The Chronicle stops the presses- Play offers new twist on classic story
- Students create illustrations for Georgia Ports Authority
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Graduate student channels classic horror in thesis film - Alumnus creates mobile gallery
- SCAD libraries hold artist’s book competition for students
- Griffis discusses development of Arthur legend
- Noted author speaks to students
- The Green Scene: 'We have a dream'
- Personnel File: New staff members join SCAD-Savannah
- SCAD hosts regional IDSA conference
- Titus Kaphar to speak at SCAD
- The Bee Line
- Women’s lacrosse sets records in Kennesaw State win
- Athlete Feats highlights for Feb. 22
- Baseball takes series from St. Thomas
- Women’s basketball wraps up second place in Florida Sun
- Athletics updates for Feb. 15
- Baseball off to best start in program’s history
- Big third period leads lacrosse team to victory
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Class in the Spotlight
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Fashion students gain unique perspective on 3-D design
By Monique Bos Published: Friday, February 29, 2008 Guests at the Savannah College of Art and Design Scholarship Gala Feb. 2 might have noticed several pieces of attire constructed of unusual materials on display. Featured at the event were three of the best avant-garde projects created by students in SCAD-Atlanta professor Filis Hagi-Zaid’s Fall 2007 Introduction to Fashion class. For the assignment, they incorporated eyewear materials, such as lenses and frames, into their creations. “It’s their final 3-D project, so they deal with volume and shape. The object doesn’t necessarily have to be a garment; it could also be an accessory,” Hagi-Zaid said. “They’re required to use eyewear pieces in a very creative way.” The glasses come from the Lighthouse Foundation, a nonprofit organization that recycles eyewear and distributes it to people who can’t afford glasses. “What [the foundation is] doing is basically getting donated eyewear — prescription glasses and sunglasses — and trying to fix it,” explained Hagi-Zaid. “Then they put them into categories or groups based on the prescriptions, and give them back to people who need them.” The students’ creations also benefit the organization. The Lighthouse Foundation holds an auction of the finished pieces. “Their work helps raise money for a good cause,” said Hagi-Zaid. “The idea was to create some beautiful pieces that can be auctioned, and the money goes back to the foundation.” She started the project in winter quarter 2007 and has assigned it to students during each subsequent term. “They create several sketches and several boards to try to understand each other’s ideas; everything builds to the point when they start working in 3-D,” she said. “They learn the rules of composition and how to make sure their ideas look fine in 3-D. … Everybody has different ways of doing this.” Some students use the whole eyewear, while others incorporate only frames, lenses or even the screws that hold the frames together. Some spray-paint the eyewear parts, and they also work with a variety of other materials, from soda-can tabs, mirrors, mesh, feathers, papers and studs, to different fabrics. Many who created garments used corsets as a structural base. One created a Cinderella-type shoe using the glass. “They’re allowed to do any treatments that help or improve the project,” Hagi-Zaid explained. The students begin the course by researching trends using catalogs, a biannual publication that highlights fashion trends, the Internet, magazines and other materials available at the college’s library. “They make a presentation board and pick three key trends,” explained Hagi-Zaid. “They can design gadgets such as watches as well as clothes using trends in new ways. They make a formal presentation; their ideas and interpretations are the most important things.” The next project is a historically-based design collection. “They choose a historic period, anything from the cavemen to today,” said Hagi-Zaid. “I encourage them to use less of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s because those have been done too many times. They research the color palette, fabrics, style and silhouette of that time and then bring those into today’s fashion. … They work like designers, pulling elements from their historical period, such as neck, hem length or pin ticks, and update those elements.” Their third project is the avant-garde, 3-D piece, for which they use the eyewear. In addition, they examine dimensions, space and volume, considering how to create a “wow” factor through options such as oversized or disproportionate features, Hagi-Zaid said. In addition, they usually take a field trip to the Lighthouse Foundation, where they meet the director, learn about the organization’s work, and view a collection of old glasses and frames. “The purpose is not to sew. … They have to find a convincing method of putting together a 3-D object,” said Hagi-Zaid. “They have to deal with closure, taking apart their work and putting it back together, and with transporting it somewhere else without damaging it.” She also emphasizes the importance of class critiques in the design process. “They critique their peers in a very positive and constructive way,” she said. “I encourage them to always ask questions and be really bold. They need to be able to speak well and support their projects.” The finished pieces will be available for auction at “A Night of Spectacle,” a Lighthouse Foundation fundraising event slated for April 17 at the King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St. N.W., in Atlanta.  |
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