COP Presentation Reflection + Brief + Initial Idea 1

 Cop presentations feedback 

• Wider contexts are necessary 
• Select most appropriate methods of research for project, is primary research needed is it available as secondary online? 
• Look for contextual examples (images)
• Write brief for practical and blog

Brief title / working title

How can the gender biased world of design embrace gender fluidity, and what does this future look like?

Rationale: Project description and purpose. What is the problem? How are you proposing to engage with it?

Labelling simplifies our world view and makes it easier and faster to make decisions but constrains our perceptions and capability of having more effective understandings. This pervades through all levels of design and the creative industry, including branding and fashion, two areas that are leading this discussion. Alongside popular culture, politics and sport, the aforementioned creative industries act as cultural spaces that mobilise gender. Design decisions will therefore create assumptions and values that will influence how we perceive and identify ourselves. Those not represented through these cultural spaces are more likely to be ostracised in society.

What type of graphic design solution is being proposed? Outputs?

As fashion is rooted in self-identity, this is an important scope to take on in tackling gender inclusivity. The practical outcome will therefore explore the development and production of gender inclusive clothing and the branding of such. This will be amalgamated into an editorial video.

References. What other real world examples exist? Industry / design context.

Jannike Sommar, sweatshirt line The Phluid Project Hayley Elsaesser

Target audience?

Dependant on research understanding and direction of aesthetic.

Research activities?

Interviews with experts in fashion, branding and inclusivity, e.g. inclusive fashion designers, LGBTQ+ individuals and so on Primary Research with range of individuals from gender spectrum.

Suggest 3 initial ideas / solutions

1.     Fine art direction, illustrative and bold 2.     Basics collection for large audience 3.     Pattern textiles and focus on garment silhouettes

Format/Production Considerations. Techniques, processes, materials, events, campaigns etc.

Textiles Design Screenprinting, Garment Making (collab), Laser Cutting, Videography (collab), Make-up artist and Set Design (collab)

What style feels authentic to me? 

What do I want to be on the designs?

What is my aesthetic? 

Do I need to adapt this for the audience?

- this aesthetic has a very specific taste 

- audience would have to be people who enjoy this

- gender inclusivity would simply be the range of people who like this aesthetic 

- would not be made specifically for any gender but just as a piece of clothing 

- this works with the research I have done talking to various people on the subject, in that fashion should generally be ungendered and designed how the designer wants it to be 

- there is no specific aesthetic for everyone (even gender neutral doesn't appeal to people who identify as androgynous or who want to blend in) 

- Attempting to create a line of clothes therefore that appeal to everyone would lose its consistency, the sense of authenticity to me, and would be impossible within the time frame 

- Research has also shown majority of people feel comfortable and confident in loose, comfy clothes 

- Basing the design process off of this may make it easy to start developing 

- Throughout this development referring back to the different participants I contacted could be helpful for me to understand whether it is going in the right direction for a gender inclusive line 

TO DO

=> Further doodles and ideas

=> Where do these lead, what are the most interesting ideas?