Reflective Writing on T-shirt printing Activity
The t-shirt printing activity at the Parsons building brought an opportunity of using printing materials to students to interact with a new idea on making and designing objects. It was very exciting to experiencing diverse wood stamps, and played colors with different paints as well as constructing the image on the t-shirt. As this was my first time to do printmaking, I found that the materials provided curiosity and inspiration to me. According to this experience, I noticed that materials play an essential role in designing and making. Knowing the function of the material, and the usage, texture, quality, and what result it would bring, and how the materials interact each other.
More importantly, as the paints were all eco－friendly, I felt very secured to use the materials. Nowadays, many industries and designers do not care about quality or using natural fibers or natural dying pigments, which could be toxic and influence human health. Therefore, I am so glad that the print pigment is sustainable. In my future use of materials I would like to consider the quality and sustainability in order to create resilient works.
How do my existing skills support my expression as a designer? What skills do I need to improve or acquire to enhance this expression?
In the book Fashion In-between, Aaakko (2016,p.90) notes that fashion designers are supposed to have diverse skills not just drawing and sketching, but also making, such as patterning and draping.[1] Accordingly, I know how important technical skills are in the designing world. As I can do draping, I feel the skill is very useful when I was stuck at sketching. Specifically for beginners, sometimes it is very hard to imagine the result of the fabric can make. Each fabric has their own “personality” and texture, if I did not play different aspects on it, I could be really lost in designing. Yet, when I interact with the actual fabric, I can see the potential of it, such as create organic curves and invisible seams.
Similarly, my dying skill supports my expression in design. Pigments and water always bring surprises to me. Organic materials like onionskin, beets and cabbage give fabrics refreshment, and make them alive. Aaakko(2016, p.92) indicated that designers show their personality through their designs.[2] In order to purpose the feel of healing through my design, natural dying provides the opportunity on the quality and texture, which improve more volume in designs. However, I still need to practice on controlling the color when I do natural dye, and to be familiar with the proportion of each element in the dying process. I notice that I am a more handy person in designing instead of drawing and sketching. Yet, I think it would be better to improve my sketching skill to express my design in diverse aspects. Balancing the skills I have is also important in creation.
-swatches by Xiao
[1] Aaakko M, Fashion In-between. ( Helsinki: Aalto University,2016),90
[2] Aaakko M, Fashion In-between. ( Helsinki: Aalto University,2016),92
Bibliography
- Aaakko. Fashion In-between. Artisannal design and production of fashion. Doctor of Arts dissertation, Aalto Univeristy, Helsinki. 2016.