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For my project, I worked on developing home furnishings for the export market. My sponsor, Atlas creates wide-ranging products for living, garden, bed linen, table linen and for kitchen.
I developed three collections: Arabesque; Christmas and Assisi (European Embroidery). The first collection, ‘Arabesque’ was based on mix mediums, the second one with ‘applique’ techniques, and the third with machine embroidery. The first and third collections are for the European market and the second for the American market. However, the collections are versatile and universal and they will be showcased at buyers’ meets from various countries.
The prelude to the collections involved an in-depth study about the company, their infrastructures and their relationship with buyers. I then conducted research on international trends and analyzed market scenarios, market trends, consumer trends and forecasted international trends. I also did studies based on existing products based for buyers.
Working in a real-world setting taught me about the economics of the design process. The number of steps that go into the making of the products on an individual small-scale may not always be suited to a large scale. I learned how to make the optimum use of the existing infrastructure and cater to the end users of the products. I learned to communicate with all levels of people from workers to senior management.
My roots are as a typical village girl from Tamil Nadu so the exposure has been phenomenal. My project was not just a matter of professional development but also a matter of emotional, physical and psychological enhancement which broadened my world-view. |