WEEKLY BLOGGING
1st check-in
Week 1 : 23.4.2021
The first class of Semester 3, the first class of Contextual Studies. Here we meet Dr. Charles again. Before the commencement of class, I've read the module synopsis in the Programme Guide, but it didn't answer my doubts. Conceptual? Perceptual? Critical study? All I know is there will be a lot of things to explore in this module.
------------------------ Lecture 1 : Introduction to Design in Context ------------------------
Contextual Studies, the study of "meaning" or the purpose behind "something". In this context, we are looking for "meaning" or "relevance" behind design. Keep peeling the onion and ask "why" to find out more about the subject matter you want to investigate. Contextual Studies provides an historical, cultural and theoretical framework to allow us to make sense of art and design, as well as to consider how they may help us to understand the wider world.
There are two ways of obtaining data : Biased Views and Objectivity. Biased views are having or showing an unfair tendency to believe that one is better than others. Prejudiced mindset, believing in our own assumptions. Conversely, objectivity means a lack of bias, judgment, or prejudice, a belief based on objectively strong supporting evidence.
What is conceptual? The definition of conceptual is something having to do with the mind, or with mental concepts or philosophical or imaginary ideas. An example of conceptual is when you formulate an abstract philosophy to explain the world which cannot be proven or seen. Perceptual thinking is the process whereby the response to information or stimuli can be improved through experience in specific environments via various tasks and methods. It means relating to the way people interpret and understand what they see or notice.
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In this module, all assignments are tracked as the progress of our work. For now, we are required to make observations and study a topic related to art and design, and then present our discussion in the class. I've formed a group with Aimee, June, Pei Yun, Adlina, and Raaia. I am super excited to burst out my opinion as I usually think a lot when it comes to a subjective matter. Vulgarity, selfishness, NFT revolution, purpose of education, culture of art versus science ...... a bunch of issues pop into my mind in a few minutes. We have some great conversations in our group and eventually come out with 12 topics. Our next move is to do a little study on each topics and we are going to ask sir if we are on the right track.
Theories Alert
Opps, forgot to mention, after 40 minutes of discussion, our group —— SWANK, was born!
This is a picture of a young lady that I found on Pinterest. I think it represents us (the six ladies ;>), so we used it as our group photo.
Figure 1 : The Lady
Taken from Pinterest
2nd check-in
Week 2 : 26.4.2021
What is "theory"? The word theory stems from the Greek word "theorein",which means "to look at". A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. It can be speculative (risky and unproven ideas) or deductive (deriving conclusions by reasoning) or based on specific hypothesis.
The method applied by philosophical approach is logical analysis. It uses reason to find out the truth. The truth which this approach establishes or finds out may be of various kinds-normative, descriptive or prescriptive. But the philosophical approach is indifferent to the nature or category of truth.
Epistemology, the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. The term is derived from the Greek "epistēmē" (knowledge) and "logos" (reason), and accordingly the field is sometimes referred to as the theory of knowledge (originally understanding of things). Over time, two major branches of philosophical epistemology have developed —— Empiricism and Rationalism.
Empiricism : True knowledge is primarily founded on input from our senses. It is important to refer to experience and observations when beliefs and claims are justified and proven. Ideas or tradition are not the primary, most important source for knowledge.
Rationalism : Emphasizes reason, rather than experience and observations, as the primary basis for justifying beliefs and claims. Thus, the rational and logical human mind is the source for new knowledge, not the material world around us. Research results are verified primarily by reasoning.
Existentialism : It is concerned with the understanding of people’s position in the world and with the clarification of what it means to be alive. It is also committed to exploring these questions with a receptive attitude, rather than a dogmatic one: the search for truth with an open mind and an attitude of wonder is the aim, not the fitting of the client into pre-established categories and interpretations.
Constructivism : Constructivism is the theory that says learners construct knowledge rather than just passively take in information. As people experience the world and reflect upon those experiences, they build their own representations and incorporate new information into their pre-existing knowledge.
Sir asked us these questions during the lecture : What is originality? If everything in this world is built on existing knowledge, how do we know if something is 100% original? In my opinion, there is no absolute original idea (pure idea without referencing to any existed thing) in this world. We get inspiration from our own experience, our surroundings and reconstruct them to produce a brand new idea. But, it doesn't mean that our ideas are meaningless or lack of value. If original means "a thought which no one else has had before", then it links to another question of "who in the world has had your exact experiences, the exact same thinking mode and hence exact same thoughts and beliefs?" The answer is no one, meaning that in this context, not only it is possible to be original, but also impossible not to be original.
More Theories Alert
After we received feedbacks from Dr. Charles, we decided to filter out some topics, until only two topics left —— the NFT revolution and the crunch culture.
------------------------ Lecture 2 : Investigating Art and Design Movements 01 ------------------------
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What is epistemology?
Introduction to the Word and the Concept.
Existentialism: Crash Course Philosophy #16
An inspiring talk by Adam Grant (the title caught my attention while I was searching for videos about originality in YouTube)
What is Constructivism?
3rd check-in
Week 3 : 3.5.2021
------------------------ Lecture 3 : Investigating Art and Design Movements 02 ------------------------
What is Art? Art is a highly diverse range of human activities engaged in creating visual, auditory, or performed artifacts —— artworks —— that express the author’s imaginative or technical skill, and are intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power. It is difficult to define art because art has been around for thousands of years and through the ages, it has evolved in number of different ways. The reasons for creating art vary from person to person. But most of the people agree that art is something that fascinates us, something that stirs our emotion, something that we enjoy.
Figure 2 : Comedian
Art of sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan
Sir asked us to study something that fascinates us. Well, I looked for "the most expensive banana"—— Comedian, a 2019 artwork by Maurizio Cattelan. It is exposed at Miami's Art Basel and is priced at $120,000 USD. Why is it considered an artwork when anyone can tape a banana on the wall?
Study of Banana?
It is not the first time he gets attention for his art. Cattelan, an Italian artist, also an absurdist, replaced a toilet at the Guggenheim with a fully functioning gold one. He called the artwork America. Made to look like the museum's other Kohler toilets, it was installed in one of the museum's bathrooms for visitors to use.
Isn't it surprising? It is called conceptual art. "Back then, Cattelan was thinking of a sculpture that was shaped like a banana," a statement from the gallery read, via CNN. “Every time he traveled, he brought a banana with him and hung it in his hotel room to find inspiration. He made several models: first in resin, then in bronze, and in painted bronze (before) finally coming back to the initial idea of a real banana.”
Figure 3 : America
Sculpture installed at the Guggenheim Museum in 2016
In this case, the buyers aren't actually buying the artwork itself —— it’s a banana. It’s going to rot. What are they buying, then? The certificate of art. Essentially you bought the idea rather than the object. All they got was a certificate of authenticity that proved it is verified artwork by Cattelan, and instructions for how to install it. Then, there is an artist named David Datuna, he came to the fair when it was most crowded, grabbed the banana from the wall and took a big bite. He explained it was an art performance by him, called "Hungry Artist". To be fair, if he didn't eat the banana, it would have gone rotten and ended up in the dustbin. So, he didn't destroy the artwork. The gallery had another banana, and Comedian was back in no time.
I think Cattelan's arts are mind-blowing. It raised my curiosity to study what defines an art, and turns out art is subjective. Something that I feel amazed does not mean that other people will feel the same. The Comedian is a success because it became an iconic historical object which left a deep impression on everyone's mind. More than anything, it magnifies how our love-hate relationship with conceptual art has the power to continue to raise the value of even the most mundane.
I love to study this kind of controversial topic.
What is Art?
The $150,000 Banana
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This week was the presentation week of assignment 1 (proposal). We made a Zoom call a day ahead to rehearse our presentation. Although Raaia couldn't join us due to the time zone difference, I recorded our meeting and sent her the recording. Glad that it worked!
Everyone did well during the presentation! <3 Next, we will be working on storyboarding. We divided into two groups —— the illustrators and the script writers.
4th check-in
Week 4 : 13.5.2021
Independent Learning Week. More like a assignments-go-crazy week. We had 1 week to prepare our storyboards for the next presentation. Oh no! Can we manage to finish it?
The storyboarding team —— June, Adlina and I decided to use "Storyboarder" to illustrate our ideas.
Figure 4 : Storyboarder
This is the app we used for storyboarding. Storyboarder makes it easy to visualize a story as fast you can draw stick figures. We can quickly draw to test if a story idea works. No paid promo xP
We made an appointment with Dr. Charles to present him our script and storyboards on Wednesday. That was a fruitful session because we gained new insights and feedbacks to work on certain parts so that our final video will be easier to understand.
Figure 5 : Storyboards by SWANK.
5th check-in
Week 5 : 18.5.2021
----------- Lecture 4 : Investigating Art and Design Movements 03 -----------
------------------------------- Lecture 5 : Visual Culture -------------------------------
The world exists for a reason. According to William Shakespeare, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages." This poem describes various stages of human life. Life has been compared to a play or drama by every men and women on the stage of the world. His seven stages of life are the seven acts of a play. It shows Shakespeare's deep knowledge and transience of human life.
So, what are our roles in the stage? A designer? An investigator? A pirate? For me, I am a student in the college, a child in the family, a small yet petty human in the universe.
What is the meaning of stage in terms of design? You can see that usually designers have a strong background of narrative. They need to create a story, and a story needs plots to bring the contents together.
Figure 6 : Freytag's Pyramid
Source : http://slideplayer.com/slide/9012845/
7 elements of dramatic structure in Freytag’s Pyramid:
1. Exposition: The storyteller sets the scene and the character’s background.
2. Inciting Incident: The character reacts to something that has happened, and it starts a chain reaction of events.
3. Rising Action: The story builds. There is often a complication, which means the problem the character tried to solve gets more complex.
4. Climax: The story reaches the point of greatest tension between the protagonist and antagonist (or if there is only one main character, the darkness or lightness of that character appears to take control).
5. Falling Action: The story shifts to action that happens as a result of the climax, which can also contain a reversal (when the character shows how they are changed by events of the climax).
6. Resolution: The character solves the problem or conflict.
7. Denouement: French for “the ending,” the denouement is often happy if it’s a comedy, and dark and sad if it’s a tragedy.
Design is like a storytelling. Designers use storytelling to get insight into users, build empathy and reach them emotionally. Designers create personas to represent target users and add conflict to stories that reflect their user journeys and problems.
Remember this : Nothing beats effort. There are too many shortcuts in the Internet, but you need to take your time, put in effort and enjoy the satisfaction of your achievement. You need to dip your hands into the mud and gets your hands dirty. This is the experience which others cannot take away from you.
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6th check-in
Week 6 : 26.5.2021
------------------------------- Lecture 6 : Visual Semiotics -------------------------------
Study of Signs
Semiotics is the study of signs and sign processes, from cultural representations to languages, to warning signs, brands and emojis. Understanding semiotics is a valuable tool to complement other consumer insights methods, yet more so as an observation of the signs and its meanings. It can be valuable in identifying emerging trends and opportunities and to enhance inclusivity and exclusivity.
It identifies signs having 2 key components :
a) Signifier : Any material thing that signifies - sounds, images or letters conveying meaning
b) Signified : Personal interpretation or the concept that a signifier refers to
There are three forms of the Signifier :
a) Icons: A physical resemblance to the object – map, sound or picture
b) Symbol: No physical resemblance – toilet door, brand or warning sign
c) Index: Exists because of the existence of signifier – e.g. smoke = fire
There are also three components of the Signified :
a) Denotation: Literal meaning of sign – dictionary or non-ambiguous
b) Connotation: Meaning to the individual – what the sign means to ‘me’
c) Myth: An extended metaphor – social and cultural stories and values
Figure 7 : Semiotics Diagram
Source : https://grd401.wordpress.com/2012/07/27
/semiotics-by-holly-and-ban-team-e-2/
Figure 8 : Semiotics : Decoding the Hidden Message
Source : https://squareholes.com/2019/03/semiotic-decoding-of-categories-and-culture/
Requirement :
List the denotations of this poster.
1. Identify the technique.
There is a strong light coming from the back of the main characters. The position of the main characters is facing outwards, surrounded by glass fragments.
2. What is the effect?
It highlights on the main characters that are in the defense position.
3. What is the effect on the audience?
It indicates the protagonists are cooperated to defeat their enemies. which forms a balance composition that catches the audience's eyes.
4. What else could it symbolize?
The light indicates the determination to win the battle. The glass fragments could signify their unsolved troubles which might threaten their lives.
5. Consider an alternative viewpoint.
The light shines on the main characters could signify that they are the unique minorities which stand out among the others, and probably are being targeted in the storyline.
Figure 9 : Insurgent (Movie Poster)
Source : https://m.mediaamazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTgxOTYxMTg3OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMDgyMzA2NDE@._V1_.jpg
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This week we have received a reply from Mr. Vinod! There was no live interview, so instead we sent him a question sets to ask about his opinion on NFT. During tutorial session, Dr. Charles encouraged us to look for another professor or artist to interview with. On Wednesday, we scheduled another meeting Can't wait to see our final product! SWANKiess spirit!
Figure 10 : Tasks Distribution
GIF 1 : Animation Test by me
GIF 2 : Animation Test by me
7th check-in
Week 7 : 2.6.2021
------------------------------- Lecture 7 : Unlimited Semiotics -------------------------------
Extension of Visual Semiotics
We looked at the terms used by Peirce in his triangular model of a sign. The representation (signified) signifies an object (signifier), which in turn conjures up a mental concept, the interpretant (signified), in the mind of the reader.
Designs have to be known. Our designs need to be out there, constantly scrutinized, to increase our prestige and eventually turn our arts into an icon.
Figure 11 : Signifier, Representation and Interpretation
Taken from Week 7 Lecture slides delivered by Dr. Charles.
Paradigm is a model or pattern. It is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “world view underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject” and by the American Heritage dictionary as “a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline”.
Figure 12 : Difference between paradigm and theory
Source : https://pediaa.com/difference-between-paradigm-and-theory/
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Week 7 is a very tiring checkpoint. We were at the halfway of the semester.
In week 7, we have conducted an interview session with Ms. Siti. She gave us insightful messages and her own point of view on the trend of NFT. It was a fruitful session and it definitely aroused our curiosity to study more about NFT.
Our teaser is almost done...we are working day and night to complete it as soon as possible...hopefully we can show it to the class next week!
Figure 13 : Interview session with Ms. Siti using Google Meet
8th check-in
Week 8 : 9.6.2021
No lecture on Monday! We really need a break as we were working on the teaser for all last week.
The next day, we presented our final video proposal and teaser in class. Sir laughed while watching our teaser! (Wohooooo :D) Our hard work has paid off! We were told to keep up the good work and upload the final video on YouTube.
Here is the teaser!
9th check-in
Week 9 : 16.6.2021
From this week onwards, we will switch to self-directed mode and work on our production until week 14. That means there will be no lecture and tutorial.
On Monday, we had an admission briefing for degree programme with Student Recruitment and Experience (SRE) teams. Before that, we played Quizizz and it was about how we describe or define a certain situation metaphorically. I got 4 "correct answers" but the last question I got it "wrong". However, there are no exact right or wrong answer. (because you know, the world is grey instead of black and white ;v) I just wanted to share my thoughts of the last question —— about deadlines. I predicted majority will choose "D". The statement for D is "the deadlines are like compass in which I could not only get the job done but achieve and fulfill goals and epic meaning". But instead, I chose the statement of "deadlines could dictate the terms of my achievements and failures regardless of effort and logic." Deadlines are the obstacles that will block my will to further improve my work. No matter how smart or diligent you are, if you cannot finish the task on time, then you will be seen as "the failure". What if the person needs more time? To get inspiration? To think of a better solution? But of course, we are living in the fast-pacing world which requires deadlines to make sure we prioritize tasks and organize time well.
Figure 14 : Don't miss the deadline
Source : https://www.wrike.com/blog/six-tips-for-never-missing-deadlines/
10th check-in
Week 10 : 23.6.2021
Nothing much to share this week. SWANK is currently working on the final video! Hope that everything will be fine!
Figure 15 : Keep calm because we're the best team ever
11th check-in
Week 11 : 30.6.2021
Animation, Animation, Animation week... But I think it shouldn't be a problem to complete it before week 14! Other than that, I have started doing the draft of the individual essay.
12th check-in
Week 12 : 7.7.2021
I feel like I am going through the crunch time. My laptop keeps freezing! The cursor is not working properly, the screen colour fades and it affects my productivity ...... But I couldn't send my laptop to ICU due to the MCO and not to mention, this semester has 4 more weeks to go. I will try to finish all my tasks as soon as possible, pray for my laptop! (Q _ Q)
13th check-in
Week 13 : 18.7.2021
After weeks of hard work and determination, SWANK has finally published the final video titled "NFT : Why the Hype?" on YouTube.
Figure 16 : NFT : Why the Hype? Taken from YouTube
I am very proud to see our final results : From researching and investigating the topic, script writing and storyboarding, animating, voice-over to editing, 6 of us have given our very best. Through our joint efforts, the video has been completed ahead of schedule.
It is my pleasure to work with such an amazing team! Well done SWANK!!
14th check-in
Week 14 : 20.7.2021
We had the last lecture class with Dr. Charles. It is sad to say that our foundation has ended up in the pandemic. We never meet each other in campus (only once or twice last year), never meet with our beloved lecturers, never have the chance to celebrate after we graduate from foundation.
Nevertheless, I have a great time working with my teammates. Communication and team collaboration become the key of team success. We need to have an effective communication to build a common purpose that will allow everyone to reach their goals. Thus, we have weekly discussion in WhatsApp or Zoom call to make sure the important messages are well delivered.
One of the challenges I faced is I encountered some technical issues that affected my productivity. To deal with this problem, I planned my time well so that I can make sure I meet the deadlines for all modules. To-do list is my best friend that helps me organising the tasks that make everything much more manageable.
To recap, this module gives me an opportunity to explore and carry out research the topic of NFT, which is one of the hottest topic in the society. By researching and investigating the subject matter, I have gained an eye-opening about the world of NFT.