Week 15 Final Destination that hasnât ended
During the weekend, we have been going out to do some rusting on the frames. This is because we felt that we are behind the time. Since school is closed during the weekend, thus we have decided to go to one of our houses and do the work.Â
We begin with painting the frame and the hook with the sealer first. However it is easier for us to do the hook because it is small hence we can simply dip it into a cup of paint.Â
Then after we are done with the hook we go back to paint the frame again, simply doing the same thing as the other cages. And the action is just back and forth. One will be dried up by the time the other one is done with painting.Â
This is how the final hook and frame looks like.
On a sidetrack, guess what exactly happened when we packed up? Someone sat on the hook without even knowing and ended up with lots of question marks on the butt.Â
Afterwards, we  begin to edit the videos and there were several awkward loops. Initially we wanted to put two videos together so there is an ending that links to the beginning, thus a nice loop. However it is rather tough and took us almost about 30mins - 1hr to figure out how to loop nicely. After we are done with it, we tried to export and realised that our dimension is wrong. Hence we ended up changing the dimension, which was rather fast.
Problem arises when we find out that we arenât able to open the video in the iPad, we tried several ways like changing the format and the preset to iPad but it still doesnât work. It only works when one of us keyed in our email address in the mail for the iPad, then download the video from there. We still donât know why that google drive didnât work at all. Never mind that since we are able to play the video through the iPad already.Â
Next problem is rather inevitable because when we loop, there will be a short pause because the video loop again. This actually made us ponder about why did we put so much time into editing the video until it is almost perfect for the loop which in the end isnât of help much. Well, this is a limitation for us anymore, since it is just iPad 1, we canât really download much latest app that may have a smooth loop. Thus this much is satisfying enough for us.Â
Then on Monday of the week, we came school early in the morning simply to fix the frames on the cage. It was actually the toughest part since there are wires, thus possibility of it being bent is higher. Nevertheless we tried our best out of it.Â
Before that, we tried to stack up the cages first and draw holes to be drilled. This is for the hooks to go through and marking the area for the wires to pass through.
Then afterwards, we begin with putting on the frames. Basically we had to secure the wire first with stapler gun followed by the frames to make them secure. Before that, we made use of black cloth to cover the wood area. However at some point, we kind of regret it because on top part of the wood is rather obvious too. On another point of view, the bottom part might not be too nice as well with a block right in the bottom-middle of the screen frame. Hence we do not regret much after all for the black cloth covering the bottom part.Â
We were rather panic to see the other members leaving the classroom one by one heading to the colours. It made us feel as though we still have a lot to go and might not even be able to complete this work. The pressure is really obvious. However we still manage to keep our calm and be cool about it. After all things will only go wrong when one isnât in the zen mode.Â
With our calm mind, we have managed to drill holesimply for the hooks to pass through
To be honest the hook isnât that simple to screw in. We have to limit ourselves from using the pliers because the plier might cause the painting on the hook to be gone. Thus we have to use our hands instead.Â
Then at night, we begin to drill the holes for the screw to hold on to the boxes together and the two set of 2cm holes for each boxes for the electrical wire to go through. Yes, lots of things to really think about and in the evening Alfred actually told us the biggest flaw of our artefact. It is the fact that the screen could have been more towards the wire. This is because at first glance, the wires look irritating, due to the excess of lines. Though we canât move the distance anymore, we can still cut the wires. Thus we spent some time cutting the wires, rather than squarish, we made it into slightly more rectangular-ish. This is because normally people thought of prison as bars, if it were to be squarish, it might look like animal cage (yes, many people mistook it before the iPad is there).Â
So this is the before and after wires being cut, the left one is the better choices as it lowers the chances for irritation of eyes.
Night has fallen and we stacked up our cells all over again just to ensure a better drill for the wires to go through. I doubt that anybody wants their wire to really coil here and there simply to pass through from one box to another right. Thus we did our stacking of cells again with the complete assembled prison and locking our prisoners in the cells at the same time. Before anything, we have to double and then triple confirm about how we are going to place our iPad video and the screen from the front just so that it wonât be too much hassle when we reached the Colours. Basically we simply drew some outlines so that little to none of the notification bars is shown. It also ensures that bright light will emerge hence for this, we have decided to on the iPad brightness to its fullest.Â
This is the angle that we will have at when our target audience step into the exhibition. We have the highest cell level to be facing at the audiences first as there will be objects in front of our artefact blocking the view, unless the other objects or our classmates works are taller than ours.Â
Initially we have the gamer at the top as there is different kind of colours emerging out. While we have the female prisoner in the middle followed by the second male at the bottom.Â
When we are happy with our positions of each cells, we then drill small and big holes through the boxes. The small holes are to secure each cell together, so that it wonât easily drop when someone accidentally knock onto it. As for the big holes, we drilled 2 of them with a diameter of 2cm each for each cell, this is for allowing the wires to pass through each cell till the power source.Â
This is the view from bottom up. Basically we drilled to the bottom of a cage to the top of the cage when the cages are one on top of another.Â
Then!! we are ready to head down to the workshop to cut our last holes and go to colours! Thatâs our journey to colours!Â
When we have reached colours, all we had to do is to secure the boxes together and put the wires through. Then some small touch up to be done and voila!
Before anything, what changes did we make upon reaching colours then? The place for our artefact. It was initially at one corner where Shuminâs artefact is currently at. Thus we changed place with them without knowing any reason. Perhaps we came too late or simply because Shuminâs initial idea is better for people to walk for all directions. Thus we accepted. However things became awkward the moment we tried to walk past the pillar area. It simply doesnât feel like the artefact is able to move in 360Âș thus we requested to move to the middle. Yup, indeed we got the space we wanted.Â
Next the video. Initially we wanted gamers on top, heartbroken middle, and workaholic last. However we have changed our mind. We realised that it doesnât look at great with gamer as top, it isnât that bright enough to gain attention. Thus we have exchanged place for workaholic and gamer. With workaholic as the attention for people from afar.Â
As for this wire over here that is the extension cord, we wanted to cover the wire simply because we would leave the back of the last (bottommost) cage to be void of any iPad thus we used duct tape to tape the wires near the corner/side of the cage, in order to hide it. However it turns into nothing much important because we have decided to add an iPad that isnât on to be there. Our purpose is to use it as a consistency and another reason is in case the others really see it, they will see themselves in the cage and the feeling that is relatable to them will be even more obvious.Â
Lying down while trying to hide the white wires.
As for the fourth cell, there will be a stagnant iPad inside with no video. Also, broken mesh wires that is being broken to show that someone had escaped. This is to show that they been set free and they have change their attitude towards eating unhealthily. This is where we will store the key shaped notes and pens for our audiences to interact with.Â
After we are done trimming the broken mesh wire, this is when we place the tons of keys. It is placed as such that is spread around the entrance of the cell and the at the top of this cell and hanging around the mesh wires.Â
Then on the 17th, we tried to get some responses from the peers, some do not really understand what is it about and one of them even said that it is more like fine arts. Nevertheless there are some positive comments as well, like how they admit that they really understand what it is talking about because the notes written by the others made it even more obvious. Initially they didnât understand but after seeing the notes, they begin to write it as well. It is like a human nature to see others doing it and will feel itchy for not doing it themselves.Â
Last but not least there comes the presentation day. It wasnât that tough for us because we are pretty clear about what our work is talking about especially after the interim. Basically what we really changed from interim to now is not only about the ideas but also the final insight, from youth treasures that friendship that is affecting their social life to youth treasures their social life above anything else.Â
As for the ideas itself, it has been a long route indeed, but we wonât start talking about this now, since NEWD has not ended yet. However one problem that we found during our presentation is the fact that we werenât that prepared. Though it is true that slides was completed way before the actual presentation, but we were too distracted by other works and even start to become lethargic that we couldnât concentrate much on words, and words, and words all over again, and again. Thus despite understanding our work, we arenât born as a presenter. Though we will try to improve it as we venture further, and work better on our structure.Â
We realised that while we were presenting, it got dried up too quickly. Main reason is because we talked about production problem as well as how to do it too early. It would be better if we talked about the problems, insights, solutions, demonstrate, and then problem and WIP. This is because after knowing how exactly the artefact works, thatâs when they will begin to ponder how to do it. It is better like this rather than doing the other way round like what we did.Â
The comments given to us though there are positive and negative. Letâs start off with the negative ones. Basically one of our peers asked, âhow do we know what to write.â We did think about this problem earlier, like we should start the ball rolling, start on what to write. However I bet we, the creator, too have some problems coming out with comments to be written on the notes. Thus we thought of it along a more natural comment, and we thought of saying things like âEat so muchâ, âdonât get cancerâ, or even âdonât cryâ. The harsh comments were rejected because it doesnât sound encouraging at all.Â
The purpose of this artefact is actually to let others âencourageâ, like say positie comments to the people in the comments. At first we thought like saying negative things because scolding others is like scolding themselves, so overtime they will relate it and think about how it feels to be scolded like that. Will they change because of that? However looking back at our insight, it is more about social life being important above anything else. Thus perhaps encouraging comments is better, encouraging comments is more like âfriendsâ words of advice. Therefore, we have decided to take down some of the comments and keep the negative ones.
Another problem raised up during the Q&A is the fact that how do audience even know they must write! Yea, at first we thought simply with keys hanging, as long as one person started a ball rolling, the others will follow suit too. This is because it is a human nature, when one does it, others will do it too. If they donât do it, they will feel being left behind. However, not everyone is really like that, our interpretation wasnât that great after all. Thus a suggested way is to put some âmessageâ at the back as a way to show the purpose of the key. This is because right now the key doesnât seem to play much apart from the key to set them free, to approach. However, not everyone can see that since it is just hooked there. Thus suggestion is to add message like set them free or something related to that behind the notes.
Initially we wanted to make stamp out of wood. This means we have to engrave the outside of the words. However we thought that it might take too long thus we wanted to make like those childhood rulers (the ruler that have circle or different shapes to be traced out). We did it, but we tried a few and realised that it took quite long to complete one âset them freeâ. However time is not exactly the issue.Â
The ârulerâ to trace
The issue is that only mechanical pencil is able to go through, which is not what we want. Afterwards Jeffrey told us to consider 3D print to make the stamp. However with small text, he doubt that it will be too visible, the lines and etc. Furthermore we arenât sure how long it will really take to laser cut thus we gave it up.Â
What we exactly want is something that is bold, and is spot-able by the audience. Thus we only have our last resort, the sticker. The outcome wasnât that bad indeed. At first we wanted to have black text, but we changed our mind to dark brown because our whole artefact is more towards âvintageâ type of colour.Â
One thing we absolutely learned in NEWD is actually to ensure that the work is nicely integrated into one another, colour is indeed an important factor.Â
Anyway, this is how our key actually looks like.
The process of pasting the sticker
Thatâs how much each person is supposed to do. Looks a lot but actually took a short while to do the pasting.
Regardless of whatever comments. We are very glad that we managed to produced the work within 4 weeks, as David mentioned, production for NEWD usually takes about a month. Here we are now, ready for the exhibition.Â
