2D II – Project 2 Part II – Zine Neighborhood Explorer Process + Final

Part II of Zine: Neighborhood Explorer we are required to create a 8-page zine design. The previous post  was some research that I did on zine layout.

Concept 1

The zine design will be based on the food around Boon Keng.  Initially, I planned to focus on 3 restaurants from the previous project. There will be description of the restaurant, address, opening hours and travel distance from Boon Keng Station.
*Last spread layout is not done yet.

Sample Layout

 

The feedback that I received was to categories the food type according to the customer that will be attending the restaurant. Some examples are hipster favorite spot, supper lover and etc. I need to take note of the style that I am going for.


Concept 2

There will be 3 different themes and each for one spread respectively.

Theme 1: Café Lover

Hungry Heroes

  • 10 mins walk from Boon Keng Station
  • Tuesday – Friday, 4pm – 11pm
    Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 11pm
    Closed on Monday
  • 33 Tessensohn Road, 217656

Chye Seng Huat Hardware

  • 14 mins walk from Boon Keng Station
  • Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 7pm
    Saturday – Sunday, 9am – 10pm
    Closed on Monday
  • 150 Tyrwhitt Road, 207563

Theme 2: Supper Lover

Swee Choon Dim Sum

  • 24 mins bus ride from Boon Keng Station (bus 139)
  • Monday – Saturday, 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 6am
    Sunday, 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 6am
    Closed on Tuesday
  • 191 Jalan Besar, 208882

126 Dim Sum

  • 27 mins bus ride from Boon Keng Station (bus 21)
  • Monday – Sunday, open 24hrs
    Closed on Tuesday
  • 126 Sims Ave, 387449

Theme 3: Economical Lover

Scissor Cut Curry Rice

  • 20 mins bus ride from Boon Keng Station (bus 139)
  • Monday – Sunday, 11am – 3.30am
  • 229 Jalan Besar, 208905

Ming Chung Restaurant

  • 12 mins bus ride from Boon Keng Station (bus 139)
  • Tuesday – Sunday, 3pm – 11.30pm
    Closed on Monday
  • 67 Maude Rd, 208348

Version 1

I decided to go for a more minimalist style in order to bring out the vibrant colors of the images. However, this doesn’t bring out the individual theme.  Some suggestion was to add caption around the images and add some mini illustration around. I need to identify my art direction and credit the images.


Illustration on images 


Version 2

I added in the illustration and caption around the images and changed the color of the box. The reason why I change the color because after adding in the illustration, I feel that it turns into a more “fun looking” layout thus adding in colors will bring out the theme more. However, it only complicates the layout.


Final

After receiving all the feedback from Joy and friends, I have improved my design multiple times. I have removed the background boxes and added in dotted lines as my art direction. After consultation, the feedback that I received was to make me zine more uniform. After looking at the dotted line that branch out to the caption, they gave me this idea of adding more dotted lines around my zine. Adding a header for each theme definitely helps to identify the different theme as it was not obvious previously. One thing I need to learn is to better integrate the element together.


Reflection

 GIF

This project allows me to explore more into Zine and understand the concept of Zine. Since it is the continuation of part I, it makes things easier as I can work on what I have and bring it over to part II. For me, the difficult part about this project is coming out with the overall theme and laying out the pages. It is challenging to integrate all elements together in a spread, and having to do 3 spreads required a lot of testing. I have to take into consideration the position of images, the information to add in and the font type for the information. Upon completing the 3 spreads, the front cover is also a problem. I do not have any idea how I want my cover page to look like. Since the zine is about food, I received comment on adding food images. As for the back cover, I decided to keep it simple as I do not want it to overpower the cover page. Even though it was challenging but I definitely enjoy exploring into different zine layout.

 

2D II – Project 2 Part II – Zine Neighborhood Explorer Research

What’s a zine?

A zine (/ˈzn/ zeen; short for magazine or fanzine) is most commonly a small-circulation self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via photocopier. Usually zines are the product of a single person, or a very small group.

Typography

The design should be clean and easy to read. If there is a lot of text, it’s best to stick with a straightforward font such as Times New Roman or Garamond. Serif fonts are generally easier to read than Sans Serif.

Titles, headlines, lists, sidebars, pull quotes, and captions are places where we can use the fancier and quirkier typefaces.

Proof-read the copy once it’s typeset and again after it’s done. Don’t let those spelling and grammar errors get past. It have a way of deflating the impact of the work.

Layout

There are many different type of way in layering out the pages depending on the topic and the style you are going for. The size of the fonts and photo play a part too. It cannot be all chunk together and make sure there is enough spacing for every elements.

References

 

 

 

 

2D II – Project 2 Part 1 – Zine Neighborhood Explorer Process + Final

After visiting the site, I found out that the neighborhood is just like any other neighborhood with market, coffee shops, HDB, community club and park.

So what makes Boon Keng special?

I did asked a few people who stay there, and what they told me was that they love staying in this area is because of its location. It is easily accessible to other place especially the food within there, like Swee Choon.

I decided to do on the food around Boon Keng, to show that Boon Keng is easily accessible to other places within 30mins or so. 

I went to search and look around what are the food around that is near to Boon Keng. I came out with this 5 location that is rather famous and interesting.

  1. Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice
    There is always a queue but don’t worry cause it moves relatively fast. For someone that don’t take spicy like me, the curry there is just nice for us!

    229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905
    Mon – Sun, 11am – 3.30am

  2. Chye Seng Huat Hardware
    Apparently this is not a hardware store but a cafe! This shop retained the rustic feel of the old shop house, with the old signboard and the metal grills. It’s quite a interesting place to visit in the neighborhood.

    150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563
    Tues – Fri, 9am – 7pm, Sat and Sun 9am – 10pm (closed on Mon)

  3. Hungry Heroes
    Theme restaurants are uncommon in Singapore, this restaurant will satisfy your inner desire to dine alongside with Superheroes.

    33 Tessensohn Road, Singapore 217656
    Mon – Fri, 4pm – 12am, Sat 11am – 12am and Sun 11am – 11pm

  4. Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant
    I’m sure everyone know this popular dim sum restaurant with long queues every evening. They opened till 6am which make it a all time favorite supper spot!

    191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882
    Mon – Sun, 6pm – 6am (Closed on Tues)

  5. 126 Dim Sum 搵到食
    126 dim sum is often compared to Swee Choon but each have it’s good points. 126 dim sum is known for its cheap and decent quality dim sum if looking for a fuss-free spot to satisfy your cravings.

    1086 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328187
    Mon – Sun, 5pm – 2am

After googling the travel distance online and know their exact location on the map, I decided to do my design according to the location on maps.

JinYee

I did the building in illustrator with reference to the images. So here is my infographic on Boon Keng. Where it shows the name of restaurant, address and travel time from the MRT.

Feedback that I received:

  • The idea of introducing food is there but doesn’t bring out the point where Boon Keng is convenient.
  • Be consistent on the travel time, the time is based on by foot or by public transport?
  • Can’t tell what they are selling, be more specific. Maybe by adding the food that they are selling around them.
  • Who is my target audience?

    Reflection

At first when I got Boon Keng, I was thinking what is there in Boon Keng? After visiting the site, I ask myself the same question, what is there in Boon Keng that make it special? Boon Keng is just like any other ordinary neighborhood. After asking some residents around, I guess the special thing about Boon Keng is the location. How convenient it is to travel around?

I have some difficulties doing this infographic because I can’t find a direction to work towards. The initial idea of just introducing Boon Keng doesn’t make Boon Keng a special place. Whatever Boon Keng have, it can be found in other neighborhood too.  I seek some help from my friend and researching more on the area around Boon Keng, then I decided to do on the food.

Overall, this project was challenging and I’m glad I found a direction to work with and certainly there is a lot to improve for this infographic after receiving the feedback.

2D II – Project 2 Part I – Zine Neighborhood Explorer Research + Site Visit

BOON KENG

History and Background

Image result for boon keng historyBoon Keng is named after Lim Boon Keng, a Chinese physician who came to Singapore in 1880s and contributed on promoting social and educational reforms for the local society since 1890s. Thus, Boon Keng Road and Boon Keng Mrt station are named in his honour.

 

Boon Keng is a sub-zone of Kallang, and is a residential estate served by 3 main roads: Boon Keng Road, Upper Boon Keng Road and Lorong 1 Geylang. Boon Keng is a less hyped neighborhood but the beauty of living there is that they get to enjoy lower home purchase and rental prices. Boon Keng is also near to popular area like the CBD and Orchard.

What are some amenities nearby Boon Keng?

Boon Keng Mrt Station

What I research online was a part of the Bendemeer Shopping Mall was demolished to make way for the construction of this station. The remaining portion of the building continues to be used for retail purposes today.

Image result for boon keng mrt
source: http://x3.sdimgs.com/simage/12688974130397.jpg

Kallang CC

Kallang CC is located near Boon Keng MRT station. Designed as an ‘open concept’ Cc to make residents feel more welcome. Kallang CC is knowed for being the only CC collaborate with ArkHub to attract youth through Chinese pop music. They have other facilities like table tennis room and badminton court.

Image result for kallang cc
source: https://pa.gov.sg/PA-Corp/images/centre/09083105343082863.jpg

Address: 45 Boon Keng Road, 339771
Phone: 6298 4582, 6298 9038

Bendemeer Market & Food Centre

It is located along Bendemeer Road, you can find a wide variety of food and snacks there.


source: http://sg2-cdn.pgimgs.com/listing/19482947/UPHO.61882930.V550.jpg

Address: 29 Bendemeer Road, 330029
(8 mins walk from Boon Keng MRT)

Bendemeer Shopping Mall

Two parallel blocks of shop houses which have been modernized into a shopping more by upgrading its infrastructure, such as building a roof in between the two blocks to keep out the sun and rain. The whole estate is generally old and there is no big brands there but just a few small business going on.

Image result for bendemeer shopping mall
source: https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/FRhcMDUQWb8X5vddZm0hng/ls.jpg

Address: 25 Bendemeer Road, 330025
(3 mins walk from Boon Keng MRT)

Boon Keng Ville

Located in Upper Boon Keng Road. The neighborhood centre consists of 34 shops, in traditional setting, selling a wide range of goods and services. The market and food centre is a centre of attraction as it has a good range of halal food to serve Muslim or Non-Muslim residents.

However, it is not very near to Boon Keng MRT but nearer to  Kallang MRT.

Image result for boon keng ville
source: http://www.where2shop.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/KALLANG_BKV1A/$file/ka-bkv1a.jpgRelated image
source: http://www.where2shop.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/KALLANG_KB1E/$file/ka-kb1e.jpg

Address: Blk 11 – 18 Upper Boon Keng Road
(10 mins walk from Kallang MRT)

I didn’t manage to visit the site this week but will be heading down soon to check out the place and know more about the culture there.


Visiting the site (1)

When I first reach, I went to get lunch at Bendemeer Market and Food Centre. There wasn’t much store that was open but there was this long queue at the Chicken Rice store, thus I went and try the food there. I can say that the chicken rice is pretty good.

After lunch, I walked to the Bendemeer Mall. It was quite a normal place, nothing much going on around that area. Just like what I search online, its just old shop houses, no big brands and generally old.

I walked to the HDB area just beside the food centre.  The exterior of the building looks new but when I walked under the block, I realize it look quite old and run down inside.

And it started raining ): Thus, I left that area and went back another day.


Visiting the site (2)

Central Sikh Temple is located 4mins walk away from Boon Keng MRT. There is like a contrast from the front and back, where the back of the building is more modernized.

 

I continued walking down towards Serangoon Road, where are the older shop houses are around also. It was a Sunday, thus a lot of shops are  not open. The food around that area is still open.

I did asked a few people who stay there, and what they told me was that they love staying in this area is because of its location. It is easily accessible to other place especially the food within there, like Swee Choon and Hungry Hero Cafe.


What is Ethnography and participant-observation?

The term ethnography has come to be equated with virtually any qualitative research project where the intent is to provide a detailed, in-depth description of everyday life and practice.

Ethnographers generate understanding of culture through representation of what we call an emic perspective or what might be describe as the “insider’s point of view.”

Participant observation is long term engagement in the field setting or place where the ethnography takes place. This is perhaps the primary source of ethnographic data. To develop an understanding of what it is like to live in a setting, the researcher must 1. become a participant in the life of the setting while also 2. maintaining the stance of an observer (someone who can describes the experince with a measure of what we might call detachment).

Check out this website to find out more.

What are some ways collecting data?

Qualitative and Quantitative Data

Qualitative Data: gathers information that is not in numerical form.

Primarily exploratory research. Used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research.

Some methods are group discussion, individual interviews and participation/observation.

Quantitative Data: gathers data in numerical forms.

Which can be put into categories, or in rank order, or measured in units of measurement. Used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics. It is used to generalize results from a larger sample population.

Some methods are online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face to face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls and systematic observations.

Primary and Secondary sources

Primary sources: a document or object that was written by someone who experienced or witnessed the event first hand.

What is a primary source?
– birth certificates
– photographs
– audio/video recordings
– diaries
– letters
– journals
– manuscripts
– interviews
– newspaper or magazine articles

Secondary sources: second hand accounts, and analyses of events created by someone who did not witnessed the event but may hae read or heard about it.

What is a secondary sources?
– books or articles written on a topic
– artworks depicting an event
– letters or diaries recounting a version of events told to the author by another source.

Infographics

Infographics are visual presentations of information that use the elements of design to display content.

Infographics express complex messages to viewers in a way that enhances their comprehension. Images are often an extension of the content of a written article, but infographics convey a self-contained message or principle.

Image result for infographic design

If a road sign has too much information on it, then it is difficult to read. Infographics compress and display this information in a visually pleasing way so that drivers don’t miss the message.

Infographics communicate complex data quickly and clearly, and they are considered to be effective worldwide.

Love the colorscheme here and the light background:

This website helps me understand infographics a lot better, do check it out.

Other ways we can visually represent data

  1. Line Chart
  2. Column Chart
  3. Bar Chart
  4. Pie Chart

Example of line chart

Art-Spire, Source d'inspiration artistique / 32 incroyables exemples de data visualisation:

Example of Pie Chart

Linkage Mind infographic Relajaelcoco con la fiebre de la infografía - nomadismo visual:

Подобається контраст кольорів:

TOM para Kinky & Co:

2D II – “Que Sera, Sera – What Will Be, Will Be” Process

Idea 1

What are some of the jobs that I consider and why?
– Teacher
I love to interact with kids and teaches Lego lesson in the past for kindergarten kids.

– Graphic Designer
I guess it has something to do with the course I am in now? This is one of the jobs I could consider in the future.

– Planner (events)
I have been working as event crew from front line to back end and has always been interested in how they plan all the event and would want to experience the planning process.

– Make up artist
I put on make up almost on a daily basis and would love to explore more into make up.

What is the message?
Jobs that are time-consuming can be rewarding.

What are some of the approach?
– String Art
An arrangement of colored thread strung between points to form geometric patterns.

1

– Paper Art
It can be folded, cut, glued, molded, stitched or layered. ca8c174fb0b209633b5bd3583fbf8a8d

Challenges
I wanted to use string art to represent that it’s time consuming however I can’t find any item in each jobs that I selected to execute using string art. String art uses simple concept with only one patterns and can’t get too complicated. It’s hard to link the jobs with string art and with the message.

I was stuck at this concept for too long thus I decided to change my whole idea.


Idea 2

What is the message?
Animals affected by Humans action.

Why this message?
To draw audience attention to the consequences of how human action affects animal habitats and how it is harming them.

Which area I can explore on?
– Marine animal
– Land animal
– Animal skin/fur use for fashion
– Animal use for entertainment
– Animal use for experiment


Animal campaign as references


Some background information of the different problem affecting animals

untitled-1-03 untitled-1-04


Marine Animals

Using water pollution as the main reason that kills the marine animal. With the background information of how water pollution came about, at the back of the composition it will be factory that uses large amount of water and through a series of processes, it gets contaminated by chemicals and etc . The water will flow out into the ocean which cause the ocean to be dirty and slowly killing the fishes inside.

JinYee

Land Animals

With higher demand for land, more and more trees are cut down to make space for the country development. Using falling trees in my composition to depict the scene where they are removing the trees. With silhouette on the forest animal in between the trees, some escaping while some stay put shows that we are chasing them away from their home. Also using the tree stump to represent the letter J

Design 1
JinYee

Some of the feedback that I received was the tree stump can have some burnt mark and having some animals sitting on top of it. I could also use the tree trunk to form my names or even using the animal. Adding smoke effects can also helps in this composition where it shows the burning/cutting down of trees.

Animal use for fashion

I decided to use fox as my main animal that was use for fashion. Fox was kept in a cage while waiting for their turn to be kill and skin thus I added cage into the design while they are watching one of their friends killed with blood flowing out and showing my name. I add in a lady wearing a fur coat to represent where the animal skin/fur will go to.

3

However, I was advised not to add in the lady because it represent the consumer instead of the jobs that I want to portray. Other suggestion was I should add in some fox fur that was hanging at the background. I did the composition and look forward to it at the final post.

Animal use for entertainment

I decided to use circus animal as the main focus because a lot of news and campaign have shown that some circus animal are being forced to do tricks and entertain viewers. With a circus background, and curtain in front to represent that the animal is standing on the stage. If you take a close look, those animal are tied to these strings that are use for puppets. It shows how human are controlling them to do something that they do not want to.

JinYee

 

2D II – “Que Sera, Sera – What Will Be, Will Be” Research

Hannah Hoch

Known for her incisively political collage and photomontage works.

Dada artist Hannah Hoch preferred metaphoric imagery to the more direct, text based confrontational approach.

large

What I like about her work is how she able to use the found images and combine them together to convey a message.

untitled-1-01

I love how she choose the color for each art work. Like the color able to complement each other like how she determine to change the color of the found images to match with the background.


As mentioned above, Hannah Hoch was an Dada artist. So what is a Dada artist?

DADA movement

It consist of artist who rejected ideas of logic, reason and aestheticism dominant in modern capitalist society, instead expressing nonsense, irrationality and anti-bourgeois protest in their works. Dadaist artist expressed their discontent with violence, war and nationalist and maintained political affinities with the radical left. Dadaist art spanned visual, literary and sound media, including collage, sound poetry, cut-up writing and music.

an_anna_blumeabcd-hausmann dada4-5 dada-typography-5-600x600