VISUAL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
VISUAL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
The "Visual Design Development" section is the second section of the Textiles Portfolio. It includes three A3 pages OR six A4 pages with:
Three concept design illustrations: with link to inspiration, strengths & weaknesses (with the elements/principles of design and functional/aesthetic) and evaluation.
A final design illustration: with link to inspiration, strengths & (maybe) weaknesses (the elements/principles of design and functional/aesthetic) and NO evaluation - it is your final design!
The design development should be presented in a logical and sequential way.
The designs should become more refined as they progress.
See this example from a past major project. This student decided to set out her three pages with:
The 3 concept illustrations on the first page
The final design illustration on the second page, and
The functional and aesthetic analysis on the third page.
Your written work can be written in paragraphs or tables.
There are six headings for the written discussion:
Links to inspiration
Functional features
Aesthetic features/Elements and Principles of Design
Strengths
Weaknesses
Evaluation
As you can see, there are always front and back views of the design, even for the concept sketches.
The design inspiration can clearly be seen in each illustration- (which were bees, flowers, patchwork and embroidery)
There are bee and flower motifs present amoung the pants and bodice, which are labelled as embroidered, as well as patchworked shapes to create the bodice.
Labelling is also a requirement of this section, as assuming components of the design can lead to confusion and poor manufacturing. Labels can be hand written or typed, and also put into a key such as the final design in this example.
It is important that you don't use first person as it is not about what you personally think.
Consider it as though are pitching this design to a major brand to manufacture.
If you were the big and important Creative Director, would you be more convinced of a design if you were told the facts or if the designer's justification was "I like how this looks"
SO!
Use language such as "this design..." rather than "my design..."
And
"The strengths of this design include..." rather than "I like how this design..."
EVALUATION SCAFFOLD
Description of Design
Give a short description of the design and components.
Links to Inspiration Scaffold (for concepts 1, 2, 3)
This design was inspired by…………………………(list inspirations and explain how they are seen in the design).
The inspiration is seen through……………………..
Functional and Aesthetic (Elements of Design)
Create a table for aesthetic design features and functional design features and list each below
Functional Features Aesthetic Features
E.g a zipper closure to easily get in and out of the garment Gathering of fabric under bust creates a focal point
and an interesting bunched texture.
*Final design should not really have any weaknesses but mostly strengths.
Design Strengths Design Weaknesses
E.g. Comfortable for the wearer and suits end-use Doesn’t really reflect the cultural inspiration
Too difficult to make with my skill level
Evaluation
In order to improve this design..., (state what you will keep and what you will change for the next design based on the strengths and weaknesses above).
Line
Shape
Colour
Texture
Unity
Pattern
Balance
Rhythm
Contrast
Emphasis
Repetition
Remove the elements/principles that are not relevant to your final design
Describe the features of the final design that relate to the element/principle of design.
Use the correct language, such as organic or geometric shapes.
Bold key words so they stand out