Design Studies I - Final Assesment
Seoh Yi Zhen (0328497)
Design Studies I: Communication Theory
Final Assessment - Reasearch Articulation
INSTRUCTIONS
Research Articulation Brief
Design is a mode of communication that engages the intellect and emotions through the visual sense. One of design’s roles is to solve problems. The inspiration of ideas many a time comes from around us. Looking at the local, Malaysian scene, there are many visual cultural art forms that can serve as inspiration for ideation. This project looks into producing a work of design that is inspired visually or conceptually by Malaysian visual cultural art forms.
Two most apparent examples of Malaysian visual cultural art forms are batik and wayang kulit. Another example, although not very common, is the masks/carvings of the indigenous Mah Meri tribe. There are many more types of visual cultural art forms unique to Malaysia.
Museum and gallery visits are among the activities that students will have to take on to enrich their exposure to these art forms so that they gain better understanding through visual experience for the execution of this project.
Requirements
Demonstration of research skills, application of research and knowledge, and students’ evaluation of their learning is expected in the final outcome of this project.
1. Select a health/environment/social/animal issue that is current in Malaysia.
2. Conduct research on that selected issue. Pictures, captions and written information supported by secondary sources are compulsory.
3. Select a form of Malaysian visual cultural art form of your choice.
4. Conduct in-depth visual and background research of that Malaysian visual cultural art form. Pictures and written information supported by secondary sources are compulsory.
5. Utilising the knowledge you had gained from the research of that Malaysian visual cultural art form, brainstorm design ideas to solve the selected issue. Do this in your sketchbook. Each idea must be accompanied by a short description, including a rationale for each idea.
6. You may interpret and contextualise what you understand from those visual cultural art forms anyway you see fit to as a design solution to the selected issue.
7. You must produce evidence of idea inspiration.
8. You are also expected to apply the knowledge you have gained from the topics in this module.
9. The final work of design, although needs to show relevance to the selected issue, visual cultural art forms and topics in this module, can be in any form, deem fit by you.
10. A written rationale of about 300 words is to accompany the final work of design and how you have used your choice of Malaysian visual cultural art form as part of the design.
11. A written reflection of about 300 words, guided by these questions:
i. What have I learned from this module?
ii. How have I contributed to the learning?
iii. How can I apply what I’ve learned to future classroom situations and lessons?
iv. What are the changes I would suggest for the betterment of the module (delivery, topics, learning tools, etc)?
Duration
6 weeks (Briefing: Week 6; Deadline: Week 11).
Submission Format
1. Digital submission through TIMeS:
Powerpoint slides CONVERTED TO PDF file containing:
a. research (selected issue and Malaysian visual cultural art form)
b. idea generation (sketches from sketch book)
c. images from a few angles or positions of the final design work
d. rationale and reflection
e. reference and picture credits list
2. To present on submission day:
a. Physical form of the final design work.
b. PowerPoint slides.
Assignment Goals
1. Students to apply research skills.
2. Students to employ effective communication skills.
3. Students to analyse relevant design solutions.
4. Students to synthesise ideas.
5. Students to evaluate the learning process.
RESEARCH & DESIGN PROCESS
(Note: the slides below are just a brief summary of the research I did in my sketchbook.)
FINAL OUTCOME
For my sculpture, I used paper clay to form the orangutan, then painted over it with acrylics. I inserted wooden sticks so that the mouth and arm can be detached and reattached according to my final sketch. I also used fishing string to connect these pieces to the wire frame so that when a leaf is removed, one of these pieces can be removed as well. The hands are simply made from wire wrapped with green string.
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| Before detaching the pieces. |
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| After detaching the pieces. |
RATIONALE
For my final design piece, I created an interactive orangutan sculpture that tells a story of their species dying off due to deforestation. When one pulls off a leaf from the sculpture, a piece of the orangutan then falls off. This idea was based on the philosophical qualities and symbolism of light- the main element behind lanterns. Light, in most cultures, signify a moment of enlightenment, and an end to ignorance. Therefore, when the orangutan piece falls off after the leaf, the audience then comes to a moment of realization that deforestation is causing the extinction of the orangutans.
The outstretched arm of the orangutan signifies their reaching out for help. In a visual semiotic aspect, it creates a visual demand from the audience as their eyeline is drawn towards it, and challenges them to offer up help and support for the orangutans.
The interactive element of this piece also reflects the art of wayang kulit, through the role of a puppeteer in storytelling. As in wayang kulit, humans are in control of the story, and they can choose what happens to the orangutan. Even after the pieces of the orangutan fall off, the audience can either choose to piece them back together, or to ignore it completely and move on. This shows that humans are like the ‘puppeteer’ towards orangutans, and every choice they make can either save the species or destroy it. It stresses that the fate of the orangutans is very much in our hands. The role of humans in protecting this species is furthered emphasized through the orangutan sitting on the palms of human hands. It signifies that their fate is in the palm of our hands. Yet at the same time, because the palms are wrapped to look like vines, it also signifies that nature is protecting and nurturing them closely.
From this Communication Theory module, I have learnt that even though making sense and finding meaning from visual forms may feel instinctual, there is actually an underlying complex system that influence the way we interpret these visual forms. It was also interesting to learn about visual semiotics because it explained the science behind meaning-making, and how the tiniest details can bring about completely different meanings from a particular visual form.
The outstretched arm of the orangutan signifies their reaching out for help. In a visual semiotic aspect, it creates a visual demand from the audience as their eyeline is drawn towards it, and challenges them to offer up help and support for the orangutans.
The interactive element of this piece also reflects the art of wayang kulit, through the role of a puppeteer in storytelling. As in wayang kulit, humans are in control of the story, and they can choose what happens to the orangutan. Even after the pieces of the orangutan fall off, the audience can either choose to piece them back together, or to ignore it completely and move on. This shows that humans are like the ‘puppeteer’ towards orangutans, and every choice they make can either save the species or destroy it. It stresses that the fate of the orangutans is very much in our hands. The role of humans in protecting this species is furthered emphasized through the orangutan sitting on the palms of human hands. It signifies that their fate is in the palm of our hands. Yet at the same time, because the palms are wrapped to look like vines, it also signifies that nature is protecting and nurturing them closely.
REFLECTION
What have I learned from this module?From this Communication Theory module, I have learnt that even though making sense and finding meaning from visual forms may feel instinctual, there is actually an underlying complex system that influence the way we interpret these visual forms. It was also interesting to learn about visual semiotics because it explained the science behind meaning-making, and how the tiniest details can bring about completely different meanings from a particular visual form.
How have I contributed to the learning?
By being more observant of my surroundings, it helped me understand much better how local culture also influences our interpretation of visuals. I also realized how semiotics encompasses most everything in our lives, and that we cannot escape from these signs and systems of meaning-making.
How can I apply what I’ve learned to future classroom situations and lessons?
By being more observant of my surroundings, it helped me understand much better how local culture also influences our interpretation of visuals. I also realized how semiotics encompasses most everything in our lives, and that we cannot escape from these signs and systems of meaning-making.
How can I apply what I’ve learned to future classroom situations and lessons?
All these things that I have learnt in this module can definitely be applied in future classroom situations and lessons, as it helps me better understand the communication process. It also helps me analyse visual forms more effectively, so that I can understand the thought that went behind the design, and not just blindly copy a particular style or art movement. Besides that, it will make me a better designer because every element in my art pieces would be included with the purpose of adding meaning to the final design, and not just added for aesthetic values.
What are the changes I would suggest for the betterment of the module (delivery, topics, learning tools, etc)?
In terms of personal feedback for the betterment of this module, I suggest splitting up the lecture and tutorial sessions. This is so that we can have some time to process what we have learnt and apply it into our progression work, instead of cramming sessions together until there is barely enough time to cover everything. This would also make consultation sessions flow better, as we would have time to make amendments before the next session, and we would ultimately have more guidance and help with our projects.
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