Classroom exercise: Happening: Visual Story

I found this to be a rather tough exercise. We needed to go out of the classroom and observe our surroundings for the ideal observational frame and sketch it out. The single frame needed to convey a story of sorts...

I went out and found myself at the infamous dungeon- the smoking corner of Arts. It was there that I conceptualised my sketch. My sketch is supposed to capture irony, rebellion. I thought I did a pretty good job for a half hour sketch. But alas, I got it wrong!

What Mr Reddy wanted was something else. Yes, my picture showed irony.. but I drew what I thought not what I saw. This picture's framing was a result of my imagination not my observation. I understood after Mr Reddy explained it to me.

Assignment 2: Needful Things: Making Images Talk

For this assignment I chose to represent a housefly. I've realised that producing a good design requires certain criterias even before you start designing. Firstly, it will work to your advantage if you choose an object/item that has enough details for you to simplify and reduce. For example if you choose a banana or a toothbrush you will find it difficult simplifying the image as these images are relatively simple. Secondly, it'll be best to pick an item or image that has some peculiar feature that can easily define it. For example, I think the housefly can be easily defined by its large, round eyes: churches are defined by the cross. At least this is what I think!

Feedback for this assignment was good... For one, Miss Swati's comments were encouraging- she said I got it spot on. Yay..

I was initially afraid that my representations were overly stylised to the point that the audience wouldn't know what I was trying to say. Thankfully Miss Swati got it.. I've always tried to add my own personal touch to my designs as I believe that one should try and infuse your own individual identity into anything related to designing. Miss Swati's encouraging comments gave me the reassurance that I'm doing the right thing and the confidence to keep doing it.

Classroon activity 2: Types of representations

This rather simple classroom activity was done to allow us to better understand the differences between iconic and indexic representation. Iconic represenations are linked by its resemblance, which is why i drew the side and top profile of the can. Indexic representation is linked by suggestion and I chose the drink can tab for this.

NM 2208 1st assignment: prototype

In our second tutorial we had to present our prototypes. I had a hardtime using freehand. Maybe it's because it's my first time. But I think its not bad.

For "I Love Fish", I used red instead of black which I used for the rough. I think red represents my passion better. It gives more 'life' to my design as well. "I Hate Worms" remained similar to what I did for the rough.

Feedback for "I Love Fish" was good... "I Hate Worms" wasn't so good though. Firstly, some felt that my worms looked too comic-like and cute. Miss Siti also said that she thought that I liked worms not hated them! Secondly, someone else also commented that the worms were too rigid, too stiff. I agree... I should have more emphasis on the movement of the worm, the squishyness. I guess I'll have to modify the "I Hate Worms" design.

NM 2208 1st assignment: thumbnails and roughs

Classroom activity 1

For the first assignment we started out by producing thumbnails for what we loved/ hated. I chose fish for what I loved and worms for what I hate. Unfortunately I missed this lecture as I had to give ExxonMobil a presentation for another project that I did last sem and was shortlisted for.

Anyway I had to do this before I could proceed with the roughs.

Assignment 1: Presentations of roughs and thumbnails
The roughs were based on my favourite designs. For "I Love Fish" I really like the second design as its simple yet effective in conveying the message. I might change the colour though. The first design is visually attractive, but it doesn't reflect much thought or evaluation in the design.

For "I Hate Worms" I prefer the second design to the first as it shows the worm 'eating through' the paper, which could more effectively convey the idea of my dislike for worms.

Feedback from the class showed that they prefer the same designs as me, they liked the second design (my name designed in the shape of a fish). Some said it looked like a logo with the bold lettering and the clear message.For "I Hate Worms", the class didn't say much.

Anyway For my prototype I decided to work on the second design for "I Love Fish" and the second design for "I Hate Worms"as well.