Again I enjoyed so much your week on video. What a beautiful skirt you were wearing on Monday! Wow how the nature is starting to become so colourful too. 🌺🌷🍀 And I love so much your printed scarves. You should put ithem on an Etsy type of shop ! 💖 I believe this print would look gorgeous on a summerdress. 🤣 I am looking forward to the summer & winter weaving project. Deep beautiful teal colour for your warp. I cannot wait to see your colourchoice for weft. Thanks so much for all the hard work you put in your videos ! 🌟

Your thoughts about 'maybe my client is me' is relatable in my industry as well. There are techniques I love and I want to maximize my time learning and applying them. But my client doesn't care about a technique. They want what works. Making sure your work is marketable is the challenging part. And then being able to speak exactly to your market is another thing altogether when you do something that is outside the norm.

Those bedding designs are ***chef's kiss*** there's a market for those and they're amazing.

Loveeeee the marbled screen print ! I think it's fair you want to add some balance to your maximalist portfolio, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you manifest that ! Also your summer and winter weavings ~

Your videos have become a comfort watch for me, so I'm rewatching this one, and I must say I love that navy and mint/green bedding set, so if you ever decided to do a made to order shop with your designs I'd love to buy a duvet cover ❤️

so glad I found ur channel. I'm a fashion student who's into maximalism too, your projects looks very fun!

I hope you are able to find a balance with your projects so that you have something that feels true to you & is marketable. I do think what you've done so far has some of that already though, different colors with your bug & broche prints, and multiple options for your bedding. As someone who has a color comfort zone of blues & teals, I love the blue/green version of your bedding, but I like seeing the other color palettes you work with. It encourages me to create with more color variation

this is the first video of yours that i've watched and i love your personality!! your energy is infectious!

As a kooky weirdo maximalist myself, I'm sitting here like, bug scarf! Petrified wood sheets! Anemones!! But I understand where you're coming from. Your toned down anemone design reminds me of the crazy patterns you see on Target pants and dresses. I am very much a slow fashion person myself and initially followed you because I really couldn't find anyone else who was making wearable garments from such complex, colorful weaves, but I very much wish you luck in trying to market yourself for employment. (That said, if you ever made an online shop selling your digital designs as art prints, I would totally buy a couple. Especially the anemone and petrified wood.) Also, if you ever made a short video of you turning your block weave samplers into coasters or something, I would totally watch. ^_^

I clicked on one of your videos because the thumbnail caught my attention! I guess that goes to show that your style IS marketable lol. I'm looking forward to seeing how you change up your anemone series. Btw you come up with some really great color combinations!!

I think the word you're searching for is "commercial," not "marketable." There is a market for elaborate and wacky designs - look at you yourself, keeping an eye out for a specific zany sweater and snatching it up when you get the chance. The sweater was sold out because there's a market for it. But it's not a design that cuts across different markets as a more basic design would, increasing its sales potential, so it's not "commercial." I want to add in here that I found your channel through a random KZread recommendation of one of your Scotland vlogs, and I've been watching through all your art school vlogs the past few days while I work on my own projects. I noticed that you're not just finishing the assignment as it's written, but you're going above and beyond in your research and design processes to get a full understanding of what you're supposed to learn, and then some, seeking out new ways of doing things. It's remarkable that you put so much thought into developing a theme, and you're doing so many of these projects at a time and giving more than your all to each one, it's no wonder you would start to feel burnt out. I've learned so much about the design process just watching your projects unfold. Your work is exemplary, and I hope to see a full textile line from you one day, or whatever else you end up doing in the craft. I'm also interesting mainly in weaving, and I had no idea there were schools that taught this. I'm looking towards building up my art skills so that I can apply to a program in the future. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!

One word you mentioned while referring to the clothing at H&M and Zara was disposable. Your jeweled beetle print, your anemone print and even your children’s designs are all very aesthetically appealing. They are the sorts of designs that are hard to throw away. I loved your alligator in the lilies print. Perhaps maybe a tad toned down, or as you said more plain and simple coordinated pieces to make your designer prints shine out? It really depends who you are creating for: The minority of wealthy people with disposable income, or people more like yourself and those you call peers? I watch young designers shoot for the wealthy, but the rich minority are the sorts of people who throw away clothes with tags still on them. You studied marine biology so you are aware of the environmental issues our world is looking at. You’re in a place of decision. Who will you serve? Who will you design for? Marketability is important, but making money isn’t the only thing in life. Responsibility, accountability, and conscience are always in the background of life. Your Serbian heritage is woven (no pun intended) into your heart and soul. Just some things to consider.

Don't change/ shrink your unique perspective to become marketable- your designs are sooooo amazing! 🔥🦄 You will find the right path to bring them to life

I wasn't so sure when you started throwing all those colors on your screen, but I love the fun marbled print!! You sure love color! And Dark teal is my favorite, so looking forward to next week!

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! The process is pretty wild, I thought at first that it would for sure make a brown-colored mess but somehow it works out 😂

@lauriedunn6198

2 жыл бұрын

@@AndreaAlexander I was a bit worried it would be mud--but it turned out great!

Oh I am for sure subscribing this was so fun.

@daniellemcallister

2 жыл бұрын

Also I think it’s smart to make more tame pattern designs to coordinate with the main show pattern. It gives people more reason to buy the whole collection (of whatever it’s printed on) so that it looks good together but they aren’t overwhelmed by the main pattern.

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Ahh thank you so much!! 🥺💕 And yes, exactly! I don’t want to get rid of any of my normal craziness, but I do need to make some more sensible prints every now and then just to balance things out a bit 😂

Oh I love wearable and marketable maximalist stuff. Keep vlogging, new subscriber here 💗🌸

Also, loved watching your screen printing process. I live for the large chaotic vibes! I think they came out great and love the bugs!

I started watching your channel when it was mainly weaving - but man, I'm finding these interesting. Never in a million years did I expect the screen printing to come out so amazing, I would have assumed the colours would all blend together and you'd end up with some brown bugs! Thanks for sharing your learning with us :)

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your kindness and support, it really means a lot to me 🥰🥰🥰and when the teacher first showed us that technique I was also amazed, I thought for sure it would be a muddy brown mess but somehow it seems to always work out - it’s magic!!

omg the marbled SCARVES!! I WOULD SERIOUSLY BUY ONE OFF YOU :) fellow art student as well- cooper union :p

I love your idea of creating more commercially approachable designs to coordinate with your bugs and brooches print!

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I’m still going to keep a little bit of the craziness of course 😉💕

You're making great progress 👍👍👍

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, that means a lot to me 🥰

It's so cold today, it's making me sad to see those beautiful blooms which have probably frozen off. The sweater is amazing! Look at it this way, your client is you and the sweater that you most wanted has been sold out so it's clearly something people want. I think the idea of a collection with a super maximalist design and more subdued coordinates sounds perfect for you.

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

The cold was CRAZY!! I’m so glad I saw the blooms before they disappeared 🥲🌸❤️ And you are totally right about the sweater - I didn’t even think of that and that does make me feel a lot better about things. Thank you 🥰

@AndreaAlexander

6 ай бұрын

I'm sorry if this is weird but I just wanted to say, that a year later, I still think about this comment (specifically about the wacky sweater being sold out) all the time. Thank you for that, it's really made me think of things differently in such a positive way ❤❤❤

@annefresia2102

6 ай бұрын

@@AndreaAlexander not weird and I'm thrilled that I could steer you towards a positive outlook! I hope you are still enjoying Scotland and not freezing.

Beautiful work!! ✨

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 🥰🥰🥰

love your videos !

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! 😃💕

I totally understand what you mean when you say you'd like to make something a little bit more 'simple' for the mainstream markets, it does help to make things a little more digestible?? But I for surly believe there is a large market of people who'd like your designs. It about how you cater to them I guess??

I enjoyed watching your progress this week (last week as well) and was surprised by your interest in making your designs more marketable. I guess I consider you an artist and not just a textile designer (although many textile designers are artists). I do understand the need to work in the industry for a while and learn as much as you can, but I think your aesthetic is delightful and refreshing and all those thoughts about the market may cut your unique voice and once that’s gone then your love and enthusiasm for the industry may diminish. Right now, quirky and maximalist is the rage and even when they are not there are some designers who continue with that aesthetic. Maybe you should look at those designers and textile design houses to stay inspired and be yourself. I really thank you for sharing your journey. All the best as always. PS-I have included mostly fashion designers but maybe the idea of being a “surface designer” (don’t say this at FIT) can help you look for unusual ways to use your skills after graduation. Here are just a few who work the quirk. Bestey Johnson(her handbags and earrings mostly now show her eccentric qualities) Jeremy Scott of Moschino (has had his bit of a design scandal but still interesting) Gudrun Sjoden -Quirky while Swedish Johnson Hartig for Libertine (he did textile designs for Schumacher for awhile before starting his label). Find your niche, stay true to who you are and flourish. 🙃

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

I so appreciate your kind and thoughtful comment 🥺 you are so right! I guess what I was trying to say was that I might want a little more balance in my portfolio, because right now everything is absolute maximalism 😂 I definitely don’t want to get rid of my style, but I do think that diversifying could be good for me. Also I love that you mentioned Betsey Johnson because she is an absolute favorite of mine and I was definitely channeling her energy when making those marbled bug prints 😂 and the green coat I’m wearing on Thursday in this video is Gudrun Sjoden!!! It makes me happy that you mentioned these designers in particular. And I will definitely research the others ❤️❤️❤️ thank you again 🥰

it's so nice to see how positive you are! I graduate from my textiles degree in July and my whole year group are so broken lmao :') nice to see someone actually enjoying themselves whilst studying! Your work is so fun

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

trust me, I am also broken 🥲🤣❤️ Thank you so much for your kindness!! Where are you studying? 😃

omg those scarves turned out SO DOPE!! excited to see the new weavings!!

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!! 🥰🥰🥰

I don’t think you should switch to a more market oriented attitude. FIT is your time frame for experimenting and personal research. This might change when hired for a big brand and you might regret not having worked on all crazy projects. You will always have time to tune up your professional portfolio according to potential clients but I believe they need fresh ideas too. It’s a fine line and there are also very artsy companies not just fast fashion companies. I’d buy each and every design of yours tbh and you made me wanna learn how to draw

@AndreaAlexander

2 жыл бұрын

You are so kind 🥺 thank you for your support and words of encouragement ❤️❤️❤️ I totally agree though, I don’t want to completely ditch my style and craziness. I just think it might help me to be a little more sensible in some of the technical aspects (like my anemone print is 18 colors.. that’s too many for reasonable production 😂) I’m working on finding a healthy balance!

@partyfiesta1557

2 жыл бұрын

@@AndreaAlexanderI understand your point of view much better now. That’s true that 18 colors is a lot for traditional fabric printing. Nearly impossible to produce, unfortunately. But hopefully there’s digital printing which limits artists much less and I hope it’ll become the norm in the industry soon enough. I sure hope our paths will cross one day! Hugs, Adrien