Fashion Design on Computers
Editorial Reviews Book Description PREFACE Remember when your parents displayed your elaborate "refrigerator art"? You know, the landscape pictures, the funny faces, and even the desktop doodles? In fact, I bet you can recall those oh-so-intricate patterns that bordered your notebooks and classroom notes. Some of us never moved beyond our basic artwork, but some very creative individuals found that their talents reached far beyond the basic sketches. These innovators fostered their interests to learn about design, colors, textures, shapes, and symmetry with the hope of using their creative talents in a professional artistic arena. Some entered the art world, surrounded by watercolors, oils, pastels, and canvas. Some found creativity buoyed by the excitement of the advertising field, and some found their focus as designers. Designers have endless opportunities to expand their creative nature. Many have found success in the fields of industrial design, furniture design, interior design, and even special effects or set design. Some designers, recognizing the basic need for clothing for people of all ages, have found their niche in the textile and garment industry. No matter what road the designer travels, the foundation and elements of color and design are similar, but what makes each unique is the specific skills and training they pursue. As designers develops their skills, they quickly learn to be competitive in their field. They must trade in their paintbrushes and sketching tables for a computer screen and a mouse pad. With many years of experience both in the industry and the classroom, I know the overwhelming fear that grips you as you look for textbooks and manuals to help you make that transition. I also know that there are far too many books that will tell you what the industry wants you to learn, but few show you how. Fashion Design on Computers is a firsthand look at today's designers and the demands they face in the global marketplace to produce products that will sell at profitable levels. More importantly, this book is a series of practical skill development using the computer as a design tool, written in a style that is easy to follow. The text, supported by a good sense of humor, is quite frankly, "down to earth," so everyone can understand the process. Specifically, Fashion Design on Computers is geared toward the textile and garment designer. There is a particular emphasis on two types of fashion designers: Current fashion-design students, the designers of tomorrow. These individuals are filled with enthusiasm, ideas, and zeal, but generally have limited computer skills and limited or no practical business experience. Designers with experience who are working in the fashion industry, who have limited or no computer savvy or perhaps are very hesitant or resistant to designing with computers. Both the novice and the seasoned designer will find this book helpful. In this workbook I will show you, through explanation and examples, the key elements of design using the computer. Then, I will provide hands-on exercises for you to complete. The computer, which I call the "brain center," will be your tool to process your talents and accomplish the highest degree of professional work regardless of the hardware or software you are using. The exercises will be easy to follow and will help you develop more complex and detailed designs, with a great deal of self-confidence. It is critical that you keep in mind that it doesn't matter which computer software program or version you are currently using. You will be discovering and learning the basic concepts of designing for fashion on computers. You are not going to learn specific software, you are going to master the concepts" then you are going to apply those concepts to any software. It won't matter if you have industry-driven software while you are working in this book or if you are using commercially produced software programs; our exercises and projects have been developed for you to create and master using most industry-driven hardware and its companion software, as well as if you are using any commercial off-the-shelf software that can be used on virtually any personal computer. I feel this is a win-win situation, especially if you have an opportunity to move into an exciting job, but find that the computer hardware and software may be different from what you have used in school or at your current job. I realize that there are many systems are in workplaces today, and I wanted to give you the opportunity to learn how to design no matter what your tools. So, with that worry out of the way, let's talk about some other fears that may be on your mind. One of the best facets of this book is that it will deal with many of the realities facing today's designer, including the biggest coping with change. Many designers suffer with a natural resistance frustration and fear to using computers because they are a new tool. The fact is that today many terms are tossed about on this subject from "shifting paradigms" or "models" (translation: the ability and willingness to embrace change). Any way you say it, the fact remains: switching from manual designing to computer-aided designing (CAD) is a change in direction and a change in thinking. If you feel that fear or frustration because of all the changes, it's OK; it's only natural. Relax, you are not alone. It doesn't matter if you are new on the job and overwhelmed with responsibility or an old pro feeling the pressures of "teaching an old dog new tricks." I have taken all of that into consideration when designing the exercises. The goal of this book is to keep the frustration and fear down, and the success and confidence high. Every artist and designer starts with a vision of their final project the goal they want to reach. I am no different. The goals for this book are to teach the basic concepts of CAD and then to allow you apply them. What this means is that I will be teaching you how to be the one driving the computer. Although this might seem like a strange analogy, throughout this workbook I will often compare the development of your computer skills to the progress you made while learning to drive a car. I've asked you if you can remember your refrigerator art, well, can you also remember the first time you backed the car out of the driveway? Or what about the very first time you ever tried to parallel park ugh! I know that some of those first attempts were rocky, and this transition, designing on the computer, may produce the same anxiety. Relax. The exercises will show you how to avoid "speed traps" and "potholes." Soon you'll be speeding along the computer highway as effortlessly as you did the interstate. This book is about helping you "drive the computer" successfully into the new millennium! Section I focuses on the foundational skills necessary for designing on the computer, discovering and using the universal drawing tools and menus shared by almost any vector-or raster-based software. Section 2 is geared to the intermediate skill level of fashion design on computers, including applying the principles of design, fashion marketing, and color to create and render fashion on computers. Also included is a special section on sourcing, connectivity, and the Internet. Section 3 focuses on the advanced techniques used by fashion designers on computer to design, render, and simulate prints and fabrics. In addition, there is a section for creating your own digital swatch book. Section 3 is also a valuable resource for marketing and promoting fashion, including personal advanced promotional tools for the fashion designer. From here it is important that we share with you what is not included in this book: Pattern making Grading Marker making Garment construction Actual production of garmentsManual illustration Cost sheets and spec sheets These highly technical topics won't be covered because a brief overview could not do them justice. Actually, each of these topics deserves to be a separate book unto itself. The one thing we can say using this book is like any journey, it is done one step at a time. To some of you it may feel like you are driving in heavy fog or blinding snow. Everything in you wants to panic, but if you just pay attention as far as your headlights will light up the road, pace yourself, and stay alert, you will get to where you want to go. In the grand scheme of things, so what if it takes you a little bit longer than the next car? Just concentrate on developing your CAD skills. Those with flexibility, creativity, persistence, and "the" skills will be rewarded with the best job opportunities. So be, prepared to know the industry and your competition. Designers who choose to master these computer skills will make a place for themselves in the world of fashion. I hope for those of you still in school that you'll consider this workbook a part of your daily work tools long after you graduate. To those of you already in the field (maybe even struggling to learn how to adapt from the manual skills of design to computer design), I hope you will consider this book a valuable resource as you enter the "on ramp" of the computer highway. Remember you are the designers who are kicking off the 21st century. And while you're learning some new technical skills, I hope you'll dig out an old piece of "refrigerator art" and tape it up as a reminder why you chose this exciting creative field in the first place! Now let's get started! align="right"> M. Kathleen Colussy From the Inside Flap PREFACE
Remember when your parents displayed your elaborate "refrigerator art"? You know, the landscape pictures, the funny faces, and even the desktop doodles? In fact, I bet you can recall those oh-so-intricate patterns that bordered your notebooks and classroom notes. Some of us never moved beyond our basic artwork, but some very creative individuals found that their talents reached far beyond the basic sketches. These innovators fostered their interests to learn about design, colors, textures, shapes, and symmetry with the hope of using their creative talents in a professional artistic arena. Some entered the art world, surrounded by watercolors, oils, pastels, and canvas. Some found creativity buoyed by the excitement of the advertising field, and some found their focus as designers.
Designers have endless opportunities to expand their creative nature. Many have found success in the fields of industrial design, furniture design, interior design, and even special effects or set design. Some designers, recognizing the basic need for clothing for people of all ages, have found their niche in the textile and garment industry.
No matter what road the designer travels, the foundation and elements of color and design are similar, but what makes each unique is the specific skills and training they pursue. As designers develops their skills, they quickly learn to be competitive in their field. They must trade in their paintbrushes and sketching tables for a computer screen and a mouse pad.
With many years of experience both in the industry and the classroom, I know the overwhelming fear that grips you as you look for textbooks and manuals to help you make that transition. I also know that there are far too many books that will tell you what the industry wants you to learn, but few show you how.
Fashion Design on Computers is a firsthand look at today's designers and the demands they face in the global marketplace to produce products that will sell at profitable levels. More importantly, this book is a series of practical skill development using the computer as a design tool, written in a style that is easy to follow. The text, supported by a good sense of humor, is quite frankly, "down to earth," so everyone can understand the process.
Specifically, Fashion Design on Computers is geared toward the textile and garment designer. There is a particular emphasis on two types of fashion designers:
Current fashion-design students, the designers of tomorrow. These individuals are filled with enthusiasm, ideas, and zeal, but generally have limited computer skills and limited or no practical business experience. Designers with experience who are working in the fashion industry, who have limited or no computer savvy or perhaps are very hesitant or resistant to designing with computers.
Both the novice and the seasoned designer will find this book helpful. In this workbook I will show you, through explanation and examples, the key elements of design using the computer. Then, I will provide hands-on exercises for you to complete.
The computer, which I call the "brain center," will be your tool to process your talents and accomplish the highest degree of professional work regardless of the hardware or software you are using. The exercises will be easy to follow and will help you develop more complex and detailed designs, with a great deal of self-confidence.
It is critical that you keep in mind that it doesn't matter which computer software program or version you are currently using. You will be discovering and learning the basic concepts of designing for fashion on computers. You are not going to learn specific software, you are going to master the concepts" then you are going to apply those concepts to any software.
It won't matter if you have industry-driven software while you are working in this book or if you are using commercially produced software programs; our exercises and projects have been developed for you to create and master using most industry-driven hardware and its companion software, as well as if you are using any commercial off-the-shelf software that can be used on virtually any personal computer.
I feel this is a win-win situation, especially if you have an opportunity to move into an exciting job, but find that the computer hardware and software may be different from what you have used in school or at your current job.
I realize that there are many systems are in workplaces today, and I wanted to give you the opportunity to learn how to design no matter what your tools.
So, with that worry out of the way, let's talk about some other fears that may be on your mind. One of the best facets of this book is that it will deal with many of the realities facing today's designer, including the biggest-coping with change. Many designers suffer with a natural resistance-frustration and fear-to using computers because they are a new tool.
The fact is that today many terms are tossed about on this subject from "shifting paradigms" or "models" (translation: the ability and willingness to embrace change).
Any way you say it, the fact remains: switching from manual designing to computer-aided designing (CAD) is a change in direction and a change in thinking. If you feel that fear or frustration because of all the changes, it's OK; it's only natural. Relax, you are not alone. It doesn't matter if you are new on the job and overwhelmed with responsibility or an old pro feeling the pressures of "teaching an old dog new tricks."
I have taken all of that into consideration when designing the exercises. The goal of this book is to keep the frustration and fear down, and the success and confidence high.
Every artist and designer starts with a vision of their final project-the goal they want to reach. I am no different. The goals for this book are to teach the basic concepts of CAD and then to allow you apply them. What this means is that I will be teaching you how to be the one driving the computer.
Although this might seem like a strange analogy, throughout this workbook I will often compare the development of your computer skills to the progress you made while learning to drive a car. I've asked you if you can remember your refrigerator art, well, can you also remember the first time you backed the car out of the driveway? Or what about the very first time you ever tried to parallel park-ugh! I know that some of those first attempts were rocky, and this transition, designing on the computer, may produce the same anxiety. Relax. The exercises will show you how to avoid "speed traps" and "potholes." Soon you'll be speeding along the computer highway as effortlessly as you did the interstate.
This book is about helping you "drive the computer" successfully into the new millennium!
Section I focuses on the foundational skills necessary for designing on the computer, discovering and using the universal drawing tools and menus shared by almost any vector-or raster-based software.
Section 2 is geared to the intermediate skill level of fashion design on computers, including applying the principles of design, fashion marketing, and color to create and render fashion on computers. Also included is a special section on sourcing, connectivity, and the Internet.
Section 3 focuses on the advanced techniques used by fashion designers on computer to design, render, and simulate prints and fabrics. In addition, there is a section for creating your own digital swatch book.
Section 3 is also a valuable resource for marketing and promoting fashion, including personal advanced promotional tools for the fashion designer.
From here it is important that we share with you what is not included in this book:
Pattern making Grading Marker making Garment construction Actual production of garmentsManual illustration Cost sheets and spec sheets
These highly technical topics won't be covered because a brief overview could not do them justice. Actually, each of these topics deserves to be a separate book unto itself.
The one thing we can say-using this book is like any journey, it is done one step at a time. To some of you it may feel like you are driving in heavy fog or blinding snow. Everything in you wants to panic, but if you just pay attention as far as your headlights will light up the road, pace yourself, and stay alert, you will get to where you want to go. In the grand scheme of things, so what if it takes you a little bit longer than the next car?
Just concentrate on developing your CAD skills. Those with flexibility, creativity, persistence, and "the" skills will be rewarded with the best job opportunities. So be, prepared to know the industry and your competition. Designers who choose to master these computer skills will make a place for themselves in the world of fashion.
I hope for those of you still in school that you'll consider this workbook a part of your daily work tools long after you graduate. To those of you already in the field (maybe even struggling to learn how to adapt from the manual skills of design to computer design), I hope you will consider this book a valuable resource as you enter the "on ramp" of the computer highway.
Remember you are the designers who are kicking off the 21st century. And while you're learning some new technical skills, I hope you'll dig out an old piece of "refrigerator art" and tape it up as a reminder why you chose this exciting creative field in the first place! Now let's get started!
M. Kathleen Colussy Fashion Design on Computers
Fashion Design on Computers,M. Kathleen Colussy,Prentice Hall,0130838381,Art,CAD-CAM - General,Clothing trade,Commercial - Fashion Design,Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing,Computer-aided design,Data processing,Design - General,Fashion,Fashion design,Fashion merchandising,Art / Design / General
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