Guest post by FIDM Museum Associate Curator Christina Johnson
The FIDM Museum held a student design competition in conjunction with Inspired Eye: The Donald and Joan Damask Design Collection at the FIDM Museum. We asked students to select an artwork displayed in the exhibition, and use it as inspiration to design something new!
Inspired Eye competition illustration by Olivia Davis
We had many innovative entries, ranging from sketches to paintings and headdresses—even a lamp! Donald and Joan Damask selected the three winners, who all received gift certificates from Michael Levine.
A view of the exhibition at the opening of Inspired Eye: The Donald and Joan Damask Design Collection at the FIDM Museum in Los Angeles, California on Thursday, June 11, 2015.(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)
Second-year FIDM Fashion Design student Olivia Davis won first place for her sketch depicted to models wearing clothing printed with a David Croland illustration from the exhibition. The Damasks were impressed by her clothing designs and the quality of the drawing and presentation, as well as her integration of the exhibition artwork and the written explanation of her design process.
Olivia described her inspiration: “This piece of art inspired me due to the era in which it was painted. As a lover of the 90s, and being born during this era, it was really relatable to me. I really like how simple it is, but it says so much. The choice of colors, symbols and shapes portray something so beautiful and lively. I chose to do a fashion sketch and design some pieces of clothing, using the painting as a pattern. I designed a lightweight trench coat and a two piece knit top and skirt. The overall purpose of the design was to showcase the painting, which was used as a printed pattern. But at the same time, I wanted to stay true to what is in style today. I think that the overall look is fun and really showcases the era of the 1990s." Congratulations Olivia!
Visit Inspired Eye: The Donald and Joan Damask Design Collection at the FIDM Museum 10am–5pm, Tuesday through Saturday, until December 19 at our Los Angeles campus, 919 S. Grand Avenue.
