Flockage/ Conception [wallpaper design] - May 2010

Flockage is the name that we came up with for our workshop group. We were a self proclaimed ideas lab producing conceptual ideas and designs for wallpaper, inspired by an exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Flocking is a method
of applying a velvety texture to wallpaper, commonly used by our collective favourite wallpaper house ‘Timorous
Beasties’. This workshop was a brilliant choice for me this year. I had been so caught up in trying to become a good designer that I had almost dismissed conceptual thinking, becoming too weighed down by more technical aspects of design. This workshop has been enjoyable in itself but has also helped me in brain storming for other projects that it
has run alongside. Responding to a more art based brief has reminded me that I should also use conceptual thinking in my design work.
When I initially started this workshop I was worried about what subject matter I would address. In the first group session everybody was coming up with dark issues to base their papers on and I wanted to create a wallpaper with a happier concept that people could enjoy. I feel that my designs are a compromise of this. I have addressed issues surrounding conception but also sexual relations of a more positive nature. When shown together, my wallpapers show the journey that I have been on. It started with light hearted subject matter, and moved on to upsetting, sensitive issues which I feel are of importance. I really like my final series, they have a believable appearance as wallpapers yet would not be out of place in the conceptual exhibition. This is something I wanted to achieve when I started my development but wasn’t sure if it would be possible so I am very happy that I did manage to do so.
In addition to responding to the brief, I also designed packaging for my wallpaper designs. I didn’t spend so much time on the packaging as I was busy with other projects but still feel that the label work well. I also really like my sketchbook and sample book as a set. I went all out in presenting my ideas, creating mock implementation rooms, printing long strips of wallpaper to show how the wallpapers would look and demonstrating packaging using mock rolls of wallpaper. In addition to this, I created a wallpaper sample book, similar to the group book which we put together, to demonstrate my train of thought throughout my development and show all my wallpapers designs in one concise place.