Brief introduction
Throughout Personal Project, my knowledge and skill in fashion design and creation have grown immensely. Through the investigation stage my utilisation of sources advanced and I learned to employ a variety of sources such as interviews and meetings. Communicating with my experts and gaining subject specific information was very beneficial in the taking action stage, in which I achieved the final outcome of my project. Through the separate steps of Personal Project, I was able to learn in depth knowledge on sketching my designs, digitally producing technical sketches, exploring and indicating appropriate fabrics, and also learning basic tailoring skills. One of the highlights of my learning experiences from this project is the advancement of my communication skills and the improvement of my ability to talk with business people, and customers.
Evaluation of my product against the criteria
In order to test the success of my product, I had to evaluate the quality of my outcome from various different aspects. A significant part to my project was the designing stage which you can refer to the Planning and taking action sections as well as my process journal #3 for more detail. To test the quality of my technical and conceptual sketches, my expert Alev assessed by ability to draw realistic and accurate technical sketches. I gave her a survey to mark my drawings, however, she stated that she cannot asses my ability with such survey and it would be more beneficial for me if we went over all of my individual designs and discussed improvements. In addition to this she also drew in front of me showing me specific techniques (refer to process journal entry 10 for pictures). The criteria also included the amount of clothes I was able to sell at the shopping event. This was an important criteria to evaluate the quality of my outcome against, because it displays the public's opinion towards my collection. I was successful in this criteria as I was able to sell all of my pieces at the shopping event, in which my process journal #9 can be referred to for a reflection on my days at the shopping event. Another criteria I tested was the originality of my designs. To test this I got feedback from my customers at the shopping event. The specific feedback sheet from my customers, as well as Alev's professional feedback can be viewed in process journal 10. 91% of the feedback I received was positive, which meant that I didn't reach my criteria expectation. In order to increase the originality and creativity of my designs I would have used a wider colour range and not stick to dark tones especially black. The quality of the manufacturing of the designs was graded with 3 tests as well as a comparison. All tests resulted in success and can be viewed in process journal entry 9.
Development as an IB learner
Through the 6 month course of this project, I have grown immensely as an IB learner. More specifically I have significantly improved my social, research, and thinking skills. As an IB learner, I was able to become a greater communicator and risk taker. Firstly, as I have talked about in all the previous stages, my social skills has vastly advanced throughout my project. In order to join a shopping event, and formally sell my own collection, I was required to arrange meetings and constantly talk to new people I had not yet met (process journal entries 6, 7). This process increased my self confidence which improved my ability to communicate and interact with others.
A second skill I improved was my capability to research (process journals 1,2,3). During my project I gradually began to understand that research isn't limited to books and websites and therefore I was consistently going around manufacturers, arranging meetings with my experts (process journals 6,7,10, and also exploring fabric stores (process journal 1). My perspective changing towards the concept of research allowed me to not think one dimensionally, and significantly enhance my research skills (process journals 1,2). I was able to think critically in tough situations and overcome encountered problems. An example for this is when I was sent the wrong bag designs, and I was obligated to somehow use them. I solved this problem by communicating with my experts, contacting a sticker making company, and making stickers with the brand name on it to put on the bags ( refer to process journal entry #6 for details).
Another skill I had to employ was time management. This is because I was required to arrange and plan out my project in a different timeline than the original Personal Project dates because of the specified days of the shopping event. To be ready on time I had to merge tasks and reach out to different people at the same time. As a result of the date of the show I put a lot of effort in managing my time properly (please check my planning stage to see my daily agenda).
In summary, through this whole process, I am able to fit more exceptionally into the traits of being a risk-taker and communicator. I was a great risk taker as I communicated with lots of different people, and professional businessmen, whilst also managing my time by working on the creative stage as well as business side. By joining a shopping event with my own collection I took a colossal risk, which would ultimately test the overall success of my project.
Developed understanding of topic
My understanding of the broad topic of fashion design, has evolved inconsiderably. Before this project when I saw clothing in a store I was unaware of the long and detailed process involved in the construction. Through personal project I learned all the separate steps included in launching a collection and the difficult labour that goes within. Now when I pass by a dress that I truly like I am able to appreciate the effort and creativity behind it. In the investigation stage, I researched other designers (process journal 2) and learned a lot about the process involved in launching a collection. With my gained knowledge of this process I better understood the importance of the construction stage. Therefore, I created a criterion that would test the manufacturing quality of my own designs. My understanding developed as I conducted test on the garments to asses their overall quality from different aspects (process journal entry 9). After personal project I am definitely going to continue launching collections, and I already begun designing my summer collection. Being successful selling at a huge shopping event, made me decide to continue on this path. Personal Project truly assisted me to be fully confident in my passion. After joining the Christmas pop-up event, the manager Canan Koksal, talked with me and gave details regarding their next summer event, which I already booked my spot in. If I had not launched my own line in this project I wouldn't be able to create various new contacts and form connections with the manufacturing and fabric industry in Istanbul. This project extended my knowledge of this topic and gave me the opportunity to go beyond the original project itself
Global Context
My personal project fits into the global context of cultural and personal expression. I believe that, the purpose of creative expression is to challenge the humankind into seeing different perspectives and expanding our imagination. It helps people to express their feelings and emotions through the unified global language of art. Creative expression through fashion design is an effective way of reflecting ideas. Communication with fashion design doesn't employ words, instead it uses fabrics, shapes, lines and colours to create meaningful compositions of unique garments. By designing clothes you are able to reflect a specific image and spread a deeper idea. The effectiveness of design does not fade, as there are not boundaries.
Throughout Personal Project, my knowledge and skill in fashion design and creation have grown immensely. Through the investigation stage my utilisation of sources advanced and I learned to employ a variety of sources such as interviews and meetings. Communicating with my experts and gaining subject specific information was very beneficial in the taking action stage, in which I achieved the final outcome of my project. Through the separate steps of Personal Project, I was able to learn in depth knowledge on sketching my designs, digitally producing technical sketches, exploring and indicating appropriate fabrics, and also learning basic tailoring skills. One of the highlights of my learning experiences from this project is the advancement of my communication skills and the improvement of my ability to talk with business people, and customers.
Evaluation of my product against the criteria
In order to test the success of my product, I had to evaluate the quality of my outcome from various different aspects. A significant part to my project was the designing stage which you can refer to the Planning and taking action sections as well as my process journal #3 for more detail. To test the quality of my technical and conceptual sketches, my expert Alev assessed by ability to draw realistic and accurate technical sketches. I gave her a survey to mark my drawings, however, she stated that she cannot asses my ability with such survey and it would be more beneficial for me if we went over all of my individual designs and discussed improvements. In addition to this she also drew in front of me showing me specific techniques (refer to process journal entry 10 for pictures). The criteria also included the amount of clothes I was able to sell at the shopping event. This was an important criteria to evaluate the quality of my outcome against, because it displays the public's opinion towards my collection. I was successful in this criteria as I was able to sell all of my pieces at the shopping event, in which my process journal #9 can be referred to for a reflection on my days at the shopping event. Another criteria I tested was the originality of my designs. To test this I got feedback from my customers at the shopping event. The specific feedback sheet from my customers, as well as Alev's professional feedback can be viewed in process journal 10. 91% of the feedback I received was positive, which meant that I didn't reach my criteria expectation. In order to increase the originality and creativity of my designs I would have used a wider colour range and not stick to dark tones especially black. The quality of the manufacturing of the designs was graded with 3 tests as well as a comparison. All tests resulted in success and can be viewed in process journal entry 9.
Development as an IB learner
Through the 6 month course of this project, I have grown immensely as an IB learner. More specifically I have significantly improved my social, research, and thinking skills. As an IB learner, I was able to become a greater communicator and risk taker. Firstly, as I have talked about in all the previous stages, my social skills has vastly advanced throughout my project. In order to join a shopping event, and formally sell my own collection, I was required to arrange meetings and constantly talk to new people I had not yet met (process journal entries 6, 7). This process increased my self confidence which improved my ability to communicate and interact with others.
A second skill I improved was my capability to research (process journals 1,2,3). During my project I gradually began to understand that research isn't limited to books and websites and therefore I was consistently going around manufacturers, arranging meetings with my experts (process journals 6,7,10, and also exploring fabric stores (process journal 1). My perspective changing towards the concept of research allowed me to not think one dimensionally, and significantly enhance my research skills (process journals 1,2). I was able to think critically in tough situations and overcome encountered problems. An example for this is when I was sent the wrong bag designs, and I was obligated to somehow use them. I solved this problem by communicating with my experts, contacting a sticker making company, and making stickers with the brand name on it to put on the bags ( refer to process journal entry #6 for details).
Another skill I had to employ was time management. This is because I was required to arrange and plan out my project in a different timeline than the original Personal Project dates because of the specified days of the shopping event. To be ready on time I had to merge tasks and reach out to different people at the same time. As a result of the date of the show I put a lot of effort in managing my time properly (please check my planning stage to see my daily agenda).
In summary, through this whole process, I am able to fit more exceptionally into the traits of being a risk-taker and communicator. I was a great risk taker as I communicated with lots of different people, and professional businessmen, whilst also managing my time by working on the creative stage as well as business side. By joining a shopping event with my own collection I took a colossal risk, which would ultimately test the overall success of my project.
Developed understanding of topic
My understanding of the broad topic of fashion design, has evolved inconsiderably. Before this project when I saw clothing in a store I was unaware of the long and detailed process involved in the construction. Through personal project I learned all the separate steps included in launching a collection and the difficult labour that goes within. Now when I pass by a dress that I truly like I am able to appreciate the effort and creativity behind it. In the investigation stage, I researched other designers (process journal 2) and learned a lot about the process involved in launching a collection. With my gained knowledge of this process I better understood the importance of the construction stage. Therefore, I created a criterion that would test the manufacturing quality of my own designs. My understanding developed as I conducted test on the garments to asses their overall quality from different aspects (process journal entry 9). After personal project I am definitely going to continue launching collections, and I already begun designing my summer collection. Being successful selling at a huge shopping event, made me decide to continue on this path. Personal Project truly assisted me to be fully confident in my passion. After joining the Christmas pop-up event, the manager Canan Koksal, talked with me and gave details regarding their next summer event, which I already booked my spot in. If I had not launched my own line in this project I wouldn't be able to create various new contacts and form connections with the manufacturing and fabric industry in Istanbul. This project extended my knowledge of this topic and gave me the opportunity to go beyond the original project itself
Global Context
My personal project fits into the global context of cultural and personal expression. I believe that, the purpose of creative expression is to challenge the humankind into seeing different perspectives and expanding our imagination. It helps people to express their feelings and emotions through the unified global language of art. Creative expression through fashion design is an effective way of reflecting ideas. Communication with fashion design doesn't employ words, instead it uses fabrics, shapes, lines and colours to create meaningful compositions of unique garments. By designing clothes you are able to reflect a specific image and spread a deeper idea. The effectiveness of design does not fade, as there are not boundaries.