Evaluation
AD206 Styling Project
This module has given me the chance to experiment and produce a piece of work to enhance my future opportunities to progress onto full degree level. I decided to use this module to create a promotional piece of work to visually present my abilities for interview.
I was allocated Calum Knight as my photographer, who I met with initially to discuss my thoughts and ideas on how I wanted the photos too look. The research that I had collated helped me to visually express the direction and style of photos I was looking for. As a designer I always aim to create very simple, elegant pieces and wanted this to also reflect in the style of images that were produced. I wanted to shoot in studio on a plain background so not too distract from the garments. I had considered possible locations but after looking at my research I decided that in studio I would have more flexibility to achieve the photos I wanted.
Calum was great at providing me with ideas from his professional view, from what lighting was going to work best, which backgrounds and any props that may be appropriate. We negotiated the most effective lighting and colour of background for each shoot. I was able to communicate with Calum really well and he was very efficient in advising me of his thoughts and communicating with me via text messages and phone calls.
When looking for models Calum had a lot of contacts that would be suitable to model as he specialises in fashion photography. Calum had asked a friend to model for my Lolita dress, she wasn’t exactly what I was looking for but I knew that it was a compromise that I would have to make as I couldn’t find a model myself who would best suit the look I wanted to create. On the day of the shoot unfortunately the girl was taken into hospital and I was left with everything prepared but no model to wear the dress. This is when I think my true personality came into place, as I acted under pressure. On my way into college I had spotted a beautiful Asian girl sitting in the entrance with her mum thinking to myself she would be the perfect model to wear my dress. As soon as I found out the model wasn’t turning up I ran out to the entrance with Calum to see what he thought and I daringly approached her to ask if she would be available for a few hours to model. She so kindly said yes and it turned out she was interviewing for FDA Fashion so it gave her the opportunity to find out a little of what we do and what the course entailed. Looking back on this Asia was probably the best person I could have used for the shoot she fitted the dress perfectly, and fitted the look I wanted to achieve.
Within my research file all of the images I had collected where very girly poses and portraying a very child like feel, images of young woman portraying their child like selves. I had the help of a fellow student to complete the hair and makeup, as this is not something I am good at. I wanted to create a very girly look, by doing the hair into a plait and a natural look makeup with pink rosy cheeks. Whilst doing the shoot we experimented with some of the poses some of which worked and some that didn’t suit the style of my dress.
For my second shoot I was photographing my dress from AD208, on the day of the shoot unfortunately Calum was unwell and not able to do the shoot, but he very kindly organised another photographer to complete the shoot. In a short time I had to get together with James and discuss my thoughts, as to how I wanted the photos too look. This made me realise that I have the ability to work well under pressure. For this shoot I had already organised my own model one of the first year students Carmel and asked a fellow student to help with the hair and makeup the look for this shoot was to have an up hair do that had a quite messy look, and very minimalistic makeup so that the focus would be the dress. I had brought along a range of images form my research file so that I could show both the model and James the various poses I wanted to experiment with to best compliment the dress. I had decided that because of the style of the dress I wanted the dress to be shot mainly from the back, to show the design features on the back of the dress. Once the shoot was finished, I quickly ran through the images to pick out my favourite images from the shoot as nearly 200 photos had been taken. After the shoot James provided me with copies of the images I had picked from the shoot on disc for me too edit. I did find however after this I was unable to contact him with any further queries I had which was quite unprofessional as I needed further copies of the dress, so I had to just work with the images I had.
When experimenting with the editing of the photographs I had the opportunity to pick up new skills and knowledge I needed to produce a high quality level of work. I experimented with the images playing with proportion, scale, and the vast amount of filters, blending modes and other techniques available. Once I had sampled these different techniques I decided that I wanted too keep the images very simply edited, I used a technique that enhanced the look of the models skin and played around with the contrast, vibrancy and brightness in the images to add warmth and enhance the colour in the garments, which I think works incredibly well and looks very professional.
Because I wanted to take this opportunity to enhance my portfolio I thought about how I could achieve a piece of work that would show my abilities and as a unique selling point for my university interview for BA Honours Fashion Marketing.
Whilst on my placement I was introduced to using another application called In Design which I was made aware is another vital piece of software used in industry. I was briefly shown how to use this and took it upon myself to produce a promotional booklet. I used this to communicate the overall process communicating, and advertising my research ideas, along with the final outcomes for both my Lolita dress and Anh Mao garments together effectively as these two projects where both linked with industry.
I think I overall produced a really strong level of work and really enjoyed being able to experiment and edit the photographs to suit my own style. The images I choose I feel reflect my garment at there best, and the format I produced them in also, I feel works really well as more than just a photograph, but a piece of work that reflects who I am as a designer and to showcase my style of work. But most importantly fit for purpose.
I was able to improve on my skills and gain more experience when using Photoshop to develop and enhance my work in the future, which I know will stand me in good stead for my future education. This will be something I already have experience in doing so I can further develop any future works to a higher level. This project also gave me the opportunity to work with others successfully, and improve upon the skills I will need in industry to communicate with other people in other fields, and gain knowledge in there specialism. As part of my short term goals I plan to progress to complete a full degree in fashion marketing and the methods I have used on this project are something I can expand upon when looking at other marketing styles.
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