Week 5: Preparing for Te Hākari
Presenting my artefacts (week 4)
Although I was not able to present any new work this week, I felt well enough to present and decided to at least receive feedback on my previous work. This was still beneficial, as I was able to talk about my previous work with a more developed explanation and thought, and we had different peers to discuss with. I curated the best and most interesting of my work from weeks 1 and 2, and discussed that I was following a material-driven design process, exploring different properties of a particular material. My exploration led me into
Group feedback (hand-written letters)
knitting and strong wool. Although my making did not develop this week, it gave me a chance to reflect on my progress thus far. I explained that I was drawn to slower, hands-on making processes because they made me feel calm and grounded. This reflection led me to want to understand the relationship between the creator and the material; I felt there was something valuable there that I could potentially explore.
My group was understanding and still provided me with valuable feedback this week. I was encouraged to specify my target audience. If I am working with New Zealand materials, is my product for kiwis, or is it designed to share stories about New Zealand with outside communities? Another said I should think about the context and environment my product might sit in; he mentioned the importance of a narrative surrounding my making. They liked that I was reflecting and making intentionally. They helped me realise that my making mainly consisted of swatches and single-material explorations. I was suggested to bring materials together and look at different forms. Breaking away from just a square or flat surface, draping could be an
avenue I look into, as it is a technique that requires engagement with material properties.
Another one of my peers noted my interest in knitting and recommended that I research the Shima knitting machines, as they would fit well with my textile knitting exploration and background in clothes-making. She also recommended that I look at the work of one of our lecturers, Rachelle Moore. From this feedback, I have gathered that my next step is to design with forms in mind and to be more experimental with my making.