Thursday 19 December 2013

Designer ethics

Rachael Taylor, a talented young designer from Liverpool has accused Marks and Spencer of stealing her designs after the store launched a range of clothes featuring her designs. 

Rachael said: "It appears that this British superstore has a design that is more than strikingly similar to my 'Etched Floral' hand drawn original design. It's one of my signature designs and I just want to point out that I never granted permission for Marks and Spencer to use it."
Marks and Spencer have now withdrawn the products from sale. 

Marks & Spencer tshirt design.

Rachael's design.

Rachael added: "I understand the importance of standing up for yourself as a designer and for your intellectual property rights, to not be scared and speak out and protect whats rightfully yours."
After posting on her website the images of her work and the images of the designs being stolen, Rachael has been receiving lots of messages of support from fellow designers, the Design Trust was among those who commented, with others stated that it was 'blatant plagiarism'. Rachael has said she has been "overwhelmed with support", she also explained "I'm taking legal action against Marks & Spencer, as not only has my design been used for profit without my permission, I believe in standing up for civil rights of myself and anyone else who has encountered this in their own professional life. It's really important to raise awareness, to stop this happening to other independent designers."

In a statement, Patricia Van Den Akker, Director of The Design Trust, said: "I hear daily of cases like this, it really hurts these small designers both financially and emotionally."

As a textiles design student I personally would be extremely angry if someone had blatantly stolen my designs, as designs are so personal to the designer, I find it absolutely outrageous that someone could steal them and not give any recognition to the actual designer, I also think that Rachael has handled the situation extremely well by taking action and standing up for her designs. 




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Thursday 5 December 2013

Future Career...

Textile surface designing...

What does the job entail?
"Textile designers create designs for knitted, printed and woven textiles. These designs often feature repeating patterns. Textile design can include designing:
  • Textiles for clothing and accessories
  • Fabrics and furnishings
  • Printed, paper-based fabrics
Textile designers need to discuss, understand and interpret the needs, ideas and requirements of their customers accurately. They must consider how the textile will be used and therefore which properties it needs, before producing design ideas, sketches and samples for presentation for customers.
Salaries usually range from around £13,000 to £40,000 a year.

A textile designer should:
  • Be artistic, creative and able to draw
  • Have an eye for colour, texture and pattern and have good attention to detail
  • Understand the properties of different materials and dyes and the production processes of textiles
  • have knowledge of the market and be able to predict new trends.
Employers include companies that produce clothing, soft furnishings and other textile-based products, design studios and consultancies. There is an intense competition for vacancies. People looking for work usually need to undertake relevant paid or unpaid work experience and build up a list of contacts in the industry. Many textile designers work on a freelance basis.

Qualifications:
There are no formal entry requirements to become a textile designer. However, most people enter through one of two main routes. Some begin as a machinist or cutter and progress to textile designer. More usually, entry is after completing a relevant HNC/HND or degree in design. Postgraduate qualifications are also available. Course admission tutors and employers expect to see a portfolio of design work."

Is it for me?
My aim for the future is to be involved in the textile industry wether it is making or designing, I feel this career would strongly suit my ambitions.

http://creativepool.com/articles/jobdescriptions/textile-designer-job-description




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