CNC Project 3- Art + Architecture + Culture

Here comes the last project of CNC! Individually, we had to produce a simple coffee table book that describe about the culture, art and architecture of places we had chosen. First, we had to decide a specific theme from the 5 given themes. Then, select 5 places of interest to be focus on.

I have chosen religious architecture as my theme as I was about to pay a visit to Chiangmai, Thailand, a land built with many religious buildings after this project was briefed in class. I had visited some temples in Thailand and some other religious places in Malaysia to capture the best shots I could to put into my coffee table book.

Here are the links to my progress towards the final outcome.

• Weekly Journal 1
• Weekly Journal 2
• Weekly Journal 3
• Weekly Journal 4
• Weekly Journal 5

It was fun as I get to learn more about art, architecture and culture by visiting and experiencing my places interest by myself. I had done some online and book research to explore on the photo books done by some great photographers from around the world.

Here is my coffee table book!

This is a short video montage to show some of my best photos in the coffee table book.

Enjoy!

TGC capabilities learned:

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

Through this project, I had expand my knowledge in religious architecture and the history and culture behind it. I also gained my skills in applying information gathered into my projects.

 Lifelong Learning

Independently, I am now able to be confident in arranging, interpreting and analysing my photos taken during the site visit and information found from my research to produce an organised outcome- the coffee table book.

 Digital Literacy

I have develop skills in photo editing using Adobe Photoshop software although there are still very much to be improved. I really enjoyed in the process and I would spend my free time learning more about photography and editing as it would bring advantage for my future career in the field of design.

CNC Project 2- Messages From The Past

The second project was about recalling the past in culture and civilization around the world. The task was to study, research and analyse elements such as the culture, administration, social strata, tradition and history or myth of a given country. After all, select the important timelines and events to be acted out during the performance day. Individually, we had to create a booklet to describe on our chosen character in the performance.

In a group of 9, we were given China as our country to focus on. Through the research and sharing of information between group members, I have expand my knowledge in Chinese history, mainly about the story of the Three Kingdoms, which was the famous history of war in China. The long history involves development in human culture, social strata, administration and tradition. There were also some well known warriors who had left their names behind for the current society to be proud of.

My individual journal:
It was designed as a Chinese royal decree.

Some photo taken during our progress.

Tutorial session for the costume paper doll making.

 

Props making

Performance day!

Our performance video. 

History of Three Kingdoms Period in China. Enjoy!

TGC capabilities learned:

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

I learnt about putting the theories, history and relevant information gathered into the performance and individual journal.

 Lifelong Learning

Ability to organize, interpret and analyse our information found is important towards a good final outcome on the performance day.

 Communication Skills

Not only being able to effectively communicate and get opinions from the group members, I had learnt about communicate and present our ideas into the performance story plot appropriately.

CNC Project 1- Back To Our Roots

In the first project of CNC, our task was to get back to our roots! The requirements are producing a Graphical Time-line Calendar together with our family tree and info graphic boards in a small group. Other than that, a video of family interview and our research had to be included as well. Individually, we have to make a small booklet explaining about the highlights of our family culture and traditions.

The main objectives of this project are to describe the historical development of human civilization, and to introduce human culture and civilization through an overview of archeological discoveries, ancient monuments, artworks, philosophy and achievement of great leaders from prehistoric to present.

The process was fun as I get to interview my parents and get to discover about my family history that I have never know about before. I realised that it is important for us to have a knowledge about the past so that we could learn from their mistakes, understand our traditions and learn to be humble in our present lives.

My individual booklet:

Our family tree and info graphic boards:
My group had chosen my family history to be done in our boards as I have a bigger family with many important and interesting historical events involved.

Our video:

We had done an animated video to show each of our family history. Enjoy!

TGC capabilities learnt:

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

I have gained knowledge about the history and past of my family. It is important to know and always remember about our past because those who do not know history are destined to repeat it.

 Lifelong Learning
I have learnt to locate, synthesise and organised properly the findings collected from different sources into presentable form in the individual journal, info graphics board and video.

ITD Design Process Journals

Do you like superheroes? Do you like Lego and toys? I'm sure everyone loves them during childhood, so do I.

In the design process journal (DPJ), our task was to make friend with a Lego toy character!

DPJ 1- Understand Your Toy

This is the first DPJ, about understanding our selected toy character. Explore on the characteristics of our toy, its history and the highlights of it, All the findings and research would be compiled as a magazine cover.

My toy character is Sheriff Woody from Toy Story. He is a vintage cowboy doll who always want to keep his place as Andy, his owner's favourite toy. He is the leader of the toys in Andy's room, who is very passionate about everything he do and he is a very likeable character for all of his friends. He is always positive about his life and he always learn from his mistake. That is why I chose him as my Lego toy friend.

DPJ 2- Exploring Key Words

For the second DPJ, our task was to select 3 keywords that best describe our toy character. Then, transform the keywords into 3 simple 2D artworks by applying simple design elements and principles. I have chosen smart, passionate and courageous as my keywords for the artworks. However, I made mistake in the final part as I made the artwork too literal without applying appropriate elements in it. I learned from my mistake and learn about what is a good design that involve good design elements and principles.

DPJ 3- Research & Requirements

The last DPJ was close enough to our final project. It is the first step on the toy display box proposal where we had to choose the best approach or keyword to be focus on. Sketches and ideas of the toy display box would be the outcome of DPJ 3, which had to be furthered developed and improved. I realized having only one keyword is the best way to kick off because at first I had chosen 4 keywords for my lego and that totally put me into a mess.

TGC capabilities learned:

Similar to project 1 and 2, what I have learnt are

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

Putting design theories into practice

 Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Critically think about how to create a good design during the design process

 Communication Skills

Present my design using appropriate diagrams, images and sketches

ITD Project 2- Transforming 2D- 3D- The Miniature Toy Display

Here comes the second project. This project is also separated into two, 2A and 2B. 

PROJECT 2A

In the first part, we were to transform 2D elements into 3D forms in group(same group as project 1B). Each group was given a design vocabulary to focus and develop on. There were 3 stages to go through, including understanding the word, playing with colours to enhance the word and expressing the words using materials. The main objectives of project 2A was to develop skills in transforming 2D components into 3D form through processes and application of design elements and principles.

My group's given word was intersect and here are the processes we have went through before the final result.

Form

To change a word into forms and shape is the part where our first ideas were generated. I realized that not only lines and planes could intersect with each other, even volumes like cubes could form intersections. However, the important part is to create a form which is united and harmony in between the elements.

Sketch out possible forms

Testing on making 3D form out of model boards

Colours

Dealing with colours is my favourite part as I get to explore and mix different colours in the process. For me, colour is something really flexible. Adding and mixing could make a colour a tint, shade or even change it to another colour.

Discussing on the colour for the models to enhance the given word

And then we start exploring using poster colour

Material

Expressing a word using materials allow us to learn about different techniques in model making rather than just cutting the white model boards. We get to learn how to twist and turn the wire, make a soft plastic stand and mix fragile and strong materials.

Material exploration

Then, the final model making

And lastly, the presentation boards

Here's the presentation day!

PROJECT 2B

In the final part of this project, our task was to create a display box to place our chosen lego toy character. Similar to project 2A, application of design elements and principles are required. Presentation boards were to be done as a way to explain our display box functions, concepts, ideas as well as architectural drawings of the display box.

My toy character chosen was Sheriff Woody, a cowboy doll from Toy Story animated movie. Below are my design process towards the final outcome.

Idea generation using the selected keyword- leadership

Testing out form making

Material testing

Presentation boards preparation

Final Presentation Day!

To design something, it is great to pick a specific theme so that it could guide us towards a clear direction and it allows us to focus on one thing. Then, think about the purpose of the design and the character who is going to use it. I learned that a design could only work if it is agreeable by the client. It is no use if it is not agreeable even if the design is really appealing and looks great in the designer’s eyes. Hence, get to know and accept opinions from others by showing our ideas are important process before the final outcome is done.

TGC capabilities learned:

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

I have obtained a more comprehensive understanding on design elements and principles and learned about putting them appropriately into practice. Throughout the processes, I gained more experiences dealing with design elements and I am now able not only apply them but also to link them to the character given.

 Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

In project 2, we were given a higher level of task to deal on. I had matured my critical thinking on designing something agreeable and functional for my chosen character. From understanding the keyword until the making of model, I have learned to put more thoughts into the process so that I could get to the last best outcome.

 Communication Skills

To present the ideas and function of a design on a display board, I learned about explaining them in a better and clearer way. It is important to transform long texts into diagrams and sketches that are easily understood. Architectural drawings, diagrams and sketches are the best way I have learnt to explain about the design process and the intention of my work.