Which area?

Blog set Topic: Crossroads II

Choosing which area to specialise in?

Before I started at Chelsea for the Foundation I would have said that I was ninety percent sure I would specialise in Fashion and textiles. However, now I am stuck between two Fashion and Textiles and Fine Art. I have noticed during the foundation that my work has become more loose and I have managed to let go more and move away from ‘a level’ work. Embracing mistakes has actually lead to my work growing unexpectedly, In a good way.

I thought my least successful project areas were 3D Spatial and Visual Communication. I’m glad I have had the opportunity to learn about them and experiment in different ways to what I am used to, however it has proven to me that these are not the way to go. I just felt that both areas were too restricted and tight I wasn’t too keen on having to work to ‘briefs’, having to create ‘something to walk through’ or ‘something to sit on’. In my opinion, In order for me to become fully involved in a project, I need to feel like the work is coming directly from me. Particularly in Fine Art I felt it was much easier to explore personally what I wanted to do.

I believe that from studying at ‘A level’ both ‘Fine Art’ and ‘Art Textiles’, I can judge my strength in them in comparison. Fashion and Textiles has always been my core subject, and because of this I feel it definitely is my comfort zone. That’s why if I specialised in Fine Art I feel I would be pushing myself more. ‘Fine Art’ took more of a ‘backseat’ role at A level, it was the less important one for me. So I think it would be exciting to explore it further, even though I eventually think I will apply for a degree in relation to fashion or textiles.

I loved the free atmosphere during ‘Fine Art’, it was great that we were given the opportunity to question or contradict the tutors. I felt that your opinions were seen as most important, I can see how this is correct in working life though. For example if you are working within ‘Visual Communication’ to a brief for a particular company, your unable to question your employer, however ‘Fine Art’ is literally your work so your opinion is the most important.

Even so, my head is still saying that ‘Fashion and Textiles’ is the way to go. I do feel that my strongest work on the rotation did come out of ‘Fashion and Textiles’ area. I just don’t want to limit my options and stick to my comfort zone too much. Many of the Tutors have mentioned to me that I have a very ‘fashion and textiles’ style so if I don’t follow this route would I do myself an injustice?

So which area would keep my options more open for university degrees?