin your research with an online database. Link here to see the many posts with links to textile databases and blogs.
- https://textilesatflaglercollege.blogspot.com/search/label/Research
Step 2
- Sketch out two different ideas on graph paper with pencil. These sketches can be rough. Do not spend a large amount of time filling in the color - need to use this time for painting on the fabric.
- Digital designs (sketches) are an option.
- Remember, your pattern must have at least four different elements that alternate in a predictable manner. Elements for this assignment are shapes, line, color, simulated and/or actual texture.
Step 3
- Post research and sketches on your blog and present to the class on assigned day. This date announced in class and posted on the course calendar (File Section in Canvas). No make-up days for presenting. Points deducted from project grade for missing presentation.
Step 4
- Optional. Sketch out your design on paper that measures 22" x 32", allowing 2 inches on each side for a hem. Final solution will measure 20" x 30". I suggest using paper from the large rolls of craft paper in the studio.
Step 5
- Begin work on final design.
- Reminder, you will fold over an inch on each side to hem.
- This applies to by hand and digital.
- Super Important. If you plan to send away your design for a digital print on fabric, you need to factor in the time to receive the printed fabric and hem. Refer to course calendar (File Section in Canvas) for due date so you can plan accordingly.
- Digital prints on fabric need to be hemmed. Factor in this time.
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