Concept Development: D. Module to Concept Model

< Preliminary Sketch Models

Concept Statement:

Continuing to use the photo of the group of 1920s WSU students as an inspiration, the 3D concept model represents the longevity, togetherness and movement of people through out time. A fairly dark and neutral color scheme which was derived from the photograph, as well as the textile, is employed and represents the historic past of the photo while the red wooden dowel connects the columns and is placed in an upward diagonal represents movement and implies forward motion. The color of the dowel represents the longevity and liveliness associated with college. The three columns are of different sizes and thicknesses to represent the diversity among the students then as well as now and to enforce the theme of coming together. To tie in the textile pattern and to further the concept of coming together the columns are connected by the dowel, which acts as a commonality between them all.

                                 

Reflection:                                                                  Final Concept Model

For my concept model I knew that I wanted to incorporate the same ideas and emotions that I have been working with through out parts A, B, and C. In the preliminary model stage I wasn’t very jazzed about any of my models, however after talking them through with my presentation group I decided to make some changes and stick with the last model that I made, the one with the columns. Originally it was not in 3D, however for the final I envisioned it to be like that. I used balsa wood and a wooden dowel to create my design. I chose these materials because of their ease in use, but also what they meant to me. Wood is a timeless material that can be used for many different things and reminded me of the timeless quality of the photo, as well as everything that it stood for. The students were coming together, just as the columns were with the dowel, and that connection really inspired me to create this model. I am very happy with the way this turned out, the only thing I would change would be varying the texture in the columns to create more diversity.

Concept Development: C. Module to Textile

Reflection:

After submitting my textile to the production company, Spoonflower, I knew that I was pleased with my final design, as I had been fussing with color schemes and patterns for a while. I finally decided with this pattern that rotated the module by 120 degrees and then had them meet in the middle in a radial fashion. I did this because it emphasized the idea of coming together, one of my main focuses in the project. I decided in the end to eliminate color from the design, as my photo inspiration was black and white and it followed my concept of diversity (with the color contrast). Overall, I am very pleased with the way it turned out; I love the design and the way the design stands out against the black background, who knows maybe when this process is all over I’ll have fabric to make my self a sweatshirt!

Concept Statement:

The old photograph of Washington State students gathered on a train that carried them across the state provides the inspiration behind this textile design. The connection between these students and the current students implies the movement from past to present. While train appears to trail into the distance, there is a connection to the time these students spent at the college because it too has faded into the past. The application of this idea to the textile is apparent through the double lines that meet in groupings of three at the center of the module, and then are linked to others, allowing the mind to conjure the words of movement, connections and the transformation from past to present. The color scheme for the design was derived from the photo too, as the photo is in black and white. This connects to the idea by recognizing not only the nostalgic and historic quality of the photo, but also emotionally as white is seen as new and pure, or present and future; and black represents the distant shadows, old things already discovered, which is the past.