Portfolio by Connie MacDonald

Portfolio

o nnie

MacDonald Connie MacDonald

Connie MacDonald

conniemacdonal d @ r o c ke t m a i l . c o m

07577485878

Constructed Contrast Graduate Project â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Constructed Contrastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a collection of abstract, conceptual knitted fabrics inspired by construction. The aim of this project was to create a knitted fabric collection that investigated textural contrasts using a variety of methods including yarn choice and knit structure. It was also to explore materials in a contemporary and unique manner and the way in which they are translated into a knitted fabric. My inspiration was construction and the way in which structures are created within an industrial, raw context. I primarily explored modern art with minimalistic sculptures and unusual shape composition. I also looked at architectural structures with inspiring angles, shapes, assembly methods and use of materials. The collection is designed for the womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear designer and high-end high street fashion market with the fabrics being developed into garments. The collection is aimed to be situated alongside designers and brands such as Lucas Nascimento, Christopher Kane, COS and Whistles. By exploring my influences and inspirations I was able to develop my collection through various investigations and design developments. I investigated multiple ways in which I could incorporate the textures and materials within construction into a knitted fabric through fabric coating tests, knit stitch explorations and yarn investigation. Alongside this, I looked at shapes, patterns and angles, and how these could be translated into a knit, not only through stitch structure, but the overall sample shape and elements. I combined various fabrics together in multiple ways where the construction was a primary aspect.

Constructed Contrast -

Connie MacDonald -

Constructed Contrast -

Connie MacDonald By taking inspiration from architectural shapes, structures and textures, I was able to create and develop my sketchbook work. From this work I then looked at different ways and techniques to interrupt and translate them into a knitted fabric. This was achieved through a variety of knit stitch structures, fabric coatings and construction techniques.

Constructed Contrast -

I wanted to incorporate the art of construction into the final fabrics themselves and the way in which the fabrics are combined together. By taking inspiration from the layering of materials, construction methods within industry and sketchbook angle/ shapes, I was able to develop different methods of combining fabrics together. I wanted the fabrics to all be visible and practical. I thought pockets could be really interesting if they were shown rather than hidden under a fabric. I wanted to make the pockets a focus with then being woven through the fabrics or hanging below the fabric. I also wanted to play around with proportion and composition so placed aspects of the fabric in unusual positions. For example, the rib of the fabric is in the middle of the fabric instead of being at the bottom. By using technical drawings and different combinations through CAD, I was able to plan each fabric so the different elements worked together.

Connie MacDonald -

Constructed Contrast -

Connie MacDonald -

Concrete project -

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Concreteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was a project from my graduate year. The theme of concrete was firstly inspired by a visit to Barbican in London. Its use of concrete as a material and the bold affect it had interested me so much that it sparked a interest in the material and its uses. I researched into its different contexts further and the effects it had; texture, shape, pattern, etc. I primarily looked at concrete within its architectural use. I also created my own concrete pieces and sketchbook development that I was inspired by the material. Textures were created through mark making that were then developed further into knit structures. I aimed to create a diverse collection of fabrics that looked at ten aspects of the research I had looked into surrounding the material. They were rib structures, sketchy marks, texture, coatings, cut out, geometrics, patchwork textures, colour and texture gradient and marble effect. By developing these avenues, I created a knitted fabric collection that had different elements, influences and outcomes using a minimalistic, raw, cold colour palette.

concrete project -

Connie MacDonald -

concrete project -

Connie MacDonald -

concrete project -

Connie MacDonald -

Shape and form project The aim of this project was to experiment with different methods on a domestic machine to achieve three-dimensional effects but in a flat form without any fabric manipulation within a knitted fabric. I wanted to investigate the different ways in which I could layer different angles and shapes on top of one another without using the intarsia technique, but rather partial knitting and casting on and off in selected areas. The projects inspiration and aims stem from previous projects in which I have had a similar interest in unusual angles and minimalism but have tended to use either the Shima knitting machine or V-bed knitting machines. Instead I was eager to further my skills and knowledge of the domestic machine and the ways in which I could manipulate some techniques as well as my own strengths. The visual information in which I was inspired from was modern, conceptual art, sculpture, architecture and photography of very minimalistic shapes and interesting angles. The ways in which the layering of the shapes occurred and the overlapping was a particular interest of mine in which I wanted to convey and incorporate within the knitted fabric collection.

shape and form project -

Connie MacDonald -

shape and form project -

Connie MacDonald -

Botanic Knit Collection Project Project based around the use of colour and how to approach colour combination, not being able to use white or black. I used the theme of botanics; flowers, petals, leaves, etc. as my primary inspiration as I wanted to explore colour in a bright and vibrant manner that was out of my comfort zone and pushed my boundaries. I took inspiration from flowers by looking at the petal shapes and the manner in which the petals layered on top of each other, as well as the repeat pattern. I was able to explore all these ideas by developing my sketchbook work and knitted samples. I used mostly stitch transfer techniques to create the effects I was after and generated some interesting 3D qualities. I wanted to use contrasting colours to enhance the stitch structures, creating details which show the shape, texture and 3D qualities. I also wanted to use the stitch structure to manipulate the shape of the fabric creating flowing, circular lines, of which are enhanced by the colour effects.

Botanics project -

Connie MacDonald -

Botanics project -

Connie MacDonald -

SOCiAL Housing textile Project -

Britains social housing and its brutalist phase have seen its rise and fall throughout the decades with Sheffield’s Parkhill paving its way for ‘streets in the sky’ and London’s Alton Estate being considered by many British architects at the time to be the crowning glory of postWorld War II social housing. As many consider the Scandinavian inspired concrete structures as ‘ugly’, I personally find them and their histories inspirational. Not only do the structures themselves hold great detail in shape and form but also the stories that lie beneath them. The buildings not only serve a purpose in shelter but also in creating and developing a sense of community and safety which I think the bold concrete structures mimic flawlessly with a sense of intimidation and protection. My aim for this project was to incorporate the shape, form and pattern of the buildings themselves, but also the relationship between the communities by interweaving additional aspects so they work as one. I also wanted to capture a sense of disrepair slightly, fading prestige and loss of respect through the collection that would mirror the thoughts and feelings associated with such buildings and their lack of attention and upkeep.

social housing project -

Connie MacDonald -

ocial housing project

Connie MacDonald -

FREELANCE ILLUSTRATION WORK -

As well as my passion and interest in textiles, I also enjoy working as a freelance illustrator. I not only run my own Etsy store called ‘Huney’ selling prints, I also work as a freelance illustrator for Leo’s Beanery and Leo’s by Dovecot Art Gallery (Edinburgh based coffee shops, event space and coffee roaster). I pride myself on creating quirky, quite minimalistic illustrations with an interest in the use of colour and font. Having the opportunity to work as an illustrator, I feel it gives my doodles purpose and enables me to constantly push my own boundaries and learn new skills. My method generally is to jot down ideas and sketch the vague drawing in a sketchbook. I then transfer the drawing into the adobe illustrator program and develop it from there working with the colour palette, perfecting the pattern, form, layout, etc. of the overall piece. The skills and knowledge I have learnt through the continual work on the illustrations have helped me improve my work on my textile projects and its digital development, use of colour and format.

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ILLUSTRATIONS -

Huney Concept

Etsy online store selling my personal prints

Connie MacDonald -

With Love, Leoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Leosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by Dovecot

Images used on social media to catch attention and gain traffic and customers

Leoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beanery

ILLUSTRATIONS -

One off printed illustrations created as prizes for a social media competition as part as Coffee Week

Connie MacDonald -

Personal project

Chinese inspired illustration used to created personalised notebooks

Johnstons of Elgin Project Johnstons of Elgin is Scottish cashmere and fine woollens company, who creates ranges of garments and accessories. Johnstons set the brief of producing a range of fabrics and a accessory that combined both interesting, exciting knit structures with print. Our primary inspiration was to reinvent â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;New Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, meaning that we were able to look into traditional and quintessentially Scottish themes, but to modernise and contemporise. I decided to research tartan as my inspiration, with the grid and check patterns. To generate these grid designs I also looked into architecture and industrial structures and the way in which the patterns layer upon each other and the 3D qualities. From all my inspiration I created a range of six fabrics that held interesting patterns and 3D qualities, upon which I printed contrasting and random grid and check patterns. I aimed to encapsulate offset and layered pattern, with bold shapes.

Johnstons of elgin project -

Connie MacDonald -

Johnstons of elgin project -

Connie MacDonald -

Shima design project -

This project was centred on learning new skills and techniques using the Shima programing systems and knitting machine. I wanted to create some really interesting 3D textures in my knit samples that I would not necessarily be able to create on a domestic or V-bed machine. For my inspiration, I looked towards fossils as they held such interesting 3D and pattern qualities. I took the natural and organic aspects from the fossil shapes and aims to recreate them with textile and a bold sense of movement. I used a variety of techniques in my fabrics, such as moss stitch, ripple stitch, ribs and partial knitting.

Shima project -

Connie MacDonald -

Shima project -

Connie MacDonald -

Colour Through practice project -

This project enabled us to be utterly creative with our knitted fabrics, with the brief stating that we try to use colour in an exciting and new way. I wanted to use relatively bright colours, which reflected the summer vibes and feel therefore was influenced by the Spring/Summer 15â&#x20AC;&#x2122; colour trends. I wanted my theme to work with the colours and the feel of the summer months so chose my primary inspiration to be meadows, blossom and flowers. I used a V-bed knitting machine to create my fabric collection, which enabled me to be quite experimental with new stitch techniques.

Colour project -

Connie MacDonald -

Colour project -

Connie MacDonald -

FIBRE OPTIC LIGHTING project -

As part of my textile innovation course, I developed a project integrating fibre optic lighting into a knitted fabric structure. I not only wanted to take influence from being aesthetically pleasing but also to be practical with various stitch structures and methods. I took inspiration from flowing lines and movement. With this theme I also looked at the movement of light and what patterns and shapes are created. I aimed to make the lighting in the knit structure as effective as possible with a sense of direction and movement. I used various knit stitch structures such as ripple stitch, partial knit, arm knitting, etc. I kept the colour palette minimal with pastel shades of blues and pink along with a glint of metallic. I used yarns such as viscose to create shine meaning the light could be reflected and enhanced.

Fibre optic project -

Connie MacDonald -

Fibre optic project -

Connie MacDonald -

Todd and duncan project -

Todd and Duncan are one of the worlds leading cashmere yarn spinners, based in Scotland. They approached Heriot-Watt University to create a fabric collection that displayed their cashmere and cashmere mix yarns in an interesting and new manner. I took my primary inspiration from an exhibition I visited by the French/American artist and sculptor, Louise Bourgeois. The shapes and patterns within her work really stood out to me and I wanted to convey this concept of flow and shape within my knit structures. She uses a swirling movement throughout her work that I became very interested in which led me onto developing my ideas and stitch structures.

Fibre optic project -

Connie MacDonald -

Connie MacDonald