Common Module- AY25.26 WOII

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WOII: Summary Post

WOII has become a meaningful foundation in shaping how I think about design and my growth as a creative individual. Through topics such as phenomenology, aesthetics, and semiotics, I learned to look beyond surface-level design and engage more deeply with meaning, perception, and interpretation. I now understand that design is not experienced in a single “correct” way, but is shaped by individual emotions, contexts, and perspectives.

Later concepts like cultural materialism, poststructuralism, and postmodernism expanded my thinking further. They showed me that design exists within broader social, cultural, and theoretical frameworks, and that meaning is often fluid rather than fixed. Art ecosystems also highlighted the importance of collaboration and the interconnected nature of creators, audiences, and institutions.

Throughout the module, I developed the ability to better articulate my observations of artworks and connect them to larger themes. Instead of simply describing what I see, I now analyse how meaning is constructed and communicated. I have also become more confident in expressing my ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.

Most importantly, WOII helped me recognise my artistic inclinations. I am drawn to design that focuses on human experience, emotion, and meaning. Overall, this module has shaped me into a more reflective, critical, and empathetic designer.

Word count: 200

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WOII: Week 11 - Post Modernism 

Poster design and postmodernism have significantly influenced the way I approach design, especially in collaborative work. Working with a classmate on a poster for a bottled tea product helped me understand how design decisions are shaped not only by individual creativity but also by shared ideas and negotiation.

Through the process, I realised that poster design is not just about arranging visuals attractively, but about communicating a message clearly and meaningfully. Every element, typography, colour, composition, and imagery, works together to influence how the audience perceives the product. In our case, we had to think about how to visually express the identity of the bottled tea while still making it appealing and engaging to viewers.

Postmodernism also played an important role in shaping my thinking. It encouraged me to move away from strict rules of “correct” design and instead explore more experimental and expressive approaches. Rather than following a fixed formula, we were able to play with styles, mix visual languages, and challenge traditional ideas of hierarchy and composition. This made the design process more flexible and open-ended.

Collaborating with my classmate further enhanced this experience, as it required constant communication, feedback, and compromise. It helped me understand different perspectives and improved my ability to refine ideas through discussion rather than working alone.

Overall, this experience taught me that effective poster design is both conceptual and collaborative. Postmodern thinking gave me the freedom to experiment, while teamwork helped me refine and strengthen the final outcome into a more cohesive and meaningful design. Word count: 247

What Is Postmodern Design: How the Reigning Style of the Late 20th Century Works - 99designs, 99designs.com/blog/design-history-movements/postmodern-design/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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WOII: Week 12 - Art Ecosystems 

Talking to my senior played a meaningful role in shaping my creative journey, as it opened my mind to new ways of thinking about art, technology, and human behavior. Through our conversations, I explored her work on facial recognition and social media algorithms, which respond to what we watch, pause on, and engage with. Her project revealed how closely art can reflect real-world systems, making invisible processes visible and open to critique.

This experience significantly influenced how I approach my own design process. When I feel inspired, I now return to artworks like hers and think about how AI can support and expand my ideas. Instead of using AI purely as a tool for efficiency, I see it as a creative collaborator that helps me generate variations, explore different compositions, and experiment beyond my initial concepts. This has made my design process more fluid and less constrained by the need for perfection.

At the same time, her work encouraged me to design with greater intention. I have become more aware of the messages behind my work, considering not only how it looks but also what it communicates. I think more critically about user interaction, data, and how digital systems may influence experiences in subtle ways.

Overall, this interaction helped me understand the dual role of AI, as both a powerful creative tool and a subject worth questioning. It has motivated me to design more thoughtfully, balancing innovation with awareness, and creating work that is both visually engaging and meaningful.

Word count: 248

How AI Will Impact Life of Average Designer — #copingwithai | by UX.Raspberry | Medium, medium.com/@uxraspberry/is-ai-going-to-steal-your-design-job-copingwithai-01f98e769662. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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WOII | Week 1- Phenomenology

Before encountering phenomenology, I approached design as a structured discipline governed by logic and problem-solving. I believed there was a correct way for users to interact with a product, and my role was to guide them toward that ideal path. Design, to me, was about clarity, efficiency, and control.

My favorite phrase, “We look up at the same stars and see such different things” by George R.R. Martin's A Storm of Swords has become the heartbeat of my design philosophy. In the past, I might have designed for a certain way and wanted people to view it the way I wanted it to be. 

Phenomenology reshaped this perspective entirely. It revealed that reality is not fixed or objective but constructed through individual perception, emotion, and context. Two people can engage with the same design and experience it in profoundly different ways. What feels intuitive and calming to one may feel distant or confusing to another. These differences are not flaws in the design, they are the essence of human experience.

This shift has led me to value the experience of use over mere task completion. Instead of asking only whether something works, I now ask how it feels. Bracketing allows me to set aside assumptions and approach a design with fresh awareness: How might this feel to someone tired, curious, or overwhelmed? What meanings might emerge beyond my intention?

Reflecting on my younger self, I see a tendency to rush toward outcomes, both in life and in design. Now, I recognize the importance of “being” of engaging with the present moment and the richness it holds. People are not static, and neither are their experiences. A product or space evolves with the user’s changing state of mind and stage in life.

Phenomenology has taught me that design is not about control, but about empathy, an ongoing effort to understand how others experience their world. Word count: 268

All Stars Are Different, but When We Look up, We See Them Just the Same. | by Khayl | Dec, 2025 | Medium, medium.com/@khayl/all-stars-are-different-but-when-we-look-up-we-see-them-just-the-same-a69948612402.

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WOII | Week 2 - Aesthetics

At Burlington Square, the environment felt relatively calm and organized. The cleaner layout, wider walkways, and quieter surroundings created a more relaxed browsing experience. Even when we were not actively intending to buy anything, the comfortable setting encouraged us to explore the stores. The aesthetic simplicity made the space feel less overwhelming, which subtly increased our willingness to spend time. The signages there are simple, straightforward as well. Which allows consumers to feel less stress when choosing as it doesn’t seem too overwhelming.

In contrast, Sim Lim Square presented a very different user experience. Known for its dense concentration of electronics stores, the mall felt more crowded and intense. Bright signage, tightly packed shops, and competitive sales tactics created a high-energy atmosphere. While this environment offers variety and competitive pricing, it can also feel overwhelming. As customers, we became more cautious, comparing prices carefully and double-checking product details before making decisions.

From this experience, we learned that aesthetics influence our emotions, and emotions influence purchasing decisions. A pleasant, well-designed space builds trust and comfort, encouraging impulse buying. Meanwhile, a cluttered or high-pressure environment may trigger hesitation, even if prices are lower. Ultimately, businesses that invest in positive user experience design can significantly shape customer perception, satisfaction, and buying behavior.

Word count: 245

Design Is Not Aesthetic., blog.prototypr.io/design-is-not-aesthetic-a1cdc9c004d3?gi=f2e2be9b6758. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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WOII | Week 4&5 -Design analysis & Field trip

Although I missed the field trip to New Bahru with my classmates, I decided to visit the space alone. This became a valuable opportunity for me to observe and analyse the environment from my own perspective, without being influenced by others’ interpretations. Experiencing the space independently allowed me to slow down, notice details more carefully, and form my own understanding of how design operates within a real commercial setting.

New Bahru gave me a deeper understanding of how brands use design not only visually, but experientially, to engage their audience. One example that stood out was Make by GINLEE. Instead of relying on traditional posters or printed promotions, they used their bags as a medium for storytelling and advertising. This allowed visitors to physically touch, hold, and interact with the material. By transforming a functional object into a promotional tool, they blurred the boundary between product and advertisement, making the experience feel more personal, tactile, and memorable.

Similarly, Beyond The Vines made strong use of colour as a defining part of its brand identity. The store was filled with bold and vibrant tones that immediately captured attention and created a strong visual presence. This consistent use of colour reinforced brand recognition while also shaping the mood of the space. It encouraged visitors to feel more open and curious, naturally drawing them into the environment and inviting exploration of the products.

From this experience, I learned that design is not just about how something looks, but how it shapes behaviour, emotion, and interaction. Both brands demonstrated how thoughtful spatial and visual design can influence how people move, feel, and engage within a space.

This experience has influenced my own design process by encouraging me to think beyond static visuals. I now consider how my work can create interaction, evoke emotion, and build meaningful experiences that stay with the audience beyond first impressions.

Word count: 283

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CTS A | Week 13: Summative Assessment Compulsory Question 3

CTS A has become a crucial foundation in how I think about my learning and the kind of designer I want to become. It gives me the ability to question, analyse, and reflect—skills that guide me not only in class, but also in imagining my future as a creative professional. By slowing down my thoughts and examining ideas from different angles, I am better able to understand what I value, what I want to explore, and how I want to contribute.

When I imagine cross-disciplinary projects, CTS A helps me identify where meaningful collaboration can happen. I am especially interested in working with psychology, social work, and digital media because these fields offer insights into human behaviour and communication. Critical thinking allows me to evaluate how my design skills can merge with these areas to create projects that are thoughtful, relevant, and socially grounded.

For potential final-year projects, CTS A pushes me to look beyond aesthetics and explore deeper societal issues. Topics like mental health, heritage preservation, or sustainability feel important to me because they affect real people. With the tools from CTS A, I am more confident in framing research questions, analysing problems, and designing outcomes with purpose.

When considering community organizations, critical thinking helps me understand what different groups truly need—rather than assuming. It guides me to listen, observe, and interpret information more responsibly. I feel drawn to working with youth groups, mental-wellness organizations, or elderly support centres, because design can genuinely improve communication and accessibility in these spaces.

Most importantly, CTS A helps me recognise my personal strengths: empathy, curiosity, and the ability to connect ideas. These strengths shape the kind of designer I aspire to be—someone who creates with intention and who uses design to make a real, positive impact.

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CTS A | Week 12: Summative Assessment Compulsory Question 2

Engaging with CTS A has felt like discovering a backbone that quietly supports everything I do across my modules. It has become the lens through which I make sense of my creative decisions, technical processes, and the way I express ideas. Instead of seeing Critical Thinking as a separate subject, I now experience it as a mindset that threads through Studio, Craft Workshop, Digital Skills & Applications, and Photography—pulling everything together with purpose.

In Studio, CTS A helps me move beyond making things that “look nice.” It pushes me to question intention, audience, context, and meaning. I’ve learned to pause, analyse, and justify my choices—turning uncertainty into clarity. It makes my design process feel more grounded and confident.

In Craft Workshop, critical thinking shows up in how I problem-solve with materials. When something collapses, doesn’t fit, or looks different than I expected, CTS A reminds me to step back: What assumptions did I make? What alternatives can I test? It changes frustration into curiosity.

For Digital Skills & Applications, CTS A helps me evaluate information, decide which tools actually serve my goals, and recognise when I’m relying too heavily on what’s convenient instead of what’s effective. It has taught me to navigate digital work more intentionally.

With Photography, CTS A sharpens my ability to observe, frame, and interpret. It guides me to consider perspective, bias, emotional impact, and storytelling—transforming photos from simple captures into thoughtful visual arguments.

Overall, CTS A ties all my learning together. It helps me see connections I didn’t notice before, and it gives me a sense of control over my own thinking. I feel more aware, more reflective, and more capable of making decisions with purpose. In many ways, CTS A hasn’t just improved my work—it has changed the way I understand myself as a learner and creator.

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CTS A | Week 11: Summative Assessment Compulsory Question 1

I see the Critical Thinking module as a camera lens. One that allows me to zoom in and out of any issue by shifting effortlessly between finer details and the broader picture. With this lens, I can step back to gain wider perspectives or zoom in for deeper, more precise analysis. It helps me adjust my viewpoint, reduce distortion, and see ideas with greater clarity and objectivity. Like a camera lens, it also guides me to focus on areas where I can grow, sharpening the skills I may be lacking and continuously refining the way I think.

For our group mindmap, we illustrated a cat, representing Critical Thinking as the heart of curiosity. Just like a cat, the module encourages us to stay inquisitive and look beyond what is immediately visible. Cats constantly observe their surroundings, such as the space, mood, and behaviours of others. Similarly, Critical Thinking trains us to understand the context surrounding any idea, artwork, or text. It encourages us to form our own interpretations, question norms, and think independently. A cat doesn’t view the world from only one angle, and neither should we.

My favourite session was Emotional Intelligence. It allowed me to reflect on what I want to achieve as a designer and helped me become more self-aware in how I communicate my ideas. I realised the importance of expressing thoughts honestly without hurting others. Working in a group also taught me to see the bigger picture. With everyone’s ideas coming together, we uncover blind spots and understand things from different perspectives, which helps us grow.

However, I recognise that I could improve in how I respond to others. Sometimes I speak without filtering my thoughts, and my words may come across differently than intended. From “Empathy: How to Feel and Respond to the Emotions of Others” on HelpGuide.org, I learned the importance of listening with an open mind rather than immediately judging. At the same time, I am reminded through Claudia de Llano’s “Taking Care of Others’ Feelings and Your Own” that my feelings matter too, and I shouldn’t feel guilty for expressing myself while learning to communicate with kindness. (337 words)

“Empathy: How to Feel and Respond to the Emotions of Others.” HelpGuide.Org, 25 Sept. 2024, www.helpguide.org/relationships/communication/empathy. 

Claudia de Llano. “Taking Care of Others' Feelings and Your Own.” Claudia de Llano, 24 Feb. 2025, www.theawakenedjourney.com/taking-care-of-others-feelings-and-your-own/. 

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Growth Mindset

Having a growth mindset is important because it shapes how we view ourselves, our learning, and our potential. Mindset matters since it determines whether we approach challenges with confidence or avoid them out of fear. A growth mindset helps us understand that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, practice, and persistence. This perspective encourages us to embrace feedback, learn from mistakes, and keep trying even when tasks are difficult. In contrast, a fixed mindset can limit our potential, as it makes us believe that skills are innate and unchangeable, and that mistakes are failures rather than opportunities for learning.

In the past, I often had a fixed mindset. I avoided tasks I found challenging and worried too much about making mistakes. Feedback sometimes felt like criticism, and I didn’t always see its value. Over time, I realized that this mindset was holding me back from reaching my full potential.

Now, I am trying to adopt a growth mindset. I enjoy trying new things, even when they are challenging. I see mistakes as important learning experiences and feedback as a guide to help me improve. I am more willing to experiment, take risks, and find new ways to solve problems. This shift has made me more motivated, resilient, and confident in my abilities.

Overall, moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset has changed the way I approach learning and life. I now believe that with effort, patience, and perseverance, I can continue to grow and achieve more than I previously thought possible.

244 words

Reference:

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: What’s the Difference?, online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset. Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.

Dweck, Carol. “The Power of Believing That You Can Improve.” TED, www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve. Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.

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Critical Thinking

Critical thinking, to me, begins with asking questions and, more importantly, asking the right questions. It is about stepping back to think through ideas, to adapt my perspective, and to consider issues from all possible angles. Critical thinking is not about being negative or overly critical; rather, it is about discovery, seeing patterns, connections, and possibilities that might not be visible at first glance. It also means helping one another sharpen our understanding through dialogue and reflection.

When I work, I often pause to question my own choices: Why this approach? What other methods might work better? What assumptions am I making? This process helps me uncover blind spots and allows my ideas to grow stronger.

Mary Oliver once asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” For me, the answer begins with empathy and kindness. I believe art should not wound, but instead open doors to reflection and connection. Even small gestures like sharing what you appreciate from another person’s artwork remind me how art can touch people. These moments show me that what feels personal can often be universal.

Sometimes I worry that my words may come across as too harsh, as I tend to speak with a straightforward mindset. Critical thinking helps me pause and reflect on what I want to share, allowing me to express my thoughts more clearly and, importantly, in a kinder and more considerate way.

Ultimately, critical thinking in my art is about creating space for openness, questioning, and human connection. It helps me to not just make, but to make meaning.

268 words

Reference: “The Summer Day.” The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-133/the-summer-day/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.

Moseley, Corey. “What Are Collaboration Skills (and Why Do They Matter)?” Jostle Blog, blog.jostle.me/blog/6-collaboration-skills-and-how-to-foster-them. Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.

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CTS A | Week 2: Collaborative Skills

Collaborative efforts revolve around the sharing of ideas and the pooling of resources to form constructive solutions with other stakeholders. These initiatives are designed to help expose the participants to constructive criticism and enable the attainment of a shared purpose. Through collaborative efforts, the participants are able to help one another, gain a different understanding of the issues at hand, and develop as a team.

I offer leadership and active listening skills. As a team leader, I take the time to assess each member's strengths and match tasks to their skills. I understand that this might take some time and may not be completely accurate at first, but I appreciate the process of understanding my colleagues. I might not be the most effective leader, but I know that leadership requires a large degree of patience and empathy.

Recently, we created a mind map to explore the idea of collaboration. This helped us to think more deeply about what collaboration truly means, beyond just working together. By mapping out our thoughts, we were able to connect different perspectives, such as communication, trust, problem-solving, and shared goals, and see how they link together. The activity encouraged us to reflect not only on the benefits of collaboration but also on its challenges, such as unequal participation or lack of discussion. It reminded me that effective teamwork requires effort from everyone and that coming in with an open and willing mindset makes a big difference. 241 words

Reference: Moseley, Corey. “What Are Collaboration Skills (and Why Do They Matter)?” Jostle Blog, blog.jostle.me/blog/6-collaboration-skills-and-how-to-foster-them. Accessed 29 Sept. 2025.