PHOSPHORESCENT
This part of the project focuses on researching and drawing inspiration from the Unisexual Ambystoma, also known as the Small-mouthed Salamander dependent population, particularly found in woodland habitats. These salamanders, with a distinct dark grey coloration and varying blue flecking, are facing the risk of extinction due to habitat loss, degradation, and potential future challenges from climate change and introduced diseases. The salamanders serve as a key inspiration for creating a fashion development line named "Phosphorescent." The aim is to promote eco-friendly and avant-garde fashion in Canada. The target market for the late Millennials and early Generation Z individuals aged 20 to 35, residing in metropolitan areas, possessing a high disposable income, and valuing sustainability, unique designs, and craftsmanship. The products not only serve as aesthetic expressions but also act as tools for raising awareness about environmental and animal conservation.
Process of Motif Creation:
At this stage, I mainly work with Adobe Illustrator. To create the motif, I tried 2 different ways: vectorize the photo to create an object, and draw the object from the photo using Pen tool. Both have pros and cons. Vectorizing the photo gave me the lively look that I desired, but it was difficult to control every little detail, such as the little dots of the Salamanders. The other way allowed me to have more control over the object when I could edit the small details easily, but the object's look is not that realistic according to my desires.
I decided to go with the motif created by using Pen tool since it gave me more control over the object. But I have to face another challenge now, and that is color. The characteristic of the Salamander is dark skin with black eyes and bright dots. It was hard for me to decide on the background and other details to create a repeat and non-repeat design. Hence, I created another monochrome Salamander in light blue to pair with the original motif.
Repeat Design
Based on the original colour palette, I created 2 options for the repeat design. But I chose to go with the left one because I want something more interesting and provided a closer look on the motif for this project.
I focused on the salamander and its habitat in order to create this repeat design. Besides the main motif and the monochrome Salamander, I also inserted the Maple Leaf - a signature of Canada, and the Salamander's egg, which looks like an eyeball. For the background of the design, I chose green and brown since these colours speak a description of a forest. The "round-maze" pattern represents the flexibility of this species when it moves.
I tried out some different colour schemes to see what worked out for my second version of the repeat design. During this, I was surprised that whenever the colour changed, the whole mood, context and feeling about this design in me changed as well.
I decided to go with the "purple/green background" option because the Triadic colour schemes is the one I have the most interested in.
Non-repeat Design
I chose to applied the Vibrating Boundaries as an optical illusion for my main object in non-repeat design. I placed the motif in different ways as well as change the tree colour in the middle but none of it satisfied my wants.
At the end, I tried to insert a dot pattern which is the signature of this salamander to create some highlight as well as increased the opacity of the background to enhance the harmony overall.
Artist's Statement
In the heart of the Carolinian Region, I found inspiration in an unexpected species: the Ambystoma Unisexual also known as the Small-mouthed Salamander subpopulation. Its beautiful shape, embellished with bright dots on a dark leather background, captured my imagination of the "starry night" and took me on a creative journey unlike any other. As I delve deeper into the world of this amphibian, I discover not only the beauty but also the fragility of its existence. Threatened by habitat loss and human encroachment, these salamanders are a symbol in my mind of the fragile balance between nature and development in society. Wanting to raise awareness about saving this and other endangered species, I embarked on a mission to include it in my product line. The repetitive design, inspired by the salamander's unique appearance in its habitat, became the foundation of my collection—a bold statement of artistry and conservation. What works is the combination of art and activism. My designs serve as a canvas for storytelling, sparking conversations about the intersection of fashion, nature, and sustainability. However, as I embarked on this creative journey, I encountered challenges along the way. Balancing avant-garde aesthetics, color schemes, and which designs will be easy to use in everyday life requires careful consideration and creative solutions. I was stuck on the color part for a while because the typical color of this species is dark, requiring a combination of many different bright colors to be visible. Therefore, in the background of the designs, I chose a bold contrasting color combination to highlight my main motif. If I had more time, I'd add the texture of the salamander's habitat to my design to create some vibrancy in the design. As I reflect on the journey so far, I am filled with a renewed sense of aesthetics and the decisions I have made. Through art, I seek to inspire change and raise a voice to defend the issues we face in this world.
