E-Lecture: Fashion Design, The Concept Board, part 2

Making the Concept Board

As a beginning designer, the important thing is to get your ideas out there. There are a number of ways to do this. There are boards that are tight and those that are more stream of consciousness



Spinah really captures the mood of his/her collection in the objects, the colors and the silhouettes,

This one, by Megan McAllister, is about print and a retro silhouette

These menswear board, by Ashley Newcomb, is about fabric and utility

This board, by T.L.A., is entirely about mood. It suggests color palette and prints, but that is not its focus.

This fantastic video concept board by Apostalia1969, does a little of everything. Notice how she establishes the mood and idea, even a color palette, then shows us her designs.

Nuts and Bolts:

You're about to take the first step toward designing a collection! I'm sure you've got some ideas already. Here's how you go about it.

Materials and tools - 

Magazines

Photographs

Miscellanea

Color swatches

Fabric swatches

Pen, colored pencil and or marker

glue stick or spray glue

scissors

bristol board, 8 1/2 x 11

Procedure:

1. Gather your materials.

-start collecting visuals. Search magazines, the computer, old photographs, books...pick up pretty leaves, shells, feathers, stamps...whatever it is that stirs you.   A pattern will start to emerge, and, soon,  your theme will come to you.

2. Work on your color story.

-start to think about your theme in terms of clothing. Think of the predominant colors and

think about putting them together. Paint swatch cards from your local hardware store can be surprisingly useful for this. If you have access to fabric, that is a huge plus.

3. Lay your materials out.

-now is the time to put it all together. This is the concept board from which you will begin to design your collection. Using your board, collage the materials on it in a way that communicates your theme and intent.  

Remember, this is what you will infuse your collection going forward! It is the soul of your work.

When you finish your board, please scan it and upload the image to your class blog.

References:

Diamond, Jay, The World of Fashion, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York, 1997.

Tatham, Caroline, Fashion Design Drawing Course, Quarto Publishing Inc., London, 2003.

Fashion Forecast Service. http://www.fashionforecastservices.com.au

Fashion Trendsetter. http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com