My final project was inspired by the four materials found in a Japanese home are WOOD, EARTH, PAPER and REEDS.
I have explored these materials and also the hand craft techniques associated with Japan to understand the properties and aesthetics to use and adapt for a modern and contemporary culture. This laid the foundations for the research into materials, taking absolute consideration of their properties and aesthetics, to produce a new and exciting use for materials.
The simple serenity of Japan and traditional hand craft design holds a constant fascination. Understanding their culture and tradition and extracting elements of craft work and design has encouraged the development for modernising the materials and create consideration for alternative or multiple material functions. The natural properties of the materials have additionally advanced the opportunity of sustainable design through use of materials.
Hand crafting has been utilised to extend the creative possibilities of the materials and create personal familiarity with the properties for evolving its potential.
The quality of hand work creates a personal input with something basic and profoundly precious.*
Hand knit techniques have been used due to the nature of the materials, which are delicate and need care and consideration when handling. With the combination of mixed media and experimentation through design exploration process, working with the four materials as a primary focus, and using them as a preliminary research area has influenced the end product. The combination of materials have created an array of simple textures interpreting the purity of a Japanese aesthetic.
Each material has been explored separately and then extracting properties and aesthetics have then been combined with one another. The final outcome has been influenced by experimental findings and analysis with each of the materials; combining materials to create a new function or property and a conclusive design/s which has exposed the ability of each material. There has been consideration of how each material behaves alongside the human form and also within the surrounding environment.
The final outcome is a collection of experimental samples, which has created a collective body of samples. This has concluded and has influenced a textile formation to demonstrate material application for a modern and contemporary culture. My aim was to produce garment designs (not necessarily wearable) showing material functionality and potential.
Materials used:
Experience:
Larch Rose, Brighton
BLESS, Paris
Website: www.lucywalkerknits.co.uk
Contact: lucywalkerknits@hotmail.co.uk
