1. State of the art, project management and documentation¶
Introduction¶
In the first week of Fabricademy, we delved into the fundamentals of project management and documentation. The primary objective was to establish a personal website to chronicle our progress throughout the course.
Research & ideation¶
Going into this week, I didn't go in with any projects in mind as I was still trying to figure out what I just got myself into. I'm taking it easy by looking at alumni projects and crossing my fingers that by the end of this journey i will do great work like them.
Ofcourse I’m excited to expand my knowledge and skills at Fabricademy, where I will delve deeper into biofabrication, digital fabrication, and the future of textiles. I look forward to integrating cutting-edge technologies with traditional techniques to create innovative, sustainable solutions in the fashion industry.
References & Inspiration¶
Fashion Inspirations¶
In my work, I draw a lot of inspiration from bold, expressive styles, particularly from K-pop aesthetics. I’m especially captivated by groups like Le Sserafim, who embody a fearless energy. Their unapologetic, powerful image aligns with my vision for a strong, daring brand identity. I also find myself inspired by fashion brands like Balmain, known for its edgy silhouettes and fierce designs, and designers like Mugler, whose futuristic, boundary-pushing creations challenge conventional ideas of fashion. These influences drive my desire to create clothing that’s both bold and elegant, with a distinctive edge.
Artistic Influences¶
In addition to fashion, I’m heavily influenced by artists who bring fantasy to life, especially in sculpture. I admire the intricate work of Robin Wight, known for his wire fairies, as well as Mario Chiodo, and Olivier Bertrand. Their pieces are rooted in fantasy, but their skillful craftsmanship makes these mythical creatures feel almost real. I’m inspired by their ability to tell stories and create a sense of wonder, which I strive to incorporate into my own designs.
Conceptual Themes¶
Several key themes guide my work. First and foremost is fearlessness—a concept I’ve drawn from the boldness I see in K-pop and in powerful fashion icons. I’m also fascinated by the idea of soulmates and connection, particularly unlikely pairings that create a sense of tension and harmony. This concept inspires me to explore dualities in my designs, pairing contrasting elements to represent a deep, sometimes unconventional, bond.
Fantasy and mythology are another essential part of my inspiration. I’m deeply drawn to mythical creatures, fictional worlds, and the sense of mystery they embody. This connection to myth and fiction adds layers to my work, making it feel otherworldly and immersive. Finally, etherealism plays a role in shaping my aesthetic. I aim to create pieces that feel dreamlike, blending the boundaries between reality and fantasy to evoke a sense of magic and escapism.
Documentation workflow¶
Getting Started Later & a coding struggle¶
I started Fabricademy a bit later than the others and faced some challenges from the beginning. Initially, I didn't have access to the GitLab Fabcloud, so while everyone else was moving forward, I was working offline, referencing what others had already completed.
When I realized we had to do some coding, I was quite intimidated. The last time I had done anything similar was back in my first year of university when we learned Visual Basic, and to be honest, I barely remember what I did during those classes. However, I decided to push myself, especially after realizing that I wasn’t the only one facing this challenge.
Software Installation and Technical Issues¶
The first week was a bit of a struggle. I had to install new software on my very old laptop and just hoped it wouldn’t crash. I installed GitLab and VS Code to work offline on my site as our local instructor had shown us. However, I still couldn’t push any of my work because I didn’t have access to Fabcloud yet.
Falling Behind and First Push¶
By Week 2, everyone else was already doing a pre-presentation of their work, and I still had nothing to show. Thankfully, at the beginning of Week 2, I finally gained access and did my first push to the repository. Everything seemed okay, but then when I tried to add images to my site, I encountered more issues.
When I attempted to push images, I kept getting an error that the files were too big, even after compressing them multiple times. Frustratingly, even after removing the images, the error persisted. I gave it a rest for a bit, focusing on the Week 2 lessons and tutorials.
Troubleshooting, Finding Solutions & switching to online work¶
On Thursday, I tried pushing the changes again, but it still failed. By Friday, I met with the other Fabricademy participants in my node, but even together, we couldn’t figure out the problem. I decided to do some research for Week 2 instead and came back to the issue later.
During the weekend, I switched from working offline to editing my site directly online, and thankfully, it worked! I was able to upload my images, although I still struggled to get them to display at the same size. At least my site was finally live, but I had fallen behind on the Week 2 assignments while trying to catch up on Week 1.
Tools¶
- [Canva](http://canva.com)