FIRSTSITE_

FIRSTSITE LECTURE_

For this module, first site was to be included in our research and development. The idea was to contrast the specific era we chose with the modern look of first site. However, I didn't really know that much about the futuristic gallery space rig

ht on my doorstep. The tutors had wonderfully organised a lecture to be taken by Laura, to give us more of an insight to why first site was created, and the ideas and architectural plans behind it. 

First site is such a precise, clean cut building, it was interesting to see the architectural plans, which were marker pens scribbled over original plans to give a new sense of shape. There was nothing precious about this way of working. The original floor plan and birds eye view of the building was inspirational in terms of applying that to garment shape, having 3D elements or curving. The curve of the building was something I really wished to include in my jumpsuit, as this was the basis of first site. I also enjoyed the tailing off towards the end, losing width and height. 

The lecture was very informative, and Laura pointed out deliberate deigns that featured throughout first site- such as the herringbone pattern (shown on the roof, flooring etc) and the curving. It was also valuable to learn about the funding for first site, and how the ‘finished’ building wasn't necessarily as planned. They couldn't finish it to the best of their abilities due to lack of funds, so the surrounding area didn't reflect well on the impressive building. 

From this, I started to explore the shape and form of first site by recording my ideas with different media. For me there wasn't much texture within the precise building shape, so by layering up different thicknesses of line and using different media, I was able to create texture. This was a different way of working- it was more about getting your ideas down quickly. It wasn't that i couldn't do it, it was more I wasn't confident to work in such a quick and rushed way. But I really loved the outcomes. The most effective drawing type that worked for me was taking a basic shape and layering that on top of each other to build up interesting forms. This way of working is something I will definitely use in the future. 

The drawing also informed me on garment shape, and to gain a greater idea understanding I photocopied and cut out jumpsuit shapes. The drawing inside the jumpsuit suggested form and pattern.