Making of collection Bichos

I really enjoy it when in a creative project, the people behind it not only showcase the final result but also allow me to peek into and explore the intermediate steps of the process.

Sometimes, this helps me better understand the outcome, discover their working methods, learn some tricks, and find new ideas.

It's beautiful to see finished projects, but it's also fascinating to uncover how they were built.

With that in mind, here are some steps along the journey with the Bichos (Bugs) collection (Fall/Winter 16-17), "My first collection, Chispas” (it's a joke about the slogan of a well-known Spanish advertisement for a cologne called "Chispas", Sparks).

Just in case it's useful to someone!

The first thing I did was create a mood board or inspiration panel (in my case: the "inspireitor"), gathering all sorts of photos of insects.

Here, I've selected my favorites, the ones that inspired me the most to create something beautiful related to "bichos", lots of "bichos".

(1. "Midnight in the garden" by Jennifer Angus | 2. Insect sculptures made with human hair by Adrieen Antonson | 3.4.5. Advertising agency Soon: sculptures by different artists, made with paper, from recycled materials, via Pop Picture | 6. "Casa tomada" (House taken) by Rafael Gomezbarros | 7. "50 insectos" (50 insects) by Elena Fernández Prada)

I made some drawings to understand what the insects that I found most interesting looked like. Then came sketching; thinking of possible combinations of colors and geometries, playing with the shapes that the insects themselves suggested.

It's mysterious how some ideas get left behind along the way, while others start taking shape and growing stronger until they become the ones that will make up the collection.

(At the beginning I didn't even know how to make a figurine. My drawings are not exactly a “showcase of virtuosity”, but I believe they turned out very cheerful and served their purpose :D).

After finalizing the design and creating the prototypes, it was time to photograph the collection.

It took me a while to decide where I was going to take the photos. The theme was insects, so it seemed to me that I should take them in a "green environment": a place with lots of plants, perhaps a forest; but when I imagined it, it seemed to me that the colors would lose strength. Then it occurred to me to make a paper jungle, very white, so that all the colors of the collection could be appreciated.

The model, Rocío, would become a bug on a human scale, and she would have two buns as antennas. Thanks to the great work she did, the photos turned out much more beautiful than I expected!

In the process I also had the collaboration of Leo, who kept me company while I was preparing the set; and Tara, who snuck into the photo shoot because she wanted to be in too! ;)