I have been mulling over a new idea for a class. As you know, I am really enjoying the designing process for making my own quilts. I really want to share that with people. I would love your feedback – so bear with me as I walk you through my idea.

So, the class is about using things around you for inspiration when designing modern quilts – “Every Day Inspiration for Designing Modern Quilts”. I think have a structure, and some of the content decided….

___________________________________CLASS CONTENT__________________________________________

Sources of Inspiration

• Art History: I think it is important that we understand what has been done before us not only in quilting but also in art using other mediums. I have a focus for Abstract art, with examples of different artists that influence my design aesthetic. Where to look and find resources.
   
• Your environment: How can you use things around you to inspire a design? What should you look for? Photographic examples are used to illustrate how to identify design elements.

Designing

• Initial Design: This covers how do you take these concepts/ideas to create an initial design?
  
• Color Palettes: How do use a given color palette and does placement of colors make a difference to the design? Does not cover detailed color theory but elements are discussed and can be provided.
• Fine-tuning of the design: Experimenting with size and placement of the design elements can make a difference to the overall design.

Additional Information/Class Wrap-up: What tools are out there for designing? Where/What can you do to continue learning?

Student hands on activities for the class: I think it takes practice to be able to find your aesthetic and start to fine tune your skills in what you see around you (something I learned participating in quilt design a day). So my goal for the hands on exercises/activities is to start that process, and practice.

Students come with:

• 3 photos that either provide inspiration from a color palette or, contains subject matter they are inspired by or, has geometric design elements.
• Design tool of choice (paper/makers or pencils; computer with software

Exercise 1: Same subject matter, different perspectives

• Based on an instructor provided photo, draw an initial design in 20 mins.
• With 10 more minutes what changes would you make (play with color placement or design elements)
• Individuals will be selected to share with the class your design explain why your inspiration

Exercise 2: Small Group Selection

• Everyone brings their photos and the group selects one photo that they will use to draw an initial design in 20 minutes
• With 10 more minutes what changes would you make (play with color placement or design elements)
• Individuals will be selected to  share with the class your design explain why your inspiration

Exercise 3: Different subject matter

• Take one of your 3 photos draw an initial design in 20 mins
• With 10 more minutes what changes would you make (play with color placement or design elements
• Individuals will be selected to share with the class your design explain your inspiration.

Exercise 4: Abstract artist (if time permits)

• Repeat Exercise 3 with another photo but use an abstract artist we covered in class to inspire your initial design (20 minutes).

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Ok. So I would love some feedback about what you guys think about this class. Here are some questions I have and if you think of anything else – I would love to hear about it.

• Is this something you would like to do?
• Is there anything missing in the class that you would like to see?
• What to you think about the above Student Hands-on Activities?
• Do you think most people will bring paper as the design tool and should this be the default? NOTE: I will not be able to offer assistance to those who bring software
• Do you think this can be a full-day class or 1/2 day class? What would you prefer?
• Do you think folks would like an exercise, in which, they take their cell phones and take a photo in the class/environment around them to use this for a design? Will everyone have a phone?