Putting my research question in context

Julia Delohoy, fellow costume educator and acquaintance shares my interest and vision for the development of CAD for costume design. Her thesis in 2004 introduces some of the same themes and topics which are evolving out of my own reflections and research framework development. As part of her thorough investigation into CAD in UK costume design education she discusses the issue of the hand rendered imagery and compares them to the aesthetics and function of digitally rendered costume illustrations. Her observations are solid and coherent and raise a series of interesting questions which encapsulates and raises question which can be considered for my research. She comments:

In regard to aesthetic comparisons between digital and hand-rendered costume imagery, there is scope to explore this debate beyond this project. Many issues concerning authenticity, ownership and artistic merit are raised …(Delahoy 2004)


The main focus of Delohoy studies focuses around the development and production of teaching material for use by HE costume design students to develop their knowledge, technical ability and appreciation of CAD image making. Her research leaves a substantial area for further investigation which I am hoping to capture as part of my enquiry. She concludes her research with 2 questions which relate particularly to my investigation

How does the use of CAD alter our perception of image content?
How does the use of CAD alter our criteria for judging ‘good’ and ‘bad’ costume design?
(Delahoy 2004)

I had already read Delohoy’s thesis when first completed in 2004 and again in the summer of 2006 just before starting the MA at Nottingham Trent. Since then I have purposely kept away from it thus far so not to be over influenced by it. Leaving reading it until now and scrutinising its content has enabled me to not only ground my work in someone else’s findings but also confirm to me the area and issues which still need to be researched on the subject. I am supported in the fact that my own readings and personal experimentation had lead me to an area which has not only already been identified as an area for further investigation but also something I think is at the forefront of costume design exploration in the 21st century.

I intend to look at classic and key contemporary costume designer’s illustration work to compare and contrast the use on line, silhouette, texture and media to create character and encompass the emotion of the piece. By scrutinising these illustrations I hope to get a sense of ‘good’ costume illustration. By investigating the style of designers and unpacking the difference between design and illustration I will gain a more grounded knowledge of what I feel works for effectively for a good costume design. Also I hope to be able to identify areas for experimentation and investigation when replicating using digital media.