Project 2A_Little India

Little India is located in the centre area of Singapore and at the east of the Singapore River. (MRT Station: NE7/DT12)

Little India is one of Singapore’s most vibrant ethnic districts, as well as a buzzing historic area with a vibrant culture in Singapore. Walking down the Serangoon Street and the neighbouring streets, I have seen a lot of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques and churches.

As I entered Little India, the first thing that caught my eyes were the vibrant colours. I could hardly find any monochromatic elements.

Ideation

However, I still believe the existence of them. So I decided to stroll around and discover the little bits of black and white in the colourful Little India.

Collection of Data

Park 22 Hotel, which was the first building that I found in Little India that designed in colour of black and white, both inside and outside. The staff there was very friendly and also allowed me to take photos inside.

I found a lot of pigeons which are in black and white colours around Little India. They are eating, sleeping, playing, and strolling here everyday. So I decided to do a documentary about pigeons life in Little India.

All the clothes here are found at the second level in Tekka Centre, which is an open-air Centre with a large indoor ‘wet’ market, as well as some goldsmith shops and sari stores.

 

 

Locale Gallery

Locale Process

Image Making Through Type – Research and Process

Project 1 – Research
 3D Typography
Image result for ribbon typo
https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/inspiration-amazing-3d-typography–vector-3530

http://citycoasttiling.com.au/synth-creative-3d-typography/

Personally, I think ‘Synth’ is a really good example to guide us what we are supposed to do for this project: find out the main visual elements-deconstruct them-identify the essential elements-apply the elements onto the typeface.

https://www.freepik.com/blog/delicious-candy-letters-by-designer-guillermo-llano/
typeworship:“Appliance AlphabetFor the ever popular 36 days of type project, Vinicius Araújo designed an alphabet of 3D letterforms representing a variety branded electronic devices. Each represents a brand’s namesake product and is modelled around...
http://flow-360.tumblr.com/

Initially, I was thinking about to create 3D style typography by using C4D for this project. However, there are a number of 3D works in my portfolio. At the beginning of a new year, it’s also a time to start learning new things and creating something different. So I decided to use Illustrator to create all the four pieces of my work.

Handmade Typography

This piece of handmade typography has been produced out of old boxes and a footstool – a simple and fun way to produce a stunning piece of work!

http://www.missmoss.co.za/2010/04/23/super-duper/
Creating letterforms out of found objects tends to yield interesting and raw results. This is no exception. It's highly creative, stylized, and oddly poignant. It is possible to read further into the meaning of the piece as a commentary on the body as the ultimate means of communication.

Becca clason food typography

 

image_02_maricar_maricorimage_03_maricar_maricor

Maricor Maricar – http://maricormaricar.com/

2D Illustration Typography

This is the style that I’m gonna experiment in this project so that I could add something new into my portfolio.

https://giphy.com/gifs/illustration-animated-gif-1RDiZNlUerlkc

http://gfx9.com/create-a-stylish-vector-hair-typography-illustration/156137/index.html
https://www.designlisticle.com/typography-alphabet-2/

  

 

Project 1 – Process

In this project, we have to create typography based on our names and dream jobs.

My name is YR/YAN/RAN/然

and

I am a ballet dancer/chef/carpenter/scientist/photographer/filmmaker/jungle explorer/3D animator/apparel designer…

Vive como si fueras a morir mañana, trabaja como si no necesitaras el dinero, baila como si nadie estuviera mirando
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/350295677241981778/
The pasta maker's equipment...
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/462041242994643620/
photographic equipment, cameras, slides, lenses, rolls of film
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476818679290196910/
Pocket sextant as used by Victorian explorers and surveyors. Intricate and semi-functional, sextant has all the pieces needed to shoot the sun
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/394205773610665028/
http://www.libertiescollege.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dressmaking.jpg

I found some reference images of visual elements that related to my listed jobs and sketched out my ideas.

After consultation, I finalised my 4 future jobs to work on.

  • Ballet Dancer
  • Scientist
  • Jungle Explorer
  • Photographer

 

1- Ballet Dancer

Image from: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/ballet-studio?mediatype=photography&phrase=ballet%20studio&sort=mostpopular

Elements: ballet shoes/ribbon/ballet skirt/tutu/ballet studio/barre

I decided to represent this job by using ribbons of ballet shoes and using pastel colours to show the ‘GRACE’ of ballet.

And one of the difficulties for me was trying to figure out where to add shadows and highlights to make the texture of the ribbon more realistic.

In the end, I decided to add white tutu for the background instead of using the normal ballet skirt, as white tutu is one of the unique elements of a ballet dancer. And I also tried to adjust the size of the letters and tweak a bit with the perspective in Photoshop. Here comes the final work.

 

 

2- Scientist

Elements: laboratory/labware(test tube/beaker)/microscope/chemical formula

I chose test tubes as the visual representation of this job. For colours, I decided to use the secondary colours orange and green for the chemical reagent inside. As I tried to use orange to represent the passion of the scientist about their work, although sometimes it might be dangerous. And the green colour is associated with regeneration, ecosystem, knowledge and sustainability…

Except adding shadows,  I also tried to create a negative space in the centre area of the background to make the test tubes stand out. And I filled the background with light turquoise which is a kind of colour that associated with laboratory.

 

3-Jungle Explorer

Elements: map/compass/knife/rope/magnifier/binocular/tropical plants

I chose compass as the visual representation of this job as it is one of the essential equipments of an explorer. I did research online for different types of the compass and I chose the one with wooden texture as my reference in the end. As brownish colour is related to the natural elements, such as the tree trunk and soil. Then I put tropical plants as the background to signify ‘Jungle’ and added another layer filled with yellow colour behind to show the hot weather condition.

 

 

4-Photographer

Elements: camera body/lens/camera flash/film strip/tripod

For this occupation, I used camera and tripod to form the letter. Initially, I just arranged all the three letters in a horizontal line. My friends suggested me to tilt the letters and adjust them into different sizes to make the whole composition more interesting. And after that, I added film strips to the background and adjusted their sizes and opacities to create a sense of movement.

 

Reflection

One of the biggest takeaway from this project is started creating my work by using Illustrator. Thanks to my friends and Graphic Form project 1, now I could probably add a point to my Illustrator skills. In addition, asking friends for feedback is definitely helpful and necessary.

 

 

Project 1 _ Gallery

The Journey

The Journey

“Mom, there’s a glowing tail down there!” I tugged at Mom’s arm.

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly. There is nothing, you must have been looking at the glow from your own eyes,” she sighed. She swam away, ignoring me. It couldn’t have been my eyes glow. Sure, I was a little special—unlike normal people, my eyes could glow in the dark. They looked like white headlights, and my parents warned me to never leave my goggles behind, in case it suddenly got dark enough for my eyes to glow. 

Back to the point—it couldn’t have been my eyes. I swore I saw it, a bright white glow around the bottom of the lake. I dived and swam towards the white glow. To my disbelief, I found a mermaid with a glowing tail! A real mermaid! Her tail stuck between some boulders, and she looked like she had some troubles to escape. Holding my breath, I pushed the boulders away, freeing her tail.

Ego – Process & Final

♣ PROCESS ♣
mindmap

sketches

Based on the above mind map, after the consultation with Shirley, I decided to use iceberg, caterpillar, snail and candle to represent myself, and I sketched out all the compositions:

Me + Setting = Me or my reaction in the setting

development of ideas

Low-poly 3D model references

I created all the low-poly 3D models in Cinema 4D(C4D), and then adjust the background, layout and colours in Photoshop.

outcomes
Me + Setting = Me or my reaction in the setting

I decided to use monochromatic and analogous colours for all the four first squares which represent ME.

  • ME: Iceberg
  • SETTING: A noisy and crowded place
  • OUTCOME: Volcano

I start off the equation with me as an iceberg to represent myself when I am feeling down or angry, I don’t want to talk to anyone and prefer to stay alone. However, when being put in a situation where is crowded and noisy, the negative emotions will be built up, so I use a volcano to represent the moment that I am out of control. The colours used in the squares of setting and outcome are few groups of complementary colours (red&green, yellow&purple, orange&blue), which help to emphasise the ‘chaotic situation’ of both external (the setting) and internal (my emotions).

  • ME: Snail
  • SETTING: Amusement park
  • OUTCOME: Butterfly

I use a snail to represent myself when I am lazy to move and doing things slowly. However, when being put in an amusement park, I will turn into a little girl, running around happily and tirelessly like a butterfly. For the setting, I use triadic colours (red, yellow and blue) to show that an amusement park is a place with a lot of fun. I also use the green colour which is relaxing, and youthful. In the last frame, I use monochromatic colours of pink for the butterfly, as pink is fun and girly. In addition, brighter colours also tend to have a fun vibe.

  • ME: Caterpillar
  • SETTING: Food and snack city
  • OUTCOME: Dinosaur

The first square is of me as a caterpillar as I always try to live with a healthy diet habit, eating more vegetables and fruits, and staying away from fast food and snacks. So I use analogous and monochromaticgreen which is not only associated with caterpillar but also the keyword ‘healthy’. However, sometimes I need a ‘break’, which means I can eat whatever I want. When being put in a food and snack city, I will become a hungry monster and eat as much as I can. For colours, I use red, which is the complementary colour of green to represent the ‘delicious junk food’.

  • ME: Candle
  • SETTING: Winter landscape
  • OUTCOME: Fireworks

In the last equation, I use a candle to represent myself as sometimes I am not an energetic and enthusiastic person, however, when being put in a situation where the people around me are even quieter than me, I will become an active person who tries to break the ice between each other, like a fireworks rocket. However, as you can see in the last frame, the fireworks are still in white. A large area of white colour used for the setting to show the ‘silent environment’.

reflections

In project 3, different from the previous projects, we need to take colour harmonies into consideration for our compositions. To be honest, it is not easy to work with colours, as we have to think deeply about colour theory, and the connotations and emotions that come with the association of the colours we use. Understanding the colours schemes and how the colours work with each other will help us to create a better outcome in our work. Because there are no limitations to medium, technique or style, I decide to create my 12 compositions by using low-poly 3D illustration style. Therefore, this is also an opportunity for me to refresh my C4D skills and experiment in low-poly style.

 

♣ FINAL SUBMISSION ♣

 

 

 

 

 

Ego – Research

♣ RESEARCH ♣

 

Yu Fukagawa

Yu Fukagawa, a Japanese artist and illustrator. With a few lines and sparse use of colour, this artist draws life with an amazing minimalist sense. His nuanced work also shows some humour and a playful style about the story of life and people. The lovely illustration below is a doodle teeming with randomly arranged people and icons, as well as the use of bright colours,  create a sense of ease and humour.

Yu-fukugawa-illustration-its-nice-that00

 

Malika Favre

Malika Favre is a French illustrator and art director. Her approach to illustration is all about beautiful simplicity. She strives to find the essence of her subject by using as few lines and colours as possible, paring things down to convey the main idea. For example, The Leftovers (2014). This piece is a cover for the Washington Post summer Film & TV preview. An interesting design by using primary colours (triadic), geometric patterns, as well as the idea of showing body parts disappearing through optical illusions and visual tricks.

The Leftovers (2014)

 

Timothy Reynolds

Low-poly is not all about portraits, as demonstrated by an American 3D illustrator Timothy Reynolds in his projects that explore the natural world with geometric forms. Here is a part of scenic illustrations that created for TwitchCon 2016 based on the theme “The Road to TwitchCon.”

Got inspiration from the work above, as I have planned to create a ‘food/snack city’ for one of my settings. I like the low saturation colours used in this work, and the contrast of complementary colours red and green also make the whole scene more interesting and vivid. I think this 3D low-poly illustration is the style that I am going to attempt in this project, combining with the use of creamy and muted tone colours.

Colour reference

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037436731480/

 

Colour theory 

Colour schemes

Color Combinations
https://www.wix.com/blog/2016/07/how-color-theory-can-improve-web-design/

Colour emotions

https://business.bridestory.com/blog/choosing-the-perfect-wedding-colours-for-your-clients

 

間 MA’s Obscure City of Voids-Modular Structure

♣ Research on Modular Structure ♣

 

Modular design, or ‘modularity in design’, is a design approach that creates things out of independent parts with standard interfaces, the smaller parts called modules or skids, that can be independently created and then used in different systems. This allows designs to be customized, upgraded, repaired and for parts to be reused. A well-known example of module design is LEGO plastic construction toys, the blocks are designed to fit together.

https://inhabitat.com/lego-just-invested-150-million-to-make-a-better-more-sustainable-building-brick/

Value:

  • Creating a culture of customization
  • Reuse & sustainability
  • Incremental upgrades
  • Shorter construction time
  • Financial savings
  • Environmentally friendly

    In Nature

    Honeycomb

https://patternobserver.com/2011/11/21/found-patterns-honeycomb/

In nature, modularity refers to the construction of a cellular organism by joining together standardized units to form larger compositions, for example, the hexagonal cells in a honeycomb.

In Biology

 MARS (Modular Artificial Reef Structure)
MARS Modular Artificial Reef Structure by Alex Goad
https://laughingsquid.com/mars-a-lego-inspired-modular-system-for-building-artificial-reefs/

In an effort to help address the decline of coral reefs around the world, Australian designer Alex Goad of Reef Design Lab has created MARS, a LEGO-inspired modular system for building artificial reefs.

In Product

Modular products are products composed of interchangeable components, that may allow customers to customize, repair and reuse products. By being able to add on to and customize products, consumers now have the ability to better control purchasing decisions and personalize every aspect of their lives. The following are some examples of modular products.

LEGO furniture
https://www.homedit.com/lego-furniture-design-ideas/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/550424385690681635/

Sectional Couch

Another simple example is a sectional couch, which composed of multiple small, individual units. A sectional couch can be rearranged in a variety of ways, depending on the space and user’s preferences.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AZ03YtYyuri0FKaKW1_G6RuNTmGfGSvZGGYLaQc9pY-r8cYQuwemJxg/

Modular Shelving

https://simplicable.com/new/modular-products

In Architecture

The modular industry includes two distinct types of modular buildings, temporary or relocatable modular and permanent modular.

Temporary modular buildings are structures that meet interim needs and come in all shapes and sizes. they are capable of being relocated and repurposed. For example, Job site trailers, temporary classrooms, and temporary offices.

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/propertyservices/management/temporary-buildings.htm

Permanent modular construction is an alternative building method to conventional onsite construction.

Housing Complex in Slovenia

https://inhabitat.com/slovenias-gorgeous-honeycomb-housing-complex/
Related image
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/267542034092887638/

This stunning seaside structure is a series of honeycomb modular apartments with its dynamic array of brightly shaded cells.  The complex was constructed as a low-income residence for young families and couples in the industrial district of Izola on the Slovenian coast. It makes smart use of solar shading and natural ventilation to regulate its interiors all year-round.

Reference:

  • https://simplicable.com/new/modular-design
  • http://www.shieldcasework.com/the-benefits-of-modular-products/
  • http://www.archiproducts.com/en/products/lasvit/led-handmade-blown-glass-chandelier-alice_157488
  • https://triumphmodular.com/modular-buildings/

 

♣ Sound Analysis ♣

 

Individual Mood Box

 

♣ Group Mood Box ♣

♣ 間 MA’s Obscure City of Voids ♣

https://oss.adm.ntu.edu.sg/clim101/%E9%96%93-mas-obscure-city-of-voids-pdf/

 

Mnemosyne’s Scent-Plastic

Mnemosyne’s Scent – Plastic

Recycled Plastic Bottle Sculpture

“Plasticity” Sculptures by Aurora Robson7965805042_261694db87_z

7965802840_98a7215eaa_z

aurora-robson-plastic-art-5
https://artstormer.com/2013/11/04/plasticity-sculptures-by-aurora-robson/

Miwa Koizumi

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/source/miwa.metm.org/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/388083692873842641/

Here is my plastic model that represents both pleasant and unpleasant scents.

– THE END –