Design Disruption
II feel like I am in a bit of a rut?
You keep using the same colours?
Using the same techniques?
Wondering about new yarn options?
Everything is getting a bit 'samey'?
How can I disrupt my design approach?
How can I move toward creating something different?
The above questions cropped up for me a few months ago when I thought that I was selecting and purchasing all the same colours, textures and fibres; but wasn't trying many new options. I had plans and projects and these all seemed okay but I had a craving to challenge myself with something different, especially when it came to colour. Disruption can have a positive impact on your creative practice by helping to introduce new patterns and approaches. However, it isn't an easy option, it requires a bit more thinking and, most importantly, the willingness to react positively to change and the unexpected.
My method of disruption started by ordering a selection of advent fibres and joining a fibre club. By allowing someone else (the fibre maker in this case) to make the decisions on fibre and colour I was taking a chance on what would arrive at my door. Spinning these fibres is first decision I made in the process. I started by spinning one fibre in a variety of ways (straight, fractal, etc.). I also began to combine different tops together to add variation, spinning them in different sequences to create different colour variations when plying. I tried not to think about it too much but just spin by instinct. Once I had a complete skein I then moved on to using my digital skills to identify key colours and palettes (see the image above). This technique was adopted after viewing a SweetGeorgia session by Felicia Lo, I took her suggestions to follow through with the use of digital technology to help me identify colours and palettes to aid my design development once the colours were spun. Using Adobe Capture I was able to highlight the key palette and identify the main colours. Then I was able to create a design using the colours. An example of this is seen in the images below associated with a tapestry weaving design.t all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
