Visualising the Presentation Environment
Written by Morgan Jones, December '21
In this article we will consider how visualising the presentation environment for a project can add positive reinforcement to our practice.
Let us start by first defining what exactly we mean by presentation environment. A presentation environment is one in which you, or others, will share your work. It is not the intended end point if you will, but rather a separate place in which your work exists that supports the work’s true destination.
There is no right or wrong presentation environment in which to visualise your work manifesting itself. It need not even be the actual environment in which your work is ultimately shown.
Visualising the presentation environment is useful because having a clearly visualised presentation environment in which your work will exist can help give you the confidence that your efforts will come to fruition.
For the fashion designer some presentation environments to imagine a new collection in once released could be:
Shared through social media
On the runway
Lined up on the rack of a brick and mortar store
Within the pages of a magazine
In fashion film
All of these environments and more are potentially very inspiring to the fashion designer. To maintain confidence and clarity of thought throughout the creative journey a fashion designer can have a preferred presentation environment in which to imagine their finished garments and use this imaginative technique to stay on course and reinforce self-belief. We must however use visualisation techniques consciously and there are two main reasons for this.
Firstly, through the creative process our visualised presentation environment could subconsciously affect our design process affecting the final garments in a way that is not supportive of the original design brief. By being conscious of our visualised presentation environment we can ensure that we stay true to the design brief we have created or have been given, whilst enjoying the benefits of visualisation in this way.
Secondly, paying attention to our thought processes can lead us to greater self knowledge. If we find ourselves imagining our work being presented in a certain way and our feelings about this environment are strong, we may seek to put energy into bringing it into reality.
The primary purpose of performing this visualisation exercise throughout the creative process is to build confidence, excitement and self belief. Find a happy place that works for you, one that is simple, clear and free of distraction. When having a hard or bad day, you can spend some time in this imagined space, and come away from it with a renewed sense of vigour. On a good day, you can use the visualisation to spur you on even more.
I hope this article has given you food for thought in your own practice and thank you for reading.
Good luck
Morgan