Introduction.
When I began my ‘Brand Me’ journey, I must admit to being extremely hesitant. Not wanting to speak about certain topics/addressing me myself as a person which include both highs and lows. However, as I conclude my work into identifying the basis of where I lay in the market, who are my biggest inspirations, where I came from etc and more, I find that this has so far, been the biggest role in my degree journey. Where, I hate using the word ‘forced’, so I will say strongly pushed to look at myself deeply and much further than the surface layer. There are things I have discovered within myself that I never thought about before if not wished to. However, throughout this round up essay pf my time, I will elaborate further.
0.1 Market Sector When I began my degree journey, I always was uncertain the market I most fit within. For a while, I thought I was fast fashion, purely on who I focussed on in the first year and half of my second year. A well as my work style was worlds away from how it has evolved now. Others and I can agree it took me quite a while to figure out who I was visually as well as digitally. It took longer for the penny to drop in other words. However, in our fashion prediction module in mid/end of second year, was truly when it dropped for me. I found that when mentored by Tony Green, and then in turn looking at similar industry influences such as Craig Green, Tim Walker, Eden Loweth, etc was my turning point. There was an article I read that contained a quote which is how I really identified how I work back then, it put into words how I see not simply my work but the world as well, it read, ““You can look at something that happened in the past, but you have to change the energy of it.” (Zarrella, 2021). I found that creating a way of working that in other words is timeless and never quite runs out was huge for me. And in turn, discovered where I fit. The high fashion luxury market. Once discovered, it was as if a light switch and finally come on, allowing me to express myself in my digital collages. Expressing ultimate emotion in the images I created, however keeping to that high standard market I so clearly thrived from. As read, “ I don’t believe in originality. You take inspiration from whatever moves you and you find your voice in those things.” (“ BY TIM WALKER | A-Z Quotes”, 2021).
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feel like the market you define yourself within, goes far deeper than simply where or who you want to work for one day, but rather it mirrors yourself in respect to your morals. For me, my moral standards are that of quality over quality, honesty, transparency, respect, and kindness. These are traits I was brought up with and have carried on throughout my adult life. So, when it comes to my future in the industry and future jobs etc, I wish to carry through these moral standards inside my personal life, as well as outside. I looked into more of the behind the scenes, now opening this pathway of research felt quite cliché and if not false in the sense of it being so over done for the publicity/media coverage. That being, workplace treatment. For my market level, this was extremely important to me, which with the higher end brands is mire transparency and a lack of attempt to hide mistreatment. I read an article speaking specifically addressing the topic of under paying employees to further profit, “the gap between legal minimum wages (the legal minimum a person can be paid) and minimum estimates for living wages (the minimum pay rate needed for a person to lead a decent life) tended to be “even larger in Europe’s cheap labour countries than in Asia”. Having personally had this issue myself, it has definitely pushed me to strive for more personally, as well as professionally. (“Luxury brands: higher standards or just a higher mark-up?”, 2021). As this chapter draws to a close, I find it important to address the beginning of the journey to finally settling on the ‘High Fashion’ market level, that being our trip to London in my first year, where I went to Dover Street Market, and seeing the ultimate attention to detail in every sense of the word, as well as creating am experience, not simply just a shopping trip to town. I really loved that specific approach and I believe now, looking back on my time at university that it was the seed planted to grow me to where I am now. As cliché as it sounds, that trip brought me to where I am now, knowing what I do as well as where I want to go in the future inside this fantastic industry.
0.2 How I View the World The question itself of ‘how do you see the world?’ was one I thought over for a while, it stood out to me as to me it is not one that has a fixed answered, as I view it in the respect of the way I see the world constantly changing and evolving. I would say currently I have more of an optimistic approach, where coming to the end of my university experience, certain doors opening soon from that, as well as in general achievements have given this view on life. However, as mentioned before this is always subject to change, where I find much influence on my surroundings as mentioned throughout my summer research. A quote I read which captured all of these statements, was as read, “Across every spectrum of society in virtually every nation, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our outlook. As for the future? In a script that’s being rewritten each day, there are a few constants: We’ll need to look forward, to adapt, and to take nothing for granted.” (Nast, 2021).
However, the way I see the world compared
to how I see the industry is quite different, in the respect of that nievety you lose over time throughout maturing and life in general, I try maintaining through my work. As a safe untouched haven if you will, which, in my opinion I certainly illustrate. I in turn see the industry, other designers/ creators/etc in this same viewpoint. This could be down to the fact of, if there is no goodness left in this world, what is the point. I love expressing this escape in my work, illustrating pure enjoyment, love, and kindness in my work.
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omeone that first exhibited this for me was Matty Boven, “It had this headline, ‘In Uncertain Times, This Is a Cert!”, (“Matty Boven — The Haute Fashion Diva — Très Haute Diva”, 2021). This article I read completely backed up how I felt and saw. It was an interview conducted where Boven himself truthfully answered how uncertain/dark times can be, so why not express that hope for a variety in art, illustration, personal work, etc. I gained much inspiration whilst looking into Boven, his work, and his general outlook on his own work, it was such a positive and nieve way of viewing life. Something I certainly am striving to move forward nit simply in my work, but personally as well. In another term, I would class myself as someone who views the world in levels, levels of textures, proportions, emotions, etc. Where upon research has many similarities with a graphic designer type. This surprised me, solely on the basis of perhaps the way I see things/ the way I work is far more original that I spent most of my time in university if nit my life believing. The key word that has always stuck out to me is combining, in explanation for this, I instinctively love to communicate through my work a visual response from the viewers point of view, in the way of that the response to what I am seeing or feeling, I try to replicate and produce a positive outcome in every piece of communication piece or design work I put forward. An interesting piece I read was, “We see it as an experience to enjoy, inform and engage in emotionally”, (web, 2021). This was an interview with a graphic designer, where he was explaining how he went from a brand manager to graphic designing, and the way he saw the world from the beginning. I found this a pivotal part of my research, where being centred in one industry can lead to much more, as well as how versatile the way I viewed my work was, and in turn what I could possibly do with is and the paths I could explore, pushing the done before route many before me in this course has taken. It certainly gave me a push to explore new directions.
0.3 My Communication Of/Visuals The question of, “How do I communicate my work?”, was one I absolutely loved, I found it a question I had to return to. I found this a deeper question than how it was simply posed as, in terms of I viewed this question as how I communicate as well as outside of my work. In terms of my work however, I have touched upon this in both my summer research, as well as previously in this report. However, going into more depths, I would say as I elaborate, I will focus on answering directly, as well as outside the terms of work, for a more rounded approach.
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hen beginning into other figures, and how they communicate to try liken and find a similar connection much like influences in your work, I came across Tim Walker, he being someone I have previously mentioned surrounding other reasons, however when posed this question he was the first that came to mind, as I have always adored the way he communicates his brand, morals, work and other endeavours. Meaning that was a solid starting point for me. As read in a relevant article, “ I know the world that I am painting is not a reality. It is a whim, an entertainment to provoke something in people, whether as escapism or relief. I think that is very valid.” (“TIM WALKER | A-Z Quotes”, 2021). This interview conducted by The White was one I found fascinating, simply upon the fact it was an opportunity to have an eye into how Walker thought, his processes, how he viewed things, etc. In turn, with myself, I would say how with much reflection and research into my key influences and the similarities, I would saw I emotionally visualise my research, directing the way I feel or the hidden messages I want to portray through digital imagery. Which, if I compared to my first year and where I began, I would have to say was quite the juxtaposition, as I was extremely hands on until I felt & realised it was headed into a dead end. My turning point was certainly my fashion predicting module in my second year, where gripping hold of my safe space of hands on was at a pivotal moment of either letting that loose and exploring my full possibilities of digital exploration through communication or staying with what I knew up until this point. I always looked upon my work as that of visualizing in person, rather than digital. However, that is for many reasons not the pathway I was meant for, nor the way forward for the future if we are moving to more economic beneficial surroundings, not to mention fast moving generation. So, as mentioned before, where I stand now, I have settled on communicating my work/research into a digital visual way, however this year pushing it forward into a more 3D way. Which, if comparing to year one to now, nothing is impossible with commitment. Now, as spoken about my journey from and to, I take a lot of inspiration from how I can move my work forward and in turn the communication of it forward. My plan to move this forward is to research and attempt a development to taking my digital visual collages and push them into a more 3D form, with exploring different software, speaking to others with experience within this field, as well as taking more risks to really push that 3D development. Up until this point in my ‘Brand Me’ journey, I have investigated how industry names create their 3D world for their work, such as Craig Green, Tim Walker, Wonderland, and POP. Playing around with these aspects, gifs, etc has been insightful, however certainly a new challenge throughout this module I hope to perfect.
0.4 Personal Identification Personally, identifying is something I have al3ays struggled with, in terms of I have always been one who is easily influenced, which when answering this question opened me to truly evaluate if my identity was real or based off my surroundings/others. However, something that I have always stuck to, was the morals raised in me. Keeping it short and sweet, I have always been raised in a strong Christian house, where respect, kindness, honesty, and love is priority in treating others and lifestyle. Looking in reflection, this was a blessing in my later life, to be a beacon of when things/situations arise, using this as a guide for personal development in the right areas.
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, as mentioned on a personal level for my identification, within my professional one, I would say I identify as a creative, one that takes great inspiration from other creatives who not only share similar personal morals, however, use those within their professional career. As mentioned before names such as Craig Green, Tim Walker, Matty Boven, and even as a figure of the past Andy Warhol. All these names fall under the same market sector, as well as work produces all contain messages, illustrations emitting emotion, instillations that tell a story etc. For me, I additionally identify within Dover Street Market. Where there is more than simply storytelling, however rather creating an experience, which opens the customers eyes to the stories behind the designer, in this case the various artists within. I read a quote in an interview with Kawakubo herself, where stated, “The more people that are afraid when they see new creation, the happier I am.” (“REI KAWAKUBO | inspring.us”, 2021). This was such an insightful interview, where self-expression was the definition of beauty. This interview with Vogue was one that always stuck with throughout my years at university, up until now I never really knew why, I always thought it was something that simply was one for the filing cabinet in a way, however, when posed the question of my identifying, it came straight to me, where beaty in difference stands out, similar to how I live, how I identify my work and all covered areas of who I am, who ‘Just Jess’ is. Throughout this year, upon many others, my aim is to come out of university identifying solely within myself, not others, not my surrounds, but who I really am. However, that is more targeted towards my personal self, not necessarily my professional life.
0.5. MAKE-UP & My Strengths What are my strengths and weaknesses? Well, in my opinion of myself I would have to say my most prominent strengths are being brave, standing up for what’s right, honesty, and good character. Now, obviously this may waver in other’s opinions, however this is how I view myself and strengths. When it comes to weaknesses, I would have to say my quick temper, as well as my pride. I am an extremely proud person, especially in arguments, I never like being wrong which can let me down in situations that take open mindedness. This certain weakness has come from a few members of my family, as they know me better than most. I would also have to say another weakness of mine is bottling. I tend to bottle my emotions in things that upset or aggravate me. This is a weakness in my eyes as it tends to build up until it overflows, meaning I burst out over time. I have always wanted to be one of those people that can openly just talk about how they are feeling, and in a professional setting I can, however in a personal private life setting not so much. I find it quite hard to just go up to someone or a situation and express my unhappiness, equalling out to building up.
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he above sentences were part of my summer work from over the summer, I felt that it was relevant enough to show the progression from even a few months back to now. As, as standing now, I would give completely different answers to before, which I find fascinating how fast someone can change, and in turn the outlook. For me, I have always been an extremely hard-working person, where a lot of my worth comes from feedback, grades, opinions of others. Answering with those replies is not something I have been proud of, however honesty within this module and year is vital, meaning getting comfortable being uncomfortable will be the new way for a while.
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have always felt that addressing my personal strengths to be something quite vain, so when asked this question I openly put it off as much as I could. Now, looking at my professional strengths, it goes without saying that digital software is an obvious one, such as all of Adobe, Online platforms, etc. However, I am focussing more so on what I can do within that. Such as my vast array of skills like creating impressionable digital collages, making a brand aesthetic, where for so long that was never quite clear. I have also found, a quote from Rei, which rounded up, “My energy comes from freedom and a rebellious spirit.” (“ REI KAWAKUBO | inspring.us”, 2021). I find great strength in having my work of colour, message, and emotion on a simple white backing. Making the work I exhibit speak for itself, where words hinder rather than make clear. It sounds cliché, however my strength throughout my course journey has bee exactly that, speaking to people without words, and it certainly as mentioned previously is something wish to push further throughout my final year at university.
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What am I, Digital/Structural?
When posed, this question was unlike the others, it was an automatic much like a reflex which I was. I identify myself as a digitally structures brand, where building emotion and message in an architectural sense is what I do best, how I work, and in turn how I see the world. It sounds strange to the ear; however, I see the world as levels and pieces that all fit together in sync. Building much like a building foundation, is how I work, puzzle solving and putting the pieces together to form in my work, an abstract, conceptual work of art that needs a double look to figure out what it stands for. I love drawing people in, creating a digital world in my work, weather that be my signature collages, or my online presence. I certainly found it much easier to identify my working style/ life rather than based on the personal basis. I read an article where stated how someone I look up, Coco Chanel to views themselves in a similar structural producer, “fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.” (Designers Influenced by Architecture | High society”, 2021). Coco was always one to push boundaries and create new ways of carving out pathways for the future of fashion. I have always taken much inspiration from how she viewed her work and industry; it was truthfully one designer that most definitely put the architectural influence in my work, which only really took its shape once again in my second year.
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ecoming digital was something I always looked upon others in envy, especially in paring throughout my time at university, with my classmates. However, if admitted, this year has truly become my personal time to explore my capabilities for the digital realm. Now, as it stands, I would class myself as a strong digital communicator, telling stories through visualizing in the most naive, raw, and complicated aspects. Structure also is prevalent in my personal makeup, where I find a structured routine, set limits etc fundamental for my success. I am naturally extremely attention drifting, meaning consistent structure key or me as a person. Throughout this year, I plan to soften the structure personally, and move it fully professionally for the benefits of my future inside one of the hardest industries.