Defining the research and proposing ideas and outcomes
I have started to reflect on what I have compiled to date and have made amendments so it is more understandable and clear when I am presenting my findings. I have been going back over reports and research information to make sure I fully understand what it is I am asking and wanting to take from the findings.
I have found that I am constantly evolving and changing the question as I discover new ideas and potential solutions. One of the key areas that I am being drawn to is the offer of personalisation of physical and digital products and this is something I am keen to continue exploring.
I have also been compiling my personal developments and explorations to demonstrate my continued learning of the digital with the learning of new tools, techniques, software’s and programmes as this is something I am keen to share with my peers.
The Fabricant – Twitch – Create a Puffer Jacket
The Fabricant held their monthly Twitch live stream where they demonstrated and showed the process of creating puff effects onto garments, this included the use of Adobe Illustrator for the creation of the internal shapes with pattern files being set up and taken easily back and forth between CLO and Illustrator. Using the properties within CLO they demonstrated how the puff effect can be achieved and highlighted how this effects was being seen a lot within the digital space, especially when it is given a metallic shine.
Entagled Futures: Ethics in Biodesign – Webinar – Central Saint Martins (CSM)
Panelist
Dr Alice Taylor, Lecturer in Biology and Living Systems
Victoria Geaney – Associate Lecturer for MA Biodesign – Central Saint Martins
Maria Li, Educator with a background in Molecular Biology
Carole Collet, Professor in Design for Sustainable Futures: Central Saint Martins
As soon as I had seen this webinar I felt drawn to registering and I wasn’t disappointed. As I have researched sustainability I am aware more and more of bio design and it has been an area I have been keen to discover but haven’t felt confident enough to explore as I feel the science is out of my depth and it could potentially draw me into a new path, and although it excites me I feel this isn’t were my true passion lies; so it was interesting to hear four of the panels stories of their paths into bio design, their experiences, what they have discovered and their ethical stand points. The webinar was centred around the ethics of bio design but it contained much information about some of the processes and the need for collaborations within every field and they spoke of how bio design is a process of working with living systems and how practitioners in the field need to be able to loose the control, how this is a relatively new field of study and due to the costs, funding and the need to upscale this could lead to a slow uptake from industries. As it was a CSMs panel and audience the questions were largely centred towards fashion and so there were many interesting points raised such as
- Bio Design can be used in the system and fashion needs to be designed to be degradable.
- Designers should design as nature, for nature, for humans as we are nature.
- Design has to be for the real world, we need to get back to design that acknowledges the problems.
- The designer has a big role to communicate the message in the real world.
One problem that I keep asking myself is should I keep producing garments when I am seeing the over production and consumption and the problems that are presented from that so it was interesting to hear Carole say we should not stop making, it is the human desire to make and we should not stop that as it would halt our process to explore and find solutions and that there are places where bio design can make a difference but sometimes they aren’t needed as there are already solutions that could be used or if the system is already working. This has made me think more and more about the material chooses that are selected from the beginning of the design process which need to be considered for their ability to be purposeful, fit for function, durable, recyclable and degradable.
Vans – Customised Sneakers & Roblox
I have reviewed the brand Vans after reading about their offer of a customisable sneaker, the whole process of going through the customisation was really fun and I liked how I was able to navigate around the 3D version of the sneaker in the main window. There were lots of sections available to customise with materials, colours, trims, add personalised embroidery and the option to upload your own image to be added to the sneaker. I found the cost to be reasonable, especially for the service that is being provided and thought the delivery time of 4-6 weeks to be acceptable, however I have observed that the feedback for delivery isn’t reviewed well within online customer reviews. Whilst further reviewing the website I saw a link for Roblox and after taking a look I had downloaded the Roblox app onto my computer and was in the Vans world of Roblox, once I understood how to navigate I took myself to the customisable shoe store and went through a similar process of creating a custom made sneaker which again was a fun experience. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the required funds to purchase the sneakers but it allowed me an insight into the processes that can be built within virtual environments which offer spaces for friends to meet, hang out, check out each others styles, compete and much more and the option to have a store with the brands being able to make real money.
Kerings EP&L app
I have had the EP&L app downloaded for a while now and thought I would revisit it to see if it was able to provide me with information to help inform my research. I have found that it has provided me with clear data on the environmental impacts in measurable economic values based on the manufacturing, sourcing and selling areas within the supply chain and it has helped me to understand the impacts can differ through the given choices.
The app provides four chooses of product (Jacket, Shoe, Ring and Handbag) and allows you to choose from the materials required and the various countries of origins, you then further select the manufacturing origin and are presented with the implications of the choices. The app further others a lowest impact option and you are able to change your selections to gauge a difference in effects. I have found the app very informative and it has provided me with data on how the choice of fabrics, their origins and the manufacturing region can have a direct affect on the environmental impacts.
Stella McCartney + 3D Design & Development
Within my research I have been keen to explore the impact on the environment in the creation of samples. I have choice to explore this by reflecting on a brand that has links to sustainability and animal friendly ethics, Stella McCartney for the reason that I feel the brand is already on the path towards sustainability within their collections. I was surprised however to discovery that whilst I was reviewing the material content of a selection of garments there was a high amount that contained polyester which wasn’t what I had expected to find from the brand due to the none circularity that this material offers and the damaging effects that it can have when disposed and washed. I want to analyse the current offer of the Womenswear range and counting the styles on offer. To enable me to draw a comparison I used the Browzwear Environmental Impact Calculator and input the data of styles which provided me with the carbon emissions and water used, based on one sample for each of the styles within the range. I further estimated the power use that is required to run a computer in order to generate a comparison in data which in turned provided me with an assumed CO2 and water saving had the samples been developed as digital samples.
Future Learn – The Sustainable Angle – Fashion and the Climate Crisis: An Introduction to Sustainability Course
I have been searching for some further research on sustainable materials to try to define my chooses for the physical garments and came across this course put together by The Sustainable Angle who hold The Future Fabric Expo and have included some further research materials.
Environmental Criteria 2020
Daz3D – Avatars
I’ve been working in Daz3D to trial creating avatars with a consideration for module 705, I feel that it is important to be able to generate a realistic looking human whilst creating an aesthetic that I feel fits with the collections. I am working to understand how to use the avatars within other software’s and what is the best workflow between these.
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