Shoal of Jellyfish
The underwater world holds many wonders and creatures, so extraordinary that they verge on being impossible. One of the more unusual is the jellyfish, which has no brain, heart, bones or eyes. Yet, with the rhythm of its pulsating bell it performs a truly mesmerising spectacle. The way they contract swiftly, then release, looks like a submerged beating heart. Deep in the abyss, these fascinating, almost sentient beings whisper alluring promises of the secrets of immortality.
This project was a part of my ongoing collaboration with Kidspattern. If you’d like to learn more about them please visit their website HERE. Alternatively, view the archive of our previous projects HERE, in which I discuss in detail the history and nature of our work.
All clothing-mockups presented here are provided courtesy of Kidspattern and are used for visualisation purposes only.
This design is a part of a marine series inspired by the wonderful abundance of sea life. It covers a total of 3 patterns commissioned for a client’s Spring-Summer colour group aimed at boys. Here you may view the other two accompanying designs : Seashore Skies and Underwater Landscape. Apart from the theme that runs across them, they’re also unified by the same water inspired palette. It was composed by the trend and colour expert Kidspattern and consisted of a set of soft greens and blues contrasted by a touch of rich, deep ultramarine.
Above, you can view the first version of the pattern, which has the elements in two medium range colours, scattered on a plain, white background in a slightly oversize arrangement. The drawings are arranged in a free flowing, spacious manner to reflect the jellyfish’s peculiar, yet highly efficient way of locomotion. The base element remains the same, however, its size varies to suggest a sense of dimensionality. Alongside this additional layering of the tilting outlines hints at the jellyfish’s translucent appearance.
This version was purchased by the client and used in their Spring-Summer Collection in a group aimed at boys. Furthermore, this print was popular enough to be used across all age groups including homeware (blankets, bibs) and newborn (hats, baby grows). The colour palette, thus, remained soft, calm and universal.
Version 1
Next in the development, the jellyfish was recoloured into white and placed on a medium, light blue background. With this change the design now appears much more airy, effervescent and light. To mix it up, extra jellyfish shapes have been added, which include a partial fill and an extra colour.
This version of the pattern was visualised in a smaller size on a simple top. The arrangement has it in a transitional, dynamic and spacious manner with the jellyfish gathering at the top and bottom of the garment. The elements continue to rotate around and vary in size.
Version 2
This pattern explores the breadth of the colour palette by setting the background to medium light green. The jellyfish remain in white, however I’ve contrasted this with the ultramarine accents. The arrangement is scattered and spacious.
The background colours for this pattern continue to darken and now take the colour of this lovely turquoise blue from the palette. The jellyfish were recoloured into bold ultramarine. I also layered details in white and purposefully visualised it in an oversize manner.
Version 3
Lastly, it’s important that the design does work well on a dark background, which in this case is ultramarine coloured. With this version I kept the design plain and oversized. White jellyfish with their mushroom-like bells appear all but magical, wistful and ephemeral.
Product in Print
To conclude this series, I’d like to share a collection of quick snaps of the final use of this jellyfish pattern in print. These items were produced to launch the client’s overall Spring-Summer collection and promote it at trading fairs.
On the left, please browse through client’s first clothing samples for their Newborn group. Apart from bodysuits these include baby accessories like blankets and bibs.
On the right, you may view examples of the jellyfish pattern in print on clothes aimed at older kids (up to 3 years old). I’ve included a few close-ups of the material and other products like a hooded, light teal summer jacket.
Please note that these images are provided courtesy of the client and Kidspattern and are used for portfolio purposes only.
“The real world is in a much darker and deeper place than this, and most of it is occupied by jellyfish and things. We just happen to to forget all that. Don’t you agree? Two-thirds of earth’s surface is ocean, and all we can see with the naked eye is the surface: the skin.”
