Developed Cushion Concepts

After the first attempt of pinning the fabric samples to cushions and not being happy with the results, I decided to order larger samples in an A3 size so they would fit onto actual cushions so I could get a better idea of what they would look like not only individually but together as a group. 

Cushion Concept 1

Once again I followed the same process of pinning the samples and the trimmings as well. Another improvement I made was photographing the cushions on something where they would potentially be used by the target audience. 

By ordering the larger sample sizes I was able to find a larger selection of cushions to apply them to. This process helped me a lot when it came to deciding on what I wanted for the degree show. It also helped me make the decision when it came to the finishes on my cushions. I was really happy with the colours and patterns that fit together.

Cushion Concept 2

Before doing this process, I was worried that the cushions would be too much with the bold colours and patterns together but by taking these pictures it's allowed me to step back and see things from a different perspective after seeing the samples for so long. I hadn't previously arranged the cushions on something flattering for the arrangement but I think this purple in concept 2 really brings out the colours of the cushions and completely changes my mind set. 

Cushion Concept 3

 Cushion Concept 3 is the almost the finished article I envisioned, I wanted two normal sized cushions at the back, with two rectangle cushions and one smaller square cushion at the front of the display. This was hard to achieve with just my samples as they wouldn't have fit onto larger cushions than pictured but by having two rectangles I know which prints look better on what shape. 

3D Cushion Concepts

After receiving my fabric samples I decided to use these samples to create cushion concepts to get an realistic look of what my cushions would look like. The issue I had is that I couldn't find any cushions small enough to fit on my A4 samples, after searching I decided to use some of the fabric samples I wasn't as happy with and made a simple cushion out of them with toy filling. 

As hand stitching is not something I'm particularly

good at I was trying to avoid this method as long as possible but eventually gave in and decided just to go for it and see what I could come up with. These also served as a great tool to apply patterns in Photoshop to make them look slightly more realistic. Another big reason for doing this is that because I want to have different trimmings on my cushions I need to see how they work colour wise and with certain patterns. 

This concept was really the only one that worked, it allowed me to apply the pattern how it would look when made properly and also how the tassels would look against the pattern. I'm still not completely happy with this method, it's not quite working for me and what I'm trying to achieve. 

Initial Prints

My initial prints came from motifs from the practice unit, in the unit I produced so many drawings and mark makings that towards the end of the unit when it came to looking at making prints, I had forgotten a lot of the motifs I drew at the very start of the project. As the practice unit was all about detail and texture I decided to take these motifs and make unit x about colour. In the practice unit I wasn't brave with colour until the end of the project so I didn't get chance to explore colour as much as I'd like. So already having the motifs and experiments from the practice unit it's allowed to make unit x all about colour.

All of the prints I've made so far have been very busy with a lot going on, I want to explore more different repeat styles, so not every motif is so busy. When it comes to the collection at the end of the unit I want to have a variety of different styles to show how versatile I can be. With the work I am producing in this unit I want to be very aware of the image I project for my portfolio or future employers.