Project Timeline

WIL Synthesis

This project was a great learning curve for me.It was the first project that I have ever done that didn't involve the rigours of Journaling everything I did and pleasing teachers. It was nice just to design, meet up with the Client and then design again. I approached this project like a job and now looking back I think this was the best Idea and committing one full day to the project a week seemed to be the right idea.
I never stuck to the 9 -5 routine and found most days that I would work until the University closed or until I got sleepy.
Some of my mistakes were probably not enough time researching the history and people that go to these types of events and I think I should have created my own personal mood board that I could go back to when stuck and also to keep remembering my design direction.
I was personally happy with my end product as I feel I created something that was completely different from what was made last year and I think it was suited to both genders and as a design it was quite attention grabbing.

Looking back at the project and the progress of working by myself I could certainly see myself working as a Freelance designer in the future…though I do think it would be quite hard to start out like this, without having some work experience in your pocket, but eventually I think this would come a nice lifestyle and a steady income.

Overall a fun and helpful project.

WIL project finished designs

I really enjoyed the Art, craft and cookery project…..It was great to work at my own pace and under my own direction.
It was interesting to create something directly for a certain type of cliental and also challenging to remember this while designing.

I think next time I would probably spend a little time researching more info about the history of the art, crafts and Cookery to more understand my Clients needs.

Sketches for WIL project

Starting the WIL placement project off with sketches of things that one who is crafty would use to be crafty.

I am looking at designing a Calender as the tea towel with quirky names like Jamuary and Cakemus to replace the typical months………………..

I have found this Freelance project quite fun as I can go to my scheduale which has been the thursday we have for class and I treat it as a 9-5 job which has been more like 9am - 10pm as i find that once I get into this project I don't wanna stop until security throw me out of Campus.

WIL Placement week 1 (cakes)

Finding myself with out a Internship this year by my own choosing I have embarked on the WIL placement 'Freelance' project. This year it is with the Royal Melbourne shows Art, Craft and Cookery group where our small group (9) will battle it out and create a design a tote bag and tea towel to be sold at their Pavilion in September at the show.
After being breifed we wrote a short research doc and proposal to be presented to staff at the RASV head quarters in Ascot Vale.
After all this it was now all on my shoulders to create what i invision for the tote bag and tea towel….going up against 9 girls in a female dominated area of the show i better think of something that will look different and stand out from the crowd.
This has got me thinking to what i would actually like my own studio to look like if I was a freelance textile designer.
What type of space, where would it be  and would it just be me or a shared space.
I think that I would most probably start out with a home based studio as not to spend to much money on my rent and more time on developing a solid foundation of clients and I think as most work will come in via On-line qoutes and client visits having a home studio wouldn't be a disadvantage.

Here's some photos of some interesting studio spaces.

A well oiled machine

Our Commercial group started with a bang and finished with a bang. I think we all worked well together and our commitment to our own personal tasks meant that everything was done on time without any dramas.

Maybe a few in the team started a little fast, which took a few of us a few weeks to catch up to what was going on and this was purely because they had previously interned at Megan Park and had intimate knowledge of what was already going on in the Company.

Looking back I have to say this group project was more efficient than any other previous groups I have been into and this just came down to great organisation.

I personally felt like I could have been more involved in the work…..but I think that because of my hot bikini bod making me the model for the Bikini Launch probably made the whole thing a raging success (self applaud).

Overall a good experience which has seen me intake some solid knowledge of how a successful small company like Megan Park runs and also a nice way to work on my relationship skill.

Leadership and Team Cactus

Great week in toe. Thursday class involved a brief leadership talk and quiz by the Conversant Company. It was interesting to see my quiz results that were ranked 1, Workability 2, Learning 3, Creativity 4, Relationships 5, Accountability.
The results didn't suprise me and only confirmed what I already thought. By coming from an athletic  background I have always been goal orientated and know the work and sacrifice needed to achieve those goals and that learning is an ever-ending circle that must be applied to all aspects of life otherwise you will just stop growing and ultimately dying.
I was happy with creativity sitting in the middle as I think that it shouldn't be the number one skill for one to have but something to compliment other areas if you want a professional team of designers because you can be the best designer in the world but if you don't know where you're going and not willing to learn anything then you will just remain where you are and never improve and grow.
Later in the week I had my very small launch of my new cycling brand 'Eddy Engels' and the team ' team cactus' at the Rapha Gentleman's race in Little River this was a non-sactioned race of 32 teams of 6 over 178km's and was part of Rapha's catalogue shoot and for their magazine.The ride was quite tough and during the ride I found myself as the strongest rider in my team with a lot of my team mates struggling to hold on, this made me think back to Thursdays class and what my quiz results said and this had me working on my 2 weak points of relationships and accountability. Through these lessons of self awareness I changed my riding style and rode to the weakest rider of the team and made myself accountable for the whole team which meant we all stayed together and finished together which would work on my 'relationship' issues and keep everyone feeling like they were part of a successful and united team which was achieved by all after 6 hours of pain.
Overall a good week in school and out.

a little tired but we all survived.

                                               looking quite eager before the start.