Second final collection: Bedding

I can now share my second final collection for 'Journeys' with you. This collection has been designed for the bedding market. I took inspiration from nature whilst still trying to include small hints of architectural imagery. I found this collection much more challenging than the curtains because I really had to think about many more elements, particularly scale and placement as bedding is an item that people are much more willing to be experimental with as it is not as big a purchase as curtains. 

I'm happy with the colour scheme of these designs especially and feel that they make successful bedding designs marketed at any age of the female market. I did have some of these fabrics printed onto fabric but ended up having a huge disaster a couple of days before the hand in- the fabrics ran in the wash! Thankfully I didn't lose any marks  as it was a technical but I am just so glad this work is now handed in and over with. It feels like I've been working on for so long, but I feel like my CAD skills have really improved. My next hurdle will be getting the hang of NED graphics and a horrid geometry exam next week! After that I will be free for the summer and I always find it strange when I don't have a project to be getting on with so I'll definetly be setting myself my own briefs to build up my portfolio even more and really solidify my design identity.

I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging about 'journey's and sharing the project from start to finish! I'll be continuing to share all of work in this way and as always, any feedback is very welcome :) Thanks for taking the time to read, Stephanie

First final collection 100% finished!

I'm finally able to share my first curtain design collection with you. I didn't want to share it until it was presented to the most professional level. These designs are aimed at the bedroom interiors market and were intended for curtains although I think most of them could be used across many bedroom interior products. I have chosen very feminine colours because my market research showed this to be a current trend, particularly pastel colours. I'm happy with how these turned out but I always see room for improvement.. I think most people who practice anything creative would agree that you can never really finish something 100%.

I've now only got to complete my bedding designs and then I'm close to finishing university textiles for another year. I'm feeling more driven than ever and I will be making sure I am doing lots of portfolio work throughout the summer break. Anyway.. take a look and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading, Stephanie

Final curtain designs

So I've had such a massive amount of Uni work and deadlines recently, along with working I have struggled to blog! Anyway, I would like to share a few of my final designs for my collections of curtains and duvets which I should be finishing up this week.. I should also be picking up my printed fabric which I am soo excited to see as I've never printed any of my designs before now. That's all that's going on in my design world recently as I'm just meeting my deadlines then fingers crossed putting together my portfolio to find some work experience.

Designs from my curtain collection...

Geometric patterns have been driving me mad!

So I have finally finished my design theory assignment which has been a challenge to say the least! I'm happy with the geometric outcomes and am satisfied with the fact that they are fairly accurate and fit together in the correct manner. In case you were wondering I have designed these outcomes to be tiles intended for use on fireplace fittings and hearths, so the slight texture you can see over the designs is one of ceramics. This allowed me to dull down the bright colour to create a more realistic 'clay' look. More work about 'Journeys' is coming soon but as for this week I am having to focus on the theory subjects of my degree as the next six weeks are going to be full of stress and deadlines! Thanks for reading, Stephanie (:

Product visualisation- Fireplace tiles

Design theory work

I have to say that I haven't done much work for my 'Journey's project this week as I've had to work as well as catch up with my other uni work. I have some other visual work which I would like to share with you, although it's in the very early stages of development.

So I've mentioned before that I'm doing a module in design theory at university which is difficult but very useful as it aims to show us the basics of geometry with a specific view for it to be used in design. It is so important to learn as it helps with all aspects of the design process but especially with placement and with maintaining a successful balance.

We had to dissect a square and create different patterns without any gaps or overlaps which has actually proved to be really difficult and has already taken me hours so I'm glad I didn't wait till the deadline was a week away! Here are the first two designs..

I've also got some older design theory prints which i thought were interesting and could be developed more.

I'll have a another 'Journey's' post soon, Thanks for reading, Stephanie

Some product mock ups.

So I recently had a conversation with a professional graphic designer about my blog as I'm new to this and really wanted some honest feedback from someone else in the field of design. She told me something which could really help to illustrate and sell my designs would be to create some product mock ups.. so that's just what I'm sharing with you today as I think they look quite professional (though obviously need a few improvements  and show how I imagine my fabrics to be. I did these on Adobe Photoshop and they are so very easy, i'd be happy to give a demo if anyone wanted to know how to do them too.

I'm currently creating a digital portfolio to send around a few companies I would like to intern for and I think this kind of thing could be really helpful to me in demonstrating what I'm designing for, because a design might look ten times better on a product rather than when it's flat. Let me know what you think, and Thanks for reading again (if you are reading again) :)

 © All rights reserved Stephanie Campbell 2013

Floral prints and ideas about placement

Today I've been working back over some older designs and incorporating new motifs. I have been trying so hard to move away slightly from the 'Illustrator look' as I have been told by industry professionals that this is a fashion look which drifts in and out of trend. Obviously I want to create a varied portfolio in order to start my career in the most exciting way possible, so I am just trying so many new techniques on Illustrator. I am also hoping to create new designs on NED graphics, but I'm not currently at uni where that software is available for use. I found the use of silhouette to be the most interesting method and it does give a softer impression to the print.

I'm currently beginning the process of making a website as a more professional platform for my work (if anyone has any hints for which website builders are the best then let me know), but I will definetly continue to blog as I'm really enjoying writing and it has given me so much more  motivation to create prints. 

 © All rights reserved Stephanie Campbell 2013

 © All rights reserved Stephanie Campbell 2013

 © All rights reserved Stephanie Campbell 2013

 © All rights reserved Stephanie Campbell 2013

 © All rights reserved Stephanie Campbell 2013

I've also been studying placement closely as I felt some of my designs were not being targeted at their target audience enough. I looked to my market research and shop report to create templates for my final collection of 5 duvet designs. I thought this plan would be interesting for any other surface designers as it is very simple but should give successful results (there are of course many more placement designs out there but I am only creating 5 duvet designs). Thanks for reading, Stephanie