Research and Process for 3D proj 1: Gifts
1.initial concept & interview
My initial thoughts for the project is to comment on gifts meant for acquaintances. (Since conveniently we are assigned clients whom we are not closed to)
When we have to give gifts to those whom we know little about, we tend to choose the gift based on the keywords or superficial informations collected. Such as their hobby or their favourite colour. However such approach seldom result in choices that are useful/meaningful for the receiver. This exchange is somewhat meaningless and troublesome yet we are forced to give gifts out of common courtesy.
From my first interview with my client, Namita, I gained a few keywords:
- She is an animal lover ( She is a vegetarian because of this)
- Her favourite animal is elephant
- She treasures gifts prepared with thoughts/love and doesn’t really care about the monetary value
- She like the film Interstellar and other films by Christopher Nolan
- She prefers simplistic design than decorative , pale/dull colour than bright
So based on my initial thoughts, I considered giving her a gift carved from ivory, which is relevant to the keyword, elephant, and is carefully crafted with effort, but conflict with her love for animals (and since ivory is so expensive I’m planning to use clay to mimic the shape/ texture of ivory crafts).
Initial idea was to mimic an ivory craft source:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Chinese-style-classical-home-decoration-horse-horn-decoration-ivory-crafts-entranceway/1919884330.html?spm=2114.40010208.4.12.M7B5Ir
2. Consultation & Research (and how I got stuck)
After forming the initial idea, I went through a consultation with Peter, who gave me a few keyword to research for presentation:
- Trojan horse
- Illegal animal trading
- Personal Gifts with No Monetary Value
Click on the picture to see the content of research:
3.GETTING STUCK
However the research does not lead to any new development. At this point, as I talked to Namita, I begin to like her personality. As a result, I am reluctant to carry out the idea of deceiving gifts. And for me it’s rather difficult to start working on the project when I start feeling hesitant towards the idea, so the project was left in stagnant. oh well 🙁
4. PROGRESSSSSSSS
During a discussion with Jia Zhen about useless gifts (her keyword for research), we begin to question the definition of “useless”. Should a personal gift with sentimental value be considered useless? If the item has no practical value, but carries a significant meaning for the owner (e.g represents a precious memory or evokes emotional comfort) Should it be considered useless?
The answer is very subjective. My client, Namita, treasures personal gifts and their significance. Her favourite gift ever received was a letter from her cousin before she left India to study in Singapore. The letter itself does not carry any critical information, but it is significant only to Namita because of the relationship she has with the cousin, as well as the thoughts and well wishes put into the letter. She told me that she treasures gifts given by close friends and relative even if they proved to be useless in practical means.
While I was brainstorming for the project, I mentioned to Jon & Dawin that Namita’s an animal lover and her favourite animal is elephant. In response, they brought to my knowledge the term “white elephant”.
This newfound information gives rise to a new development of the project. The term can be a commentary on the attitude we have towards personal gifts. People who treasures personal gifts, like Namita, would keep and hoard them even though they have no practical use. Which is in fact a troublesome habit. The gift is only meaningful to the specific individual and have absolutely no use in another person’s eye.
I start visualising a container, in the shape of an elephant, for containing the personal gifts that she receives.
(and funnily the elephant container would resemble the trojan horse )
below are part of the sketches that lead to the final product.
and then I didn’t finish it on time cries oh man feel so bad , fortunately Peter still accept the work which i will put in the next post yeah