research – natcheng

4D II – Alter Egos

Fictional Characters

Walter Mitty
Hachiko
Chihiro
Einar Wegener
Dory

Public Figures

Jamie Oliver
Alice Gao
Ed Sheeran
Ellen Degeneres
Martin Luther King

People I Know

Dad
Grandma
Yan Long
Winnie
Carissa

TOP 3 CHARACTERS and TOP 2 CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Walter Mitty

Walter Mitty is a guy of excuses, low self-esteem and dreams about things but doesn’t take action. Walter Mitty is often described as “an ordinary often ineffectual person who indulges in fantastic daydreams of personal triumphs”

Walter Mitty is a negative assets manager at Life magazine who daydreams of adventures. His social life isn’t something to talk much about because he’s quite a boring person. He, however zones out and dreams about personal achievements during the moment.

Walter Mitty has a crush on a coworker named Cheryl. He tries to impress her whenever he can.

Need:

Walter Mitty tries to change to become a person without excuses. He tries to say yes to things.

Jamie Oliver

James Trevor “Jamie” Oliver is a British celebrity chef and restauranteur. 41 y/o. Born and raised in a village named Clavering, Essex, England. His first job was at a restaurant as a pastry chef where he gained most experience in Italian cuisine. That got him noticed by BBC and resulted to his first tv show – The Naked Chef and got his book #1.

Jamie’s parents, Trevor and Sally ran a pub/restaurant, The Cricketers, where he practised cooking in the kitchen with his parents. Jamie has 2 siblings. He left school at the age of sixteen with two GCSE qualifications in Art and Geology and went on to attend Westminster Technical College now Westminster Kingsway College. He then earned a City & Guilds National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in home economics.

Jamie Oliver is an activist to have children eat right and healthily. He often initiates campaigns for these purposes.

Jamie Oliver has 5 kids. Jamie also suffers from severe dyslexia. He read his first novel, Catching Fire at the age of 38.

Video on Jamie’s Food Revolution –

Need:

To revolutionize healthy diets to children through changing school meal systems. To challenge the junk food culture by showing that healthy eating is possible. To prove to the world that cooking meals from scratch is healthy, cheap, easy and quick.

Dad

Larry Cheng, 52 y/o. His profession is a business manager. He has 3 siblings – 1 elder brother, 1 elder sister and 1 younger sister. He came to Singapore from Hong Kong for work in 1991. He was 27 years old. He studied at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, obtaining a Professional Diploma in Company Secretaryship and Administration. He regretted not spending an extra year to obtain a degree.

My dad used to work as a banker. He then changed his profession as a business manager in 2004 just so he could spend more time with me. My dad ‘baokaliaos’ in his job. He does most of the work – admin, HR, etc. He is a busy and hardworking person.

My dad and I are quite similar in personalities. He isn’t much of a social butterfly. He has a few groups of close friends and they do catch up once a while over dinner and wine, or tennis sessions. My dad is a reserved person; he keeps his feelings to himself. My dad is an introvert.

My dad loves to cook. He enjoys cooking for the family on weekends. He likes to experiment with new recipes. He is proud with his cooking capabilities. During his free time, he enjoys listening to his Cantonese oldies, or watches astronomy-related videos on youtube. He will get excited when he discovers new sightings of aliens in this world. My dad is a Star Trek fan. My dad plays the piano during his free time as well.

My dad is an all rounder sweet and caring dad. He sacrifices and loves unconditionally.

Need:

To provide the family. Be a happy carefree person. To always be there.

ego – WIP

so in this project, i started off with deciphering who i am as a person.

NATALIE CHENG –

introvert

enjoys quiet time alone

emotional

bubbly

outgoing

enjoys travelling

amateur photographer

there were lots of pre-planning and research that i had to do before starting on the execution of the project.

from those traits that i discovered about myself, i came out with some rough initial equations during the earlier start of the project –

me + quiet alone time = refreshed

me + photography = a happy me (and because i have new content for my portfolio)

me + travelling = eye-opened, knowledgeable me

me + clouded in emotions = cloudy / blurry / blue me

then the tough part arrives…

i wanted to break away from the normality and direct way of approaching this project. instead of being something that i like, or being “my favourite animal / food”, i wanted to approach “me” in an abstract, conceptualized and have in a deeper meaning to it.

….. but i couldn’t think of any.

this project started to get really difficult and brain sucking. it was tough to think of something that symbolizes me yet tell a story about my personality.

so i thought, i thought, and i thought hard.

i started to list out the things that i like.

NATALIE CHENG ENJOYS –

food

flowers

photography

styling

cooking

travelling

so from these points, the most apt subject that i could work with that also holds a symbolism to things would be flowers!

also, since this is a colour project, i could definitely play on the colours of flowers to tell my story.

hence, i came out with this concept of me being the different type of flowers in different settings that holds a symbol of importance as well.

me = flower.

white chrysanthemum + funeral = me crying, drowning in sadness

sunflower + graduation = me happy, joyous

red rose + date = me feeling infatuated, in love

pale muted colored lilies + wedding = a bloom of new life

i was inspired by one of my reseached artists, Pam (refer to previous post) on her usage of illustrations + photography for her paintings.

i was also inspired by mostly exhibition works like these

since this project is super open to mediums, i thought of using real flower petals to represent “me” as a flower. i also wanted to use photography in my setting, and a mixed of both for my final outcome.

however, shirley said that it is a bad idea because the flower petals will rot and it won’t be a pleasant sight after 🙁 she also mentioned that taking photos of the settings will be a challenge (eg, funeral), how will i able to capture it in the right manner to suit what i want to communicate. she also told me to think about my concept harder and bring it higher because it currently doesn’t represent me.

~~ARGH.~~ i ~~wanted to rip my hair apart for the next few days because IT IS SO TOUGH TO CRACK THE BRIEF IN MY OWN SUBJECTED MANNER.~~

(but never give up)

so, its another round of research and thinking.

i am going to keep my flower concept because it is okay. but how am i going to improve it to keep it relatable to me? okay, i remembered that my original initial equations are good. so i will combine them both together.

the tough thing now is to relate flowers as a symbol and back at me.

there are 4 seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter. i thought of a really good idea to use this concept of time to represent me as a person whom grows overtime as time passes.

SO. i did a research on what each season symbolizes.

SPRING

The cycle of life is beginning.

Youth & childhood.

New life emerges from plants. Rain nourishes new life.

Buds, flowers, birds, butterflies, sunshine…all good.

Think: A fresh start. A new beginning. Rebirth.

Another transitional season, spring is a time of phenomenal renewal. The earth reawakens from her slumber, and explodes with new life. In our own lives, Spring can be symbolic of starting new projects, sewing new seeds and coming forth with new ideas. This is also a time to contemplate health and physical well-being too. Be refreshed and prepare for your soulful debut!

SUMMER

Life is in full swing.

Young adulthood

Energy & vitality is abundant.

In a word – ‘PARTY!’ And our host is the sun whose presence is fierce and utterly forthright on the scene. Days are longer and the rays of the sun dissolve all shadows in our lives. No hiding, no secrets, no darkness. Summer is a time of light, joviality, expression and wholehearted action. To be sure, this season is symbolic of the vitality inherent within every heart.

AUTUMN

Life is reaped and winding down.

Middle age.

A time to count one’s blessings.

It’s a season of transition, it embodies a culmination – it’s Nature’s ‘last hoorah!’ before retiring into winter’s slumbering mood. This is a hustle-bustle-boogie down month as preparations are made. Autumn is symbolic of the activity inspired by the fire-glo radiance of the changing foliage we see this time of year. This is a time of taking stock of all the bounty and provision we’ve been afforded. A time for itemizing our blessings and recounting our joys.

Autumn in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts

WINTER

Life is dormant or dead.

Old age & death

It’s a season governed by the recluse, the hermit. Activity gives way to dormancy. Life is still, indwelling and silent. This is a time of introversion, contemplation and going within. Symbolic winter invites us to quiet the mind, still the soul, and crystallize our inner workings. This is a time to ice skate through winter whites as a means of gaining purity and clarification.

research info extracted from

http://lzmarieauthor.com/seasons-in-literature/

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/symbolic-meaning-of-seasons.html

then i realize that my original equations are able to tie to the 4 seasons!

spring = a new life

indecisive me + friends making decisions for me = able to think clearer and breathe

this symbolizes me as a person whom make decisions that enable me to grow as a person.

summer = energy and vitality

me who has the passion for photography + photography-ing = a very energetic and happy me.

i get super energized when i take photos because it develops my skills and passions and i enjoy what im doing. also i get new photos for my portfolio!

autumn = middle age, which can represent knowledge, wisdom.

me who loves to travel + traveling = knowledgable, eye-opened me

i definitely learn heaps while traveling. the people, culture, the city. it definitely makes me grow as a peson and widens my horizon of knowledge.

winter = death

emotional me + alone time = depressed me

i realized that i need people when im having one of those days. however if im left alone when im feeling super emotional, i’ll feel really crappy.

AND MY CONCEPT WAS APPROVED.

so i emailed shirley with some quick initial sketches and these were her comments.

i took some time after to work on them.

here are some of my final sketches.

also i took some time to work on the colour palette.

i researched on the colour palette for the different seasons as well.

okay that’s it for my research phase!

the next post will be on my execution process.

colour theory

Interaction of Colour/Josef Albers: App Trailer

“Colour is the first step in making great art.”

FINALLY. We get to touch on colours for this project. I love colours and I cant agree more with the quote above (im not saying that we can’t make great art in b&w too).

Beautiful beautiful colours. In this project, we are asked to study and use the different colour harmonies in our design.

Monochromes Harmony

Analogous Harmony

Analogous Harmony Warm and Cool

Complementary Hues

Split Complementary

these are some examples from Josef Albers Interaction of Colours book. SO BEAUTIFUL.

Monochromes Harmony

Colours in a monochromes harmony palette basically means colours that share a single hue, but vary in brightness and saturation.

For example –

This is a palette of a monochromatic palette of the colour red. “Same same but different”.

Analogous Harmony

Analogous colour schemes are colours that are next to each other on the color wheel.

For example in this colour wheel –

these are some examples of analogous colours.

colours that are next each other on the colour wheel.

They usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs.

Analogous color schemes are often found in nature (eg, autumn) and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

It is best if there is enough contrast when choosing an analogous color scheme.

Choose one color to dominate, a second to support. The third color is used (along with black, white or gray) as an accent.

Analogous Harmony Warm and Cool

Analogous Harmony Warm is generally colours that are next to each other but of a warm colour scheme (orange, yellow, red, light green).

Analogous Harmony Cool is the same but of a cool colour scheme (dark green, blue, purple).

Complementary Hues

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation. This color scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring.

Complementary color schemes are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you want something to stand out.

Complementary colors are really bad for text.

Some examples of complementary hues –

Split Complementary

The split-complementary color scheme is a variation of the complementary color scheme. In addition to the base color, it uses the two colors adjacent to its complement.

This color scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary color scheme, but has less tension.

Some examples of split complementary colours –

This colour study has been a PURPLE-SEFUL (geddit geddit?) one.

Looking forward to applying them to my future designs!

emo – emotions

the 18 emotions that i’ve selected are

Infatuation:

an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something.

ah infatuation, definitely an emotion that makes your heart go crazy at times. *heartbeat*!

Sentimentality:

exaggerated and self-indulgent tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia

an emotion with LOTS of emotions attached to it. i definitely experience this emotion quite a bit because i get sentimental to the littlest of things. i love digging up old items and reminisce over them; a gush of memories start flowing in my mind; making me feel all fuzzy (i sometimes start choking up, lol yes im such a baby).

Desire:

to wish or long for; crave; want

a desire for wanting more. go and reach out and grab it!

Relief:

a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress.

relief is definitely an emotion that you feel like yOU CAN FINALLY BREATHE AGAIN (especially after submissions).

“a sigh of relief”

Optimism:

hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something.

a hopeful emotion that makes you feel calm for the moment and the future. just like, you keep walking but you arent getting anywhere and your mind clouds your mind to give up but NO! you’re hopeful and tell yourself that you’ll be fine and that you will get there and GUESS WHAT YOU SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. *pats back*

Bliss:

perfect happiness; great joy.

bliss to me is when my heart is calm, alone (but not lonely), and feeling happy and contented with what life has installed for me. i do take a moment to appreciate everything around me when i feel that way, the people, the smallest and simplest moments. my heart and emotions start cruising ~ ~ ~ just like wiggly lines ~~~

Amazement:

a feeling of great surprise or wonder

OMG HOW DID YOU DO THAT?

your mind starts to fill with questions!!!?!?!?!?

Surprise:

an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, etc

“surprise! happy birthday!”

*confetti* *fireworks*

Astonishment:

great surprise

ooOoooooOOOO!!

Ferocious:

savagely fierce, cruel, or violent.

not sure why but i visualize a mean lady shouting at me with a background of lighting flashes whenever i see the word ferocious… too much movies?

Outrage:

an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation

all you need is to vent your anger with force..

Jealousy:

feeling or showing an envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions, or perceived advantages.

one horrible feeling we tend to feel sometimes is when we see others attaining what we want, and we want to do (silently inside us) is to snatch it away from them (yes we’re not saints all the time)

Hurt:

cause pain or injury to, or (of a part of the body) suffer pain

physical vs emotional pain.

physical – blood, scratched skin etc.

emotional – a pain that takes a while to get rid of, silently suffering inside, extreme pain, feeling like you’re about to go crazy, heart broken.

Loneliness:

sadness because one has no friends or company

“all by myself… dont wanna be all by myself anymore…”

dark; sad; alone. what’s the purpose of going on when it’s so quietly loud inside your head?

Agony:

extreme physical or mental suffering

a pain so extreme that sometimes you cry, sometimes so used to it that you feel numb.

Anxiety:

a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

anxiety attacks arent pretty. you could feel totally fine at a moment until an attack suddenly hits you, your heart starts to palpitate and you can’t breathe. you feel suffocated.

Hysteria:

1 . exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement

2 . an old-fashioned term for a psychological disorder characterized by conversion of psychological stress into physical symptoms (somatization) or a change in self-awareness (such as a fugue state or selective amnesia).