mydesignmyworks

2009-02-16T05:11:00.000-08:00

Term 4, which is very much our last lap of year 1, also has the toughest project bestowed to us.

The first step was to create a moodbox based on our chosen designer.

Mine was Karim Rashid, a designer who studied industrial design and designed many products.

He also went into interior design. One example is the Semiramis Hotel.

I decided to use various bright colours of different shapes to fill up the back wall to represent one of his work 'Koolas'.

The curvy strips on the other walls represents the wavy and sensuous character in his products.

I was advised to use the idea of the curvaceuos lines to extrude in order to show volume in the space. This mini moodbox turned out like that because what I had in mind was to use weaving cords to make the space.
The idea of using weaving cord to create the space was from this image in Rashid's book, Evolution. However, the weaving cord alone did not have a fixed structure and therefore the little moodbox above turned out this way.

Thus, I was advised to use plasticine to create the volume as it is the easiest to mould.

Spaces are starting to evolve over here but the comment was that because the extrusion was only in the linear, vertical manner, the space will not be as interesting.

So the next moodbox was very much of the same character just that horizontal and all other directions of extrusions was attempted. The thickness of each plasticine varied as well. The biggest problem about this was that because the plasticines had to be in large pieces, it starts to fall apart.

The next step was to translate the mood into the shophouse.
I attempted aluminium sheet because it was the easiest to get the spaces out.

This model was rejected because it does not really show the spaces and that it seemed more like a sculpture instead of spaces.

It was suggested that I use clay in order to get the sensuous and curved spaces out.
Clay, is very difficult to handle, because the end product will be very bad. The edges are very rough. However, because the spaces can only be made using clay, I went ahead with it. I used grid lines from the outlines of his works in order to make the scheme seem more intentional.

I attempted aluminium sheet again, because it is easy to handle and the edges will definitely be smoother as compared to using clay.

The aluminium sheet, although is easier to handle, has no thickness. That's the biggest problem I had at that time. Therefore, I went back to clay, again. This time, I used the weaving cords to define the lines but as I was playing with the materials I had, I realised that the weaving cords were hollow and I could slot the metal wires which was previously used in Sem1's assignment. Therefore, the entire shophouse seems more structured.

However, the problem I had was also because joining spaces from both walls were very tough as I had to follow the grid lines.
It was suggested that I try again, using aluminium sheet.
But it turned out like that because I didn't know how to actually do it. Very much confused at that time. Resulted in something of a different language.

So with the little time left, I extracted the shape of Karim's work directly and made use of it.

This is the final mock-up, with the very little time left, using paper, which, I think is the best material I've worked with in this entire prject.

To create the curves, it was a long process.

Finally done. Butthe workmanship was lousy. Mainly due to thestrength of the paper. You see, the paper had to be folded, curved, bend, therefore, creases are inevitable.

Now let me take you through the space.
This is what you'll see the moment the door is opened

This is the view facing the entrance.

This is, very much the gallery space, which leads to the dining space on the left.

Over here is the top view overseeing the dining space.

This is when you're looking towards the gallery.

So from the dining space, you'll be able to walk up towards the bedroom space.

This is what you'll see upon reaching the bedroom space. The right side with the curve portrays a space within space, creating a bathroom space.

This is very much the walk up the stairs to the work space.

Upon reaching the work space...

Overview of the whole work space.

The final model looks like that. I chose to make a white model because i wanted pink on one wall and silver on the other. And if I were to make another model using the same colours, I am not confident that the workmanship will be flawless.

It looks like that on VIZ. The whole model is white on VIZ as well, just that because of the shadows, some parts are black. This view is from the dining space looking towards the gallery space.

This image portrays the walk up to the bedroom space.

Another image of the stairs, but this time, from the bedroom space to the work space.

This picture shows the exterior wall of the work space.

This is what you'll see from the entrance

In conclusion, I have learnt alot from this project. As I update the process on this blog, I start to realise what actually went wrong. And that is, the translation from the moodbox to the shophouse was not translated as intended, which is also the reason behind the end product. I don't know whether you think the same way, but that is what I feel. The mood was translated wrongly in the beginning. The sensuality is lost in the final product. And I think that it might have been better if I had analyzed the moodbox a little longer before starting on the shophouse. So if I were given a change to re-design this whole shophouse again, I believe it will be a better one. Maybe I'll make one more during the holidays...

2009-02-16T03:32:00.000-08:00

The next assignment was a group based project titled 'Sense & Sensebility'

We struggled for a while because the concept was not there yet.

Finally, we settled on a machine that distorts vision, enhancing the sense of touch at the same time.

To distort, the eye view is enclosed with the idea of a periscope used so that the eye is only able to see what is behind but the image will be inverted.

The sense of touch is enhanced by having wooden sticks at the back so that the user will be able to feel any obstacle within a certain distance.

The whole outlook of the machine is sensuous because it follows the shape of the body and also because this project is about the body, we decided to have the whole design made to fit the body.

There are 3 rib-like structures to be worn at the waist to fasten the whole thing to the body.

2009-02-13T23:07:00.000-08:00

After the Photography workshop had ended, the next assignment was for us to capture the things we do at home. For each domestic action, 4 sequential images had to be taken.

This is my lil sister demonstrating how to make bandung.

Add water after pouring the syrup.

Next, add condensed milk.

Finally, add some ice cubes and its ready for consumption!

Here's some image of me from pulling the chair to sitting down, eating.

My maid frying an egg, sunny side-up, i like! ^_^

My mum, demonstrating the traditional way of brewing coffee!

Onions! The only benefit is that it enhances the taste of a dish. But I don't like it.

Me sliding the door of the cupboard, trying to get something high up.

Playing the piano. Yes I know how to play but not the best though. Haha.

Here's my adorable cousin. Really lovable.!

Sem 2 commenced with a 5 day Photography workshop.

The first task we were asked to complete after the lecture was to take close-up shorts of our brickboy. We were taught how to make full use of lighting and a plain white/black backdrop so as to make the object the focus.

This object of a head is not my work but i think it is very interesting, thus I decide to post it up here.

This is my piglet brickboy!

The different lightings give different results.

For the image on the left, the light is not as harsh as that on the image below. Therefore, in the first image, the piglet seems more lonely. On the contary, the second image of the piglet seems more lively as the light shone on it is brighter.

Next, the first assignment for us was to take pictures of specific colours.

We were all divided into 4 different colour groups, red, green, blue and yellow.

Here are 3 of the best images I captured, well at least I think it looks the best.

The very last assignment was to select tem repertoire and capture 10 images!

Big Sky.

Delay.

Edgecut Sun

Figure and Background

Figure in a landscape.

Frame Fit

Off center

Reflection

Separate shapes.

Shadowcape.

2008-08-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

TERM 2

An image of my unfinished tiles.

I forgot to take a picture of it when it's done though.

While waiting for our turn to capture shots of our model at SALC.

Okay I have something to rant about.

I think that if we ever have to capture images of our models, there should be a time slot for people to book them so that we do not have to spend half of our life waiting, unsure of how much time others will take to finish taking the photos.

This is because, I had spent a few hours waiting for my turn & it resulted in having really little time left to paint my tiles.

The final product after weeks of torture. I stayed in school till really late the week before submission just to complete this. Although there were some obstacles along the way, for example, having difficulties to glue really narrow edges, at a lost & having no idea what step to take next to ensure a brilliant piece of work, the sense

of accomplishment after completing the model is simply indescribable.

Sometimes we need to de-stress.

So here's Geraldine acting like a criminal who is going to be beheaded. HAHA:D

That piece of wood has the shape of a tie too! & it belongs to Ker Yan's model!

Halfway through.

The tessellation we had to pick from our ontography drawings.

Drawing without thinking.

Atrocious?

At least we didn't have to think of what to draw(:

This was 'taught' by the director of SD.

I feel that it is not right to say that it is considered drawing without thinking because at the end of the day, even if you really do draw without thinking at all but your work is not as amazing & interesting as someone else who claims to not think at all, no one bothers to even catch a glimpse of it.

Our visit to La Salle!

Read from the papers & this building is what I liked most among the various entries.

It is actually the New York Times Building in New York designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

To sum it up, I would actually prefer term 2 to term 1 although I really do feel the pressure more. Or maybe because I cannot draw as well as my classmate? Haha.

2008-06-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

Week 6

The box to contain all our stuffs.

The works of the Year 2 & 3 students seemed complicated but they're pretty creative. The one thing I loathed that day was that the room was so packed that you didn't even feel like admiring their works. All you wanted to do was to get out of the human traffic! Haha. Heaved a sigh of relief. Everything seems so relaxed this week. The stress level decreased tremendously. To top it all, the excursions made it even more fun & interesting.
Here's some pictures taken at MINT, SAM & NMS.

Got this picture off a magazine. Makes you feel like you're lying in the air:D

Chanel. Haha.

Just another view.

I think this is cool. Simple & clean.

Just some random chairs at the museum.

Dopey was my favourite character among the 7 dwarfs when I was young:D

The Beetles. So cool.

Ultraman

I think Astroboy looks adorable here.

Just us cam-whoring at MINT.

Week 5
Submission, & review. I think my blood pressure shot up really fast between week 4-5. Wasted half of my day during the review session cos my works only got to be reviewed in the evening. & my session was like 5-10minutes? Ohyes the days when we didn't have to return to school, I was actually at home making the 3rd and 4th model of my huge russian doll cos I didn't complete it before the submission day as I changed the material at the last minute. Blue foam was my enemy during that period of time. Why? Cos it was very tedious to dig a hole in the foam. & in addition, my 3rd and 4th russian dolls had to have 2 of about 2 inch thick foam glued together to ensure that my 1st 2 russian dolls which I managed to hand in during submission, can fit in. The part that was glued together was quite tough to dig as they were stuck too firmly together. Painting took a longer time as well cos the 4th Russian doll was enormous.

The one on the left is actually the final blue foam model of my russian doll while the one on the right was the model without a hole dug.

Week 4

First attempt to produce the russian doll was crap as I thought I could dig the hole after the thing hardened. Call me stupid but I've never played with clay in my life, much less dig a hole out of a shape. No, to be exact, I thought it was possible to cut it into two after it hardened. Second attempt = spend even more more cash to buy the dumb clay. As a result the sides hardened and cracked as I moulded the sides too thin. It was so fragile & brittle, it would break when you throw it on the floor! Haha. Actually I was thinking of like making a form, something like a template, then mould clay on the form & after that get the form out when it's semi-dry. But I was afraid the clay would get stuck to the foam & there goes my hard work. So yeah, I headed my lecturer, Edmund's advice & proceeded on to start all over again, getting blue foam to create my russian doll. Hard work, yes. But I got what I needed to do. Just that it had lost its sensuality [ This was what Kelly said. Haha ] Anyway, racing against time didn't help cos the blue foam would not be kind to me & thus, only the first 2 russian dolls were completed. Therefore, my peek-a-book was not born yet. Okay, maybe there was one but it wasn't completed. So.....yeah.

These were after the 1st round the lecturers commented. There were many many more:D

2008-05-02T02:13:00.000-07:00

Hello people. My first post here. A little later than the rest but the posts will be of quality alright? Haha.
3rd Week
Submission of ping pong balls & wire assignment on Wed. Totally insane. Why? Cos we've only got 2 days to complete that wire assignment while still having to finish up the 40 ping pong balls. I know the lecturers will talk about time management & stuffs like that but for "wols" [ slow ] people like me, there's almost nothing much I can do except to instill even more sense of urgency in myself. Haha. But I thought the wire activity to ‘fuse’ the 3 shapes together to form new permutations was pretty interesting. Everyone's workpiece will be like under the same theme but all in different designs and shapes depending on the way they manipulate the objects. Intech & TOD is quite fun, excluding the quantity of the slides. I find the activities short & sweet(:
2nd Week.
Got to submit the sketches of the 4 emotions & the drawings had to be almost perfect with a little room for untidiness. It's actually not absolutely fair regarding the drawing matters as not all of us are art students but well, I cannot handicap myself in thinking that way so just got to be more hardworking & spend less time playing. I'm actually a perfectionist & would love things to be done perfectly well but then again, sometimes if I get too irritated, I'll just ignore all the little details & do a lousy job. So it's either the best or the worst I guess. But I'll try not to be so lenient on myself. Haha. & I like the activity during TOD, which was to use your pencil to colour against a rough material with a piece of paper in between. The most difficult of the sketching assigment was the thinking part, which left me kind of helpless as I couldn't think of what to draw.
1st Week.
Lots of ice-breaking session but it's somewhat exciting to know the different things about my classmates. The enlarging of the template of the brickboy was tough, not because I'm bad at calculating, but due to the somewhat concentrated markings of "mm" on the metal ruler. I had to squit my eyes to get the exact length drawn, resulting in a bad headache. I was like literally seeing stars already. My first attempt of the piglet brickboy was simply crap. I realised that the UHU glue stick wasn't working the way I expected & even the edges of the sides would not stick. This meant that it would be impossible for the velvet to be glued on & it was already very late so I had no choice to use scotchtape as I couldn't find and liquid UHU glue around. Okay, blame me for last minute job. Lol. So, that's pretty much all the "excuses" for my first attempt of the crap piglet brickboy. Second attempt was a million times better as I went to get the liquid UHU glue:D The worst thing about this course, or probably for all the other courses as well, is that we have assignments for all the modules!!

Geraldine's drawing. It's me by the way.

Ting Fang's.

Pei Ying's.

Edmund's.

This was my drawing for the brickboy. I DID NOT use a ruler!(:

Some of my more presentable Ping pong balls.

Wire mesh.

Another angle of it.