Reflection - Art Portfolio 2

    The second term started with the new concept of the art portfolio, which means the concept was slightly different from the last term art portfolio. This term's art portfolio was more interesting and new because we did the work in collaboration with classmates, and even though we were not in one progression route, we were challenged to manage it. The brief for this project is to rebuild a city called Cromwell in Connecticut because of the destruction. As a fashion designer, this project made me step out of my comfort zone because on the two terms, I made collections as the project assessment, but this term, the project was decided by the tutor as to what I needed to make and create. I have never created formal attire, such as a school uniform or city costume. Nevertheless, the new things give me new experiences and new knowledge to create a different thing, not only a collection that is based on my preference, but more to the other preference and for the other because city costumes and school uniforms are things that will represent something. School uniforms will represent the school's vision and mission, and city costumes will depict the city of New Cromwell, Connecticut. The current project makes me more focused on developing ideas for the concept and thinking of the symbols that represent the city.

    I created a school uniform for kids, especially around 10 years old, called 'Enchanted Crimson' because I used crimson as the primary colour to depict the courage and passion of the pupils attending the school. For the school uniform, I collaborated with Anhelina and Edzhe. Anhelina is a graphic designer, so she focused on making logos for the city, including the logo for the school; I added her work to the uniform to show the school's logo. She is an architect. She created a school building, and I asked what the model or concept of the school was. She said Japanese style, so I made the school uniform Japanese-like, which can be seen on the vest, a short pleated skirt (above the knee), and the bow tie. The robes do not show Japanese style, but as a consideration, the school will be located in a Western country, America; I am likely to include Western style and fantastical because kids like something exciting and attractive, like in the movie and book. I was inspired by the Harry Potter franchise movie for the school uniform; it worked well for the design of the school uniform I made.

The School Uniforms Design

    On the other hand, I created a city costume for the New Cromwell, Connecticut; I named the costume  'Cromwell's Dignity'. I chose that name because the concept I used for the city costume is royalty. Instead, I used the name of royalty directly; I decided to stay implicit, which was dignity. In addition, in the city costume, I used symbols of Connecticut that were mentioned in the brief, such as the American robin, mountain laurel, and sperm whale. I combined those three emblems to make costumes representing the city and the city known for. I was inspired by the Chinese costume for Sangjit, which is the Cheongsam or Qipao because it shows the elements of Chinese history in a dress, and I also want the city costume like that. 

The City Costumes Design

    

    During this term, I learned that I could escape my comfort zone and learn new things and concepts, develop the design and planning, execute the 3D design, and create a professional design portfolio on the website. Not only that but to finish the module on time, I needed to organise my time wisely, which minimised procrastination and prioritised responsibility. Moreover, I improved my sewing skills through this term and create pattern skills by myself, but I still need to develop to make pattern for clothes and sewing skill to make it more nicer and tidier. 

    This module helped me prepare for my new journey in university. Besides, I faced a challenge while creating the 3D design of the school uniform: I sewed and unstitched the robes, especially the hood, and took a lot of time to develop them as best as possible. However, this challenge made me learn how to create a hood correctly. 

    In conclusion, the module is helping me prepare before I go to university. This module teaches me to hone my creativity and ideas to create artwork that is out-of-the-box and out of my comfort zone. When I am in university, I might use and apply the skills that I have taught and learned in this foundation year to become an excellent student.