Hands of Design: Micro Design Prints

Under The Microscope.

Producing print designs.

After researching natural forms, I selected different samples to use as part of my microscopic inspirational images. Placing each one in a petri dish and using the microscope, I transferred my findings onto postcards using different media. As a result I have composed some beautiful and interesting patterns that could be used as a print design.

To begin, I created some sample designs using different techniques in an attempt to determine the best media to use for my desired print.

Bubble Ink

Bubble ink.

The bubble ink print was done by filling a petri dish with watered down washing up liquid, then adding some ink. Through a straw, bubbles are blown and transferred onto the card by pressing it over the ink filled bubbles. This was an image representing plant cells, but my creation was not as effective as I would have liked. If I had added more washing up liquid and ink to the water, I may have achieved a stronger image. However when it was dry, I proceeded to free hand machine sew over the print, giving a much stronger edge.

Free hand machine sewing.

Brusho

Brusho technique.

Brusho is a very effective technique allowing colours to bleed into one another, creating fascinating images. I sampled two different effects using brusho, the first using red brown and yellow, This was very simple and easy to produce, brushing the card with water and sprinkling the brusho powder over it, allowing the water to disperse the powder.

The second one was done in much the same way, using more blues purples and red. Here you can see the different stages. from the first to the last picture, you can see how the water has allowed the colours to mix.

Originally, the colours seemed to pool and looked very dark, so I sprayed the card with acetate. The colours began to dissipate, looking much brighter than before. Finally, when it had fully dried, I decided to add some iridescent paint, giving a beautiful effect to the image.

The added pearlescent paint gives it a magical abstract appearance.

Continuous Line Drawing

The first continuous line print was created by closing my eyes and just drawing around the card making sure the pencil stayed firmly on the card. Using acrylic paints, I then began to fill in sections of the picture in different colours. This actually reminded me of a beach scene. The next one was taken from a picture of a spider web, then using a pipette filled with blue ink, I proceeded to follow the continuing pencil line. This was simple, however the result was not very alluring. This would have to be worked on, adding other techniques to give it more intrigue.

Drawing ink.

Acrylic paint.

Marbling Ink

Marbling inks.

The marbling technique is very quick and easy, and is one of my favourite methods used, simply because of the beautiful shapes and merging colours formed and each one is very original. A tray is filled with water, then the marbling ink is added. The card is dipped into the water, and that is it. The only problem is that you can never predict the end result, so if a particular picture is required, then other methods should be used.

Batik

Batik wax picture.

The batik technique is done by pouring heated wax from a batik pot, using a special tool known as a tjanting. This prevents any dye or ink seeping into the wax trail. When the required colours are added, the wax can then be pulled off.

My Designs

Snakeskin

Snakeskin

I chose snakeskin from a corn snake to gain design ideas. Under the microscope, this appeared to simulate plastic bubble wrap, and the scaled pattern looked similar to that of a honeycomb. I simply sketched some hexagonal shapes on the card and used the batik technique, guiding the heated wax along the pattern.

When the wax had set, I used the marbling inks, resulting in a beautiful compilation of colours and shapes

Here are some of the prints I edited on the Photoshop application. I layered other pictures over it, experimenting in order to find the final print designs.

My snakeskin and roses image mixed with the geo-image.

The image below was layered and edited in Photoshop over the snakeskin print I had created. This image was like a geographical image taken with heat sensors.

Geographic style image.

These designs are reminiscent of layered roses. I was experimenting with colours rather than images, and came to the conclusion that another image needed to be incorporated into the design for a microscopic effect. I therefore added another image, reducing its opacity, in an attempt to create an image in keeping with the assignment.