CTS B | Week 12 Compulsory Question 2
In this session, we conducted activities to explore the relationship between design, social participation, tradition, and genealogy, and to connect personal design goals with CTS B's themes. The core goal of the class was to analyze and understand the meaning of design in a social and cultural context. Through this, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of design on society and individuals and reflect on how my work could convey messages to viewers and evoke meaningful experiences. This course also helped me think critically about my ethical and social responsibilities as a designer and how personal creations can contribute to a broader cultural narrative.
For example, I created a book cover that encourages mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cover shows a person wearing a mask, but it is designed to reveal images of people exposed to the virus when removed. This project goes beyond mere visual representation and conveys social messages and responsibilities, allowing viewers to experience the message firsthand. It enabled me to explore how to communicate social issues effectively through visual storytelling and symbolic representation. This work also allowed me to identify specific ways to express the cultural context and public health issues I am interested in through design.
As a result, I embodied a design vision that provides a memorable experience to viewers through rich colors and emotional illustrations. I am highly interested in visual storytelling, so I aim to connect personal interests with social and cultural contexts using illustrations, typography, and narrative elements. This approach was implemented in the book cover project I conducted, providing an experience that helped viewers intuitively understand the social message conveyed.
Through reviewing related works, Rafael López's illustrations were a major source of inspiration. His work allows viewers to intuitively understand traditional Mexican culture and social narratives through symbolic imagery and color. López’s approach is also deeply connected to the core themes of CTS B. In CTS, I learned how design can communicate with society and reflect cultural meanings, and his illustrations visualize traditions and social stories in ways that viewers can intuitively experience. I intend to apply López’s methods to my work, using color and composition to convey messages intuitively and designing so that viewers can directly engage with the cultural context and narrative.
In the future, I plan to expand my portfolio through various projects and establish a unique visual language through experimental design incorporating social messages and cultural values. Additionally, I aim to collaborate with The Salvation Army Singapore and local cultural festivals to create works that effectively convey social and cultural messages, analyzing and referencing designs that successfully combine tradition, modernity, and social values to provide meaningful experiences and strong impressions for viewers.
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Rafael López. “New Posters for Americas Latino Eco Festival.” Rafael López Studio, 2 July 2014, https://rafaellopez.com/2014/07/02/new-posters-for-americas-latino-eco/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.











