Dressing Up in the Doll House

April 19th, 2020

This week I focused on the abstract renderings for the characters of A Doll’s House. Like I said in my second look presentation, I decided to make these renderings different from the the realistic costumes through the use of different mediums. This included using layered, patterned paper to make a college-like effect. This elevated the abstractness that I could not quite portray from regular methods. This picture was taken as I was creating Kristine’s look, which is on the right. 

Last week, at the end of my presentation, I asked my classmates about their ideas on how I would be able to display these works, while providing enough context of the material. The feedback I received was very helpful as it gave me ideas on what people would be interested in seeing, especially as I want my audience, who may not know anything A Doll’s House or costume design in general.   

Apr. 12th, 2020

This week was dedicated to finishing the rest of the “realistic” renderings. The basic design and colors are done. I want to go back and add some details to each, on the costume, and to the overall rendering. This include character names, titles, and extra drawings that might need to be on there, like Nora’s side profile. 

During my advisor meeting, Harold and I focused on what I can do instead of getting swatches of fabric. We talked about about me potentially providing a color story and giving more photos as examples of what the fabric would be. We also discussed the final wix website layout and he told me to get inspiration from other portfolio websites, as the main work to be focused on are the renderings.  

Apr. 2nd, 2020

This has been a strange couple of weeks hasn’t it. Can’t that I am enjoying, or getting a lot of things done. I have to be honest that I can’t really fine the motivation to do anything. But as classes have started up again, I think that I am starting to get back in the groove. Key word being starting. This week I decided to add color to those sketches I had made before, to see if I actually liked the way it was turning out. I can say that I really love the realistic costume for Nora, but I can’t say the same for the abstract persona. But, again, I will continue to work through this one, as well as the rest of my designs to find the right mix of practicality and abstractedness. 

I think that best way to display my work is to show the differences in each costume. The comparison is the key to understanding the main concept of my project. I chose the circled idea as it best presents the overall ideas and work at the same time. I think the layout will be the most important. 

Mar. 20th, 2020

This week I decided to tackle the abstract versions of the characters. I was not really sure where to go when I began these. I looked back through my character research though and got inspired by the ideas that these characters represented. For Nora, it was this idea that she is thought to be this figure of grace, but as you take a look closer, you can tell how guarded she is, not just by her choice. I had this idea that her waist would covered in these sharp points that, at any moment, could hurt her. It represents this idea that the slightest move out of the role she is in, will cause pain. 

When I was trying to implement the creativity challenge in my work, I tried the boredom challenge. It wasn't too difficult, I get bored easily. But this time I used it to my advantage. I allowed my mind to wander, yet focus in on the thoughts of my design. In the end, it defiantly worked, cause I was able to come up with the above idea.  

Mar. 9th, 2020

This week I began working on final rendering designs. Starting out with my “muse”, Nora Helmer, I looked back on past sketches to get an idea of what aspects I liked and could implement in the final design. There was one thing that I knew that I wanted to include, and that were the voluminous sleeves. They gave off the feminine touch while being very impractical at the same time, showing that her wardrobe is for looks not work. I am unsure how to set up the page or if this will be the actual final draft, but I do think this is very close to the final idea that I want. 

The biggest takeaway I had from the alumni was to not fall behind on you work. I do think it can get very hard to concentrate as we near spring break, but making sure you focus on the facets that you like about the process will allow it to go quicker. 

Mar. 2nd, 2020

This week, I really wanted to get started on the sketching. Even though it was preliminary, it just allowed me to get my ideas out of my head and in front of me to see. I was really inspired after seeing all the research images of the beautiful victorian gowns, and I wanted to get a taste of how it would be to design these garments, and especially learn how to draw these. All these gowns are very intricate and are full of detail. The proportions are also different than what I have done before, so having a preliminary sketch allowed me to see what looked good, what was easy to make, and what could I feasibly end up doing for my final rendering. There is a long way to go to the final project, but I think this was a good start for me, in terms of being able to get my ideas out. 

One of the questions I had about my project was, “what approach should I take for my character rendering?”. I was unsure if I should try to make a realistic costume that could be worn, or if it should be more avant garde. These are concepts that I want to present through fashion, so I was very happy with the responses I got from my presentation. They gave me a direction to go in and aided in the overall idea of how to go on with my project as I head into the visual aspect of the project.  

Some questions that I have for the visiting Arts Scholars Alumni are: 

How much did your initial concept change as you worked through your creative process?

What is one thing you wish you knew before you started your Capstone project? 

and...How do you fight procrastination? 

Feb. 25th, 2020

This week has been dedicated to research, research, and more research. To start my process, I began by writing out everything that I knew or thought about the play already, having already dedicated a month to this play before this. I wanted to get all my initial thoughts and feelings out about the play before taking a deeper dive into the details of it all. I, then, learned more about the play itself, including why Ibsen wrote it in the first place. I learned that this story was based off a real person, and a close friend of Ibsen. Laura Kieler was Ibsen’s muse for Nora, as she, in an attempt to help her husband get medical aid for his illness, forged a signature on a loan. Unlike Nora, however, she did not chose to leave her husband. Instead, her husband divorced her and she was committed to an asylum for two years. She later became a very influential writer after serving her time. I was amazed to learn that this story was very much based on a true story, yet Ibsen still wanted to make a societal impact on it, giving it the feminist twist at the end.  

I also researched the typical fashion of this time. I learned new terms and types of dresses that were worn during the Victorian period, and was very inspired by all the paintings I saw.

My research continued with the setting, Norway 1870s, and the roles of women at this time. After this, I began my character/scene breakdown. Along side reading the script, I broke down each scene in terms of what the character was doing and how they were feeling in this moment. I also took note of any specific costume requirements or any ideas that I had in the moment for a piece. This breakdown was recommended to me by Harold, during my conference. I found this very helpful, as it allowed me to take a look at how the character was feeling at the time and in that specific moment. It was at this time that I also decided to design the costumes for Act 1 only. This act reveals the most about the characters, in terms of how they must surrender to their role in society. This is before all the ideas of rebellion happen. It represents society in its purest state.

In watching my peers present, I was very interested in how much effort was put into the ideas in order to make sure their ideals and stories were told through their art. They were confident in their presentations because they were confident in their concepts and work. One thing I appreciated was the honesty that everyone spoke with, in terms of how far along they were in their process. It made me feel a little better about how far I was. It taught me that I do not need to worry right now and continue with my own process.    

Feb. 11th, 2020

After a meeting with Harold, my “want” to do this project has come back again. Seeing this show so many times has kinda drained me from what is most important to me: costume design. Over the past week, I have almost fallen in love again with this play, and I now realize how perfect this show really is for this project. It takes place in a time where gender roles were very separate from one another, yet the characters feel completely different from what they were assigned. Especially Nora. 

What was emphasized the most in my advisor meeting was the importance of research, and clearly outlining my goals and concepts for this project. I need to create a list for myself of all the things that must be done before I can truly begin designing. This show relies heavily on the period and setting (Norway, 1880s), and I want to make sure I know as much as I can, as costumes are the one technical element, I believe, that truly affects the audience the most with all the insight it provides. Above, is an initial “mood board” of how one may see Nora. It is not perfect at all, but I really wanted to get something visual done to inspire me through the endless note-taking and research that is ahead of me. 

Feb. 5th, 2020 (Added pictures later)