Transform/Personal Project

Reflection

This is my first attempt to actually build a model by hand. It was quite fun, but due to my lack of experience and time constraints I wasn’t able to experiment much. 

In terms of my outcome, I think I still have a lot to improve. I wasn’t able to communicate my ideas clearly through my work. 

Creating a daily schedule helped me improve my time management 

Not my proudest work but at least I tried something new and learned from it

Project Proposal

Most of my works from previous projects are static images. In this project, I want to explore perceptual art and optical illusion.

Since I don’t have much time, I should focus on idea development more instead of refining details. 

Capture how I changed throughout the years.

Key lessens I learned in the past, those can indicate some of the bigger changes. 

How can I capture and visualise my thought process without using any written language? 

Through analogues

Incorporate different objects or lighting

Different colour palette 

Explore different shapes

Lessons I learned: 

Black and white rarely exist, most things are grey.

Humans learn more from mistakes than success, that’s how we’re wired biologically.

It doesn’t matter how valid your excuse is, a fail is a fail. 

Life is not fair, so learn to navigate the world with the cards you have.

Learn when to and when not to generalise things. For example, racism is essentially a form of toxic generalisation.

Primary and Secondary Research

“Strings” by Peter Dahmen https://peterdahmen.de/en/project/transformation/

This paper sculpture is made out of pages of heavyweight paper, each tilted at a different angle. The intricate detail presents itself when you rotate it around. The layering adds a sense of depth and detail to the otherwise white sculpture. https://youtu.be/LcQ1fag_vKg

“Revelation” by Peter Dahmen “Flow”, “Balance”, “Persistence” by Peter Dahmen

These 2 series are the artist’s attempt to experiment with colours. During the making of the sculpture, Peter puts viewing angle and viewing distance into consideration. The white structures mask out the different colours underneath which creates an illusion that the sculpture is shifting in colours. https://peterdahmen.de/en/project/transformation/

“Shifting Maternity” by Jose Margulis https://peterdahmen.de/en/project/transformation/
Juxtapose 4 – Geometric Abstract Kinetic Art by Jose Margulis
Perceptual Art by Michael Murphy https://www.perceptualart.com/

Steve Jobs Expanded graphic portrait of Steve Jobs – Bulletproof glass and braided fibres

Stephanie Tubbs Jones Stainless steel, granite and urethane

It fascinates me how Michael Murphy separates the image by their brightness. This reminds me there are so many different ways to categorise and organise things.

“Spacetime” by Michael Murphy https://www.perceptualart.com/

The installation is made in collaboration with Jaeger LeCoultre.

In this installation, the artist strips the watch down to its component and hang them up accordingly. This series reminds me of those advanced VR and AR environments in sci-fi shows where you can move things around in a simulated environment.

“Singularity” by Jonty Hurwitz “Trust” by Jonty Hurwitz
“Trust” by Jonty Hurwitz https://jontyhurwitz.com/nano

The world’s smallest sculpture

In 2014, Hurwitz pioneered a new sculptural technique in the field of Nano art using multiphoton lithography and photogrammetry to create the world’s smallest human portraits of his first love.

I like how he incorporates technology into his work, it’s a beautiful mix of both worlds. It demonstrates how we are constantly trying to balance logic and emotion, especially in today’s world.

Explore the word “transform” through typography.

I will like to incorporate perspective and depth of field into the text.

The wrinkled papers add a 3D aspect to an otherwise 2D image, and I want the explore that more.

My attempt to combine different foods and items together through collage.

I attempt to combine and layer images that have similar perspective and scale to make them look photoreal. Photorealistic and realistic are different. For example, something can look photoreal but not realistic.

9 Words

Balance Observe Experimentation Exploration Problem solving Analysis Understanding Risk-taking Actions

Rocky 3 Film Review

This write-up is a review of a film well-known to movie fanatics, boxing/combat sports fan in particular. Released in the year 1982, Rocky 3 was an American sports/drama movie directed and written by Sylvester Stallone, who is also the lead role in the movie. As the third sequels of this series, the storyline mainly revolves around Rocky Balboa’s life. In the first 2 prequels, Rocky Balboa is still an up-and-coming amateur boxer. In part 3 of the film, Rocky appears to have made it to the pinnacle of boxing, he is fighting some of the most well-known and talented fighters, but none of which were as challenging as Mr. T, who debuted in the instalment as Clubber Lang (Synopsis (Rocky III) | Total Rocky, 2021). 

The film came to screen with a lineup of well-knowned co-stars such as Carl Weathers who played Apollo Creed and Talia Shire who played the wife of Rocky Balboa. The film also gave a special appearance to Hulk Hogan, a well-known wrestler during the 80s. This instalment of the Rocky franchise was the first one to be distributed not only through United Artists, but also by MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). The film’s theme song “Eye of the Tiger” was written by a rock group named Survivor. The song hit the top US Billboard Charts and also received an Academy Award nomination for “Best Original Song.” Its sequel, Rocky 4 was released soon after in the year 1985 and was yet another masterpiece (Rocky III, 2021). 

According to the viewers and film critics worldwide, Rocky 3 has been a global success, it has been nominated for over 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Editing. It has further been nominated for the Best Lead Actress, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actors. Not to mention the prequels were also some of the highest-grossing films in the 70s, hitting over $110 million in box office sales. According to Al Bernstein, the commentator for “Showtime Championship Boxing” and a member of the “International Boxing Hall of Fame”, The Rocky franchise as a whole has successfully embodied the spirit of the American Dream, and the notion of hard work pays off. (Rocky III – IMDb, 2021). 

More evidence of the film’s success can be seen on Empire, which is a well-respected film critique website. They ranked the Rocky 3 among the best sports film and described it as “a celebration of the ‘can-do’ spirit.” It was ranked 78th among the greatest movies of all time by the American Film Institute. Furthermore, it was ranked 4th on their list for the most inspirational films of all time. According to Entertainment Weekly, it was also ranked top position among the best boxing movies in the history of cinematography. So much so that it was ranked ahead of movies like “Raging Bull”, which was in itself a masterpiece of the genre (7 Things Filmmakers Can Learn From Rocky, 2021). 

During the filming process, Garrett Brown, best known for his invention of the Steadicam, was not only able to create some of the most unique scenes in the film but also revolutionise the film industry with his groundbreaking invention. The scene “Climbing the Stairs” has later become one the most iconic and recognisable footage shot on the original Steadicam. According to the film crew the filming process hasn’t always been smooth, especially when dealing with confine spaces. Since the movies were mostly shot at available locations, the crew has to improvise (Crabe, 2021). In many cases, the crew has to change the entire setup just for one certain scene. 

In conclusion, although the filming process hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, nonetheless they made a masterpiece that is well respected in and out of the film industry. It has been over 40 years since the premiere, but it still remains one of the better movies even by modern-day standards. 

References 

Crabe, J. (2021) The Photography of Rocky – The American Society of Cinematographers. Ascmag.com. Available at: https://ascmag.com/articles/the-photography-of-rocky (Accessed 4 June 2021).

IMDb. (2021) Rocky III – IMDb. Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084602/awards (Accessed 4 June 2021).

Metacritic. (2021). Rocky III. Available at: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/rocky-iii (Accessed 4 June 2021).

The Beat: A Blog by PremiumBeat. (2021). 7 Things Filmmakers Can Learn From Rocky. Available at: https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/7-things-filmmakers-can-learn-rocky/ (Accessed 4 June 2021).

Total Rocky. (2021). Synopsis (Rocky III) | Total Rocky. Available at: https://totalrocky.com/the-films/rocky-iii-1982/synopsis (Accessed 4 June 2021).

Collection Project

Outcome/ Reflection

Description

These photographs are mainly inspired by different artists work that I collect.

In this series, I’m trying to explore different ways to communicate through static imagery. Different materials and methods were used to convey certain ideas.

Reflection

Most of my collection consisted of different artists’ work and stuff that I own and use daily. I organised them in colours and edited them in photoshop. One major challenge that I faced is to match different lighting and colours between images, it is quite different to be done perfect and also time-consuming. Due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to make the adjustments to certain key areas of the image. Nonetheless, I still learned a lot just from my secondary research and by trial and error.

By categorising items that I owned through colours, I was able to re-evaluate and analyse myself through a different lens and also view myself from a different perspective, plus it was also quite fun to mix things up sometimes. From my perspective, I found collecting physical item works best since I’m able to manipulate them physically so it’s way more flexible in my opinion.

I would love the learn more about lighting and dig deeper into photoshop.

I feel like I should spend more time on idea development, so I can maximise the projects potential.

Time management is still my biggest weakness. I need a more structured plan for my future projects so I don’t procrastinate.

I always admired artists that can simplify their ideas to their essence and can communicate them precisely through their work without excessive explanations.

Primary and Secondary research

This is a collection of work that I really enjoyed. They are all from different artists, with different skill sets. I did some research and analysed them critically from different angles.

“Barriers” by Tim Tadder https://www.timtadder.art/barriers

BARRIERS explores the transcendence of boundaries in an imaginative manner that transports viewers to new worlds. Tadder’s prints, with their use of color & contrast between the seen & unseen, inspire viewers to look, through rose-colored glasses, to something better on the unknown “other” side.

Beautifully executed. Some of my favourite portraits.

“Britain in Space” “Guide to Computing” by James Ball https://www.docubyte.com/

James Ball is a photographer, retoucher and art director. All of his photographs are beautifully captured and edited. His work has a calming presence, it’s realistic and dreamy at the same time which I really enjoy.

In a way, James was actually collecting images of these vintage machines in his own unique way, he even digitally restores them and manipulates colours to make them his own.

“I’m a huge fan of analogue, vintage things. Dials, switches and knobs just have such a timeless retro appeal and a kind of innocent charm in the current world of slick, tech gadgetry, I wanted to address this photographically,’ says photographer James Ball

I found these images while I was researching about commercial retouching.

These images are playful and bold; they are action-packed and vibrant. I really like how dynamic they look and how expressive they are. Some of them are CGI and others are photoshopped.

I always enjoyed the black monochromatic look, it’s easy on the eye and eliminates distractions.

Screenshots are from Company 3’s websites

Company 3 specialises in post-production work and colour grading. Some of my favourite films were made in collaboration with their colourist.

A collection of different screwdriver bits that I owned
A collection of everyday items organised by colour

Organising my belongings by colour actually made me look at myself differently, I started to ask myself questions that I never had thought of. I was actually quite surprised by the result.

Experiment with RGB lights

In order to capture the colours without overexposing the bottle, I tried different capturing and editing techniques to preserve details.

My feather collection

Reflective Statement

As an international student, studying at LCC was definitely an exciting and engaging experience. As one of the most diverse campus in London, people with different ethnic backgrounds were able to come together and express their identity without barriers. We were also encouraged to learn and explore different cultures through social events and collaborations. 

As a teenager who grew up browsing Reddit and watches Youtube videos, I wasn’t particularly worried about language barriers. I was more concerned about cultural differences. After I came to London, it was quite different from what I imagined. Most people I meet are not from London and many of them are foreigners. It was especially hard for me to get used to so many different accents and also British slangs, although it was challenging at times, it was still quite fun to make friends with people from different backgrounds.

There was a time me and my friends were smoking in the smoking area at my accommodation, there was a group of guys beside us. After a few minutes, one of the guys came up and asked us if we spoke Chinese. We said, “Yes.” He followed up with a question, “Can Chinese describe colours to blind people?“ The question was quite random, but the conversation was honestly quite enjoyable. We went on and talked for an hour. It was a great experience, and it was awesome to hear their perspectives. That random and potentially awkward question was actually a great conversation starter, it was light-hearted and it skips the small talk. 

Demonstration Project

Outcome

All the models are made in Fusion 360 and rendered in Keyshot 10

Ideation and Visualisation

All the images were drawn in Photoshop.

The idea is to create a fully modular portable charger that can be used as a traditional portable charger or a multi-purpose device. Users are welcomed to create their own modules or attachments to fit their own needs.

The device is made out of recycled aluminium and modular design also improves product lifespan and encourage self repair therefore reduce waste.

Reflection

I will love to spend more time on exploring other potential options in terms of the appearance of my design, perhaps something that is less obvious or even something “less practical”.

Learn more about photorealism rendering and how manufacturing influence design decisions.

Due to the pandemic, I wasn’t able to have access to a 3D printer, which I imagine will be beneficial for prototyping. 3D printing is definitely something I want to include to my workflow.

Secondary Research

Research on different materials and finishes. Above are my final decisions.

https://repair.eu/ The official website of the Right to Repair movement

The ethos of the Right to Repair movement

I did some research on overconsumption, since the right to repair movement is closely related to it.

Juxtaposition Workshop

Reflection

Explore 3D elements.

Increase contrast between layers.

Cramp more images into the frame without looking cluttered.

Add textures and details especially to the background.

Image Manipulation

Instead of worrying about the outcome of the image, I treat it as pure experimentation, which I think I should do more of.

Photography Workshop

Explore different lighting techniques.

The aim is to capture the form of an object and its’ materials/ textures.

Reflection

Different materials require different lighting even on same object. To achieve better result, I should have captured them separately and combine them after in post-production.

Location Project

Magazine Collage Reflection

Create More synergy between pieces

Source more pictures

Explore Typography

Explore layering

Magazine Collage

One line Drawing Exercise

One Line Drawing using sharpies.

Reflections

I usually use pencils when I’m trying to be deliberate on my work. The thing with Sharpie is it’s permanent and it’s bold and unforgiving, this is why I like it so much. Sharpies encourage me to make bold actions and be experimental; make mistakes and see how it leads you.

Strata SE1 is arguably the most distinctive landmark in Elephant and Castle. I love how exotic it looks, and it’s my favourite building in the area.

One line drawing of Strata SE1

Perspective Sketches

Observe objects and their structures through rendering sketches.

Reflection

Do some research on materials and learn about their properties.

Learn about different finishes and coatings.

Potential improvements.

I’m obsessed with knowing the reasons behind things

Perspective Sketches

Vending Machine Concept

Design a vending machine based on user experience; explore their benefits and drawbacks and their future implementations.

Reflection

Learning to sketch and render in photoshop is fun, but it does have a bit of a learning curve, and it takes time to perfect.

Explore textures, materials, and colors.

Get people’s reaction and their thoughts on the design.

Modern Vending Machine Drawn with Copic Markers Edited with Photoshop
Vending Machine Ideation Drawn in Photoshop

Final Outcome

It was definitely challenging to work on designing a robotic arm without any technical knowledge on how it works, but regardless, it was fun and inspiring. I was able to explore and understand my own values and experiment with different workflows and the tools that are at my disposal.

Potential Improvements

When it come to designing an object, understanding how things work on a mechanical level can definitely help to create a more functional and visually appealing product.

Incorporating CAD softwares in the design process can be beneficial.

Explore different methods of displaying the poster and the their locations.

Location Project Poster Design Made in Photoshop