Display Ideas

Tried a new logo today and went back to the antique look. It looks better, but I need to work on the Boutique part. Greg noticed in class the other day that I seem to like to take things apart and piece them back together and I realize it is a common theme in almost all my work. I think I have decided to do a mixed media piece for the boutique sign. I was going to print something out, but for the size I want it would be way too expensive so I think I will just print the letters and put them on a sign. Megan Cook mentioned using a door instead of a canvas to work on and I REALLY like that idea, but I do need a source for architectural salvage (i.e. old doors and windows and such.) so if anyone knows where I could get things like that, let me know.

I went on a photoshoot this last weekend with Megan and Ali (it was really fun!) but after talking to Megan about doing a shoot with my clothes and jewelry I have thought about a cool window display for the boutique. I have some frames and plan on getting some windows and things… oh here let me just show you.

All the frames would be suspended away from the wall with fishing line from the ceiling. The pictures in this example are just from this weekend , but for the show it would be pictures of the clothes and jewelry.

Mannequins and Purple Dresses

I got my mannequins in the mail the other day. I may not eat this month but they help me so much! It is so much easier to visualize things when they are on mannequins. I also got somewhere on another dress. It’s purple with lace. I feel like it matches the other dress really well. The only thing I am worried about is that I will have too many dresses! I was hoping for a variety or types of clothes, but for some reason I have been drawn to dresses lately. Oh well. There's still plenty of time. I have to give a presentation to the faculty in a few weeks. I am going to start summarizing what Studio Two is and try to explain it in a short concise way. Also Megan’s mom came over last night (thanks for coming over chicas!) and we talked projects all night. She has these SWEET petals made form silk that I really want to do something with. Her name is Jayme Crow and her web site is: www.bellanonnaquilt.com

Something New

Greg (my professor) suggested today that I try something completely different. Something that I wouldn’t think went with the theme I have created, just to get the design buzz back (I feel like I am stuck, but I don’t know on what).

So I tried some different variations and a new look.

I also revised the idea board just to see if I liked it. I do. I like the idea of mixing old with new. or the idea of transformation, having the old ragged clothes turned into something modern.

Beginning of the Logo Process

Ok so I need to explain some things. I am not going to be a fashion designer. Though that would be cool, my emphasis is in GRAPHIC DESIGN and the main part of my show is to do the design work for a fictitious business and my client happens to be this high-end retro re-design boutique. so I have made a list of all the graphic design elements that I will design

Logo
Identity (business card, letterhead, ect.)
Clothing tags
Store bags
Earring holders
Necklace holders
Magazine ads
Size tags inside the clothes
Window advertisement posters (with photographs)
And I am contemplating some sort of website incorporated into it somehow. Not sure if it will sell the clothes or profile the designers or just talk about the store. I don’t know.

I feel like I need to have the product done before I can really dive into parts of the design because I need photographs of the product. I have however been working on the logo. Here is my process so far and where I am at

I started with some colors and tried to mix and match them to find a something that fit. Some of the combinations don’t work because there is not enough contrast between light and dark. I put the image of the lace over the colors to create texture. It felt plain in just solid color. I just used a picture I found online, but I intend on creating from scratch a design that will look like lace.

Then I finally found colors that I like, black, cool deep gray, cream and light cool beige. “Where’s the color?!?!?!” You might ask. I started out with color and was thinking about making the clothing match the logo, but then I decided that was really silly because seasons change and the color of the clothes in a store changes drastically. So I decided if the color of the store was simple the color in the clothes and product would pop out. I really liked the look of the dark dramatic gray with the light reversed type. It gave me a feeling of posh and high end. At this point I had fumbled around with names for the store. I tied to have words that hinted at what the store was all about. I tried words that related to designers and artists like studio and couture, then I tried words that described the clothes like lace, ruffle and chic, then I tired words that were a part of sewing like interface and top stitch, THEN I tried words that referred to where the original clothes came from (thrift stores) like thrift, second hand and rags. I finally decided on the name Studio Two. Studio is for the artists and designers and Two because the clothes are getting a second change. When I explained this to my boyfriend he asked why not call it Studio Second. I told him that second was hard to say when put after studio and that the number 2 and word two were so much more chic and stylish!

So now that I have the colors and name…TADA!! Right?!? Well not exactly. I liked the dramatic flood of dark color, but when I reversed it I liked it better. The dark speaks modern which doesn’t really fit the style of the shop. We want shabby chic which makes me think of light flowing fabrics, torn edges, and airy lace. so we will go with the eggshell cream background. I am keeping the flood of gray in mind because I still may use it somewhere, just maybe in a different application.

My Studio

This is my studio. It is on campus so when I am here I am forced to be productive. I am trying to treat this project like a job, but I find myself off campus and outside lately because it has been so nice out.

This is possible outfit number one for the show. The black bodice is a prom dress my mom made for me in high school and the blue part is a bed skirt my aunt was giving to Good Will. the necklace and the purse are other projects I have started. Remember theses are IN PROGRESS!! They are not even close to being done yet.

Theses are some roses I have made out of fabric. I don’t know if I am going to use them yet, but I like the idea.

Sketches from my sketchbook.


A fabric that was curtains. i plan on using it for something

The Start of Studio Two

Ok I give in. I have created a blog. However, this one is not going to be about my life, but about the journey or my senior project. I am about five weeks in so I have some catching up to do. I am doing this because everyone wants to know what I am up to and it may help when I am done to have a detailed account of what I have done. I will try my best to have proper grammar and spelling, but I can’t promise anything.

Start: what is Studio Two?

Studio Two is going to be a clothing boutique that I create for artists, designers, and alterists. I may have just made the word “alterist” up. Definition of alterist: someone who takes something meant for one thing and turns it into something else. That may be a bit broad, so for example someone goes to the thrift store and gets something that has potential, but is dated and does not fit, then turns it into something cute, the idea of rags to riches or drab to fab. It is an intimate form of recycling.

Studio Two is not inventing the idea of altering clothing and reclaiming things people don’t want. That idea has been around a long time. What Studio Two will be is a store location where these designers can send their work to be sold. There are websites where this is happening all over, however there is a lack of “touchabilitiy” when things are sold on the internet.

Studio Two will sell everything from clothing and accessories to home goods and home accessories.

The target customers for Studio Two would be females age twenty to thirty five. These would be girls who are working professionals who have a desire to be different; by different I don’t mean Mohawks and pink hair. These girls want to be unique and stylish. Because Studio Two will feature handmade clothing every piece in the store would be unique and one of a kind. In reflection of that they also might have a bit of a price tag. I’m not talking through the roof, but it would have to compensate the designer for the hours of work put into one outfit.

Etsy is a website where people sell handmade anything and everything. Though there are some truly amazing things on the site there is everything else too. Studio Two will not be a physical Etsy because it would have a target customer and a certain design aesthetic to the store. Studio Two would have to be selective about the designers it features, but I was thinking as a bonus I could create a website about the store that has bio’s and examples of work from the featured artists.

The target DESIGNER for Studio Two would be artists and alterists who have an interest in high fashion and stylish accessories and producing highly polished finished works.

Ok, that’s all I can think of for now, if any of this does not make sense or you have any questions about anything I would like to know so that I can explain myself. Sometimes I have it all in my head and forget that I didn’t say it out loud.