The Knitted Underground

Embarrassingly, when given the topic on journeys, I became extremely interested and intrigued by the whole idea of tube maps and how they have developed over the years. I turned into a massive 'anorak' (I think they're sometimes known as) and researched back to the beginnings of the first ever tube map (1908).


And this is todays map, that most of you will recognise - the distinctive yellow bottle shape:

Well anyway, I was very interested by this, and particularly loved the colours of the 1908 designs, and the randomness and incongruous way the lines met each other and dispersed.

I found that even physically on the tubes, there is such a linear perspective. Everything seemed to have or show a linear structure – from the actual tube train, to the wires, stairway and patterns on the walls. Structured lines became a definite theme within my work.

I decided to use the first ever map as my source of colour choice. I like the colours as they’re more muted and a softer tone to the ones used in today’s maps. Picking out the 9 different colours also gave me a clear starting point.

Once I had my colour choice, I needed a direction and to build on my ideas. I found that looking into Bauhaus gave me a good starting point. I thought that the colours they used are as striking as my choice in colour, and they use a lot of very linear and structured designs. I particularly liked Annie Alber's design, as the stripes are very clear, and it almost resembles a train track.

When trying to transfer my ideas into knit, I created hand knits which I felt could quite clearly show a transition from messy and incongruous to really structured and formed, similar to the transition from the old map to the new.

These were my first few knits, and they were a kind of practice to see what I wanted to do with the colours. I found that the stripes represented all the linear structures that I had been working on and could include the 9 different colours from my inspiration. However, within my work I wanted to also somehow create diagonal and vertical lines rather than just horizontal, almost to replicate a tube map on the knit. This is something that I am still working on.

When finding ideas for where my knitted designs would lead me, I found Sonia Rykiel really inspirational in terms of knitted stripes and her use of colour. She gave me a clearer direction in terms of what to try out, and inspired me to design for a garment.

Having seen Missoni's exhibition at the Estorik collection in London, Missoni's designs really inspired me in terms of brightly knitted stripes.

In terms of experimenting more with knitted structures I found this quite an interesting technique to use, as it creates quite bold formed lines, yet has a feeling of disorder and disarray. Its clarity and rigidity is somehow similar to the modern tube maps. I then tried out various other techniques in order to try and get a vertical line, amongst the horizontal stripes.

I then tried out various other techniques in order to try and get a vertical line, amongst the horizontal stripes. This is just using needles out of action, yet it creates quite a nice bend or twist in the fabric.

This was my most recent attempt. I have used a variety of techniques within this sample, and feel that a combination of techniques could be successful. I kept the thread on as it reminded me of the wires from the tube.

Although I'm still developing my designs, as part of my course we have to issue a piece for the annual Bradford Textile Competition. This was my final sample for this competition:

And it's end use:
I am still developing my designs, as I need 10 final pieces for this project. I will post them up once they're all completed.

3D

While I'm on the topic of a hi-tech computer age, I just went to see Alice in Wonderland. I thought it was fantastic, I really did. The 3G was incredible, and the mix of real life and animation was so well done. Also the costumes and makeup were extraordinary. I would love to be able to create costumes so rich and stunning as these. I will definitely google the costume designer - Colleen Atwood.

Heres a trailer - but see it in 3D!

I also saw Avatar, at the IMAX, which in terms of computer design was beautiful, and the 3D worked so well. It was immensely enjoyable, although very cheesey, and a joy to watch. Will there be any such thing as 2D films in 5 years time? Will going to see a 2D film in 25 years time, be like seeing a black and white film now? Also, what will happen when these films turn into DVDs? Will they come with 3D glasses? This will be interesting!

Fascination.

Sixth Sense Technology

In my lectures on marketing (yep marketing) we've been learning not only about marketing strategies for BHS and Channel 5, but also about leadership qualities within designers. Apparently design leaders are different to any other group leaders, as their success requires friendship.

Anyway, the point that I was trying to make within this blog post (and I apologise for not writing more recently), was that the lecturer told us that to be great leaders we needed to be ahead of the times, thinking beyond the now and about the future - ready to design for the next major technical advancement. His example was that in 5 years time there will be no more mobile phones, there will be no more computers, it will all be on your person. I was in complete denial, but this video just goes to show, anything will be possible. I find it frightening how close it is to being so hi-tech, and I think it will be awful. We're already in such a computer age, and I find myself facebooking or skyping my friend upstairs or calling someone within the same house. How will I be when I don't even have to go to my computer, but use my hands. Will people communicate properly ever again? It is going to be such a bizarre future.

But then also terribly exciting. But definitely watch this clip - its incredible!