It seemed
impossible for me to answer the question, ‘Who am I?’ when I heard that this
would be the main task of our next project for Integral. As I forced myself to determine
what my answer could possibly be, I realised that I would probably not be able
to answer this question by just listing the traits I think I have but that I would
have to explore exactly how I behave in certain situations, treat people and
probably most importantly comparing my acts to my thoughts, comparing it to the
morals I think I live to and the things I think I value. This would enable me
to see if I am really the person who I think I am. For the outcome to be true I
would have to be honest with myself and put effort in the exploration of the
different facets that I potentially have. I found that the Personality Pathways
test, found at http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html (test); http://www.personalitypage.com/html/ISFP.html
(interpretation), was quite accurate. I had to answer this in honesty and keep
in mind that some of the result would obviously not be perfectly accurate.
The first
thing I could agree with the results of the test was the way I think and this
was also the first thing I described myself as when we had to introduce
ourselves in the first class of this subject at the beginning of the year. I
often find myself over thinking and analysing things. I set the scene or
situation in my head, identify the problem and think of possible solutions,
thriving on theoretical possibilities. This pattern of thought happens consciously
and sometimes unconsciously, all the time and with every situation in my day.
Sometimes I choose to act on these thoughts and sometimes I ignore them because
of me being conscious of over thinking and me wanting to be a person that lives
in the moment, eventhough I know that this kind of logical thinking can be seen
as a strength.
This adds
on to the fact that I am absolutely future-oriented and constantly find myself dreaming
up the life I would built for myself. This then unfortunately comes with more pre-thought
up trouble-shootings that I would try and think through, annoying myself once
again…
My filled
head is most of the time the reason why I would not be completely present in a
group and with rich imagination I often find the external world pale in
comparison. Admitting this makes me feel selfish and the need to push myself to
be more present and considerate, applying high standards for myself to perform
and focusing on self-sufficiency. This is another trait of that makes me feel
selfish because I often does not want to be helped with tasks and hurt loved
ones against my better judgment at the time.
Understanding
that my way of thought often make my actions seem self-centred, I make the
effort to try and really place myself in other’s shoes before I act. I also find
myself not sharing the whole of myself with others because of it, especially in
the beginning.
I open up
to the few people that becomes quite close to me. Once this happen I will stay
loyal, faithful and supportive. This would only change if I feel betrayed in
some way and that we could not come to an agreement about the situation. In all
relationships I welcome conflict, not because I enjoy it but because I know
this only happens because both party’s care and because I know that it’s the
only way to find a solution that suits both party’s needs. I always try to seek
the truth and believe that without it and trust a relationship does not stand a
chance.
In
contrast with this logical thinking, I dislike routine or to follow others but
have no desire to lead either and I thoroughly enjoy abstract creativity and
get very excited about new ideas and other’s interpretations.
For this project I found
insperation inresearching geometrical shaped garment designs; analytical
artforms; and futuristic designs:
painting
by Martal Chapman
painting
by Paulo Zerbato
designs
by Xuan-Thu Nguyen
futuristic
designs by Roxanna Zamani
design
by Milkboss Industries
painting
by Martal Chapmanpainting
by Paulo Zerbato
designs
by Xuan-Thu Nguyen
futuristic
designs by Roxanna Zamani
design
by Milkboss Industries
In conclusion I designed
and made a hoodie to describe a few facets of myself. I chose to make a hoodie
because of it having a hood and because I identified with the tracksuit fabric
its usually made of. I made a basic pattern for it and cut it into multipale
squares and triangles that fits perfectly into eachother; this describes my logical
and and analytic way of thinking and could also describe the different layers we
all have that forms the unique individuals we are. This gave an edgy feel to it
and I soften this with the soft tracksuit fabric that provides comfort- a
feeling most of us have towards this because of the tracksuits our parents
loved us to wear when we were little – explaining that eventhough I don’t
always think in a caring manner, I do have feelings and show it in being loyal,
faithful and supportive. I chose to use
two colours to indicate the contrast between the person I am inside and the
person I choose to be with others. I used red to symbolise the anger I sometimes
feel towards my way of thought and act (impatiently and short-tempered) because
of it. The white could symbolise the person good person I want to be at all
times. I chose to use the conventional zip to close the hoodie but to symbolise
my excitement for new ideas and uniqueness by placing the zip diagonally from
hip to shoulder and up, over the hood. This enable the wearer to close the hood
as well – symbolising that I often feel shy meeting new people; fell ashamed
the person I am inside; and the fact that I try to keep a part of me to myself.
The busyness immediately observed when looking at the hoodie, could suggest my
busy thoughts.
Documentation
Pattern drafting and fabric cutting
Sewing of hood
Hood Back View
Hood Front View
More cutting and sewing...
Pinning and more sewing...
Final Front View
Final Back View
