Drawing on the Archive: Re-evaluating Copying for the Design Curriculum

Abstract

Abstract This report of research currently in progress describes an investigative project prompted by concerns about the negative effects on student work of digital copying directly from archival and other visual sources. In the initial part of the investigation the authors themselves experimented with different copying techniques and through discussion of this process devised a formal workshop, the Constructive Copying Workshop, the main intention of which was to explore the use of paper-based drawing methods for copying from archival material in varied and structured ways. The specific aims of the workshop were to enhance student awareness of the stylistic characteristics of archival reference, to improve student expertise in effective copying techniques, and to encourage students to become more reflective about their own practice of drawing for design. In the second part of the investigation this workshop was first conducted with a group of second year, printed textile design, students, then modified and conducted with another group of similar students. Both groups of students were asked to work from an image of a classic textile pattern and to consider particular copying strategies or approaches prompted by the terms set out in a Copying Vocabulary Matrix. They were also asked to record their thoughts in a reflective journal. Initial findings from the analysis of student comments and the drawn outputs of the workshops indicate that, in general, the aims of the workshop were met, but that the choice of archival reference provided could affect student drawing strategy. A third part of the investigation is planned which will encompass good practice garnered from the conduct of the first two workshops and extend the range of the specialist fields of the student groups participating to other textile/fashion disciplines and year groups.