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Common Module - AY25.26 WOII

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WOII Compulsory: Summary

I am writing this summary in the final week of WOII class to reflect on my overall experience of practicing what I have learned from those weekly classes. Mentally speaking, I have little to no stress at all when attending and working (that include class activities and weekly reflections of choice) on both CTS and WOII compared to modules like Craft Workshop and Studio because of lack of literal in depth handcrafting and digital designing of artworks then installation. And since the main compulsory of WOII is mainly about learning weekly topics then posting reflective writings of selected topics and not all of them, I was further able to have easy and balance schedule with other modules for not only I can put said creative reflective writings in backlog as they take less time to finish but also related class activities which were already finished in class hours can be used to further compliment into those writings. What I want to say is that I only needed to worry about finishing the actual reflections and posting them on Tumblr with given guidelines since I have already obtained necessary resources back in the class. Nevertheless, WOII may not be the module I primarily focused on working but definitely one of the most relaxing ones there is.

(215 words)

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WOII: Week 11 - Postmodernism

The lecture covered both Modernism and Postmodernism. To start with Modernism first, {1} it is executing a style in very simple or minimal methods via usages of grids, typography, contrasts (focus via usage of different typefaces, shapes and colours), etc based on fundamental design communication qualities. Thus very effective yet practical especially when it comes to legibility aka conveying messages and also have a lot more potential to explore due to its nature when compared to traditional graphic designs with their complex decorative nature. 

Now for Postmodernism, {2} it is like the complete opposite of Modernism as in working things in complicated and even messy methods, not following any design fundamentals, putting stuffs together and making things up along the way until getting the grips of what the design is going to become. To be more straight forward, the designing process is mostly about goofing around and having fun, expressing the idea in unprofessional means yet full of personalities and final concluded outcome may not have a definite design message. And although the benefit of the entire concept can be subjective, at least the audiences having to think about the potential message of the design both rationally and irrationally can be fun. 

Afterward, we made a 3 member group to design an advertisement poster for any object nearby of choice (we chose a TV remote) including typography using a distorted and stylized postmodernism approach. Also popcorn at the corners are royalty free images I put as suggested by one of our members.

(252 words)

References

{1} Musgrave, Jackie. “Modernism: Design in a Nutshell (4/6).” YouTube, OpenLearn from The Open University, 8 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDCEtnXlA4Y. 

{2} Musgrave, Jackie. “History & the Arts – Postmodernism: Design in a Nutshell (6/6).” YouTube, OpenLearn from The Open University, 8 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKomOqYU4Mw.

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WOII: Week 10 - Post Structuralism

My opinion on Post Structuralism also based on the lecture is {1} the way we understand the meaning of something whether be architectures or signs can have multiple meanings without the definite truth and is affected by our unconscious perspective differences such as culture, political, religion, etc. Another example I can think of is the similarities of language alphabets between Japanese kanjis and Chinese characters although they have different meanings, that is based on the nation they are being used to communicate and I have actually seen misunderstanding between Japanese and Chinese people on Twitter too. 

But still, {2} it is still a deconstruction of Structuralism since we have to consider our criticism based on a pre-existing structure designed by its creator with their own interpretation, the original story they wanted to tell. Therefore, the ideology of Post Structuralism is to challenge the tradition of structures and to think out of the box which can be used to further evolve said structures into familiar yet different structures with different meanings. Just like how David Carson was able to figure out his own style via post structuralism in experimental or creative ways based on his prior surfer career.

For the related activity, we formed a 3 member group to take pictures of “texts” and “images” then we set off to a nearby mall. We then came back 15 minutes later, selected some of our captured pictures, put in a google slide then paired them with some explanations as shown in the image.

(251 words)

References

{1} Palumbo, Angela. “Eagleton’s Description of Post-Structuralism.” Seton Hill University Hosted Blogs, 20 Mar. 2009, https://blogs.setonhill.edu/AngelaPalumbo/2009/03/eagletons_description_of_post-.html.  

{2} Eagleton, Terry. “3. Literary Theory: An Introduction, Terry Eagleton.” Wordpress, 1996, mthoyibi.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/literary-theory_an-introduction_terry-eagleton.pdf.

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WOII Compulsory: Week 4 & 5 - Design Analysis and Field Trip

To analyse the quality of a design artwork, we should be able to first understand its framework. That includes the design’s purpose of existence, what it stands for, what or how it is made of, usages of style aspects and its context. In this 4th week, we were shown a bunch of different forms of artistic vision with focus on medium and craftsmanship in class such as {1} Chiang Muan’s bamboo crafting, which all of them follow said framework. 

Then we start a group activity where each group puts an object of our choice as instructed by our lecturer last week. I used the pencil I always bring for framework analysis since figuring out its material, craftsmanship and especially its purpose were going to be easy. Explanations based on framework are as follows.

Afterward, the entire class put what we all brought on a deck.

Then the group went back to working on figuring out categorizing objects we had selected from there and they were as follows.

5th week begins with the follow up to week 4 but we were now on a field trip to {2} New Bahru to capture photos instead of bringing objects into class and to apply the knowledge I had from previous week into practical use outside of class.

Now for the 1st task, let’s analyse the picture below and connect the object(s) from it to previous week’s object grouping. Coincidentally enough, the entire group of design can be paired with both categories of part 1 and 2 to some degree meaningfully because;

Then for the 2nd task, I would like to choose below 3 images out of many photos I have taken within the themes of ecology and even boundaries. Personally, these sets can create products of unordinary yet technically interesting grouping for reasons as explained.

(303 words)

References

{1} Muan, Chiang. “The Unexpected Feeling Episode 4: The Magic of Thai Bamboo.” Vimeo, TATnews Official, 2 Jan. 2020, vimeo.com/387362363.

{2} Nurjuwita, Dewi, and Ally Siew. “New Bahru: ‘Shopping Mall’ at the Former Nan Chiau High School with Local Brands & Restaurants.” Edited by Aditi Kashyap, TheSmartLocal, 11 June 2025, thesmartlocal.com/read/new-bahru-mall/#:~:text=New%20Bahru%2C%20lifestyle%20destination%20with,you%20can%20thank%20us%20later.&text=What%20is%20the%20history%20of%20New%20Bahru?

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WOII: Week 3 - Semiotics

Semiotics for how I understand is {1} through the practice of said study, we were able to comprehend different sorts of visual communication which are intentionally created symbols with contexts. Human societies use this logic to study semiotics further, then implement said communication methods into use as mandatory. Different countries and eras (written languages and their evolutions over time from object looking logos to unique words with characteristics). Even earliest of times (carved or painted images found from cave carvings from humans of primal times). 

By applying Charles Sanders Peirce’s theory, signs were created as contextualized symbols where a person will see it as signifiers first then let it be signified by denotation from what said individual can analyze and understand the meaning behind.

Finally for analyzing / decoding the poster below, credit to {2} DDB & Co. Turkey, for intentional understanding as design training.

Formal analysis - The poster has two sides and both have a dark blue ocean filled the entire space. Then there is emphasis on existence and lack of obvious shark fin in the middle. Contextual analysis - complimenting further, the shark fin is the signifier to signify the existence of life but it lacking in second side means that it is no longer safe for shark and any lifeforms wanting to come into the ocean. Thus, the poster promote encouragement of clean ocean environment, probably intending mainly towards visitors there. Or it can be interpreted in surface level terms like there being a shark in the ocean and not to go there.

(253 words)

References

{1} Atkin, Albert. “Peirce’s Theory of Signs.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 4 Aug. 2022, plato.stanford.edu/entries/peirce-semiotics/.

{2} DDB & Co. Turkey. “70 Best Print Adverts of All Time.” Empire Group, 20 Aug. 2020, theempire.com/best-print-adverts/.

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WOII: Week 1 - Phenomenology

Phenomenology in general is {1} when and how we live through our lives and experience the events happening as phenomena, then we try to study it as a concept.

During today class’s movie viewing activity, I learnt that {2} Edmund Husserl was firstly able to figure out this modern study through Cartesian system via his philosophy of how different in perceptive of a phenomena can be through the experience of an individual through said person’s mental states or characteristics (contains emotional factors) and perceptive of what actually happened by thought processing through logical means. So basically, phenomenology is when someone intentionally tries to understand occurring phenomena or at least a phenomenon in their daily life emotionally through their own perception. But then again, Martin Heidegger opposed Edmund Husserl’s philosophy by objecting about how one cannot just unbiasedly try to reflect a phenomenon truthfully via human conscious and further added how we should study phenomenology not just through personal understanding but also in additional of the actual phenomenon happening in outside in reality. 

I then worked on an on-field design training exercise connected to the above topic of phenomenology where I went around Lasalle and took two pictures which I personally interpreted the idea of “shadow” and “time” as in my perception of them from walking around. 

The pigeons resting grass field overshadowed by the rainy clouds can be interpreted as feeling gloomy but peaceful.

The sink’s flowing water can be interpreted as frozen time since the water was literally frozen when the picture was taken.

(255 words)

References

{1} Smith, Joel. “Phenomenology.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, University of Manchester, 2002, iep.utm.edu/phenom/.

{2} Husserl, Edmund, and Martin Heidegger. “Understanding Phenomenology.” YouTube, Academic Educational Materials, 22 Nov. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5geMLe5tbM.

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CTSA – Week 13 – Compulsory Question 3

To set professional goals through processes of critical thinking via CTS A, I already have enough faith in myself when it comes to adapting in actual working environments in addition to also having the necessary skills and mindset to pursue those careers. My primary goal is where I somewhat have decent experience of working and it is to become a UI/UX designer of a video game company, but any company with a good work culture where CTS is decently applied for every staffs should be fine since I care deeply about long term relationships between coworkers and my mental health. The same conditions apply for my secondary goal of becoming an industrial designer and in addition to previous points, I am happy to learn more about the overall professions from potential seniors and looking forward to be working together. 

I am not familiar with available collaborative projects right now or in the future but if possible, I’d like to contribute as a product designer in something related to industrial product design. Something like designing for an eco-friendly packaging for a brand backed by Plastic Action initiative (PACT) together with experienced product design BA students. 

Final project has been one of my main to do lists ever since I first came to Lasalle and it will be about creating UI/UX designs for some kind of children educational app sponsored by Lasalle to add as one of my main portfolios for future career hunting. Not only can I show my full talent of what I had learnt within 3 years at Lasalle by then, I can also have a fun time by working together with my friends who will be doing other works like illustrating mascot designs or gamifying lessons to be more engaging. 

To contribute to a non-profitable community campaign will be my honor and I am thinking of partaking in the background role of upcoming World Mental Health Day by assisting in Lasalle’s leading art therapy session. 

(327 words) 

Chen, Frank, and Teo Jie Huey. “Designing Eco-Friendly Packaging for SaladStop!” Designing Eco-Friendly Packaging for SaladStop! | LASALLE College of the Arts, Nov. 2019, www.lasalle.edu.sg/industry-collaborations/designing-eco-friendly-packaging-saladstop?source=industry-collaborations.

Tan, Kelvin. “SODC.” Graduates ’25, 2025, lasallesodc.show/25/diploma/project/kelvin-tan-chee-siang.

Lay, Ron. “World Mental Health Day 2013.” World Mental Health Day 2013 | LASALLE College of the Arts, 2013, www.lasalle.edu.sg/community-projects/world-mental-health-day-2013?source=community-projects.

Ibby. “Abdz-Do.” Fight for Kindness 2025 - Explore the Global Poster Gallery, 11 Apr. 2025, abduzeedo.com/fight-kindness-2025-explore-global-poster-gallery.

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CTSA – Week 12 – Compulsory Question 2

CTS A is utilized whether intentionally or subconsciously especially when it comes to unexpected or unfamiliar processes. I noticed that I had been applying CTS noticeably in earlier days of attending Lasalle because I was completely unfamiliar with school’s learning processes and had to kept adapting within said situations for better understanding. There are multiple group projects so collaboration is mandatory and thus, collaborative skills had to be utilized while further implementing additional soft skills of emotional intelligence, growth mindset, assertion and conflict resolution during those group works. Also want to mention that design thinking can be considered same as CTS but less analytical since I utilized it in these modules with human emotions (Julia Cohen, 2025).

Studio 1’s research mind map is the most memorable since the entire project needed multiple team works from start to end although some of those works such as printing images were given to the individual (leader), but remaining members still contributed as much as we could.  

The same group also worked on a Craft Workshop task where we first paint lines on a A3 paper which can be assumed whether be literal or conceptual then made physical artwork made out of “lines” with actual tangible objects we found or brought. 

Although for Digital Skills & Application, CTS can be implied on me trying to improve my digital photoshop and illustration works based on lecturer’s multiple 1:1 feedbacks by being emotionally intelligent enough to be humble and listen then have an actual growth mindset to positively improve from previous works by applying what he said. 

At least in terms of by the book definition for CTS in Photography, for example, me and my 2 friends went as a group for a Photography task but we were later encouraged not to do that since our works may became similar but us helping and learning new techs and positions to shoot the same photo from each other can still be technically part of applying CTS.  

(329 words) 

Cohen, Julia. “Design Thinking: A Problem-Solving Approach for Graphic Designers.” RMCAD, 11 Mar. 2025, www.rmcad.edu/blog/design-thinking-a-problem-solving-approach-for-graphic-designers/.

Kandinsky, Vasily. “Vasily Kandinsky: Composition 8.” The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation, July 1923, www.guggenheim.org/artwork/1924.

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CTSA – Week 11 – Compulsory Question 1

Critical thinking in my opinion is mostly about how we can adapt, process and execute certain sudden and unexpected events or problems whether by subconsciously or by utilizing with other soft skills and hard such as collaboration by asking helps from others and being emotional intelligence by sympathizing others’ limit in capabilities which both are technically parts of critical thinking. And I believe these facts were visualized in the illustration of an elephant chimera hybrid being below.

Adaptation via collaboration and emotional intelligence is the main talking point of this illustration. All these parts visualized the contribution of every members in the group with descriptions of CTSA topics we learnt and how we finished the illustration all satisfied although it may make no sense out of context. We all had fun not only because of us drawing a funny thing but also because of us letting each other be contributed in any ways we liked even if they may seem different or not belonging as part of it. What I want to say is that this can be reflected in a bigger picture of our society with social status / hierarchy and we all should get along starting with simple understanding of other individuals from different points of view. 

To further add to the importance of emotional intelligence in life, we humans are not perfect beings and there are times when we can be in bad moods and may say some hurtful things to loved ones and harm them then regret later. But individual in the wrong can reconnect the other by 1. being self aware enough of their false, 2. manage own emotion like calming down, 3. reflect and empathize via social awareness from the other’s point of view and finally 4. manage relationship again by giving a genuine apology (Abey Francis, 2024). 

(304 words)

Francis, Abey. “Four Components of Emotional Intelligence - MBA Knowledge Base.” Four Components of Emotional Intelligence, 2024, www.mbaknol.com/modern-management-concepts/four-components-of-emotional-intelligence/.

Harris Genkins, Arnold. “Art Direction, Magazine of Visual Communication, Vol XIV, No 07, October 1962.” Design Reviewed, Oct. 1962, designreviewed.com/artefacts/art-direction-magazine-of-visual-communication-vol-xiv-no-07-october-1962/.

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CTS A - Week 3 - Emotional Intelligence 

According to Dr Felipe Cervera, being emotionally intelligent can be one of defining factors for us in society with the capabilities to understand, use and manage emotions in positive ways. And further being able to understand personal feelings will give advantage of performing intentionally informed acts that are situationally prioritized. And as quoted by Daniel Goleman, “Emotional intelligence refers to a different way of being smart. EI is a key to high performance, particularly for outstanding leadership. It's not your IQ, but rather it's how you manage yourself and your relationships with others.”  

Therefore, I believe the most efficient part about being unconsciously proficient in Emotional Intelligence is knowing how to process and adapt ongoing events based on different states of life to create safer and more positive environments, in a way influence good in people’s heart thus promote kindness in society (Joshua Freedman, 2020). To quote Daniel Goleman again, “By teaching people to tune in to their emotions with intelligence and to expand their circle of caring, we can transform organizations from the inside out and make a positive difference in our world”. Thus, artists like me should have a cornerstone set of practice to grow further artistic intelligence from processing positive emotional thoughts starting from self-reflections and empathy (Ömer Saltukalp Uluç, 2023). 

I especially noticed its importance in mind map collaboration exercise which took place two days after when we not only contributed to assign work with responsibility but also took care of one another and just be genuinely nice and helpful. 

Then did final contribution with different members and went better than before due to gained experiences after over two months. 

(274 words) 

Cervera, Felipe. “Emotional Intelligence Dr Felipe Cervera.” YouTube, MB, 12 Aug. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD4Zs_0De_o.

Freedman, Joshua. “Emotional Intelligence: What Is Eq? Definition and How to Develop Yours.” Six Seconds, 10 July 2020, www.6seconds.org/emotional-intelligence/.

Uluç, Ömer Saltukalp. “A Milestone of Intelligent Development: Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Theory.” Experianta, 8 July 2023, experianta.com/directory/concepts/a-milestone-of-intelligent-development-daniel-golemans-emotional-intelligence-theory/.

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CTS A - Week 2 - Collaborative Skills

I had always preferred to work myself freely by individually but thanks to Melissa Quek, I was able to realize the importance of collaboration from different lights like how it can help with effective problem solving by others’ help, pushes me to think from different points of view, learn from others, extend network and have more chances of success at achieving goals. For instance, me and my friends learnt some photography methods and techs from one another during a fieldtrip. 

Now let me thoroughly simulate how a team with decent collaborative skills should be and how I would contribute. Firstly, everyone need to get on a single goal then agree on a plan of action to achieve it. Important to get along by motivating and encouraging each other while understanding personal boundaries. Then I should try to know the personalities, shared interests, strengths and weakness of individuals in the team. Finally, identify potential challenges and difficulties during the process of achieving said goal. Empathy and responsibility can be established by simple contributions of every members. Respectful creative friction, negotiation and questioning within each other are needed too to function as a proper collaboration. Thus, as stated by Jeong Lee, “Respect doesn’t just mean teammates treat each other with dignity and recognize their contributions. It also means they hold each other accountable and use “tough love” when necessary so the team as a whole achieves its goal”. 

I had also collaborated in a team on designing a monument which would be a statue as symbol of nature to remember, befriended and contributed as stated above and had a great time working on it. 

(272 words) 

Quek, Melissa. “Collaborative Skills Melissa Quek.” YouTube, MB, 12 Aug. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddegE_VjzmA.

“What Are Collaboration Skills? Definition and Examples.” Edited by Forage's editorial team, Forage, 2 June 2023, www.theforage.com/blog/skills/collaboration-skills.

Lee, Jeong. “7 Game-Changing Collaboration Skills and How to Upskill Fast.” Work Life by Atlassian, Atlassian, 1 July 2024, www.atlassian.com/blog/loom/collaboration-skills.

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CTS A - Week 1 - Critical Thinking 

I had already known a bit about CTS already for how natural it is in daily life but what I did not realize is how important it is in creative processes like art. Pooja Nansi explained how failure is important for creativity in art even compared to as a friend and how I should be experimental and know which of these encounters to keep in mind for growth in creativity, skills and experience like how I captured below pictures as risky experimentation.

Experimentation can also be expanded on the general ideologies of achieving a work of art in a neutral state with respect. In other word, artists should fill up work in given spaces as privileged and taking that space with understanding of importance is privilege too by working thoroughly with empathy for others sharing the space in today's multicultural society. Remember, vandalism ideology of art can be subjective especially in public spaces but artists shouldn’t also be afraid to represent their personal origins and thought processes when creating art as in “while many variables go into creating connection, understanding, and collaboration, it is worth noting that finding ourselves in spaces in which we can both hear and be heard and be granted time to process thoughtfully goes a long way” from Culture Principles. Thus, individualism can further complement art with additions like environmental, physical. mental factors. etc but still, no emotion is so specific.  

I further explored said ideologies of space vandalism and cultural challenges of art by utilizing critical thinking when I went to Funan to take pictures for a task, realizing first-hand context of vandalism, emotional influences, external factors and principles.

(263 words) 

Nansi, Pooja. “Critical Thinking Skills A Week 1 Film Pooja Nansi.” YouTube, MB, 15 Aug. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAHqOIuCsUs.

Doyle, Jo Xavier. “Embrace the Space: Unleashing the Power of Critical Thinking.” Culture Principles, 1 Jan. 2023, www.culture-principles.com/embrace-the-space-unleashing-the-power-of-critical-thinking/.

Tan, Charlene. “Teaching Critical Thinking: Cultural Challenges and Strategies in Singapore.” NIE Digital Repository, Wiley, 27 June 2017, repository.nie.edu.sg/server/api/core/bitstreams/b7a5a9c2-0b72-42a7-9eb5-5408656660b1/content.