Finalization of my design development

The development of my series of designs has been completed. When realsing and developing them I was able to learn techniques and skills in the design applications available on the pc, mostly Illustrator. It also enable me to engage in other techniques such as stencilling and paper cut-out designs and compare the time taken with each method and the effects and different styles they produced.

To continue on my development of my designs for other products I intend to adapt my designs for application to other products such as household wares (glassware, imagery, wall art) and textiles (linen, decorative throws and cushions). By acknowledging and keeping to relevant formatting and applications I also intend to upload my images to online image sites.

I will contact local venues that I have researched and keep check on market trends and demands to apply and present my designs efffectively to the current market.

Skills & Techniques in Illustrator

Having produced images for my project I have expanded my knowledge in the use of tools in Illustrator. I used several different brush stroke applications and was able to create a variety of pattern brushes to be used in my designs.
I also explored colour variations and texture effects, which when applied in different brushstroke widths can achieve considerably different outcomes and visual displays.  

Pattern Swatches

Elements and components of a design can be used to produce pattern swatches to be put on other products to compliment a main design. For instance a throw or cushion with a similar design can be produced to co-ordinate or compliment with a wall hanging design. Or a pattern may be displayed more discreetly and could be used as a pattern border around the top of glassware or on a coaster or placemat.

Above: Leaf and flower pattern by ririwillow.blogspot.com. I would associate the colours and shapes with the subject it represents. The pattern is fresh and clean looking. It creates an energetic rather than relaxing tone and find it difficult to look at for too long as the dark leaves seem to jump out at you.

In contrast my design composed of elements from the Flora design has a more delicate tone by using the pastel colours and the shapes not being placed as close together. This design is not directly linked to the subject in its use of colours which has been varied but the shapes of the pattern connect it to its original theme.

Kaleidoscope patterns

The above kaleidoscope pattern, image from shutterstock.com, is made up of butterflies. It shows how the butterflies form other shapes and complex patterns when the kaleidoscope is turned.

Below image from, Istockphoto.com, which has lots of kaleidoscope images on insets of screen panels. Colours have been added to enhance and define the patterns.

With the designs I have created, one as soon above, I intend to incorporate colour and apply them to different products, which could include materials such as glassware,  cushions, linen - table clothes or runners. The pattern designs could also be used as borders around decorative blankets or repeated across wallpaper or screens.  

Shapes used to signify objects and to reflect moods.

The picture of the flower captures its vibrant colours and stance, reflecting the delicate and overall presence it gives. Whilst we can communicate and engage with our audience by the use of shapes to symbolize and represent objects, some shapes are more distinctive than others. It is the combination of all the elements to include colour, form and presence that helps to represent the full picture we want to reflect.

Applications & Effects

I wanted to apply a textured effect to the lines of my design. First I had to convert the design from a brushstroke to outlines, in order that the adjustment could be made. I then applied a charcoal effect from the artistic brushstrokes selection.
The edges of the lines are softened and more relaxed than the previous defined and straight edged lines.
I was also given advice and suggestions from my tutor who advised the design could be further manipulated in PS. A textured effect could be applied or clipping mask of desired effect could be applied over the design.

TimePlan

By working to a time plan makes it easier to focus on specific areas relevant to the project brief. This makes development more structured and efficient.

Working to an action plan gives me more discipline in completing the task and more productive in getting to where I want to be. Also by cateloging what I have done helps me look at areas of research and development I may not have thought originally thought of.

Marketing Strategies

Looking into marketing strategies made me realise that to be able to understand and develop a successful marketing plan I have to be realistic in my aims and goals. Larger companies will have more scope and funding to present and advertise their ideas than smaller companies or freelance designers.  A realistic approach to marketing ideas is required, together with knowing what areas would be better to focus on to gain more effective results.

Paper cut-out designs

When creating my designs I explored different ways of producing patterns,  paper cut- outs, which made me appreciate both the ways in which different styles can be achieved and applied by hand made designs, together with the ease of being able to create pattern designs in a more precise method in a pc programme.

I acknowledged how both methods can be combined. It also made me appreciate that there can be difficulties in the design industry, both technical and manual drawbacks, and that by being adaptable and flexible solutions can be found.

Above image from flashandmath.com. How a snowflake design can be achieved.

Flowing and rotational elements

Elements in my designs to create a sense of rhythm and movement.

Simple curves and shapes can combine together to create both a more natural but also a more complex pattern. Curves and flowing lines can create a sense of movement and rotation to the design giving  a relaxing and calming effect to what could be otherwise viewed as a busy and noisy design.  

Shapes that connect with nature

In my designs I have focused on shapes that represent and symbolize elements that occur in nature itself.

The shapes have a similar line or form that connects them to elements in the natural world ie leaves, sun, flowers, snowflakes. This interlinks the patterns with the name of the series of the designs: Balance of Nature.

Formation of leaves can have many shapes and patterns within them.

Space & Texture

I found some useful useful Design tips from

http://www.online.tusc.k12.al.us/tutorials/grdesign/grdesign.htm

Texture can be used to:

• Give a printed publication, presentation, or web page a mood or personality.
• Create contrast for interest.
• Fool the eye.
• Provoke emotions.
• Create a feeling of richness and depth.

Space

Space is the distance or area between or around things. Space separates or unifies, highlights, and gives the eye a visual rest.

Space can be used to:

• Give the eye a visual rest.
• Create ties between elements.
• Highlight an element.
• Put a lot of white space around something important to call attention to it.
• Make a layout easy to follow.
• Make type as legible as possible.

Graphic Design Tip:

White space (the absence of text and graphics) is vital to graphic design. The key is to add just enough white space so the eye knows where to go and can rest a bit when it gets there. You can control white space in the following location: margins, paragraph spacing, spacing between lines of text, gutters (the space between columns), and surrounding text and graphics.

Website considerations

There are many factors to consider when designing a website to promote yourself or your company. Looking through different websites helps to define what you like or dislike and what to include on the site.
It can be as creative as you like, with certain consideration as lots of images may slow it down. The site should reflect your business and character to engage with viewers and entice and encourage them to look further into what you are selling or promoting.

Charcoal effect

By applying a charcoal effect brush stroke on one of my designs it transforms the original design. However some of the elements are lost even though they were all selected  to apply the brush stroke to.
The cleaner, defined lines can be seen on a smaller vector image to the left. However I like the more relaxed and uneven quality of the main design as I think the lines have more character and presence.

Pathfinder tool in Illustrator

I am finding the pathfinder tool in Illustrator extremely useful. It enables me to format repetitive patterns that overlap the document edge, so that they can be cropped neatly. It also creates some unusual and effective pattern variations. By manipulating areas of the design with the adding or subtraction tool different effects can be achieved such as the examples below.

The second pattern is the centre of one of my designs, whereas the first has been manipulated by using the pathfinder tool to add elements of the original design together. This has made areas stronger and bolder and defined the cross shapes.

Common features in islamic designs

Rotating designs are common in islamic art from all periods and regions and in many media. Interlaced circular designs are also common to islamic art. Image below from: hoodedutilitarian.com

Influenced by the styles and techniques used in islamic art, I have started to create surface pattern designs with elements and components of my designs. These patterns can be applied to surfaces of different products or textiles.

The pattern I have created above combines an interlocking grid composed of elements of my original snowflake design together with more decorative images placed at repetitive intervals. 

Modern Approach

Influenced by William Morris designs and other designers whose works have a direct or significant link to nature and the world around us, I am aiming for a more modern approach. The elements in my designs showing use of bold colours and defined lines and sometimes not that obvious in their shapes which may be abstract.
I am also aiming to create a series of artwork which will be linked together by their style and development technique as well as the subject matter.

Designs inspired by Nature

My designs are related to patterns and shapes that occur and develop in nature, such as leaves, trees and snowflakes. Some designers and artists are significantly inspired by the natural world and relate to this in their work.

William Morris was one of the great pattern designers. The design above, entitled 'Trellis', was a Pencil and Watercolour sketch for wallpaper design, 1862.

His patterns were inspired by his intimate knowledge of natural forms discovered through drawing and stylised through his detailed knowledge of historical styles. They were usually titled with the names of the flowers that they depicted such as 'Chrysanthemum', 'Jasmine', 'Acanthus', and 'Sunflower'. In effect, Morris took the natural forms that he found outside in the woods and meadows and used them to decorate the inside of our homes.

Etsy

Etsy.com is an online website which enables artists and designers to sell their products. It is a safe and secure site to enable customers and traders to carry out quick and easy transactions to buy and sell goods.
The site is easy to navigate and strict rules and guidelines have to be adhered to.
There are also forums and online workshops to enable members to swap and collaberate their concepts and ideas and gain useful tips and information. It is based in the U S but has a wide following and network internationally. Any sales or charges are automatically converted to sterling from US dollars enabling easy methods of payments.

Pattern Texture

I have applied a charcoal effect brush to my original vector design. I think the strokes of the designs become more emphasized and the volume created defines the design components.
I think the second design looks more relaxed and visually appealing, as if it has been handrawn almost, making it more personal in its approach.