Drawing fashion flats
The approach to drawing fashion flats is generally more varied
and less formal than drawing a corresponding specification drawing.
It is important to consider what the purpose of the flat will be. This
might sound rather obvious, but flats can be applied to several
different end uses. The first of these might be to demonstrate a full
understanding of a design that is presented as an artistic illustration
or figurative drawing. It can sometimes be appropriate to include
a flat alongside a figurative drawing in order to better explain the
design. However, this has to be considered in relation to the
compositional value of the drawing; for some illustrations it may
be unsuitable. Arranging flats on a separate presentation board
is another option.
Another purpose of flats is to demonstrate range planning skills.
In this regard flats serve an important function: they are extremely
useful for breaking down a collection into its component parts.
This can be by product,such as a visual analysis of all the skirts
or tops within a collection; or by theme, such as grouping together
all garments that make up a travel-themed capsule within a larger
seasonal collection. In this way flats provide a distinct and additional
presentation value to a designer’s portfolio.