📅 WEEK 6 - 8 : 07.05.2021 - 21.05.2021
Lee Shu Wei 0345494
Design Principles Project 1 : Self-Portrait
📑 LECTURE
This week, we learned about self-portrait, as we are going to design a self-portrait for ourselves by using any medium of our choices.
In the lecture, Dr. Jinchi explained that self can be defined as the basic personality or nature, how people really view us with my past experiences. It makes sense to me, as I personally feel that "Who am I", is a tough question, and it makes take my whole life to figure out. Why? Because we change and we grow from time to time. But I agree that we all have that very unique identity or traits that is inside us, will never or hardly change. And the uniqueness is what differentiate us from the others.
Self can be "figured" out through how others see me, how I see myself, both as in physical traits and personality. In addition, my experiences, interests and thoughts shape who I am. This is true as I've mentioned that we change from time to time, and our past experiences shape who I am today. For example, without my past experiences of being a dancer, I might not have the kind of determination and hardiness I have today. My interests at this stage shape who I am too, such as powerlifting. Because of powerlifting, I view strong as my identity, so do others. For how people view us, personality plays an important role, as I believe how people define "Nicole" (me) is based on how I made them feel.
Figure 1.1: My professional self-portrait
Figure 1.2: My professional self-portrait
What is self portrait? Before the lesson, I always thought self-portrait is just a self-presentation in photograph form. Now I know that it can be in any visual forms, whether in drawing, painting, sculpture or design. Basically, I can design a self-portrait for myself by using any exercises learned in the past 5 weeks.
Having said that, now I am able to proceed to work on my self-portrait as project 1 for this module.
💡 INSTRUCTIONS
💭 PROJECT 1
This time, I have 2 weeks time to design a self-portrait in A4 size by using any form of medium, with 150-200 words rationale.
This is an interesting project which I was excited about for the past weeks. However, when it comes to really work on it...it makes me reflect on "Who Am I", deep question. I started to reflect back my past experiences...a few keywords for past:
emotional, perfectionism
Reflecting on what I want and looking forward to right now. Keywords for present and future:
blessed, stay grounded, flow
At the same time, it reminds me of this I written in my journal:
Reinforce those Behaviors You Want Repeated“What evidence exists that we are living by our values and making decisions consistent with these values?”
Priorities: Personal growth, Career, Health & FitnessValues: Awareness, Curiosity, Contribution, Creativity, Strength, Resilience
Honestly, I still have zero ideas. But as my exploration goes on, more self-reflection is going on too, here comes the essential of this project - Self-Awareness (well, match my top 1 value ya...)It then reminds me of my vision board that I created at the beginning of this year:
Figure 1.3: My 2021 Vision Board
Haha, kind of depressing but I've accepted the fact of 70% of the vision board is unrealistic at the moment. I think for the past a year, I'm like keep on facing challenges, and get through it again and again. So recently the lockdown begins again, and have to mention why this vision board need to re-do...:- 3rd time of stuck in prepping for competition- went through an unfortunate Covid-19 experience...had one of my semesters in the quarantine centre- Cheerleading practices had to stop due to the pandemic- It's very hard to travel this year ... :)
Well well well...so is all my past exercises make sense right now with those ideas of "flow", "stay grounded", "look good on the inside" ... everything about mindfulness.
But then! Conclude everything... I think if I were to include something into my self portrait, then it will be Rose . Rose is my spiritual flower, because in mandarin, it can be named as 蔷薇 . The "薇“ over here represents my name "素薇”. Not sure why my dad named me as 李素薇， but here's the fun fact, my name is all about greens and nature. From 木（wood) 子 “李”， to 素 (vegetarian), and to the 薇 with 草(grass) 字头, and also represents 蔷薇 (rose).
Figure 1.4: My Rose Photograph at year 2018
Figure 1.5: Dance costume at year 2015
Figure 1.6: Idea exploration with my name
Meanwhile, rose can be represents me as in, it can be tough and soft, hurtful or bloom gracefully..."be soft and unafraid to conquer". It's like me, if people treat me nicely and gently, I'll bloom nicely for them in return. If people hurt me, then only I'll hurt them back. Putting it into situations I face, I'm like a rose, being tough and confident.
At the same time, I actually asked one of my close friend for real feedbacks about me without sugar coating. She said I am a very confident girl, but sometimes I'll unintentionally hurt people, and seems like do not care about others' feelings. This is definitely something I need to work on, but this feedback actually resonates with Rose (idky but my sense feels such way).
Visual research on the internet based on the elements I want:( Elements such as: name, florals, collage, illustrations, floral braids ... )
Figure 2.1: Fashion Alphabet with Models by Downgraf
( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/736690451520077309/ )-
Figure 2.2: Fashion Alphabet with Models by Danshin Dmitry
( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255157135124432571/ )
Figure 2.3: Art Print by webstagram
Figure 2.4: Stefan Zsaitsits's drawing
Figure 2.5: Wedding hairstyle idea by Elegantweddinginvites
From these visual research, I have some imagery ideas in my mind my draft (Figure 3.1) below:
Figure 3.1: 1st draft of my self-portrait
The main idea is from my name and rose as mentioned above. I am still in the process of exploration, and considering using collage or illustration in digital form (Adobe illustrator).
If digital collage, I will be getting fresh roses and tie my hair, and take self-portraits in photos form for myself. Then, cropping it and edit by using Photoshop and Illustrator as I have some graphic materials (licensed, I bought it last time when I was working as wedding planner), and can crop in elements from photographs I took before.
If Illustration, will be slightly time-saving but require my drawing and technical techniques, draft the whole imagery on paper then illustrate on Illustrator.
💬 Feedback 1:
Dr. Jinchi likes my ideas in incorporating my personal reflections. However, to really figure out whether the idea works, I will need to try out with real flowers. My composition of the design can still be improved.
With that being said, I got myself my spiritual flowers - Red Roses.
Figure 4.1: Wholesale red roses & eucalyptus
Figure 4.2: Handling flowers myself
Figure 4.3: Handling flowers myself
With a little experiences before as a florist apprentice and events decorator & planner, I know how to get cheaper flowers and basics in handling flowers. In this lockdown, I deal and communicate with the distributor through WhatsApp and got the flowers delivered through Grab express delivery.
I did not manage to get the sizes of roses I want. In the process, I enquired for cappuccino roses, as they are my favorite species of roses. However, with the budget consideration, I ended up with Kenya red roses. Besides, red roses are better to achieve the overall visual I want.
In case if you do not know what is "cappuccino" roses:
Figure 4.4: Photo of cappuccino roses taken by the distributor for me
The moment when I did not manage to get different sizes of roses, I bumped into an idea of painting my own body. Well, but then after scrolling through some Youtube tutorials of taking self-portraits with flowers, a creator said "Don't think too much, just try to feel it and take the photos naturally"
Without any photographer, or any special setups. Just me, myself, daylight, my white wall, a water tumbler as tripod...and my props - red roses! I filmed videos of myself, and cut out moments I want from it as photos:
Video 5.1: Snippet from one my videos
Figure 5.2: Moments cropped from videos
Pretty satisfy with the outcome (This is not the final outcome). With the situation of unable making it into hairstyle, I thought of creating something simple, and "me". I decided to not put on any makeups or wear anything fancy, even for my hair. Since this is a self-portrait, so what represents me the most - ME. If there's one thing very obvious and significant is me, is my really long and straight black hair. And my friends know I don't like to put on makeup. So, here's the point, to let people know "this is Nicole" at their first glance on this self-portrait.
Throughout the process, I just play around with the my facial expressions and poses. My friends often describe me a fierce & cool person if I do not talk. But once you get close to me, you'll know I have a lot of emotions ... sometimes cute, sometimes cool, sometimes extremely depressed...sometimes just want to cut off everyone from my life...oops
Reason of choosing a white background, is for more editing for my DIGITAL COLLAGE. Yea, I have some visuals in my mind in choosing these "moments". Besides, playing around with the colour filters in my phone sparks some ideas in my mind:
Figure 5.3: Applying different filters in my iPhone to get some inspiration
Figure 5.4: Applying different filters in my iPhone to get some inspiration
I started editing and creating a digital collage by using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Figure 5.5: Editing process
🏁 FINAL OUTCOME
*JPG file is the accurate size of my final design*
Design Principles Project 1 : Self-Portrait
📑 LECTURE
This week, we learned about self-portrait, as we are going to design a self-portrait for ourselves by using any medium of our choices.
In the lecture, Dr. Jinchi explained that self can be defined as the basic personality or nature, how people really view us with my past experiences. It makes sense to me, as I personally feel that "Who am I", is a tough question, and it makes take my whole life to figure out. Why? Because we change and we grow from time to time. But I agree that we all have that very unique identity or traits that is inside us, will never or hardly change. And the uniqueness is what differentiate us from the others.
Self can be "figured" out through how others see me, how I see myself, both as in physical traits and personality. In addition, my experiences, interests and thoughts shape who I am. This is true as I've mentioned that we change from time to time, and our past experiences shape who I am today. For example, without my past experiences of being a dancer, I might not have the kind of determination and hardiness I have today. My interests at this stage shape who I am too, such as powerlifting. Because of powerlifting, I view strong as my identity, so do others. For how people view us, personality plays an important role, as I believe how people define "Nicole" (me) is based on how I made them feel.
Figure 1.1: My professional self-portrait
Figure 1.2: My professional self-portrait
What is self portrait? Before the lesson, I always thought self-portrait is just a self-presentation in photograph form. Now I know that it can be in any visual forms, whether in drawing, painting, sculpture or design. Basically, I can design a self-portrait for myself by using any exercises learned in the past 5 weeks.
Having said that, now I am able to proceed to work on my self-portrait as project 1 for this module.
💡 INSTRUCTIONS
This time, I have 2 weeks time to design a self-portrait in A4 size by using any form of medium, with 150-200 words rationale.
This is an interesting project which I was excited about for the past weeks. However, when it comes to really work on it...it makes me reflect on "Who Am I", deep question. I started to reflect back my past experiences...a few keywords for past:
emotional, perfectionism
Reflecting on what I want and looking forward to right now. Keywords for present and future:
blessed, stay grounded, flow
At the same time, it reminds me of this I written in my journal:
Reinforce those Behaviors You Want Repeated“What evidence exists that we are living by our values and making decisions consistent with these values?”Priorities: Personal growth, Career, Health & FitnessValues: Awareness, Curiosity, Contribution, Creativity, Strength, Resilience
Honestly, I still have zero ideas. But as my exploration goes on, more self-reflection is going on too, here comes the essential of this project - Self-Awareness (well, match my top 1 value ya...)It then reminds me of my vision board that I created at the beginning of this year:
Figure 1.3: My 2021 Vision Board
Haha, kind of depressing but I've accepted the fact of 70% of the vision board is unrealistic at the moment. I think for the past a year, I'm like keep on facing challenges, and get through it again and again. So recently the lockdown begins again, and have to mention why this vision board need to re-do...:
- 3rd time of stuck in prepping for competition
- went through an unfortunate Covid-19 experience...had one of my semesters in the quarantine centre
- Cheerleading practices had to stop due to the pandemic
- It's very hard to travel this year ... :)
Well well well...so is all my past exercises make sense right now with those ideas of "flow", "stay grounded", "look good on the inside" ... everything about mindfulness.
But then! Conclude everything... I think if I were to include something into my self portrait, then it will be Rose . Rose is my spiritual flower, because in mandarin, it can be named as 蔷薇 . The "薇“ over here represents my name "素薇”. Not sure why my dad named me as 李素薇， but here's the fun fact, my name is all about greens and nature. From 木（wood) 子 “李”， to 素 (vegetarian), and to the 薇 with 草(grass) 字头, and also represents 蔷薇 (rose).
Figure 1.4: My Rose Photograph at year 2018
Figure 1.5: Dance costume at year 2015
Figure 1.6: Idea exploration with my name
Meanwhile, rose can be represents me as in, it can be tough and soft, hurtful or bloom gracefully..."be soft and unafraid to conquer". It's like me, if people treat me nicely and gently, I'll bloom nicely for them in return. If people hurt me, then only I'll hurt them back. Putting it into situations I face, I'm like a rose, being tough and confident.
At the same time, I actually asked one of my close friend for real feedbacks about me without sugar coating. She said I am a very confident girl, but sometimes I'll unintentionally hurt people, and seems like do not care about others' feelings. This is definitely something I need to work on, but this feedback actually resonates with Rose (idky but my sense feels such way).
Visual research on the internet based on the elements I want:
( Elements such as: name, florals, collage, illustrations, floral braids ... )
Figure 2.1: Fashion Alphabet with Models by Downgraf
( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/736690451520077309/ )
( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/736690451520077309/ )
-Figure 2.2: Fashion Alphabet with Models by Danshin Dmitry
( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255157135124432571/ )
( https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255157135124432571/ )
From these visual research, I have some imagery ideas in my mind my draft (Figure 3.1) below:
Figure 3.1: 1st draft of my self-portrait
The main idea is from my name and rose as mentioned above. I am still in the process of exploration, and considering using collage or illustration in digital form (Adobe illustrator).
If digital collage, I will be getting fresh roses and tie my hair, and take self-portraits in photos form for myself. Then, cropping it and edit by using Photoshop and Illustrator as I have some graphic materials (licensed, I bought it last time when I was working as wedding planner), and can crop in elements from photographs I took before.
If Illustration, will be slightly time-saving but require my drawing and technical techniques, draft the whole imagery on paper then illustrate on Illustrator.
💬 Feedback 1:
Dr. Jinchi likes my ideas in incorporating my personal reflections. However, to really figure out whether the idea works, I will need to try out with real flowers. My composition of the design can still be improved.
With that being said, I got myself my spiritual flowers - Red Roses.
Figure 4.1: Wholesale red roses & eucalyptus
Figure 4.2: Handling flowers myself
With a little experiences before as a florist apprentice and events decorator & planner, I know how to get cheaper flowers and basics in handling flowers. In this lockdown, I deal and communicate with the distributor through WhatsApp and got the flowers delivered through Grab express delivery.
I did not manage to get the sizes of roses I want. In the process, I enquired for cappuccino roses, as they are my favorite species of roses. However, with the budget consideration, I ended up with Kenya red roses. Besides, red roses are better to achieve the overall visual I want.
In case if you do not know what is "cappuccino" roses:
Figure 4.4: Photo of cappuccino roses taken by the distributor for me
The moment when I did not manage to get different sizes of roses, I bumped into an idea of painting my own body. Well, but then after scrolling through some Youtube tutorials of taking self-portraits with flowers, a creator said "Don't think too much, just try to feel it and take the photos naturally"
Without any photographer, or any special setups. Just me, myself, daylight, my white wall, a water tumbler as tripod...and my props - red roses! I filmed videos of myself, and cut out moments I want from it as photos:
Video 5.1: Snippet from one my videos
Pretty satisfy with the outcome (This is not the final outcome).
With the situation of unable making it into hairstyle, I thought of creating something simple, and "me". I decided to not put on any makeups or wear anything fancy, even for my hair. Since this is a self-portrait, so what represents me the most - ME. If there's one thing very obvious and significant is me, is my really long and straight black hair. And my friends know I don't like to put on makeup. So, here's the point, to let people know "this is Nicole" at their first glance on this self-portrait.
Throughout the process, I just play around with the my facial expressions and poses. My friends often describe me a fierce & cool person if I do not talk. But once you get close to me, you'll know I have a lot of emotions ... sometimes cute, sometimes cool, sometimes extremely depressed...sometimes just want to cut off everyone from my life...oops
Reason of choosing a white background, is for more editing for my DIGITAL COLLAGE. Yea, I have some visuals in my mind in choosing these "moments". Besides, playing around with the colour filters in my phone sparks some ideas in my mind:
Figure 5.3: Applying different filters in my iPhone to get some inspiration
I started editing and creating a digital collage by using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Figure 5.5: Editing process
🏁 FINAL OUTCOME
*JPG file is the accurate size of my final design*
Figure 6.1: Self-Portrait in JPG
Figure 6.2: Self-Portrait in PDF
Rationale:
As delicate as my thorns ; As tender as my petals.
Strong in conquering challenges ; Kind in treating people.
This self-portrait not only symbolize me and my name,
it also acts as a reminder for myself to live by my priorities and values.
it also acts as a reminder for myself to live by my priorities and values.
Visual Explanation:
The reason of not putting in roses in illustrations, but only leaves in surrounding is to symbolize me as the fresh and real roses.
Having three different views of me (front, left, right) without back view, meaning I have different sides in treating people, but my back is not for everyone, and I will keep that side for myself.
One more interesting point to share, which is the reason of not showing my mouth. It is also a reminder for self, to not talk too much. My action (also me myself in person) speaks louder. I do not have to keep on telling (updating) my life on social media, I do not have to keep telling someone I am good whereby I am good enough. What grows and inside me, will show without telling much. Keep myself mysterious, and yet gracefully existing, and truly living my life as grounded as possible.
If you can notice, the placement of elements is from bottom to top, even for the size (small to big). Besides, the overall visual is arranged like a bouquet of flower. The entire arrangement is to bring out the message of GROWTH. Grow upwards, and bloom gracefully.
💗 REFLECTION
Interesting and fun project to explore more about myself, and feeling surprised I can produce such outcome by myself...me as the model, photographer, editor....!
I would rate myself a 8/10 for this project, despite it did not really come out as my draft, and the final resolution of the jpg a bit off (alright, PS skills need to be improved). Hmm, but I like the outcome. Definitely, with so many photos, I can still play around with many different collages, types of design, or even illustrate myself from it.
Back to the point for learning wise, I notice myself got slightly better in incorporating design principles whenever I design something. I am more aware of balance and harmony, especially for this project.
For the reflection part, this project not only help me in reflecting myself in a more positive way. Why? Honestly, I do not like others to take photos of me, as I am not really comfortable in posing, and I have body dysmorphia .... now is better, but somedays I still feel that way.
A very long story till today, so let's not talk about it :)
On the days before taking the photos for this project, feelings of fat and ugly happened again. But with the mindset of I have to do it, just do it, and things will got better, I will feel better...I bought flowers, I arrange flowers again. The smell of roses and eucalyptus brought me some memories, I remember trimming thorns for hours with the florist. The "focus one thing at a time" makes me feel so much better afterwards. And...WOW I managed to get some awesome photos which exceeded my own expectations. I didn't know I can be like a model too.
Don't really know what to say anymore...because this entire piece of design outcome means so much to me...From past experiences, to how I feel at the moment doing it, and reminders for the future...😢💓 I don't have to BE like a rose, because I AM.
Figure 8: I AM 🌹
Comments
Post a Comment