This project is about innovation and creative thinking coming up with inspirational ideas and concepts that will inspire others through photography and design work. Use the philosophy behind Maurice and Charles Saatchi’s Brutal Simplicity of Thought’ and the ‘Lovemark’ concept employed by Saatchi and Saatchi to help inspire and fuel your ideas processes. They are both very different philosophies and produce amazing ideas that are truly inspiring to the people their work is aimed at.
The project is centred on Chelsea – and you can make any statement through imagery that you put together about Chelsea – it is your choice, your idea and your concept – it can be positive or negative – it can sell Chelsea or show negative aspects based on social, political, psychological aspects of the town that attract you or show positive aspects of lifestyle that you would like to make a statement about. It can be a redesign for a company that you feel requires new branding. It is up to you – and whether you want to complicate or simplify your work!
The work will culminate in an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea.
The units covered are specialist photography techniques in the studio and on location and involves an understanding of art direction and the role of a gallery curator. You are also expected to learn about the world of exhibiting art, graphics, photography and design.
You will centre on the location of Chelsea – Kings Road SWL you will be attending field trips here to seek out specific location areas for your shots and then plan ideas for the location. This could be political, sociological, psychologically based. It could involve a fashion shoot either modern or retro style or be related to some kind of product/business design or statement about your chosen theme.
First of all you need to write your project proposal – decide on a theme and then create mood-boards or mind maps to decide on an art direction. Researching the artists chosen for you will also help when deciding in an artistic direction and theme for your work.
Visiting the area, soaking up the atmosphere and taking note of the trends and styles be currently displayed will also help in fueling your inspiration. Re-exploring inspirational techniques discussed and used on other projects will help you with coming up with ideas.
Exploring the history of the area and the many faces of The Kings Road through associations with groups and art movements may help you in deciding on you’re the ideas for your work
Theme themes to help fuel ideas
The Glory days of the Kings Road, Blitz kids, Chelsea Punk, Class, Hidden Chelsea, past, present future, street life, time traveler, Lost and Found, Night Life, Underbelly!, adornment, the lost rebels.
The role of the photographic art director and gallery curator will need to be explored by you to show that you understand the responsibilities in these job roles will further help you when working on this project and may help you with future entrepreneurial skills when looking for work or setting up your own business.
The workshops throughout this project will provide opportunities to explore, experiment and develop your ability to use and combine a range of photographic processes, digital techniques and artistic methods, helping you to build the necessary skills that will contribute to the final design.
The project will promote innovative creative thinking skills that will assist in design inspiration and creative solutions. We will also cover Health and Safety related to workshop and studio conduct, There is a range of professional skills interwoven within the curriculum these are an integral part of your study and will be assessed by your tutor alongside your creative ability.
