Process – The Pretty Life of Alyph

Final Project Proposal (3): Album “Timeless” – Film Theme Collection of Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer, composer of The Da Vinci Code, was the man that I have loved for thousands of times.

My favorites among his movie themes include:

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The Da Vinci Code
Sherlock Holmes
Inception
The Dark Knight Rises
Interstellar

Her was listed as Top 100 Living Geniuses by The Daily Telegraph and he has created a trademark in Hollywood for making the best movie soundtracks.

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This is a collection of Zimmer’s best composes, with the cover design inspired by another greatest genius – Da Vinci.

This is a album of epic music, heart breaking pieces that integrates electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements.

This is my memory of great movies, of unforgettable heroes that either lightened history or warmed the destiny of mankind.

1.	Time (Inception)
2.	Chevaliers de Sangreal (The Da Vinci Code)
3.	Homeland (Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron)
4.	Dream Is Collapsing (Inception)
5.	Red Sea (The Prince Of Egypt)
6.	Molossus (Batman Begins)
7.	This Land (The Lion King)
8.	Heart Of A Volunteer (Pearl Harbor)
9.	Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End)
10.	Aggressive Expansion (The Dark Knight)
11.	Fear Will Find You (The Dark Knight Rises)
12.	This Is Going To Hurt (The Ring)
13.	Imagine The Fire (The Dark Knight Rises)

I will name it Timeless – A toast to the genius!

Final Project Proposal (2): Covered by the Greatest Genius

Cheryl was right that I may only have the energy to develop one really good design. Then undoubtedly I will devote my best effort for Leonardo Da Vinci – the timeless genius.

Background research

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”

Leonardo da Vinci (15 April 1452 – 2 May 1519), the ultimate Renaissance Man, is far more than a greatest painters of all time. He is acknowledged as the father of palaeontology (the study of fossils as a guide to the history of life on earth.) and architecture (the art of planning, designing, and constructing buildings). In an age of war, he left the world thousands of inventions including parachute, helicopter and tank, centuries ahead of his time.

I admire his ceaseless curiosity towards knowledge and relentless pursuit to understand how our world works. He is renowned for contributions in the study of:

Arts: light, painting, sculpting, dissection,
Engineering: architecture, music instruments, war machines
Sciences: anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, cartography (map)
Mathematics: perspective and geometry

For him, painting is just another science.

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Sketches in Illustrator

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

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Symmetry and balance are important guidelines in my design.
A high contrast of Yellow and Black is what I intended to go for.
There are 9 stories in this design. How many can you spotted out?
(Easter Egg) The focal point will move into the brain of the baby.

The CD is specially designed such that when playing/rotating, different observations of the genius reveal.

“The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of.”

Digital Coloring

“Only through experiments can we truly see.”

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Attributes

Leonardo Da Vinci posts a great influence in my life.

He is the role model of pushing beyond expectations and dreaming the impossible.

He showed the human capacity, inspiring us to make the most of our lives as we can.

Hope you enjoyed his works and quotes. If you are interested to learn more, I highly recommend these documentaries and materials:

Da Vinci and the Code He Lived By (TV Movie 2005)

Leonardo da Vinci Paintings, Drawings, Quotes, Biography

I look forward to discussing with you about him and my design

Oh by the way, did I mention that it is a 3D work combining mathematic, mechanics and electronic?

Final Project Process (1): One Thing for Each Greatest Artist

In the first week of working on the proposed idea – Diploma Design, uncertainties are high, so are opportunities.

(Modified on 26 Oct) I do hope you enjoy the journey I have gone through haha.

Who are your favourite artists?

Western

Da Vinci
Claude Monet
Pablo Picasoo
Van Gogh

Oriental

Xu Beihong – Horses & Cock

Zhang Dashan – Mountains & lotus

Qi Baishi – Xia + Flowers + Plants

Bada Shanren – Falcon + Fish

How can I apply what I learnt from the course?

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What are my strength and weakness?

Strength

Engineering background: Systematic & logic research + Geometry
Artistic perspective: Imagination & Synthesis
Childhood heritage: Meaning making & Storytelling + a bit more curiosity
Practical skills: Photoshop & Illustrator

Weakness

Inexperience in using Color -> I can search for the perfect matches online
Inexperience in matching Fonts -> I can limit it to One/ Two font(s)
Impatience & Short attention span -> I’d better design simply
No talent for painting -> Let’s go digital 🙂

So What?

Opportunities

I can use this final project opportunity to consolidate my understanding of elements of design, principles of design, space & color in design
I can also learn more from the advice and sharing of Cheryl, my DA2002 teacher throughout the design process -> then I shall not be afraid of questions & problems
I have one more incentive to study whatever I like in ADM library. I can integrate them into my aesthetic eyesight & design capability
I can develop a work that reflect my current thinking & characteristic

Threats

I may fall into stereotype of design principles
I may lose originality while learning
I may change ideas frequently when time is not in my favor
I may end up having too many elements on my canvas -> urgent!!!!

Anyway, we will be fine (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

Final Project Proposal: The Greatest Artists Award

Graceful of Option 3, I propose a Diploma Design Project that:

Awards to my favorite Greatest Artists in art history.
Applies the essence of Ancient Egypt Art.
Present 2 pieces of design that are distinct and representative.

Idea Mind Map

Preliminary Research

Western Artist

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1st Nomination: Leonardo da Vinci (15 April 1452 – 2 May 1519)

“Italian polymath whose areas of interest included invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography.
The father of palaeontology, ichnology, and architecture, and is widely considered one of the greatest painters of all time.
The inventor of the parachute, helicopter and tank.
He epitomised the Renaissance humanist ideal.”

Oriental Artist

2nd Nomination: Wu Daozi (680–c. 760)

“Also known as Daoxuan, was a Chinese artist of the Tang Dynasty.
Michael Sullivan considers him one of “the masters of the seventh century,”.
Wu traveled widely and created murals in Buddhist and Daoist temples. Wu also drew mountains, rivers, flowers, birds. No authentic originals are extant, though some exist in later copies or stone carvings.
Wu’s famous painting of Confucius was preserved by having been copied in a stone engraving.

吴道子（约680-759），吴道子是一位全能画家，有“画圣”之称。同时吴道子是中国山水画之祖师。他创造了笔间意远的山水”疏体“，使得山水成为独立的画种，从而结束了山水只作为人物画背景的附庸地位。吴道子的出现，是中国人物画史上的光辉一页。

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(Research and sketches to be continued…)

Field Trip: Exploring the National Gallery

I had a question before stepping in the National Gallery on 30 Sep.

What is the difference between a museum and a gallery?

Once in the Chelsea district, New York, an artist answered me by pointing out their difference in purpose. Museums are public facilities for education while galleries are opened with an intention to sell.

If it is called the National Gallery, I was expecting to find strong identities and varieties there.

A. Perception

I started from DBS Gallery 2. The soft melody created by a row of light bulbs attracted me. The combination of sound, light and movement marked its special presence. I found out from the gallery guide and retiree, Mr Loh, that the artist actually used the mechanism of a cradle. He shared with me that the art is all the perception and interpretation of ourselves. After the conversation, I started to make more sense of the meanings floating in the small gallery space. My interest to tour again by the same route was higher than ever.

But this time from a difference perspective.