In this post I have presented, and explored the ideas behind my final designs.
Although I feel the previous, initial designs, were all capable of effectively representing these disorders, I want to push myself further, to visualise a less literal meaning for each of these subjects, allowing me to be more creative with my looks. I am intending to create an image that will make the audience stop and think about the meaning behind it, therefore leaving a more memorable imprint on their minds.
As previously mentioned, I am planning on creating a series of editorial images, so have created four final designs.
Depression
I am intending to use a look based on depression as the main image of the series, and as my assessment and showcase piece. As depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, and is known by many, I feel this will be one of the most powerful images i can create.
I intend to create a flawless no-makeup-makeup base, as my main inspiration for this unit has come from editorial beuaty. Then, I shall create a dark, graphic eye shadow around the inner corner of the eye, smoking it out to build the idea around the feeling of fading away. Then, as this particular look is based on creative editorial, I will represent this by also creating a dramatic lip. As this is the main focal point of the collection, and my assessment piece, I also intend to use the neck and chest area within my makeup. I will use home made prosthetics to create gashes on the chest, using black water based face paint to give the illusion of blood, while also representing tears, as I intend to apply this so it appears like a water colour spill.
Incorporating some of my newly learned, avante garde hair techniques, I have built a cage to create a tall up do with this look. I am hoping this will build the impression of a heavy, and trapped sensation. I am then also planing to rap barbed wire around the cage to build the idea that physical pain can be felt, even when suffering a mental illness.
For this outcome, I intend to make a home made costume, allowing to to showcase further skill, while also creating the exact effect I am visualising. I intend to combine a mixture of shredded materials, to identify the idea many things can build up, leading to these outcomes.
Body Dysmorphia
The second look I intend on creating is based on the feelings caused by body dysmorphia. many people with this condition have an extremely distorted view of themselves, often ignoring all of the amazing qualities they have, and focusing of their distorted perceptions of negative parts. I intend to present this through my makeup by creating an abstract art inspired look on the face. Using graphic liner, I will outline, and misshape the eyes and mouth, presenting the idea of distortion.
For this look I am intending to keep the hair slicked back, out of the face, allowing to further present the idea these people only focus one one thing, ignoring all of their other qualities. To further build upon this idea, I am planning to use an adorned, dark, prom dress, to show even if all other areas of themselves were extremely glamorous, these people refuse to see it.
For the photography of this look, I plan to use mirrors, to present the idea these people can spend hours looking in the mirror, highlighting flaws in their appearances. I may also use either a smashed mirror, or disco ball, to show how these people may see, or visualise many different versions of themselves.
OCD
Similar to my initial design, this look is also based on the idea that the realities of OCD are far messier, and more complicated than the stereotypes that surround the condition. I plan to first present the idea of a messy, chaotic, and out of control mind, by creating a moheican style.
Then, I will create a flawless make-up base to clearly represent the editorial imagery that hugely inspired my work. Unlike the initial design, I have decide to create a graphic liner around the eye, to stick more to the editorial theme. Because of this, i also intend to create a ‘bleeding’ red lip effect.
I will further represent this idea, by dressing my model in a leather jacket with feather rims, to build on the idea of an uncontrollable mess.
Anxiety
Finally, I intend to create a look based on anxiety. Once again, I am sticking to a more accurate representation of editorial beauty by creating a flawless base makeup, accompanied by a bold graphic eye shadow, yet more simple lip. I will be recreating the Tyre mark mascara technique explored within my post on Abby Roberts, and a black-nude gradient lip. Rather than visualising symptoms, I am aiming to create a look that represents how I think this condition may look, if it were human.
I intend to create finger waves with this design, to build on the idea people with anxiety often feel they are not the ones in control of their thoughts, feelings or lives. I feel finger waves could be made to look like a hand on the head.
I will then finish the look by dressing my model in a leather jacket. I intend to use more aggressive posing within these images to further build the idea this a condition, as a human, rather than a visualization of symptoms.
Megan Hoff 