Pattern development

These are the alternative fractal pattern layouts I created for the Degree Show. They all use the same self-similar fractal pattern, however I have changed the scale of each one depending on how many "drops" of pattern will fit in the wall space.

Maquette

This is a maquette of the space I will be using for the Degree Show. I built it mainly to be certain that the position of the pattern and mirrors would reflect in the way I want it to. Also, it enabled me to test smaller versions of my patterns to ensure the reflected image would not affect the repetition. This is a very helpful task to do when creating site specific work and designing interiors.

This model helped me to see how the finished piece would look from both inside and outside the space, however trying to photograph the scaled down version was more difficult than anticipated!

Flaws and All

I love the flaws that occur in my work, especially through screen printing. After all, nothings perfect.

Richard Wilson 20:50

For me, this is the ultimate in site-specific art.

Richard Wilson uses every milimetre of the interior space to fill with a trough of oil; the perfect reflection creating alternative dimensions within the space. Although this work has been repeated in different spaces, each time it is completely different due to the changing architecture and measurements.

Although this work is not exactly interior design based, the site-specific concept and reflective element link strongly to my own work.

I try to incorporate this unique quality into my interior design work; increasing the grandeur and importance of contemporary decor.

Self-similar fractal print (2)

This is a scaled down version of the pattern i will be using for my Degree Show work.

This is the section of pattern that will be made into a screen for printing. A mirror image of this will also be made to create the second half of the pattern.

Because the work is site specific, the pattern has been designed to fit the wall on which it is going, rather than scaled to fit the width of wallpaper.

My wild Friday nights...

Garden designed by Cecil Pincent

While most students spend their Friday nights partying, I spend mine watching Gardener's World and, most recently, Monty Don's Italian Gardens. This may seem an unusual choice of Friday night entertainment for a 22 year old student but these programs have given me much inspiration for new floral patterns, introducing me to interesting and unusual flower shapes, colours and combinations. Even the scientific elements to the programs have given me unique ideas about developing pattern on paper and fabric.

Monty Don's Italian Gardens has given me an insight into how the formal gardens of Florence were designed, such as Boboli Gardens created during the Medici Dynasty and later, the gardens designed by Cecil Pincent. The techniques used to lay out these beautifully structured, symmetrical gardens can easily be applied to wallpaper pattern.

Planting grid commonly used in formal garden design. Works well in wallpaper pattern design as straight lines can be seen horizontally, vertically and diagonally, making the overall layout visually aesthetic.

Self-similar fractal print (1)

This is my first print test for the self-similar fractal design. Although the theory is there, the more detailed sections were so small that the clarity of print was lost. I do find that the flaws in the print add to the piece- I have always embraced the mistakes made in the creative process as they often produce new ideas, new patterns and also highlight that the pattern is unique and not something easily re-produced. If I had printed digitally I would lose all this.

I have made a conscious decision to use black and white for this print. The pattern is quite ambiguous and the self-similar theory suggests many elements within nature, therefore, I do not want to force an opinion on the viewer as to what the pattern represents, I feel it is more important for the pattern to speak for itself as different people will view it in different ways. As I have mentioned in previous posts, using colour will influence what the pattern may be and in this case I do not want it to be so definite.