Left to right: Sarah Krawiec, Mother to Bee. Emily Montville,
Peace, Love, Happiness. Chelsea Phillips, Unwritten Melody.
bombarded with all the concepts and
skills they need to design a board
that is sophisticated and technically
superior.
Students address each of the following considerations in their storyboards:
Theme: A season, event, historical
time period, or use (summer sportswear, wedding, retro-50s) is chosen
as the inspiration for the line. This
theme should be clear and consistent
throughout all elements of the storyboard. The actual illustrated designs,
colors, typography, support imagery,
and composition are all dictated by
the theme.
Fashion Illustration: The illustrations are central to the storyboard;
therefore, they must be well-planned
and executed. Commercial or custom templates may be used, but the
figure’s stance must be appropriate
to the theme (e.g., a line created for
skateboarders should not be a full
frontal, stationary pose, and a line of
maternity wear should not be shown
break dancing). Color choices used in
the illustrations will dictate colors
used throughout the board, so choices
should be thoughtful (e.g., traditional
wedding gowns are seldom designed
in highly intense colors).
Typography: Titles and captions
should be set in a typeface that works
with the theme. Formalwear lines
may use a script such as Amazone or
Kunstler, while mod or deco designs
may call for a sans-serif typeface such
as Broadway or Metro. Font websites
offer a limitless range of possibilities.
Other considerations are whether
the font will be italicized, bold, condensed, or extended.
Color: Color is one of the most immediate details to be recognized, appreciated, or abhorred in a fashion design
presentation. Therefore, selecting
and matching colors for the illustrations, background, type, and color
swatches is essential. Intensity and
temperature should be considered as
elements that provide either contrast
or continuity.
Composition: Placement of the illustrations, type, swatches, and support
imagery must be logical yet sophisticated. Typical “typewriter” placement (left to right, top to bottom) is
not necessarily the most captivating
composition. Students are encouraged to try numerous compositions,
recording them with a digital camera
in order to compare them prior to fixing them permanently. How the viewer’s eye moves around and between
elements is considered; margins, negative space, visual weight, and a host
of other issues must be addressed.
Artistry: Artistry, in the form of
neatness, appropriate material
choices, and final detailing, mark the
difference between a merely passable
and a highly professional presentation
board. The board must be kept neat
and undamaged prior to the presentation. Skills such as masking, cutting
with a blade or cutting board, and use
of adhesives are required to bring the
presentation to a higher level. Objectivity and awareness of minute detail
ensure quality work.
Having accomplished all this, students come to realize that a successful solution to this design problem
is found in their ability to illustrate
fashion and bring multiple design
elements together in an aesthetically
pleasing, logical, and professional presentation, in effect, a fierce fashion
show in two dimensions.
Carolann Tebbetts is an art teacher at
Milford High School in Milford, Massachusetts. ctebbetts@milfordma.com
Students apply media, techniques,
and processes with sufficient skill,
confidence, and sensitivity that their
intentions are carried out in their
artworks.
www.fashion-templates.com/about/
storyboards
