TASK 4 - Initial Project Proposal

Form

Date Set:
w/c 8th January 2024

Review Date:
w/c 12th February 2024

Task 2: Initial Proposal Form

To pass module 2, you must initiate a project based on the acquisition activities and/or elective projects
that tutors set at the start of the module. It is important to understand that there only three supported studio
weeks to refine, interact and complete this project and research which supports this project will be ongoing
throughout the whole module cycle.

Your project must be manageable in a shared studio space which means you must be aware of the Health
and Safety implications, environmental impact and sustainability and have planned for its disposal at the
end of the assessment period. Materials and scale used must be relevant for the shared space and
equipment /materials readily available. You should also plan for any additional purchases of material or
equipment form your own budget.

To help you begin to identify your ambitions for this term, you will need to complete this initial proposal
form. This proposal form helps you to identify the themes, processes and mediums that are inspiring for
you and your development of a creative identity.

There is scope to refine this proposal at a later stage and your personal tutor will give you guidance.
However, to begin, it is important to engage with the prompts in this initial proposal and provide a
personal response to the questions. If you are finding a particular question difficult, it maybe because you
have not engaged fully with the project work on the module so far, or done enough reflection about your
own areas of interest.

At the mid module review point, you will share your proposal intention alongside your evolving work on
the Weebly site. The proposal form is a key tool in all project advice sessions or tutorials so spend time
working on this initial proposal to get the most opportunity for feedback.

You must load this initial version of your proposal ahead of mid module review and an additional
version post review acknowledging feedback received and how you have responded to it.

Name
Caitlin Murtagh

Programme of study
Fashion & Textiles
What group are you in?
Group C

Reflect on the studio work you’ve done so far on the module and consider the emerging
themes, concepts and questions.

What ideas or themes are starting to emerge from the acquisition tasks? What do you hope to
explore/communicate?

Please use this section to talk about the meaning of this project for you at this stage - what themes
or ideas are beginning to emerge? How will you expand upon these?

My aim within communicating and exploring my project is to reflect on my research and

How will you research this theme/concept?

Consider how you can build your understanding further by becoming more informed of your
theme/ concept.

Reflect on what do you already know about your emerging theme or concept. How can you deepen
this existing understanding? Are there specific books and interviews, film and exhibitions that will
broaden your understanding? Is there is a contemporary and historical context that surrounds your
theme/concept? Are there suggestions made by your tutors and peers that you can follow up?

The ways I will be researching this theme is looking at ethical sources within sustainability of the
fashion industry, looking at brands that have a fair trade certification, that are using organic fabrics
or local sourcing. Ethical fashion brands that prioritize animal welfare avoiding materials such as
fur, exotic skins etc, choosing cruelty free alternatives. The Documentary The True Cost which is
an educational documentary about Fast fashion, and the Garment industry, I will be using this
towards my research to broaden my knowledge on ethical sourcing.

From a studio perspective, what materials or processes do you need to source, arrange, or
learn to create a wider body of work and exploration?

Alongside identifying the wider themes and questions of your work, consider what materials you
might need to source, digital tools or resources to arrange and learn? Be realistic and reflect on your
time management and organisational skills from this module.

Moving forward, how can you create ways to better organise your workload and time management
to fulfil your potential?

For my project, I plan to create an accordion book, utilizing recycled cardboard and paper card as
the primary materials. To maintain eco-friendliness throughout my making, I have opted for linen,
as it’s an affordable and environmentally sustainable fabric, to complement the structure of the
book. Throughout the creative process, I will be showing photomontage techniques, Creating my
own designs to convey my theme within the book's pages. I will also be Mindful of resource
conservation, by monitoring my paper consumption and use spare scraps during the printing phase
to minimize waste. By incorporating recycled material, I aim to produce a visually compelling and
environmentally responsible piece of art.

How would you like your work to be received?

Is there a specific context that you would like your work to be seen e.g., a magazine, online,
gallery, community, or retail space? Describe the impact that you would like your work to have on
your audience.

I would like my book to create conversations surrounding sustainability and consumption. I aim for
my accordion book to show more than visuals but our relationship with the environment and the
choices we make as consumers. I would like my work to be seen at conventions or conferences,
where it could be shown akin to a leaflet. Placing it on display at a stand or marketplace,
particularly within other items focused on promoting websites or charities advocating for ethical
sourcing. I think this would enable my work to contribute to ethical fashion practices and
encourage people to think about the environmental impact of their clothing choices. I hope my
book serves as both artistic and a call to action, inspiring others to embrace sustainable
alternatives.

How will you develop this proposal?

We fully anticipate that this proposal will change as you move through the module, and we expect
you to develop a second draft after the mid module review point. Coming back and amending a
project brief is vital in this stage in your learning - as it allows you to manage your expectations
and ambition at the half way point.

Why might you need to revisit your initial concept? How will you know when things are going
well? How will you plan for when you get stuck or for when things get difficult?

In developing this proposal, I will keep revisiting my initial concept and recognising new ideas
throughout my making processes to amend any adjustments. I will seek feedback from my peers
and tutors, to gather an insight on the effectiveness. Having challenges through my creative process
is inevitable so planning around this by creating more time for any experimentation and finding
alternative solutions. By doing this I think I will be better qat navigating around any areas I need to
change within the project end keeping me on track to achieve my project goal. Regularly reflecting
on my making, and recognising when things are going well or whether adjustments are needed.

How will you plan for the Health and Safety and end-of-life disposal of your project?

How will you minimise the impact of your creative process and ensuing practical or digital work on
others i.e. the studio space? What are the environmental and sustainability impacts of your piece
and the materials and processes used to create it? What is an appropriate scale at this stage in your
study?

Planning for the health and safety aspects of my project I will have to make sure that all my
materials used creating my accordion book are safe for handling, I will also take precautions if I’m
handling any tools or equipment used during the making process e.g. sharp cutting knives. I will
make sure that my areas are clean and organised, including cleaning up any messes being materials
used, and respecting the shared spaces and minimising disruptions to others working around me. I
will also make sure that my project is manageable within my given time frame. This may include
needing to scrap certain aspects and refining other areas of specific techniques and concepts.