Trends and Forcasting

This week and last week we have been looking into and practicing 'Trend Forcasting'. This has opened my eyes massively. Prior to the small amount of insight that I have received, I tended not to follow any trend in-particular. I just drew what I wanted, when I wanted using the colours I wanted (mainly Pinks).

Here's a snippet of some Trend Forcasting that I have attempted over the last week or so:

Modern Chic S/S 2013

1950's Forcasting for S/S 2013

Design Concepts and Product Placements

Print and Pattern Feature

Today I am pleased to let you all know, that I have been showcased on the amazing Print and Pattern blog. *insert girly scream*

I scour through Print and Pattern daily, its my 'go to' blog on a morning. With a cuppa in one hand, browsing the daily posts and reading past blogs, its one of my guilty pleasures. So this means a lot to me.

Many thanks

ABSPD Mod 2 - Thrown in at the deep end!

So I'm back on The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course (module 2), and after several weeks away from the classroom, I feel like I've been thrown right back into the water, feet first, in the deep end!

The pace has sped up ten fold, and I'm loving it. I missed the daily exersises, even if they didn't involve drawing or designing of any sort. I enjoyed the research, the education and the interviews.

And now they are all back, and I feel like i am home again.

Heaven.

This is what I have created last WEEK:

Product Placement - Stationery 

Blog Features.

Today I woke to Find that not only had my 'Tweety birds' design been featured on the delightful Rachael Taylors blog, but also over at Tigerprint (see below). Its very humbling to see you work being showcased by such inspiring figures in the design industry. 

Many thank you to both Rachael and Beth, for such an amazing course, and to Tigerprint for featuring our work. 

Jennie 

Spoonflower 'Extinct Animals' Competition

This is 'Dinosaur ROAR', which is my entry into this weeks Spoonflower Competition. 

Fingers Crossed.

Jennie

Spoonflower 'Geometrics' (Colour Limited palette)

Happy Sunday everyone. 

Here Is my entry for the Spoonflower Competition ' Geometrics', which was colour limited to green and purple with the added option of white. I took the opportunity to incorporate the white in the design as 2 colours is just not enough for me. 

Fingers Crossed for everyone on ABSPD Mod 1 who entered this week. 

Have a fabulous weekend.

Post Module 1 of ABSPD

I have had a week off from ABSPD and I'll be the first to admit I just want to keep designing, even if just for the fun of it. I adore it. 

Here is what I have come up with over the last 10 or so days. 

ASPD Module ONE

This week is the last week of SPD course for Module one.

Im a little sad that the last 5 weeks have gone so fast, and I have learned so much about Surface Pattern Design, and for that, I am eternally greatful to Rachael and Beth (So thank you girls).

I am enrolled onto module 2 and 3, so this isn't the end of my journey yet. I'm hoping to gain more insight into the business side of Surface Pattern Design, as eventually, I would love to work freelance while raising my children at home.

One thing that I have come to realise through this course is that I haven't really been utilising my skills as a SPD to the fullest. As I have said in the past, I used to only create my drawings using my Wacom and Illustrator (limiting my outcomes), and never owned a sketchbook. I now own 3 sketchbooks, filled with fabulous motifs, backgrounds and inspiration that I have been using to create my best pieces of work.

Technically, I thought I knew every thing I needed to about AI, but I was wrong. I have learned so many new skills, features and shortcuts (a godsend), thanks to Thursdays 'bonus technical workshops'. Those are priceless pieces of information that have helped me build up my bank of AI knowledge.

My fellow ASPD friends have helped me to no end, with their collective knowledge, thoughts and supportive words, and for that I am thankful. We have gone so far as to set up a Facebook group, to continue helping each other in future ventures. I am happy that the Flickr group will stay open and become a source of support for all 269 of us. Their words of encouragement and support are priceless, and makes me smile. I enjoy seeing such a diverse range of designs from the group, Its so inspiring.

Below I have posted a few designs that have been Placed into products, It was exciting to do. I must admit, I love the thought of my designs being 'good enough' to actually put onto products.

 One Day.

JENNIE

xxxxxx

Time For Tea

Fruity Loops

                         

Tweety Birds Collection

Non repeat patterns

This week on SPD, we focused on PATTERN.

 In particular, placement prints. 

This is not something I have dabbled in much, I often favour repeats when it comes to making a pattern. However, once again, I've come to love this new way of working. 

Below is an example of the designs I have created: 

      

Birdies

This week on SPD is all about pattern.

I usually work with Florals, its my favourite motif to design with, but I wanted to experiment with something different, and doodled some birds, while I had 5 spare minutes:

 I tried a variety of Colour-ways with this design, and i'm amazed by how a simple colour change, can alter the whole design. 

Spoonflower 'Hand drawn' Competition

Here is my entry for The new Spoonflower Competition. the theme is 'hand drawn'. It took several days to complete this as I really wanted to think about what I was drawing before I focused on layout and colour. I created Layers by using tracing paper on top of initial motifs to add detail. 

Here are a small selection of the Motifs I used to complete the design.