My expectations of JFFA before today was that it was on a much smaller scale. I didn’t consider the scale of what JFFA can be, using more of the body, creating more experimental shapes, and new purposes for jewelry, footwear, baggage etc. I also learned how much 3D design plays into the creation of these fashion oriented pieces. I always thought 3D was more centered around architecture, sculpture, etc. but I have now learned how much 3D design plays into this specialism, which is quite enlightening.

 I learned a lot from the presentations. I consider myself quite referential, and I have a lot of different references in my head crossing multiple different pathways. I learned about a lot of different designers in the pathways of jewelry, footwear, and fashion accessories, which are all fields that interest and influence my work, but I did not have a lot of specific references for people in these fields. I am most interested in the examples of jewelry through lens of tribalism and historicism, taking specific interest in Shaun Leane for this experimental yet referential couture pieces. I loved the physical and visual impact of his work and the shock value it has, I try to bring these elements into my own work. Visually changing, shocking impact, yet has couture value. I also enjoyed learning about the performative qualities of jewelry and footwear. Artists such as Mariana Lao and Naomi Filmer who had a performative layer to their work greatly interest me and influence my work. Much like my reasoning for liking Shaun Leane, I enjoy the impact and visual interest performative elements can add to fashion accessories, removing it from being just an accessory, but more of a “visual experience.”

 I enjoyed working with the body very much. It is the most experimental canvas, there are so many different ways to alter, modify, adorn, and place the body to create really interesting outcomes. I’ve been waiting to work on the body since I started foundation and really enjoyed finally getting that desire fulfilled. I am confident I want to specialise in a fashion based pathway, whether it be in fashion/textiles, graphic communication, or 3D design. Either way, I was very happy to finally have the opportunity to work on the body.

 The photography was very important for today’s workshop because the lens of photography influenced how a member can look at your work without knowing about your initial ideas and creative process. Photography is a very communicative property, and if used properly, can communicate your work without any words being said. There is a difference between looking at a 3D piece as is, and modeled and photographed. The narrative behind the piece changes and can enhance your initial idea and creative experimentation behind the piece. 

Today’ successes were definitely creating and photographing a piece I could actually wear that didn’t fall apart by the deadline set at the beginning of class. I was able to very quickly sketch an idea based on a single word, create, and execute a final product that did not fall apart that I am proud of by the end of class.

 Today’s failure was not really thinking much about a symbolic meaning behind my piece. There is not much meaning associated at this point with my piece. I could now assign some conceptual meaning to my piece but I wish I had thought about this before I made/completed the piece. In the future, I am going to try and think about this notion while sketching, linking my thinking and drawing processes’ to better conceptualize my ideas in the initial planning stage as opposed to creating and then assigning meaning after the fact.