May Challenge - Design Process

Challenge #9 May 8th /due June 12th

This challenge is focused on the design process and creating a small study as a practice piece for a major piece or a series.

Using a study or practice piece can help you work out the composition and technique issues before committing to a major piece. Working in a series (2 or more pieces) is a way to explore an idea and feed off your own work

You may already have a design process that works well for you…if so be prepared to tell us about it. Or try a different approach.

Here’s an example of a design process I use often:
· Brainstorm your idea with pencil and paper: clarify in words what you are trying to achieve. What is the concept/meaning/mood/effect you’d like to express in your piece? Make some thumbnail sketches. Think of some variations.
· Choose one of your sketches and elaborate with details and modifications until you have a direction or starting point.
· Consider color and value in your sketch…make a copy of your sketch and use colored pencils to audition colors or gradations of gray to determine value contrasts
· Do a mockup of your piece with glue stick and colored paper

Some ideas on different starting places for designing from The Quilter’s Book of Design by Ann Johnston
· Make a small drawing to scale
· Make a drawing of the full-size design
· Cut without a plan, with/without rulers, fabric already chosen
· Look for traditional pattern in your quilt resources
· Use your computer design software or paint or drawing software
· Choose a photograph from your collection to use as a design
· Paint on paper or fabric
· Sort all your fabrics, looking for a piece that goes with your subject/idea

More ideas on getting started with an abstract design from Quilted Symphony by Gloria Loughman
· Method 1 - Beginning with a doodle
· Method 2 – Starting realistic
· Method 3- Altering Shapes
· Method 4 – Using Photographs
· Method 5 – Cutting up drawings or photographs
· Method 6 – Extracting a section
· Method 7 – Using fabric as a starting point
· Method 8 – Using a theme