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Final editorial layout 

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Short video showing the process of the shoot 

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Producing the editorial content

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Selection of shots from Craft work shoot 

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Jewellery development and inspiration from exhibition @ white cube 

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Craft Work - Idea Development

From the Craft Work brief there has been an emphasis on producing an outcome that directly relates to how we view modern day craft. From this I considered craft within a fashion related area, being the craft of garment or in this case the jewellery. Currently there is a lot of sculptural esc jewellery design dominating both the catwalk and high street stores (see examples in mood board)

From researching sculptors like Alexander Calder and Aliyah Hussain I considered the form of objects and how this could be translated into a series of jewellery pieces. To be in keeping with the craft objective of the brief I want to use everyday materials such as wire, safety pins, paper and other craft like materials readily available in hobby stores for the pieces.

After creating these earrings/necklaces/rings I will feature them within an editorial shoot that has the running theme of craft and rustic elements throughout. To do so the garments include the likes of some Comme Des Garcons, with the abstract form of the material and shape to Acne Studios Pre Fall 17 collection that was inspired by Paul Klee’s finger puppets.

The editorial will include one or two male subjects as I want to explore the idea of masculinity and femininity through use of feminised accessories and dress juxtaposed with the models.

Location is something I want to develop and consider further and will create some mood boards to illustrate this. My initial thoughts are gravitating to either a strong neutral setting with greenery and natural elements, or a industrial setting such as a storage container that had lots of exposed metal fixtures.

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Progress on the edit after shooting some footage today in the Artists studio 

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Quick edit of the direction in which I would like the artistic direction of the film to go.

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Within the video I want to have subtitles of the narrative with the artist, drawing inspiration from examples such as these.

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Treatment 

Overview: A documentary style video will the the story of the inspiration behind the work of creative Kusheda Mensah. With the themes of her furniture and prints being Women, Connection and Colour this short documentary style video narrates the artist explaining such inspiration through a scripted narrative and supporting imagery. 

Within around two minutes I want to highlight a divers range of people, including snapshots into different cultures and diverse categories of subject. Providing a portrait of the the different women the artists furniture may represent, in particular how this is realised through abstract form and colour.

Moodboard: To illustrate the work of Kusheda I want to include vibrant colours and abstract shapes within the video. The images above indicate the ideas surrounding what imagery I would like to include.

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Further Development of Idea

After thinking about what medium I wanted to use in order to produce an outcome for this brief and after talking with Kusheda more I decided it would be fitting to create a video response to her work. This way I would be able to draw inspiration from her work whilst also giving an informative snapshot of her ‘voice’. I aim to provide a treatment moving forward into the development of such ideas of moving image.

My initial thoughts surround a documentary style short film, that includes footage of the artist alongside abstract imagery and relevant artworks.

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Moodboard 

As Kush’s work explores form and colour I collated some images together into a mood board to show the kind of ideas for imagery within my responce. Looking in depth at the form of her furniture and prints is something I would like to explore in depth.

Here the idea would be to create a still life set inspired by the artists prints and furniture, taking basic elements of the designs and realising them in another format. This could be laser cut shapes or objects that represent the different subjects of each print. 

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Tutorial One

Within this tutorial we introduced our ideas and our subject for the project. After discussing with the group the most suitable of my ideas was Kusheda. Talking with the group it was clear she highlighted an area of design that was interesting and thought provoking. We explored her presence online and came to the conclusion that she definitely represented what you would call an unheard voice.

My initial ideas surrounding the responce to the brief gravitated towards a publication or zine. Within this medium I feel very comfortable in being able to highlight the message of the work with image and text based editorial. 

I think that Kush’s work would benefit from such medium though not sure how I would link in my own responce to her work. 

The sections of the editorial content would include :

- Backstory - Inspiration behind the work - What the work concerns/ is trying to change or portray - General talking points, other light content

Within this profile there will be a series of photos of the artist taken at her studio. The images above indicate the mood in which I would like to create through these photos, using vibrant colour and light to give energy to the feature.

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Proposed Subject two: Kusheda Mensah 

Kusheda is a young contemporary designer. From her love of print design came a curiosity into the development of modular furniture.  

After discussions with Kusheda this is what she said to summarise her work:

“I have been developing a product, acknowledging the frequent studies and media coverage relating to mental health and rising trend in well-being. The withdrawal from real human connection in a more hyper digitalised age, and the constant imaging from “apps of inspiration,” was proving scientifically to make us less inspired and bringing us more anxiety.

In conjunction with personal experiences, friends within my local creative community, and the discussion panels and talks I’ve been on and attended recently, I realised the growing awareness and exposure. As this was something in my ethnic group often swept under the rug and didn't exist.

After being inspired by other innovate designers of the 70s and studying Japanese design i started to think a lot about how get people to sit talk organically, and I visualised my collection of modular pieces as artistic aids to bring people together.

The modular pieces are all unique shapes in design, with unique print design applied to the models. They will be built for functionality in communal spaces, and can be connected and configured to create an environment and setting of your choice. One of the most important things about the furniture is that is not like regular modular furniture is built to fit like a sofa. This will be built so we cannot hide from one another, and built to evoke conversation so it's not shaped to sit side by side but opposite or diagonally from each other. Its also built low like Japanese furniture to signify humility.

It will be a staple collection of between (10-15 pieces) and will be applied with print - the themes of print are around women, connection, colour and humility. Each furniture piece will have it's own personality and it's own work of art, resembling that of a human.

I also have a strong duty as a young contemporary to the planet. In making this furniture as eco friendly as possible.”

From this I was able to gain a deeper understanding of her work, what interested me particularly was how the initial idea behind her furniture stems from human connection and a lack of it in current day. I think that the message behind Kush’s work is very relevant and would work well highlighting a voice that otherwise wouldn't be heard.

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Proposed Subject One: Yvonne Gold

My first idea for a subject for ‘Unheard Voices’ is Yvonne Gold; the make up artist behind Vivienne Westwood’s first 8 collections. Her vast career over the years meant that she worked with many of the fashion greats and got to see first hand the inside of the fashion industry. 

Even though Yvonne has been involved in mainstream fashion in her career she now is involved with other projects and is also a lecturer at LCF. I think as a source for an unheard voice Yvonne may be able to shine a light on a diverse angle of the fashion industry. After speaking with a friend of Yvonne, it became clear to me that in a current climate she could be seen as an unheard voice, almost a character out of the spotlight who once was working with big designers and personalities. 

Her instagram is filled with inspirational triptychs all of which provoke creative curiosity for herself and others.

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Unheard Voices - Briefing

“Riposte magazine is a smart magazine for women. 

We profile bold and fascinating women whose achievements speak for themselves. Our interviews are honest rather than being full of media trained responses as the women we feature candidly discuss their successes & failures, their work, their passions and perspectives”

Danielle gave a talk about the work she does at Riposte and what the magazine essentially stands for. This included showing examples of the subjects that feature within the magazine. These often fall under the idea of elevating an unheard voice or part of culture that we wouldn't necessarily see. From this I was really inspired to identify a creative in fitting with these kind of ideas. 

Moving on from this talk and the briefing I aim to build a body of research for potential subjects.