Evaluation

This idea of creating something inspired by an art gallery at first seemed limiting. However, researching an exhibition focused around meditation titled 'And Breathe...' allowed exploration of how I could create textiles tackling the issue of anxiety. This is something very personal to me, and therefore created a desire to explore how I could connect my practice to this issue.

Though I had a basic knowledge surrounding anxiety, gathering research was integral throughout the project in developing my project. A challenge I struggled with beginning the project was considering multiple ideas. This sometimes left me with irrelevant research that overwhelmed me. However, after a tutorial discussion identifying this issue, I began focusing on select key ideas, and letting that focus my research. In the future I aim to stay focused on one or two key ideas, and take note of any others for the future.

My intention for this project was to explore how creating interactive, sensory textiles can be used in a meditative way to reduce anxiety. To achieve this successfully, research was extremely important throughout the project. This knowledge then lead to testing multiple materials, and analysing how successful they were in creating an interactive, anxiety reducing experience.

As interactive experience was so important in my work, this is what lead my choice of material. I aimed to engage different senses, and to make an immersive environment. This lead to use of mixed media materials. It's also broadened my idea of how traditional embroidery techniques can be transferred in to samples in a non-traditional way. I personally believe this has made my work more interesting, and has started a fascination with testing materials and techniques in exciting ways. This is something I hope to develop.

My collaboration within this project was through group discussions and workshops. A workshop done with multiple creative students reinforced the importance of how working collaboratively allows exciting development due to different outlooks. I also discussed my work with an embroidery student working in a similar way to me. This allowed someone focusing on similar aims for their outcomes to discuss ways of developing, share successful explorations, as well as suggesting future ideas. I've learnt how collaboration allows people with similar goals to develop and combine ideas. Though my collaborative discussions were successful, I hope to do more joint practical collaborative work, as I feel this would allow even further new development within my work to occur.

I am happy with the weighted blanket I created, and believe it achieved the desired outcome of reducing anxiety. This motivation to reduce anxiety has stayed at the core of my research and practical work. The personal connection I have to exploring this issue has really motivated me to create this project work, and helped decide that tackling mental health issues within my textile work is something I aim to develop in the future. I feel that engaging with something so important gives my work real purpose, and brings a confidence within myself when addressing my work.