Research

 

Before the start of this project, we are supposed to select a location and followed by capturing something unique about this location to us.

However, there are so many options to choose from!! Whats more we can’t choose those locations that we already are familiar with 🙁 It took me awhile to select the location. Initially, I was leaning towards Sengkang and Punggol area however it seems like there isn’t really any interesting things around that neighbourhood. So, in the end, I decided to go to TIONG BAHRU! Its a really old estate! So there must be something unique there for me to work on! haha

Primary findings

Immediately after alighting from the MRT, I walked and explored the HDB neighbourhood area around Jln Membina, Kim Tian Rd, Blk 18A.  All the way from the left side of the map to the right, where all the older white Moderne style building and Tiong Bahru Market is located at. When I first arrived, the vibe that Tiong Bahru gave me was that it is a rather quiet and peaceful neighbourhood. The new HDB high rise around the neighborhood is really tall and filled with different colors. However, as I travel nearer to the older neighborhood, most of the buildings are really plain, white and has a distinctive design style.

Along the way, I’ve discovered 3 main distinctive quality of Tiong Bahru!

#1 CHAIRS

Saw many different types of chairs laying around the neighborhood area! Which is really weird and different because I hardly see other neighbourhood doing this! There are baby chairs, wheelchairs, chairs for chilling, chairs with trolley, closed chairs, added chairs that form one row with existing chairs and lonely chair by the pillar!

#2 HILL

The next thing I discovered was that Tiong Bahru is a really hilly place! Walking around the neighbourhood, I realize that there are a lot highly elevated, layers of ramps and flights of stairs one after another!

#3 COLORFUL

Finally, the last thing I discovered is that Tiong Bahru is full of colors!!! Colorful chairs, wall, umbrellas, playground, flowers, sign, carpark doors and cleaning tools etc.

#4 Old White Houses

Towards the end of my trip, I saw a lot of white houses with iconic styles!

Secondary Research

Thereafter, I went on to do some secondary research about Tiong Bahru and had some really interesting findings!

 

3 Concept

After consulting Ms. Shirley, I have developed 3 concepts/ideas!

The first concept is to tell the stories of the different chairs from its perspectives.

 

The second concept is to use a wheelchair as my main character to explore around Tiong Bahru. Showing how tough it is to walk up all these stairs and hills.

 

The third concept is to tell the stories of Tiong Bahru by showing that it is a neighbourhood that has gone through transitions and has a rich mix culture of both the old and the new.

In the end, I decided to pick the colorful Tiong Bahru idea! I love the combination of both primary findings of the colorfulness of the neighborhood and secondary finding of the meaning of the name itself brings out the essence of Tiong Bahru having a transition and coexistence of both old and new, white and colorful!

Possible Plans For Zine

Plan #1: The plan is to show the old and new of Tiong Bahru with the use of colors from transitioning from black and white to a colorful estate.

Plan #2: By using a WHITE character to bring viewers through a journey in the zine exploring Tiong Bahru estate. As the character explore, colors are added on and it became colorful as well.

Reference Image(Layout+style)

These are some of the styles that I’ve researched and would like to use them in my zine. The play between of having black and white images and half colourful overlay. Also, I would like to try out the partially drawn over a strip of colorful illustration effect!

Colour Palette

Since my theme is colorful, I have decided to go with a pastel colorful rainbow palette!