Common Module - AY23.24 CTS B

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Question 2

Restate your artistic vision statement (Week 10), and revise it if necessary. Select one work of design under the theme of social engagement (Week 3) or tradition/ lineages (Week 4 & 5). Discuss this choice in connection with your own aspirations and the themes of CTS B.

My artistic vision is to excel as a designer, adept in problem-solving and innovation, creatively contributing to societal needs. 

I embrace challenges, avoiding the abandonment of ideas by generating thoughtful solutions honed during the sketching phase. My goal is also to challenge myself by delving into unexplored themes and concepts, creating designs that stem from these fresh ideas. 

I aim to craft distinctive and unconventional works, infusing symbolisms into my creations while finding inspiration from a diverse range of design fields. Expanding beyond graphic design, I plan to explore fields like furniture design and fashion photography, dedicating more time to consistently draw inspiration from experts in these diverse industries. Additionally, I seek to broaden and elevate my design expertise, venturing into the realm of 3D design through software exploration like Blender, which will contribute to a dynamic and continually evolving artistic journey.

A work of design under the theme of social engagement discussed in week 3 that aligns with my artistic vision statement is The Waste Refinery by kinetic.

This exhibition delves into the notion of questioning how 2 billion tonnes of waste could be reframed as an abundant resource rather than unwanted material. Additionally, it proposes solutions to tackle issues such as the projected 70% increase in global waste over the next 30 years, transforming waste into building materials, durable clothing, and aesthetically pleasing and functional homewares.

The longstanding issue of plastic pollution persists as it takes centuries to degrade, infiltrating the food chain through marine animals. Despite increased awareness, plastic in oceans is worsening, causing species extinction and ecosystem destruction.

Aligning with the commencement of the UN Climate Change Conference, The Waste Refinery unites global and local brands and designers to demonstrate the potential of design in addressing global challenges, including plastic pollution. Social media served as a platform for exhibition promotion, featuring event details and highlighting each exhibitor's work. Additionally, a series of mini-tutorials, contests, and educational posts were created, allowing an online audience to actively contribute to repurposing waste into a valuable resource, even if they could not attend the physical exhibition.

I have chosen this example because it effectively embodies my artistic vision, showcasing ways to reuse waste and transform them into everyday objects and also inspiring me to devise design solutions for environmental issues, aiming to prevent animal extinction and ecosystem destruction. This example highlights an opportunity to connect my design practice with society, contributing to a better future. Additionally, it aligns with the theme of self-reflectivity by involving thoughtful evaluation and critical analysis to formulate solutions to tackle challenges, enabling me to cultivate strong self-awareness and regulation, enhancing my overall critical thinking skills.

Word count: 466

References:

“The Waste Refinery That Turns Waste into Resource.” Kinetic, Kinetic, 10 Oct. 2022, kinetic.com.sg/the-waste-refinery/.

“The Waste Refinery.” DesignSingapore Council, DesignSingapore Council, 26 May 2022, designsingapore.org/events/the-waste-refinery/.

Fava, M Fava. “Plastic Pollution in the Ocean: Data, Facts, Consequences.” Ocean Literacy Portal, Ocean Literacy Portal, 9 June 2022, oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/#:~:text=Plastic%20waste%20makes%20up%2080,than%20in%20the%20previous%20century.

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Question 1 Discuss your CTS B manifesto. Explain your group’s manifesto. Do you personally have an alternative manifesto? Would you make changes to the group outcome? How, and why? Which aspects of CTS B were particularly significant for you?

My group manifesto is crafted as a mirror, symbolising its role as a reflection of both ourselves and our design principles.

In summary, we believe cultivating a multitude of innovative ideas is a key aspect of becoming a creative thinker. Therefore, it is imperative for us, as designers, to identify a distinctive personal style to convey our individuality efficiently. Furthermore, enhancing awareness of advancements and refining critical thinking skills allow thoughtful assessment of information, which are crucial in shaping our future as designers. A quality design, with its specific purpose of improving users' lives, can be initiated by studying the creations of other designers, thereby enriching our aptitude as designers. 

I diverge somewhat from the discussed manifesto as I believe the present does not entirely determine our future. The future is inherently uncertain, shaped by factors like human choices and unforeseen events that can alter our trajectory unexpectedly, irrespective of present plans. Despite acknowledging the impact of present actions, I propose a nuanced perspective: "Your future is shaped by your present actions, yet luck also plays a role in influencing outcomes." In my view, the key lies in embracing flexibility and fostering innovation to navigate the uncertainties filled with challenges and opportunities, thereby shaping a positive future for us. By fostering a culture of innovation, we empower ourselves to confront challenges head-on and seize opportunities as they arise. Additionally, it serves as a dynamic force that propels us forward, allowing us to proactively address challenges and create solutions that contribute to the betterment of society as a whole. 

CTS B had a profound impact on me, particularly in its exploration of the theory of everyday practice in relation to personal identity. My immersion in analog horror significantly influences my design work, with the incorporation of surreal imagery reflecting my passion for body horror. Further reflection in class revealed a deeper connection between my personal identity and design choices, challenging my previous perception of it as a mere aesthetic preference.

The exploration of self-reflectivity in this module was equally significant, involving observations at Sim Lim Square and proposing group design solutions. This deepened my self-awareness and empathy for consumers, enhancing critical thinking and openness to diverse solutions through collaboration. This growth extended to effective studio pairwork collaboration with my partner, exemplifying increased openness to novel ideas. For instance, in our festival brochure proposal, while facing efficiency issues with an envelope design, we adapted by curving the flap corners for easier opening through user perspective and thoughtful deliberation, demonstrating adaptability and a willingness to refine ideas rather than discarding them entirely.

In conclusion, I can affirm with absolute certainty that my critical thinking skills have undeniably improved compared to last year. I can discern a noticeable difference in my design and social approaches from then to now. Moving forward, I aim to refine and elevate my technical and analytical skills, evolving into a more proficient designer and contributing to enhancing lives through the creation of quality designs.

Word count: 495

References:

Monty, Scott. “Certainly Uncertain.” Medium, Timeless and Timely, 24 Apr. 2020, medium.com/the-full-monty/certainly-uncertain-9d531b649bbe.

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Week 6 Critical Self-Reflectivity 

Self-reflectivity involves thoughtful contemplation of your behaviors, thoughts, and desires. It requires discipline and intentionality, which may be challenging but valuable. Without personal reflection, we risk living without evaluations or critical analysis, potentially keeping us in unhappy circumstances without seeking solutions.

With the target audience being people wanting to get electronic devices fixed in mind, we collectively believe that the layout of the mall is too messy for customers to shop. In addition, there are too many empty stores on the lower levels and clubs are also randomly situated next to electronic stores on the top level, proving to be troublesome to go to the top level just to get a device fixed. 

We devised solutions to tackle these issues. One option involves relocating electronic stores to more accessible and vacant lower-levels spaces, though regular customers may find this unnecessary given their familiarity with the current layout. Additionally, rent discrepancies between levels may pose challenges for shop owners. Another approach is categorizing floor levels for systematic organization, improving customer convenience. Yet, this may lead to heightened competition and potential profit loss for stores in the same category on the same level. Lastly, installing directories near lift buttons offers easy access to store information, though it may incur additional costs and contribute to information overload alongside existing advertisements. 

Concerning the design challenge, I have observed that I possess strong sense of self-awareness and regulation, enabling effective analysis of potential solutions while empathizing with customers and store owners. Collaborative design efforts with my groupmates has further refined my critical thinking and openness to diverse solutions, sharpening my social skills.

Word count: 267

References:

“Self-Reflection 101: What Is Self-Reflection? Why Is Reflection Important? And How to Reflect.” Reflection.App - Your Guided Journal for Wellness and Growth., Reflection.app, 13 Feb. 2023, www.reflection.app/blog/self-reflection-101-what-is-self-reflection-why-is-reflection-important#:~:text=Is%20Self%2DReflection%3F-,A%20Self%2DReflection%20Definition,attitudes%2C%20motivations%2C%20and%20desires.

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Week 4 + 5 Field Trip + Analyse Artistic Traditions and Lineages

Posed as a critical painting in Singapore’s art history, National Language Class was produced in 1959 when Singapore gained self-governance from the British. 

The artwork falls under the social realism Nanyang style, a realist-style of painting that comments on industrial revolution and urbanization and also a movement reflecting doubts and idealised vision regarding Singapore’s cultural identity, a stark contrast to the deafening developments in the nation then. Ever since then, the painting has been displayed in countless exhibitions and inspired stage performances by local theatre company, spell#7. 

One defining characteristic of this piece that caught my eye is the presence of unity composition wise and the way the students sat around the circular table which is reminiscent of tables found in old coffee shops, symbolising equality and the unification of their interest in learning the national language. However, unity for national progress was regarded as a blasphemy then as it would destroy divisions of race, class and gender due to subsequent racial conflicts that arose between the nation and the Federation of Malaysia. 

Lim's woodcuts capture Singapore's evolving cultural landscape post-independence. In this piece, he documents the vanishing cultural practice of opium abuse, prevalent among the impoverished as a means of fatigue relief and escape from harsh realities. Despite opium being addictive, costly, and illegal, many still supported their habit and turned to crime. Personally, I feel a profound sense of dread and empathy for the depicted subject. The frown mirrors a man resigned to a day-to-day existence, eliciting a feeling of helplessness and sorrow for his plight out of me.

Word count: 262 

References:

Hafiz, Syed Muhammad, and Kathy Rowland. “Siapa Nama Kamu? – Questions to Answer a Friend.” ArtsEquator, ArtsEquator, 21 Oct. 2021, artsequator.com/siapa-nama-kamu/.

“National Language Class.” Spell#7performance, spell#7performance, www.spell7performance.org/nationallanguageclass. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

says:, Holland Village Voice, et al. “Interpreting National Language Class.” S/Pores Journal, s/pores journal, 19 Dec. 2021, s-pores.com/2007/04/national-language-class/.

“UNODC - Bulletin on Narcotics - 1958 Issue 4 - 002.” United Nations: Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nation, www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_1958-01-01_4_page003.html. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

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Week 2 Connecting Theory and Practice

Identity, a multifaceted and flexible concept, encompasses various defining elements like individual traits, socioeconomic standing, group roles, and more. As we transition into adulthood, certain parts of our identity persist while others evolve through interactions, media, and self-exploration. Personally, I emphasize the significance of personal identity, shaped by inherent attributes, over social identity, tied to group association. The former allows us agency in defining ourselves, contrasting with the latter, influenced by perceived group membership. Cultural circumstances can restrict alignment with our true social groups, compelling acceptance of societal labels. For example, my conservative family leads me to identify publicly as female despite identifying as non-binary. This division underscores the complexity of identity and the balance between personal agency and societal constraints.

My personal identity can be capsuled into attributes such as curiosity, independence, and a nocturnal inclination. However, friends may perceive me differently. Habits and engaging in activities shape our behavior, crucial in piecing our identity. For example, my immersion in analog horror fuels late-night exploration. In retrospect, it became one of the main reasons I have transformed into a curiosity-driven night owl with a passion for gore art.

While I prioritize personal identity over social identity, I recognize the latter is not static and can be changed and challenged. As identity is fluid, aspects defining us may evolve, both physically and mentally, highlighting the dynamic nature of our sense of self.

As societal acceptance grows, labels may shift, and minds evolve. Thus, who is to say I will unequivocally remain nocturnal and closeted at 30 in our ever-changing era?

Word count: 260

References:

“Exploring the Concept of Identity.” Facing History & Ourselves, Facing History & Ourselves, 15 Mar. 2021, www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/exploring-concept-identity.