‘Living Structures’ is my final design project exploring animal skins and skeletal structures through pattern and dimensionality. Animal prints is a common trend, evident in trend forecasting reports each year. However, the aim of this project was to stand out amongst commercial prints and create an innovative and futuristic aesthetic for sportswear and athleisure. 

Animal skins are a very prominent theme in pattern design. In order to differentiate my collection, I also explored animal skins through a microscope, animal skeleton structures and combining botanicals with animal textures. This provided my collection with a variety of design aesthetics and meant that different mediums and drawing styles could be explored, rather than exclusively textures. I mainly experimented with controlled mark making and ink line drawings to create detailed and precise motifs. The precision could be translated effectively onto fabrics through dye sublimation and reactive printing techniques.  

Two main technologies were explored in some of my designs: laser cutting and 3D printing. Laser cutting was used to add details to designs and create depth and dimensionality. I also explored 3D printing to create an accessory for the athleisure collection. The accessory took inspiration from skeletal structures and 3D design captured details precisely. I learnt and developed this skill as it will be particularly useful in the future of fashion and product design.

This collection has helped to develop and strengthen my CAD skills, specifically Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Autodesk (3D design). It has also expanded my knowledge of print techniques and how the design translates from screen to fabric. I hope to take these skills and knowledge into industry, where I can design innovative ideas for activewear.

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