AY 25-26 Critical Thinking Skills B

[gracekohwanying]

Compulsory Question #2 - Expand knowledge on the connections between design for social engagement OR design for tradition.

While there are certain skills that I would retain, for instance “painting” and “sketchy style” , I feel these are what makes me unique since I have an interest in animation. There are certain design principles I have yet to master entirely, such as “user-centric” and “abstraction”. I plan to create user-centric designs for practicality and designing for a better good. If possible, I would like to incorporate design skills into my piano-teaching career and vice versa. I find some CTS B topics relatable as I used them when liaising with my piano students and parents. I would like to find my voice in the design industry and create a ground-breaking design that makes life easier for all my users. I will manage my time well as I have two jobs to handle and regulate my stress for a better version of myself.

To add on to my initial artistic statement, I realized that despite having design skills and the ability to solve problems, one must be able to work with others and collaborate with others. Many jobs require working with others and it is an imperative skill to adopt. I think as a designer, we are bound to meet with clients and colleagues from all walks of life. Communication and collaboration can be hard for me because I feel that working alone is a lot easier but comes with a number of limitations. Design is more than just aesthetics, it is a real business of solving problems for different stakeholders (Odeh, 2025).Together, with collaborative skills, my design will expand and evolve exponentially.

One work of design that truly resonates with me in social engagement is Tactical Urbanism. According to Arauna Studio, many places in Barcelona are plagued by the heavy air and noise pollution (Arauna Studio, 2023). It has surpassed toxic levels deemed acceptable by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It has also minimized spaces for people to interact and relax and also to foster a sense of community and wellness. To tackle this, Arauna Studio has come up with an inexpensive way to revamp the space and created their own set of typography and elements to help pedestrians navigate better, while still caring and sustaining the environment.

I find this project truly meaningful and a way of putting design into a good use for the public. It is very user-centric. Also, to pay tribute to Barcelona's culture, they incorporate Panots from Barcelona design motifs, effectively bringing a sense of belonging to pedestrians. This project resonates with my manifesto for CTS B. Also, the use of abstraction used for the Panots designs is a style that I am trying to emulate. In connection to CTS B topics, this project is also an example of how artistic lineages and traditions are embedded and how personal identification in turn affects our art practice, on top of enhancing social engagement.

(Word Count: 475 words) 

Resources in MLA 9th edition:

Studio, Arauna. “A Graphic Intervention Transforms Streets of Barcelona for a More Inclusive Cityscape.” Edited by Ravail Khan, Designboom, 13 June 2023, www.designboom.com/design/graphic-intervention-barcelona-inclusive-cityscape-arauna-studio-tactical-urbanism-06-12-2023/. 

Odeh, Evergreen. “The Power of Collaboration: How Designers Can Work Better with Teams.” LinkedIn, 26 Mar. 2025, www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-collaboration-how-designers-can-work-better-teams-odeh-cl6mf.

[gracekohwanying]

Compulsory Question #1: Create a Critical Thinking Skills B Manifesto

My first rule for the manifesto would be “Creation is a reflection of oneself”. I find myself often drawn to themes that resonate with me. For my studio work, I have to design for a food festival. As I needed a brand concept, I decided to pitch my studio project’s concept as self-nourishment and body positivity. As someone who struggled with food and body image as part of my past experience, I wanted to amplify the importance of self-nourishment.

Dena Nguyen, a brand designer, shared on how to create her personal brand identity. One of the steps she mentioned was to reflect and define. Brand positioning statements and brand values have to come from within and a sense of self (Nguyen, 2024). She also owns two cats, which inspired her to start her own toy brand, Dinocat. Hence, I totally agree with the notion that creation is the reflection of oneself, therefore adding this as part of my manifesto.

My second rule for the manifesto for CTS B would be to think creatively and critically to solve problems. In week 1, I concluded that critical thinking and creative practice are symbiotic. In short, critical thinking  involves identifying problems, researching, analysing, form conclusions and implement (MDIS, 2025). It’s inevitable that in creative practices we run into problems, but we don’t avoid them. Through research and trial-and-errors, we can come up with innovative solutions and discover resources that would help us in future. For instance, the Japanese company AGRIST created a machine to curb low manpower for a bell pepper farm (Refer to Fig 9.). It is able to leverage  AI to identify bell peppers and cut them accurately (Angelopoulou, 2021).  This invention is a result of creative thinking and critical thinking coming into play.

Another rule for the manifesto for CTS B would be ”Design is where ideas meet reality.”  Part of designing is to synthesise and implement ideas. The synthesis of ideas comes typically after a problem has been identified (LLC, 2025). It is important for ideas to have a “reality check” before implementation, as it could negatively affect our stakeholders. After thorough prototyping and exploration, we filter those ideas that would not work and turn innovation to reality .

In conclusion, the three rules for my manifesto are 1) Creation is a reflection of oneself. 2) To think critically and creatively to solve problems. 3) Design is where ideas meet reality. With these in mind, I will recall these when executing future design projects.

(Word Count: 403 words)

Resources in MLA 9th Edition:

MDIS, SQC. “Design Thinking vs Critical Thinking: When to Use Each Approach for Optimal Results.” Service Quality Centre, 30 Sept. 2025, www.sqcentre.com/blog/design-thinking-vs-critical-thinking-when-to-use-each-approach-for-optimal-results/. 

Angelopoulou, Sofia  Lekka. “Automatic Harvesting Robot Seeks to Solve Japan’s Labor Shortage Problem.” Automatic Harvesting Robot Seeks to Solve Japan’s Labor Shortage Problem, 9 Jan. 2023, www.designboom.com/technology/automatic-bell-pepper-harvesting-robot-aims-to-solve-japans-labor-shortage-problem-09-05-2021/. 

Nguyen, Dena. Behind The Scenes: Creating My Personal Brand Identity, YouTube, 1 Feb. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQtls4SFQGw. 

LLC, Brightpath Associates. “Innovative Product Design: Bringing Your Ideas to Life.” Innovative Product Design: Transforming Ideas into Reality, 2 Apr. 2025, www.linkedin.com/pulse/innovative-product-design-bringing-your-ideas-life-opqfc/. 

designboom, lea zeitoun I. “Hassell & Nagami Develop 3D-Printed Public Pavilion for Harsh Climates.” Designboom, 14 Mar. 2023, www.designboom.com/architecture/hassell-nagami-toorg-3d-printed-public-pavilion-prototype-03-14-2023/. 

[gracekohwanying]

Week 4 - Analyze artistic traditions and lineages

Analyzing artistic traditions and lineages through designs involves many factors. General information such as technique and medium could tell you the history of which when the artwork was created. The subject matter would propel us to think about what the topic is. The form would tell you the design elements involved (University Of Arkansas, 2024). The artwork overall will then give it meaning and intent. 

The medium for this logo is print.  It has a flowy Singapore flag and a streamlined “25” at the side. There are also four human figures with text indicating the purpose of the logo. The number “25” denotes that Singapore had been self-governing since the departure of the British in 1959. The Singapore flag had an upward flow to denote a confident, progressive nation, full of vigour. The four human figures in the logo were meant to represent the four major races of Singaporeans [Content] . This logo uses positive and negative spaces to embed four humans onto the Singapore flags, with more emphasis on “25”.

As 1959 marked the year in which Singapore formed its first legislature assembly, it had also been through a myriad of problems. From economical, unemployment and racial riots, Singapore had come a long way after a pivotal economic restructuring in 1984. The National Celebrations Steering Committee released this logo with the slogan “A time to celebrate. A time to stand up for Singapore.” [Context and history] . This logo was created to celebrate the milestone that Singapore has acquired through these years [Intent] .

By analysing artistic traditions and lineages, we will be able to gain inspiration and create deliverables that suit the objectives of any future projects.

(Word Count: 296 words)

Resources in MLA 9th Edition:

University Of Arkansas Little Rock, School Of Art And Design. “Guidelines for Analysis of Art.” School of Art and Design, 3 Dec. 2024, ualr.edu/art/art-history-resources/guidelines-for-analysis-of-art/. 

Singapore Graphics Archive. “25 Years of Nation-Building (1959-1984).” 25 Years of Nation-Building (1959-1984) | Singapore Graphic Archives, graphic.sg/gallery/25-years-of-nation-building-1959-1984-logo#:~:text=The%20official%20logo%20for%20Singapore’s%2025%20Years,gained%20self%2Dgovernance%20from%20the%20British%20in%201959. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025. 

[gracekohwanying]

Week 3 - Connecting practice with society.

We are bounded by a myriad of societal and environmental issues, some impacting us more than the other. It takes one’s consciousness to be aware and empathise on how they impact us. As next-generation designers, we could make leverage of our design background for a quality of life for the society. Packaging designers, for instance, have collaborated with environmentalists to make sustainable environmental products.

By actively conversing with the community, we can also share resources with other professionals to seek creative solutions, for the betterment of  the community. Design would have to come from a user-centric perspective, which encompasses the care and concern for our community (Eddy, 2025). Through these limitations comes meaningful and well-thought solutions. 

As a graphic design student, I have plans to spark a change through my expertise at hand. One thing I find useful in alleviating this would be the rise of counselling/therapy apps. Though I personally don’t think that online therapy is a substitute for people rejecting mental health practitioners, I like the idea of making a platform through UI/UX and then befriending and reaching out to people in need (Refer to Fig 2). 

Author Tom Borrup has cited many creative practices for the betterment of the community. But as myself in a design student context, one thing I could do as recommended in his books, is to promote stewardship of public places (Borrup 74, 2011). In my daily life, I noticed that some people actually treat void decks like a dumping ground for their bulky furniture. Unauthorized dumping should not impact the safety of other residents. I think as a design student, I can come up with design deliverables to further enhance the safety of the residence staying nearby.

 (Word Count: 277 words)

References in MLA 9th edition:

Eddy. “Design Thinking: A Problem-Solving Approach for Graphic Designers.” RMCAD, 3 Apr. 2025, www.rmcad.edu/blog/design-thinking-a-problem-solving-approach-for-graphic-designers/. 

Borrup, Tom. “Chapter 3, Building Social Connections through Arts and Culture.” Turner Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2011, p. 74. 

Nestle, Nestle. “Milo Switches to Paper Straws for a Cleaner Planet | Nestlé CWA.” MILO Switches to Paper Straws for a Cleaner Planet, 22 Feb. 2021, www.nestle-cwa.com/en/milo-switches-paper-straws-cleaner-planet.

[gracekohwanying]

Week 1 - Creative Practice and Critical Thinking

Critical thinking and creative practice function collectively. Critical thinking boosts inspiration, hypothesizes, promotes problem solving and broadens the scope of research in creative practice. It also allows us to analyze the credibility of sources to make informed decisions in our creative projects. Through critical thinking, we can critique ourselves and others objectively so as to see if our creative practices are in-line with our objectives. Hence, creative practice and critical thinking are symbiotic.

Critical thinking comprises seven systematical steps, starting with 1. problem identification, 2. critical assessment and counterargument of opinions, 3. source validation, 4.prioritizing information, 5. considering various perspectives, 6. reflecting all information on hand, and finally, 7. communicating and reflecting on results (Cebollero, 2024).  A creative process can be broken down into five steps, namely, gathering new materials, envisioning the work process through given materials, isolating the problem so as to recharge as a creative designer, allowing the idea to re-formulate naturally with new insights, and finally, to refine idea based on feedback (Clear, 2018).  Thus, I think that creative practice and critical thinking are both structured. 

Critical thinking and creative practice are both analytical. I can relate this to the creative practice of branding for the Studio module. I had to analyze our competitors and benchmark my brand to see how my brand fair among other existing brands . I also broadened my scope to find reliable sources on our competitors. All these would fall under the umbrella term for critical thinking. Creative Practice can also be analytical when we review our work for efficacy. As for the generative aspect, I would think both of them are generative. Critical thinking encompasses the generation of ideas while creative practice encompasses the generation of many artistic deliverables. 

(Word Count: 286 words)

References in MLA 9th edition:

Cebollero, Chris. “The Seven Key Steps of Critical Thinking.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024, www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/04/20/the-seven-key-steps-of-critical-thinking/. 

Clear, James. “For a More Creative Brain, Follow These 5 Steps.” For a More Creative Brain Follow These 5 Steps, 8 June 2018, jamesclear.com/five-step-creative-process. 

Athuraliya, Amanda. “How to Plan an App.” Creately, 17 July 2025, creately.com/guides/how-to-plan-an-app-visually/#:~:text=Step%201.,you%20need%20to%20focus%20on. 

Broussard, Mitchel. “WhatsApp, Messenger, and Minecraft among Most Popular Apps in App Store’s 10 Year History.” MacRumors, MacRumors, 10 July 2018, www.macrumors.com/2018/07/10/whatsapp-messenger-minecraft-popular/.