My new project direction...

Just to clarify the final direction of my professional project is:
Dark and sinister story book inspired by the ability to change ones identity. It is going to take the audience through a constant story displayed through Fashion images of 5 separate characters who appear to be getting stalked by a stranger, but the reason for this is unknown, all that is shown are tiny hints that these 5 characters aren't as innocent as you originally think. All five characters are modelled by myself, but made to look as different as possible and a natural picture of me will link to the ending of the story. Each character starts holding a mug shot board from a police station to suggest a criminal side to them.

The story then goes out onto location photography where things are turned on their head, when i become the photographer and i still try to hole the illusion that I am modelling also, by using someone that looks similar to me, being my cousin. She will become one of the previous characters i modelled and another twists will happen where characters die and display odd characteristics. A picture of me taking a picture of Lucy being me will reveal the turn of events and will be displayed through the previous natural picture i will include at the start of the book.

There are several influences in this project:
. Split identities- all the characters are a form of my own imagination, they do not exist and their dark hints are reflections of my personality (played in the book)
. Duan Michals......my fave photographer, his series things are queer are is so inspirational to me and I will include a link from the start of the book to the very end like he does in this particular series. Putting across the amazing fact that people do not look at things in as much detail as they should.
. Madness in the fast lane- a documentary of two twins that throw themselves onto the motor way and survive. The fact twins can pass on illnesses to one another making them do crazy things. Played by me and my cousin who could pass for my sister.
.Mr Benn-The cartoon that displays one man going through several doors to encounter amazing adventures through each one.
. Usual suspects- The film, which is where the I.D line up and the criminal mug shot boards come into play.

Editing starts here....isn't Photoshop a wonderful thing!

I have just changed the background to 58 of my first photo shoot images to pure white....if i see another paint brush or dodge tool I may go crazy!!! :)

A HUGE CHANGE!!!!

My project has taken a huge change in direction! This is exciting...it has gone from being very pretty and clean cut to dark and sinister!!!! This is very out of my comfort zone but its soooo exciting. Sat in the tutorial talking about it was a lot of infomation to take in but now i have thought about it and the ideas are flowing i love it!!!

I am going to include a wall which looks like a stalker has produced and then 5 characters will be created which are being stalked and there is going to be a huge twist at the end! so watch this space.....ekkkkkk!!!

This means a lot more work...another shoot and help from others and A LOT of editing in Photoshop...I am going to be pro after!

HERE WE GO!

Self development throughout the Trend Book project........

Following a session that took place on Wednesday 17^th November, where Sarah and Jamie looked at our trend books, I came away feeling that my work was not at the standard that I originally thought. Following this I came away with both suggestions made by the lecturers and thoughts of my own and worked through the book adding elements to enhance the overall quality. After this I felt that the book fits together better and is actually more athletically appealing. Suggestions were things like making the book more balanced....because I have a specific layout that uses a lot of white space, I had many other pages that were examples of symmetry and totally balanced, the mix of the two did not work. Also it was also suggested that the panels I have used to complete my colour palettes should be used in other places in my book to link it all together and make the book flow.

Following a succession we had with Sarah looking at magazine spreads and interviewing each other on our trend books it became apparent to me that I need to make my book more unique to me and more creative; finding the balance of showing technical computer skills and being creative is hard! However it was picked up on that I used words such as; random selection, pretty, comfort and history, which are all words that I would use to sum up my book and also could use within my book to make it more personal to me.

During a photography workshop organised by Sarah I made a big realisation. My love of photography was reignited and my ability to read images and analyse elements of photography was reinstated. This got my imaginative juices flowing and sparked thoughts for my major project after Christmas. I am definitely going to study photography and have some great ideas of directions I can take it to tailor it to my aspirations.

At the start of the project it seemed like a lot of work in such a short time and panic set in and although it was a lot of work I am now feeling a lot more relaxed about the situation and more certain about my desired outcome. Once the dread started to disappear the realisation of the skills we are gaining from undergoing this task started to appear. The project as Promotion students is great, it makes us practise our organisation, communication and computer skills and also highlights each person’s strengths and weaknesses.

1. SWOT:

Strengths-Getting stuck in with the projects we do

Weaknesses-Not being able to use my time affectively

Opportunities-To do a really great project something new and unique

Threats- The ability to think of something new when so much has been done before

5 minute presentation on my current situation..........

At the moment I am in the second year of my studies at University.

I have got here through many years in education and a lot of hard work with school and A Level work but also through a lot of self development.

Next year I am still deciding on....I am debating whether or not to do the third year of my course or whether to get straight out there into a job and start working for what I have been working for my whole life. Although at the moment taking everything into consideration with fees on the rise, unless an outstanding opportunity opened up for me I am warming to the idea of staying for the third year.

If this is the case then I want that year of work to be the most beneficial and most rewarding year of work I have ever done. I want to have great placements and really make myself noticed as employable and start putting my feet into some doors and building up those connections.

The people that may influence my choices are: parents, family, friends (because I care what they think and they can provide good advice) lecturers (because they know what they are talking about....even if they are a little bias) and any employers out there (if they would like to employ me before 3^rd year starts)....pretty much everyone!!! Ohh including myself! (because I’m the one that has to make the decisions)

Five people I believe to be successful........

Five people I believe to be successful........

1. Jamie Oliver

2. Rhianna

3. David Beckham

4. Christopher Nolan- Writer and director of Inception

5. Sir Alan Sugar

1. I consider Jamie Oliver to be successful because he is a very well know chef and has many successfully cook books out. He got there with a lot of hard work and determination and his love of food drove him. I can learn from him that hard work gets you places.

2. I consider Christopher Nolan successful because the film that he wrote and directed was considered a huge success and went down very well with its audience. He got there through a lot of learning and probably practise. And his passion drove him. I can take from this that if you have a strong enough passion for something and work hard enough you will get somewhere in the end.

3. I consider Sir Alan Sugar to be successful because he is very rich and has a huge amount of control over many people. People also fight for a space to work for him through a TV show. He got there through again hard work and determination and probably had a bit of help from who he knew. Passion and maybe a bit of money drove him. I can take from this that making connections is key to the industry I am going to be in.

Success: Main requirements;

Motivation/drive.

Commitment/determination.

Learning by doing including making mistakes.

Feedback from…..

Digesting and reflection.

Last but not least……Hard work

What makes a good image!

Model

Image is all about the way in which a person represents themselves, in essence it is their identity and personality. I think that there is not necessarily a 'good' universal image because I think that generalizes, marginalizes and stereotypes the idea of identity and a persons image. However, as a model, I think that a good image is not necessarily to do with looks, I think a good image captures individuality and personality through the setting and location, the confidence the subject shows and through the right styling, lighting and camera angle to capture the mood intended. Overall, I think that a good image represents the individual personality of the subject and correctly captures the mood of the setting.

Photographer

When I asked Charlie what made a good image she replied its simple....the only things you need are:

· Good composition,

· Good lighting,

· Good subject,

· Good camera.

Photographer from ModelMayhem- there are a number of elements that make a photo good or great. the first is subect matter. the next is exposure and the last thing is composition.

Day to London and Exhibitions

Visiting exhibitions will benefit both our PPRD unit and our Fashion as a Forum unit.

We first went to the V&A Museum, we hadbeen there quite a few times before so we felt we knew the way around a bit and liked the museum itself previously. While we were there we saw loads!! There were so many exhibitions on but unfortunately the Fashion, Photography and textiles departments were closed. Typically!

Our next stop was Somerset House. This was a bit more successful, although the travelling there on the tube was entertaining and a lovely surprise to be very close to the museum once of the tube when we originally expect to have to walk a lot to find it.

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures in nearly all of the exhibitions but we took notes on everything we saw and took some pictures outside which I will include.

The exhibitions we saw were:

Jewellery- V&A Museum:

This was an exhibition that took you through all the decades of jewellery from as early as 1620 to 2000. This was a very interesting exhibition as our professional project is about revolution this also echoed the change in the times and how the jewellery has changed over the time. I made notes on the pieces that caught my eye. For example;

1960-1720- vibrant enamelled gem set stones...it was all about that gem stones and bling in these days.

Rings: memorable and official 1700-1800 rings given to friends and relatives. This era was all about the Berlin iron work.

Naturalism- 1790-1840- love for nature most universal and respected sentiments in the 19^th century. This era was all about naturalistic jewellery influenced by romantic movement.

Matthew Williamson- Somerset house:

This was my favourite exhibition of that day! If not ever. I have always found Matthew Williamson’s work so brilliant and inspiring. I love his work and his whole story of his career. The photos in this exhibition were gorgeous.

I made some notes in the exhibitions on all the things I found interesting.

· ‘Matthew Williamson’s brand represented uplifting colours, light and optimism. Openness and ability to collaborate and evolve his brand and he is all about vitality and vibrance.’- Vanessa Coyle, Fashion editor, Harpers Bazaar UK.

· Matthew has been designing for 13 years now and his first show was modelled by friends who are now famous in their own right.

· Colour and texture always has been the focus of Williamson’s collections, they make the wearer feel uplifted.

· Bright bubbly prints.

· Follower in the footsteps of Celia Birtwell and Zandra Rhodes.

· Vogue played a vital role in his early days

· He has made collections for H&M which sell out in 48s at a time.

BRILLIANT!!!

Joy Division- Somerset house:

I loved this exhibition as well because I previously studied Joy Division in Media studies at A Level and I found their story amazing, with Ian Curtis’ struggle with epilepsy and trying to be famous and the struggle with friends, it really brings you down to earth and makes you put your problems in perspective.

The exhibition itself was placed as soon as you entered the front door of the museum and was empty when we went in so we could spend as much time as we wanted in there and take our time to read everything about it. It was interesting to be able to view someone’s life in such detail. The images taken of the men performing and just in their every day environments were beautiful and the black and white presentation just finished the whole exhibition.

We saw so many other exhibitions while we were going around but these were the ones that I found the most interesting and inspiring. What a great, productive day J

My 5 year plan!!

I have already got my car and the only change with my personal life will be..MOVING OUT!

Next year I may or may not stay on for my 3^rd year of university…..but I am warming to the idea of staying, in which I would like to gain experience within the fields I am interested in so that I can narrow down the job titles I am heading towards. As well in this time I would like to use the lecturers help and support to its full advantage and start building contacts within the industry.

Following this year I would then like to go straight from University into the industry and start my first job in the world of work. This will be in a field along the lines of Fashion, PR, advertising and marketing and photography. I may even take this time to investigate further which field I want to finally be in.

By the 3^rd year I will now be approaching 23 and would like to be settled in my field and in a good position in my place of work starting to look about moving up in the job.

By my 4^th year I would like to be making a difference in wherever I may be working and be very settled or moving onto my next job.

By my 5^th year I would like to be comfortable with my income and starting to think about a family in my personal life. I would like to be happy in my work place and I hope to have paid a lot of my loan off.

Polo Ralph Lauren: Fall 2010 collection

Another amazing advertisment from Ralph Lauren...buying into the brand!

Ralph Lauren Wimbledon 2010

Myself and Holly worked on the photo shoot that advertised this in Canary Wharf magazine!!!

Ralph Lauren Purple Label: Fall 2010

This Ralph Lauren advert is one which explains my research for fashion as a forum and buying into a brand.

Who You Are (Audio)

Another Jessie J song that reflects my project....having looked into her songs you would think I based my whole project around the lyrics of her songs. This video has the message of you should value yourself as who you are and not try to change...you will never be perfect. Contradicts my focus of ability to change ones identity but spreads the background message, nice message that all young girls need to0 hear while they are too trapped in a celeb, plastic, fake world.

'seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing'

Jessie J - Price Tag ft. B.o.B.

Ok....so its becoming more obvious to me that Jessie J is a big influence on my Professional Project. This new song 'Price Tag' is particularly interesting to me for the video. This is because during the video Jessie J is dressed in different outfits, displaying different identities. I love the outfit when she is dressed as a puppet.

Nina L'Elixir Advertising (20s version)

I LOVE the dress in this advert!! How beautiful....the song and everything about the advert is cheery and very catching....great example of promotion :) The styling is fab and the theme of getting out of bed and going on an adventure until she finds the perfume reflects the theme of my story in my professional project look book.