Melanie McClintock: Portfolio by Melanie McClintock

MELANIE MCCLINTOCK

bio Background The daughter of a naval engineer, Melanie McClintock has moved 45 times and lived in 23 cities around the world. Her nomadic lifestyle is the reason and rhyme to her topofilic projects that look at tradition, time, and worthiness.

Collaborative Projects Melanie’s global interest in collaborative projects has led her to co-create programs, workshops and curriculum from rural villages in Indonesia (Indoartamiks) to inner city Detroit (Community Arts Partnership).

Education Melanie received an MFA in Color and Materials Design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, including a year-study abroad at the University of Ulster in Belfast, and completed summer courses in footwear design at Domus Academy in Milan and Polimoda in Florence.

Educator Her decade-long experience as an educator spans disciplines, from Assistant Professor in Fashion Design (VCUQatar), Program Director/ Lead Instructor of Indoartamiks (Craft), and Adjunct Faculty in the Graduate Studies Color & Materials Design program at the College for Creative Studies (CCS).

Fashion Design After a decade of working for independent designers as a cutter, patternmaker, constructionist, and production manager, Melanie opened her own shop-gallery in Brooklyn, NY (2006-09) under the name Ai Ai Gasa. Ai Ai Gasa showcased an in-house collection of up-cycled umbrella outerwear and accessories, as well as the collections of other local New York designers and artists.

Research Melanie’s research interests include concepts with a sense of place, materials that are regarded as waste, and the intersection between nature, craft, and technology. The works shown here are from selected projects, ideas, and artifacts since 2010.

artist I color + materials

point of origin Collection of pigment-based landscapes shown in the Color Lab exhibition at the VCUarts Qatar gallery. This project explores the shifting face of color through a series of chromatographic journeys in which pigments of provenance are sourced and apportioned to denote a sense of place. The palette of 32 pigments were extracted from local surroundings, personal travels and the gifts of others. Each material has been harvested, reduced, ground to dust, and mixed with binders to create unique palettes within an acrylic circle: a macromicro world within a world. United in a community of colors, each series evokes a unique emotional landscape. ____________ < 2020, Point of Origin I Series, palette of natural pigments between acrylic

#naturalpigments #scienceofcolor #colorlab 2020, Color Lab Exhibition VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar Related Press www.qatar.vcu.edu/events/color-lab www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/ article/09/03/2020/‘Color-Lab’exhibition-at-VCUarts-Qatar-toexplore-depths-of-color

< 2020, Point of Origin Experiments for Series, (From Left) Pigment Sample 01: Marigold,Pomegranate Skins, Black Walnut, and Palo de Brazil, PMMA; Pigment Sample 02: Purple Cabbage in Stages (Acid, Base, Frost, and Neglect), PMMA; Pigment Sample 03: Copper, Red Maple, Black Walnut, PMMA

artist I color + materials

> 2020, Point of Origin Experiments for Series, (From Left) Pigment Sample 04: Blue-green Algae, Eggshells, Red Maple, Red Clay, PMMA; Pigment Sample 05 (My Father’s Heart): Padauk Wood, PMMA; Pigment Sample 06: Starfish Blood (Filtered Sea Water), Anthracite Coal, Black Walnut, Avocado Stone, PMMA.

< 2020, Point of Origin II, Interactive Installation

artist I color + materials

> 2020, Point of Origin II, Interactive Installation

designer I footwear I material study

worn/: 100 Days of Shoe Decon An intensive material study that exposes the hidden beauty within the worn shoe. Initial research consisted of a 100-day project in which a donated shoe was dissected a day, a series of material swatches were extracted, and a final still life was curated to reveal a CMF (color, material, and finish) snapshot of wear, weather and time. ____________ < 2019, Still Lives: 100 Days of Shoe Deconstruction, Mixed Materials > 2017, Day 47: Original Shoes and Still Life

#materialexploration #visualstorytelling #archiving 2017-2019, Detroit 2019 Exhibited at Valade Gallery, Detroit

< 2017, 100 Days of Shoe Decon: Day 01, Process Images

designer I footwear I material study

> 2019, 100 Days of Shoe Decon: Still Lives, Days 01-09

designer I footwear I color + materials design

community of sole

This thesis was designed to explore the interaction of color and materials in relationship to place for application towards a conceptual collection of modular footwear. Using the city of Detroit as the first point of origin, followed by Toronto, several concepts were explored before focusing on the industrial manhole covers within each city to represent a connection to place. Further inspiration was taken from color, textures and materials related to the road in which the shoes interface, including salt, iron, and clay. ____________ < 2018, Community of Sole, CMF Process: Rusted Sole, Brick Dust, Manhole at DIA, Leather Slap Bracelet Strap, 3D Printed Elasto-plastic, Salted Leather Sample, DPW manhole, Asphalt Embossed Leather, Brick-and-Mortar Sole

#materialdriven #senseofplace #urbannomad 2018, Detroit Related Award Thesis Select Related Link Instagram

designer I footwear I color + materials design

< 2018, Community of Sole: Color, Materials & Finish, Graduate Studies, College for Creative Studies > 2018, Community of Sole: Materials for Modularity, Graduate Studies, College for Creative Studies

designer I accessory design

Diametrix A series of gauged earrings inspired by the shape language of diatoms— single-celled photosynthetic algae with mineralized silica walls. With the use of Rhino, 3D-printing and laser-cutting techniques, geometric shapes inform both the apparatus of the gauge and the platform for the materials. Perforated and embossed upcycled automotive leather, cork, felt, and hardwoods are layered between colored, mirrored, and florescent acrylics to create a customizable system. The symbiosis of nature and technology play in a visually luminous exchange. ____________ < 2018, Diametrix, Graduate Studies, College for Creative Studies

#biomimicry #customizing #fablab 2018, Graduate Studies, College for Creative Studies, Detroit

designer I accessory design I color + material design

< 2018, Diametrix: Concept Poster > 2018, Diametrix: Customizable Gauged Earring, 3D-printed Gauge, Laser-cut Acrylic and Automotive Leather

designer I footwear I material study

PULP During a three-week course study, I explored the potential, pattern, texture, and transparency of pulped dryer lint to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional textile stories. Using traditional hand techniques, I embedded lint comprised of cotton, wool, human hair, and canine hair within raw virgin wool, felting it to create a new textile for footwear application. ____________

< 2016, Dryer Lint Sample Series > 2016, Material Process

#pulpfriction #worthymaterials #consumerbyproducts 2016, VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar

< 2018, Pulp: Material Sample (detail), embedded lint within virgin wool.

designer I footwear I material study

< 2018, Pulp: Application to footwear, embedded lint within virgin wool.

Photos: Mark Elbaus Models: Sirine and Tamara El Awar

designer I fashion design I independent label

AI AI GASA Ai Ai Gasa as a brand was a shop, independent label, and a forerunner in the upcycling movement in Brooklyn during the mid-aughts. The Trash and Vaudeville collection is a ten-piece zero waste collection made from upcycled umbrellas, inspired by the color and silhouette of the traditional Qatari Abaya. The final collection was showcased in the 10th annual VCUQatar fashion show, Hekayat, being the first VCU alumna as the featured guest designer. < 2010, Trash & Vaudeville Collection, upcycled umbrellas > 2010, Trash + Vaudeville Collection, upcycled umbrellas

#umbrellaupcycle #entrepreneurialspirit #sustainablepractice 2009, Doha, Qatar The name of the label, Ai Ai Gasa, originates from a Japanese symbol of true love represented by the lovers’ names written beneath an umbrella. Related Links www.qatar.vcu.edu/ news/vcuqatar-presentshekayat-tenth-annualfashion-show “Fashion designs that tell stories.” Gulf Times. April 30, 2009.

<2014, Reinvent Fashion Show, Jogjakarta, Indonesia, 100% upcycled local umbrellas

designer I fashion design I independent label

>2014, Reinvent Fashion Show, Jogjakarta, Indonesia, 100% upcycled local umbrellas

designer I fashion design I independent label

< 2006, Ai Ai Gasa Shop, 5th Avenue, Brooklyn > 2006, Paper Doll Skirt, Hand-screened art on satin > 2006, Ai Ai Gasa Shop > 2007, Ruffle Vest

Educator: student work 2009-Present My experience as an educator spans disciplines. The following work represents a cross-section of student projects under my guidance.

educator I student work I graduate studies

CMD 603A: Business, Customer & User Research Methods This course provides students the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct thorough and effective research to inform their design work. The course introduces students to both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with an emphasis on ethnographic, observational processes applied to design and new product development. Class projects are comprises of investigative research into design fields, cultures, and ideologies for analysis, conducting secondary research to understand the topic in relation to a design discipline, developing new design concepts based on primary research gained through end users, and research synthesis techniques to validate the effectiveness of the new design concepts. ____________ < 2019, Contrary: 100 Days of Complementary Colors, Sophia Yauck In addition to their core course work, CMD603A students conducted a 100-day process project based on a CMF concept.

#ccsgraduateprogram #cmd_ccs #userresearchmethods 2019, College For Creative Studies, Detroit Objectives: + Develop a deeper understanding of the human context surrounding their design work + Learn how to gather knowledge and data to develop a strong point of view + Use research methods and tactics to provide context to frame a design problem + Synthesize research techniques to uncover new insights and understandings + Demonstrate an ability to use design and good organization in presenting clear project concepts and final outcomes

educator I student work I graduate studies

< 2020, Cory Boberg, A Shoe That Lasts: Color & Materials Applications for Longevity in Shoe Design “In the ideation process, I explored potential ways to increase shoe longevity using color & material choices to target areas of high wear such as the toe, heel, or structural transition points of a shoe.”

educator I student work I graduate studies

CMD607A: Applied Materials & Processes This class is taught in five modules, each covering specific materials, processes and applications. The students are exposed to in-class lectures, visiting speakers, and field trips to gain first-hand knowledge of the related industry. The introduction to local manufacturers and processes assist the students in creating a network of suppliers, resources, and job opportunities. Each module results in a concept based on field and trend research, a process poster, and a series of material samples showing application of the methodology. ____________ < 2018, Applied Materials & Processes: Process Posters, Color & Materials Design Graduate Studies, work left to right by Anuja Raja, Yuri Kim and Jinkx Zhang.

#ccsgraduateprogram #cmd_ccs #appliedmaterialsandprocesses 2018-Present, College For Creative Studies, Detroit Objectives: + Acquire an understanding of a broad range of materials and processes through lecture, field trips and visiting speakers. + Undertake independent research and demonstrate competency in its analysis and interpretation appropriate for the area of specialization. + Demonstrate professional competence in presenting compelling deliverables that showcase ideas and concepts that are thoughtful, marketresponsive, actionable, and timely before peers, faculty, and professional partners.

< 2018, Applied Materials & Processes: CMF Palette (Coated Metals, Glass, and Polymers), Color & Materials Design Graduate Studies, Brianna Williams

educator I student work I graduate studies

The exploratory work done in this course later became the basis of the student’s final thesis entitled Form And Color: An Exploration of Color Communication.

Project 02 / Coatings: The Light Within CMD 607 Applied Materials & Processes Brianna Williams Brief/Concept Light interacts with everything in this world. Light can be reflected, absorbed, created, and interpreted in abstract concepts like spirituality. Through my trend research I saw examples of light being interpreted spiritually, in context of life cycles. Alternatively through my field research, I learned that metal substrates are the backbone for automotive coatings to be applied. While metals in automotive are chosen for their lightweight and durable properties, their actual surfaces are always covered in four layers of coatings. The concept for this project is to combine the physical with the emotional; play on being able to see underneath the coating and celebrate the metal for its beauty and associated significances, while highlighting the power of a colored coating and how they can serve as a conductor of light. I chose copper, brass, and nickel for my metals both for their color and related meanings. Copper, for example, is linked with physical and spiritual healing and is used in Chakra healing to bring enlightened energies into the body.

Field Research Axalta Coating Systems celebrated its 150 year anniversary in 2016 as a global coating manufacturer for commercial, refinish, industrial and light vehicle. Their team of chemists, technicians, and manufacturers streamline their product to stand as one of the best coating companies in the world.

Each year their color & trim designers and technicians come up with a color of the year. Axalta’s Automotive Color of the Year 2018 is Starlite, a pearlescent clean white that emanates purity. Axalta uses a 4+ layered process for their materials to ensure durability, adhesion, quality, and appearance. Their substrates are either plastic, aluminum, steel or carbon fiber.

References: (01) Display panels of various Axalta colors in red, tan, peach, and white. (02) Nancy Lockhart, Color & Trim Designer, discussing color stories. (03) Starlite sample card (04) Nancy Lockhart, Color & Trim giving presentation

Trend Research / Market Landscape The overarching theme I found in trend research was linked with light. All three examples are intrinsically connected with the concept of light, but take on different adaptations of the meaning of light.

1. SPIRITUAL LIGHT Petal Paint is a line of paints made from crushed up discarded flowers left at Sri Lankan Buddhist temples. Once in liquid form, they are intended to be used for restoring temple murals.

2. EMBODIED LIGHT Artist Larry Bell created an installation art gallery with a series of frosted cubes that are intended to embody the visual affect of fog and sunset at Venice Beach, California 3. LIGHT AFTER DEATH Neri Oxman (MIT) created 3D printed polymer death masks called ‘biological urns.’ They explore the concept of rebirth by encasing synthetically enhanced pigment-producing microorganisms.

References: (1A) Buddhist monk walking on lotus petals (1B) JAT Holdings Petal Paint in ‘Temple White’ (2) Larry Bell’s Glass Cube installation, 2018 (3A) Close up of Neri Oxman’s Death Mask (3B) Full view of Neri Oxman’s Death Mask, 2018

Sample Making / Process

I made tint coats in red and white with glass flake and pearlescent micas that will enhance the color of the metals and add more light travel throughout the substrates.

Material Resumé

COPPER Key Features: + Antimicrobial, Ductile, Infinitely recycle + Vital to human, plant, & animal health + Chakra healing for higher energies —Can expand and contract —More sensitive to chemicals and heat Cost: $2.82 / lb Production: Extracted from sulfide ores Applications: Construction, plumbing, jewelry, electrical, furniture, decor

BRASS (Copper + Zinc Alloy) Key Features: + Malleable, ductile, bacteriostatic + Physical health healing properties + Chakra healing for purity and truth —Uncoated, will corrode over time —Sensitive to heat Cost: $1.50 / lb Production: Molten and shaped Applications: Construction, plumbing, jewelry, electrical, furniture, instruments

NICKEL Key Features: + Malleable, ductile, magnetic + Detoxifies the soul of negative energy + Encourages lightness of spirit —Nickel oxide can be poisonous Cost: $5.72 / lb Production: Mined and smelt Applications: Currency, appliance & cookware, decor, electronics, batteries, architecture, mobile structures

REFINISH PAINT (Axalta Coating Systems) Key Features: + Dries quickly + Non toxic + Durable – Requires many solvents & chemicals Production: Created in paint plants Applications: Automotive & vehicles, intended for auto body/collision repair shops to do paint job repairs

> 2018, Applied Materials & Processes: Process Poster and Coated Metal Samples, Color & Materials Design Graduate Studies, Brianna Williams

SODA-LIME GLASS 60-75% silica, 12-18% soda, 5-12% lime. Key Features: + Easy to shape & manipulate + Durable – Not as thermal resistant as other types of glass Production: Manufactured, handblown Applications: Food, beverage, commodity packaging, candle jars,

POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE (PMMA) Key Features: + Thermoplastic + BPA Free ( Non-Toxic) – Scratches more easily than glass Cost: $0.90/lb to make Production: 3d Print capable, 6 months to compost Applications: Lenses, acrylic nails, paint, security barriers, medical devices, LCD screens, furniture, windows & tanks

educator I student work I workshop

HALF/ FINISHED This workshop was designed to embrace failure as a means of innovation through cross-disciplinary collaboration. The pilot was conducted during International Workshop Week at ESDIR in Logrono, Spain. Students from the undergraduate programs from ESDIR, including fashion design, product design, interior design and graphic design, provided unfinished or failed projects as platforms for innovation. The workshop included a lecture, open dialogue on the perceptions of failure and how it affects the design process and progress, followed by several group-based exercises to turn failed or half/finished works into new material outcomes. ____________ < 2019, Half/Finished Workshop: Failed Painting of Meat/Glue-free Planters, Christophe Caro (Interior Design) and Paula Sangüesa Ochoa (Graphic Design)

#houseofhalffinished #esdir #failureispartofdesign 2018, Escuela Superior de Diseno de la Rioja (ESDIR), Logrono, Spain Objectives + Respond to personal drivers, motives, goals and limitations + Confront design failure misconceptions and fears + Develop, cultivate and advance cooperative behaviors + Build mental and physical interdisciplinary connections + Create a series of experimental, collaborative design outcomes Related Links Instagram: houseofhalffinished

< 2019, Half/Finished Workshop: Failed Painting of Meat/Glue-free Planters and Prototypes for Fonts or Tiny Shelves, Christophe Caro (Interior Design) and Paula Sangüesa Ochoa (Graphic Design)

educator I student work I workshop

> 2019, Half/Finished Workshop: Material (Silicone) Fail/3D Graphic Floorplan, Saioa Zúñiga Areta (Interior Design) and Paula Sangüesa Ochoa (Graphic Design)

educator I student work I accessory design

design your own sneakers An eight-week course for adults in the Fall semester and an intensive one-week summer course for high school students in which they learn how to conceptualize, design, pattern, cut, sew, last and brand a pair of original sneakers. The course is also taught as one week of a threeweek summer course in Product Design. Graduates from this course have gone on to pursue full-time undergraduate studies at the College for Creative Studies. ____________ < 2017, Design Your Own Sneakers Course, Deimos (Photo courtesy of College for Creative Studies)

#futuresneakermakersoftheworld #ccs_detroit #ccs_fad 2017-Present, College For Creative Studies, Detroit + Conceptualize a sneaker design based on knowledge of shoe anatomy, aesthetics and trends + Translate two-dimensional design ideas onto a three-dimensional form + Utilize basic foundations of patternmaking to create master patterns + Construct final designs through industrial footwear production techniques + Analyze final product through selfreview, peer review, and social media platforms

< 2019, Design Your Own Sneakers: FAD Scholarship Winners

educator I student work I accessory design

> 2019, Design Your Own Sneakers: FAD Scholarship Winners

educator I student work I craft

indoartamiks A collaborative project between local craftswomen, SMK1 ROTA students, and a group of established graffiti artists from the thriving art scene in Jogjakarta. The aims were (1) to create an educational and entrepreneurship model for SMK1 Bayat students, (2) be an inspiration for the local craft community, and (3) increase global awareness to the local crafts. After a successful pilot project, Reach Out to Asia and Vodafone sponsored a two-year after school program, conducted through workshops with regional graffiti artists. Over the two years, the program worked with 55 students through 12 workshops, curated 6 exhibitions, sponsored two students to participate in the Tasmeem Design Conference in Qatar, and inspired several regional spin-off programs including the local Buntari Ceramics. ___________ < 2013, Indoartamiks students, at Indoartamiks x Methodos Exhibition, Via Via Jogja, Jogjakarta, Indonesia

#indoartamiks #traditionalcraftmeetsgraffiti #inspirationalyouth Program Directior, Lead Lecturer 2012-2014, Bayat and Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia Related Links www.facebook.com/Indoartamiks www.gulf-times.com/story/346300/ Tasmeem-lessons-for-Rota-students www.sanutra.com/events/ke/406/ indoartamiks-di-jalan-suryodiningrat www.indonesiaexpat.biz/travel/historyculture/changing-faces-of-batik www.reachouttoasia.org/en/ press_release/2013/5-rota-studentsand-professors-take-part-tasmeemdoha-2013

< 2013, Indoartamiks workshop with graffiti artist Vendy Effendi aka Methodos: (from top left) (1) Methodos presenting his work; (2) Methodos demonstrating drawing skills; (3) Methodos applying concept to ceramics; (4) Melanie McClintock facilitating ideation; (5) Textile students applying ideas to batik; (6)Ceramic student applying glaze to final artwork.

educator I student work I craft

> 2013, (from top left) (1) Collection of student work ready to be fired; (2) Invitation for Via Via exhibition; (3) Oktarina Isnaini textile installation; (4) Collection of student work at Via Via Exhibition; (5) Article in local newspaper; (6) Ceramic student, Febriyani Putri, at the Tasmeem conference in Doha, Qatar.

educator I student work I fashion design

VCUarts Qatar Fashion Design In 2009, after over a decade in the fashion industry, VCUarts Qatar offered the opportunity to teach while creating a collection as the featured designer for the annual fashion show. A semester soon turned into full-time teaching for two years, followed by a few years to pursue Indoartamiks, and then returning to teach another year before going on to graduate school in Detroit. Helping students to achieve their dreams by promoting entrepreneurship, activating exposure through and local events (Selina Farooqui Cugini Collection, Zai Trunk Show), increasing expectations (the Senior Collection increased from 6 to 10 looks starting in 2011), creating awareness around sustainable practices (Sophomore Zero Waste Project 2016), and opening international doors through professional connections (Kristina Spirk, Crossing Boundaries; and Feral Childe, Crossing Boundaries and student internships). ___________ < 2011, Senior Collection, Carla Mallari

#selinafarooqui #vcuqatartalumna #thedesigneress 2009-11, 2015-16 Assistant Professor, Fashion Design See list of courses taught in CV Related Links www.qatar.vcu.edu/news/vcuqatarsenior-fashion-design-students-collection-to-be-sold-at-cugini www.qatar.vcu.edu/news/zai-presentsyoung-designers-of-vcuqatar www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/uploads/2016/08/10/pdf/DohaTodayApril172016.pdf www.qatar.vcu.edu/news/vcuqatar-presents-its-twelfth-annual-fashion-show-portfolio

< 2011, Senior Collection: Hissa Zainal (Photo Courtesy of VCUQatar); Senior Collection: Vanja Smitran (Photo Courtesy of VCUQatar)

educator I student work I fashion design

> 2016, Sophomore Collection: Maryam al Bouani (Photo Courtesy of Gulf Times); 2010, Cugini Collection: Selina Farooqui (Photo Courtesy of Gulf Times); 2015, Sophomore Patternmaking Course: Final Muslins

contact 1.415.786.2813 elaniemae@gmail.com

Additional Links www.melaniemcclintock.com instagram: m_mcclintock_cmd