Week 9 - Week 10 : 19 Oct 2021 - 25 Oct 2021
Tan Yi Yun
0345559
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
0345559
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 2 / Sense of Place
LECTURE
The importance of Observation
A designer's role is to solve problems with effective visual communication.
"Problems" that a designer solve, ranges from personal goals to community
events, from corporate functions to world changing projects.
How does a designer solve the "problem"? Where to get the visual
ideas?
Well, this is where observation comes in. Being observant means to be
attentive to your surroundings, to pay attention to the details and to be
analytical about them. Observation helps designer to get ideas. Sources of
observation can stem from artifacts, daily happenings, physical surroundings
and such.
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| Figure 1.1, Biomimetic Architecture |
Figure 1.1 shows Garden by the Bay, a huge and futuristic park in the bay
area of Singapore. The Supertrees are the tree-like structures between 25
metres and 50 metres in height, emphasis placed on creating a "wow" factor
through the vertical display of tropical flowering climbers, epiphytes and
ferns.
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Figure 1.2, La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
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La Sagrada Familia's architectural design works with a concept based on the
forest’s atmosphere. The interior columns are designed with ramifications;
this is inspired by high trees in the forest and their capacity to receive
forces. Another captivating quality of the structure is the ceiling’s design
with works for the correct interior ventilation; it is based on how termite
mounds work. It is incredible how the complexity of nature’s structures
creates an ingenious ventilation system for architecture.
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| Figure 1.4, Bunga Terung |
Figure 1.2 shows the Iban tattoo. Every design and motif has its own
meaning to them. Bunga Terung, in which the central spiral signifies life.
It is inspired by the progression of a tadpole. To Maclean, it is a tribute to his late grandfather, carrying his memories
and the collective history of Ibans.
Then, we watched a video about "8 Ways to Improve Your Power of Observation".
1. Know your subject - You will notice more if you understand it.
2. Slow down and look outward - Use mindfulness to focus your attention on
your surroundings.
3. Try something new - Choose an activity that will engage your senses and
heighten your awareness.
4. Improve your concentration by cutting out distractions - Turn off phone,
log out of social media, or go to somewhere quiet where you won't be
disturbed.
5. Challenge yourself to a mental workout - A smarter, more agile brain
will help you to observe with greater insight.
6. Test your observation by playing a memory game - Describe a photography
/ list everything in the room without looking.
7. Record and consider your observations - Go beyond the things you see.
Note down the smells and sounds you experience too.
8. Stay inquisitive - Question and analyse your observations to add value
to your work.
Observing is an active act of acquiring information, through senses, of a
subject matter in its natural setting. In the video, it also mentioned the
word "senses". Our senses are important to know, feel, understand, analyse
and plan what we want to do. Observations help to see "problems" and getting
ideas for solutions to those problems.
Sense of Place
Think about the place you are in now, or a place you had spent some times
at previously, or a place that had created a lasting memory in you. How do
you express your sense of that place? Start by documenting your
observations, through photographs, diary, talking to relevant people,
etc.
We are asked to create mindmap to brainstorm and work out your ideas. We
can use photography, collage, illustration, scale model, the possibilities
out there are endless!
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Figure 1.5, Sense of place by Mike Deere |
INSTRUCTION
PROJECT 2 : Sense of Place
We are required to utilise and apply the design principles we have learnt
to date in order to express a location of our choice. The place becomes the
subject of the composition in which the design principles are applied to
capture the social and environmental aspects, and even the time effects that
will best express our intention for a particular location. This requires the
students to move beyond the classroom to the outer world and to employ their
skills in capturing and communicating a complex relationship.
We are to observe our surroundings : people, vehicles, buildings, plants,
signages, nature, activities, etc. We can record these in sketches,
photography or video recording, and study the visuals that we have
collected. Then, select visuals that you find relevant and interesting,
which can be translated into a design work that reflects your interpretation
of a place.
Visual research
What is sense of place?
The term sense of place has been used in many different ways. It is a
multidimensional, complex construct used to characterize the relationship
between people and spatial settings. It is a characteristic that some
geographic places have and some do not, while to others it is a feeling or
perception held by people.
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| Figure 2.1, Definition of sense of place, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
I first looked for minimalist interior design to get inspirations. I like
the colour theme in Figure 2.1 and 2.2, it creates a relaxing and calming
feeling.
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| Figure 2.2, Minimalist interior place, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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Then, I encountered some unique coffee shops/ book cafe design. Some
people are attracted to coffee shops because of its historical
atmosphere, and full of iconic moments where these establishments have allowed new beliefs to thrive,
and that tradition still carries through in the modern era. People often
gather here to have a chit-chat about the old days, or discuss their ideas
and beliefs.
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| Figure 2.4, Book cafe design, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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I also observed how fine artists express the sense of place through brush
strokes and colours. I realised that it is not necessary to follow the
perspective in order to create a space.
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| Figure 2.6, Sense of Place III by Carmel Sayer, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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| Figure 2.7, Sense of Place compilation taken from Pinterest, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
These are some ink drawings that follow the perspective. I like this technique and I practiced quite amount of it last year.
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| Figure 2.8, Ink drawings taken from Pinterest, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
What else can I look for? Actually my first thought is to create a 3D
model using the techniques and knowledge I have learnt in foundation. I
like the wooden texture and the warm lighting as it makes me feel warm and
comfort.
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| Figure 2.9, 3D models taken from Pinterest, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
Idea exploration
How do I define sense of place?
I would say it is a particular place/space or moment that evokes a certain
emotion, could be happy, comfortable, or mix feelings.
I looked back at my past projects because I wanted to observe how I convey
the sense of place using different mediums.
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| Figure 3.1, 3D Model designed for the character "Fear", by Tan Yi Yun |
Figure 3.1 is the final project in my foundation. In this project, we
were designing spaces for our client. In my case, my client is "Fear" from
the movie Inside Out. I did a lot of research on its characteristics and
habits and observed his preferences. Finally, I designed 6 spaces
(interaction space, playroom, workspace, safe space, meditation space and
hiding space) that will fulfill his needs. I think I could apply the
knowledge I gained from here. However, I think I will not make a 3D model
for this project because it is time consuming to cut the boards, plus, I
need to plan the materials ahead in order to make sure the outcome really
speaks my feeling.
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Figure 3.2, Marker painting "Celebrate Your Smallness" by Tan Yi Yun |
This is a marker painting entitled "Celebrate Your Smallness". I was
trying to express my "smallness" I feel towards this enormous world. But I
feel fortune to be "small". Especially during the night, I enjoy its
quietness. Or the morning, the birds chirping. There are so many little
fortune we can celebrate in life, so why not celebrating our smallness
today?
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| Figure 3.3, Street painting of Jiufen Old Street by Tan Yi Yun |
Figure 3.3 shows a street painting I finished in 2018. It is referred to
Jiufen Old Street, Taiwan. It is a narrow alleyway lined up with small
food stalls, tea houses, souvenir shops, and pottery stores. I actually
drew this piece before I pay a visit to Taiwan. I immediately fall in love
with this place once I arrived. I like the food, the shops, the people,
the entire atmosphere, everything.
Mind map
I jotted down the places that left a deep impression/ are meaningful for
me. I eagerly wanted to visit these places after the pandemic.
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Figure 3.4, Mind map, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
Photographs
These are some of the pictures I took before the pandemic. *Ah, those days
before pandemic*
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| Figure 3.5, On the way to Penang, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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| Figure 3.6, Street view of my grandma's house, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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| Figure 3.7, My grandma's house, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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| Figure 4.1, The beach in Penang Island we visited during Chinese New Year, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
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| Figure 4.2, The beach in Penang Island we visited during Chinese New Year, Week 8 (16/10/2021) |
Sketches
I used Figure 3.7 as my photo reference as it features the external view of
my grandma's house. It is a corner house with a huge, unknown tree on the
side that bears inedible fruits.
I started my sketch on a A3 watercolour paper. This time I choose a realistic approach to complete this piece. The design principles I will focus on are harmony, balance, scale and proportion.
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| Figure 4.3, Draft, Week 8 (18/10/2021) |
Progress
I wanted to combine watercolours with ink painting. The first step I did is
to ink my sketches using pigment pen. Some artists prefer to ink after they
applied the watercolours. The video below is an example taken from YouTube
of applying watercolour before inking.
YouTube Video - Loose Sketch Technique (Ink and watercolour)
Figure 4.4 shows my inking process.
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| Figure 4.4, Ink sketch, Week 8 (18/10/2021) |
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| Figure 4.5, Applying watercolour, Week 8 (18/10/2021) |
Inscription
I want to add the inscription at the side for completeness, and I will write it in Chinese calligraphy, which I have learnt since young.
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| Figure 4.6, Draft for inscription, Week 10 (26/10/2021) |
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| Figure 4.7, "xin chou nian", Week 10 (26/10/2021) |
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| Figure 4.8, Chinese poem, Week 10 (26/10/2021) |
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| Figure 4.9, "wai po jia" (grandmother's house), Week 10 (26/10/2021) |
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| Figure 5.1, Chinese seal, Week 10 (26/10/2021) |
A Chinese seal is a stamp used to mark important documents, pieces of art, contracts, or any other item that requires a signature. Typically, the seals are carved into stone, but they can also be made of wood, bamboo, bone, or ceramic. When the seals are used, they are dipped in either red ink or cinnabar paste.
I adjusted the cropping in Photoshop so that I have space to add the inscription.
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| Figure 5.2, Finalised work, Week 10 (26/10/2021) |
Final outcome - Sense of Place
PDF submission - "外婆家" ("Grandmother's House"), Week 10 (26/10/2021)
This is a familiar place —— my grandmother's house. It is located at Penang. My grandma's house is huge and spacious, maybe because it is a corner house, or maybe I am still a little girl in the big family.
In my memory, my grandma's house is always lively. Although my family and I live in Johor, we still drive there two to four times a year (10 hours drive, it is crazy!). We also celebrate Chinese New Year every year in Penang, but this year is an exception. This is the one and only time I didn't celebrate Chinese New Year with my relatives. I miss everything in Penang, the food, the people, the cheerful atmosphere.
The Chinese poem expresses the feeling of missing and sending the best wishes for the relatives far away. It means "we hope that we can stay together forever, no matter how far apart we are." I think it fits this scenario as I really wish we could have a gathering at my grandma's house after the pandemic is over.
FEEDBACK
Week 10 :
Ms. Jinchi said she can see the potential in my design works. She gave some suggestions on my final work, which is to crop the image, change the layout to horizontal, or maybe design it like a postcard. She also suggested me to add a quote/poem at the side, which is exactly what I planned to do next. For the labels of my previous work, she wanted me to insert my name and removed the date because initially the date is based on when I compiled them in this blog.
After the class, I added inscription and showed Ms. Jinchi my final work. She said this is very meaningful and beautiful (visually and conceptually), and I am good to go with this one :P
REFLECTION
Honest speaking, it has been a long time I didn't pick up my paint brush. I felt a bit confused to decide my art direction at first because watercolour is one of the hardest mediums for me. I have to control the amount of water and colour mixing, so I would say watercolour is quite challenging for me. But I think I have mostly done digital arts for the previous projects, so why not trying some watercolours this time? And who knows the results would be so satisfying if I didn't give it a try? I really like the inscription in Chinese calligraphy that added some Chinese culture flavour to the piece. (Also a good opportunity to practise my calligraphy hehe)
I am happy that I managed to come up with a different design direction compared to the previous projects. But I am sad because this project makes me want to go to Penang so badly. *Sob* *Pandemic please ends it here*