Rationale behind my recent collection
The rationale behind my theme comes from a personal collaboration of my memories from both of my grandmothers by combining both style influences. This area is special and emotional to me as unfortunately both of them passed away last year. I was extremely close with both, sharing fond memories and certain quirks. I wanted to create a theme around this so that my final project would have meaning and to showcase how special it is to me. My one grandmother has an opulent outer shell that is jeweled in an art deco style . I will always remember how extravagant the décor was inside her house. It was full of dramatic designs and luxurious accessories. The style of the interior was heavily art deco. My other grandmother holds a style that is more of a memory to me. She and I have always had an interest in beetle cars, sharing our love for them. When my grandmother passed away she had said, to her best friend, that she would want her granddaughter to have her car. Having my nans car is so special to me, so I wanted to relay this within my theme. The beetle car has a shell exterior in the shape of a bug. I wanted to focus the imagery of my designs on beetle bugs. I have combined these two themes together by creating prints and surface patterns that hold imagery of beetle bugs in an art deco style. Because the rationale behind this theme is personal and really tells a story I have reflected this in my designs. I have incorporated the bugs in their natural environment which has achieved a visual story.
I am really inspired by symbols and prints that have personal meaning behind them, it brings a lot more interest and depth to the design. I have focused on this particular element heavily within my dissertation, illustrating how important this is in a handmade craft world. I have illustrated this by hand screen printing all of my designs. The Thinker explore how the past can influence new directions for everyday designs, this is how I have approached my collection. Using style and theme influences from both of my grandmothers to produce a unique and personal collection of designs.