anniehaeun

[anniehaeun]

WOII - Summary Post 

During the WOII course, I had the opportunity to connect my design world with various fields like art, philosophy, and humanities through the topics we explored and the activities we engaged in. It was a time where I felt my artistic and design senses grow.

One of the most memorable activities was Semiotics. Semiotics is the study of signs and how they carry meaning. The cigarette poster we chose wasn’t just about smoking, but represented the destruction of nature. This activity taught me that even a small image or short sentence could convey a powerful message, and it made me realize that design isn’t just about decoration—it's a tool for expressing thoughts and meaning.

I started to realize that design is a means of expressing the information and experiences I've acquired, as Alina Wheeler puts it: "Design is intelligence made visible." I came to see that design is a natural reflection of what I've learnt when I presented my ideas and observations in class.

I was also able to better understand my own artistic preferences and style thanks to this training. Weekly presentations in front of my peers further increased my self-expression confidence. All things considered, the WOII course was a priceless learning opportunity that enhanced my capacity for creative thought, expression, and self-awareness.

(210 words)

Lynchy. "Save Lives. Stub It Out." Campaign Brief, 24 Sept. 2009, https://campaignbrief.com/save-lives-stub-it-out/.

[anniehaeun]

WOII: Week 11 - Postmodernism

Looking at the representative art, architecture, and literature from the Modernist era, you can see that there was a serious exploration of human essence and form. Architecture was built in a simple, functional, and practical way, and in literature, there was an effort to convey deep messages about the struggles of human existence.

Postmodernism takes away the seriousness of Modernism and turns everyday life and consumption into art, making it look kind of funny at times. It’s known for mixing styles, exaggerating, and adding humor to art. Because of this, postmodernism is often seen as supporting relativism and rejecting universal ideals, and it's also connected to nihilism.

We used the idea of Postmodernism to make a Postmodern-style poster with something we had around—my headset. The poster features a mix of different images and textures, creating a free, rule-breaking layout, and we used vivid colours and bold combinations to turn a simple ad poster into something visually striking.

This activity really helped me see the impact Postmodernism has on the design work I’m doing right now. For example, the screen printing and publication activities we did in craft class are great examples of Postmodernism in action. By breaking away from traditional methods and going for something experimental and creative, I realized that the free and critical style of Postmodernism really shows through in these activities—something I fully understood it through this WOII project.

(228 words)

Language and Philosophy. “What is Postmodernism?” YouTube, 1 Aug. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPewIqYrCU4.

[anniehaeun]

WOII: Week 10 - Poststructuralism

According to the linguistic theory of Ferdinand de Saussure, language is a systematic framework in which word interactions create meaning. For example, the word "apple" refers to the concept of "apple," and its meaning is shaped by the words it is associated with.

To explore this, we conducted an exercise where one participant gathered sentences and the other collected photos. My partner gathered the images, while I handled the text. In class, we presented our photos, linked those that matched the readings, and gave descriptions to photos that seemed unrelated.

For example, "gallery" and "emergency call" were easily connected. I paired my partner’s photos of a fire extinguisher and a gallery. "Innovation" and "music class" weren't an obvious match, but I saw the camera as a creative invention, and the woman’s movement seemed to align with a music class, so I connected them. For "H" and "ask me," I noticed a chair leg resembling the letter 'H' and a bird while reading a book saying "ask me!"

This exercise showed me that meaning in language arises from differences. Words derive meaning by distinguishing themselves from each other, and I was intrigued by how meanings emerge through these links. Just as Structuralism finds meaning in language through word relationships, I realized that in my future design process, I must carefully connect various elements to develop and communicate the overall meaning of my designs.

(230 words)

"Ferdinand De Saussure | Footnotes to Plato | Accidental Father of Structuralism." TLS, 27 Aug. 2024, www.the-tls.co.uk/regular-features/footnotes-to-plato/ferdinand-de-saussure-accidental-father-structuralism.

"Title of the Image." Busra Kuzu, www.busrakuzu.com/post/mental-imagery-mental-representation-in-4-fields. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

[anniehaeun]

WOII Week 05&06_ Design Analysis and Field Trip

In Week 5, we had a session in the Design Analysis Framework class where each of us brought three meaningful personal items to classify collectively in groups and to evaluate them from a design perspective. Most items in our group, including mine, contained personal memories, were gifts, or were practical. As a result, we divided the possessions into four groups: things we bought ourselves, things we got as presents, useful things, and decorative things.

This classification let me realize that the things we treasure have ageless and useful designs in addition to being brimming with memories. "Design is not just how it looks and feels," as Steve Jobs once stated. Design is the mechanism. I became determined after working on this project to provide aesthetically pleasing and useful designs that will be used for the rest of my training. In Week 6, we concentrated on organizing throughout the Kampong Glam neighbourhood, which is brimming with ornamental objects and handicrafts. Many objects could be categorized as ‘decorative’ based on our previous session.

I decided to categorize this area based on three criteria: 'Memory'. I classified it as souvenirs that allow us to keep memories and memorable moments, like taking pictures.

The Texture category was the second. Considering the range of handicrafts available, I discovered things like blankets, pillowcases, silky clothing, and traditional attire. I also found feather-based soft art creations. On the contrary, hard handicrafts, which are delicate, can be categorized as useful mementos such as beautiful bowls, cups, or plain ceramics adorned with vibrant mother-of-pearl.

Lastly, I developed the 'Place' category, which is divided into cultural sites that visitors visit and regular locations that residents visit. While the Sultan Mosque, a Kampong Glam landmark, is a popular tourist destination, regular locations can include eateries and bookshops.

(295 word)

C, Vinyasa. "Design Not Just What It Looks Like and Feels Like. Design Is How It Works.” — STEVE JOBS. 14 Nov. 2023, www.linkedin.com/pulse/design-just-what-looks-like-feels-how-works-steve-jobs-chalasani-zds9e.

[anniehaeun]

WOII Week 01_Phenomenology

In this session, we discussed the relationships between art and phenomenology.  Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that explores events and their essence in order to understand situations without preconceived notions.  This helped me see how our appreciation for unique experiences and interpretations is intrinsically connected to design and art.  

Our class exercise concentrated on visually interpreting time and shadows based on this comprehension. I conveyed the abstract connotations of these two themes using a variety of my own images.  

I chose two images for the shadows theme because I thought they related to my 'Lived Experience.'One was an image that captured both my shadow and that of a bird, and the other was a silhouette of a heart-shaped shadow that my companion and I made in the intense Spanish sunlight. The sunlight's shadows visually verified that we were there, in that moment. On another occasion, my shadow aligned with a dove, creating a surprising but significant scene.  

For the time concept, I contrasted two images of Marina Bay Sands, one taken at night and one during the day, to show temporal variations. This contrast related to perception. At night, the vibe shifts to something more mysterious and surreal, while during the day, the exterior, lighting, and atmosphere create a sense of brightness and luxury. Artificial lighting at night makes the area seem ethereal, whereas sunlight reflection gives a radiant effect.  

This exercise deepened my understanding of how phenomenological differences in place and time shape my experiences and perceptions.

(246 word)

Language and Philosophy. “What Is Phenomenology?” YouTube, 31 Dec. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG3fq-KHDDw.

[anniehaeun]

WOII Week 02_Aesthetics 

Plato viewed beauty as a perfect form that exists in the world of ideas, while Kant believed that aesthetic experience comes from pure pleasure that extends beyond our particular interests.As design students, we explored how we perceive and understand aesthetics in our daily lives and surroundings during this class.  (Refer to the image description above) We identified aesthetic features by observing and analyzing signage close to Hawker Centres and Bugis as a group exercise. They were separated into three categories by our team: food and beverage signage, restaurant signboards, and road signage.

1. Road Signages

  To capture attention, these often use bright and bold colours, as well as thick, straightforward fonts or graphic elements (such as bold lines and geometrical forms). Because their major role is to offer warnings or information, the mix of simple design and vibrant colours adds to their aesthetic appeal.

2. Restaurant Signboards

One important feature was distinctive typography that reflected the ambiance of each restaurant. For example, to give the impression of being softer and friendlier, cafes frequently employed curved fonts instead of straight ones.

3. Food & Drinks Signages

Bold colour schemes and typefaces were popular, especially for food and beverage signage. Signage, promotional posters, and store names all used graphic elements to naturally promote the products. This ingenious design created a powerful visual indication, enabling visitors to recognize what was being presented right away. Through this study, I investigated the significant influence that aesthetics has on our environment and lives.

(247 words)

Jeff Searle. "The Second Moment." Jeff Searle's Blog, 23 Feb. 2025, https://jeffsearle.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-second-moment.html.

Power Scaling. "Mathematical Scaling vs Conceptual Scaling." Reddit, 23 Feb. 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/PowerScaling/comments/1739dj5/mathematical_scaling_vs_conceptual_scaling/.

[anniehaeun]

CTS A Week 10- Compulsory Question 01

I used the metaphor of a growing tree to represent critical thinking.The various sessions we’ve completed so far were represented as blossoming leaves, as we believe CTS provides us with a solid foundation like a tree trunk, and each session gains its own life and grows like leaves on the tree. Additionally, we thought of each leaf as representing insights gained from each session, likening the entire concept to a potted plant.

Among the sessions, the one that was particularly helpful for me was Assertion and Conflict Resolution. As the title suggests, this session covered effective ways to resolve conflicts, and a video shown during class highlighted the importance of empathy in conflict resolution. The video emphasized that, to make better decisions in the future, it is essential to step back to prevent emotions from worsening the situation. By taking a moment to organize one’s thoughts and emotions, and clearly defining the situation and desired outcome, one can approach conflicts more effectively.

In this article, Dr. Helen Riess from Harvard University said, 'Empathy is a key part of emotional connection. It allows us to feel with others and understand their experiences more deeply.(Riess)' Through this, I learned that understanding not only my own situation but also others' can help me deal with conflicts more calmly. I realized that I should remember this not just in school but in my life as well.

Group work with friends in school can easily lead to conflicts. Different opinions may clash, but collaborating with team members to solve problems is a big advantage. By considering diverse perspectives, better solutions can be found, leading to outcomes superior to what one could achieve alone. Additionally, team members can point out overlooked details, allowing for quick adjustments and achieving a higher level of quality in the final result.

Among the categories, the part I would most like to improve is Documentation for digital assignment or studio projects, it's important to gather research, images, and references., and use them to develop ideas and create outcomes. However, I realized that I focused more on the final result than the process, which led me to miss out on gathering enough input. Next time, I want to focus more on this aspect and create outcomes with a stronger, more thorough process.

(330word)

Future Work Design. “WE LOVE CONFLICT: Wheel of Mindfulness.” YouTube, 20 May 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_u-7SARzRc.

Nowak, Anita, PhD. Empathy Matters in Healthcare - A Spotlight on Dr. Helen Riess. 14 Feb. 2024, www.linkedin.com/pulse/empathy-matters-healthcare-spotlight-dr-helen-riess-nowak-phd.

[anniehaeun]

CTS A Week 11- Compulsory Question 02

In this session, we worked on mapping the seven topics covered in CTA to other modules. As shown in the photo, among the various topics, I believe the one that connects most with other modules is collaborative skills. This is because, even in classes that aren't specifically about collaboration, there are still moments when we need to support each other. For instance, in photography class, when we need to take a picture of a friend’s face or capture someone in a still pose to work on shutter speed, collaboration becomes essential.

Additionally, collaborative skills are required during studio sessions, where teams of 2 to 6 members work together to create a single piece. This process allows us to combine everyone’s ideas and develop them to achieve the best possible outcome.

As time passed and I engaged in the activity of connecting all modules with CTA, I realized that critical thinking is not limited to just one module; rather, it is a fundamental element present in all modules. An article discusses critical thinking by emphasizing that it requires deep engagement with information and ideas rather than merely finding the right answer.(PSYCHOLOGY TODAY)

In studio session, we were divided into groups and each created posters based on our assigned topics. We then provided analytical feedback on each other's strengths and areas for improvement. Using that feedback, I personally created a new poster.(Please refer to the photo below)

This process doesn't just end with one attempt; it presents multiple challenges that help our designs evolve. It encourages a growth mindset. emotional and exceptional abilities. Therefore, rational and analytical thinking is an essential requirement not only in design but also in various fields to achieve the best outcomes.

(302 words)

Killian, Kyle D. Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Matters, 23 Sept. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/kyle-d-killian-phd-lmft. 

[anniehaeun]

CTS A Week 12-Complusory question 03

The Lasalle Diploma in Dance program is the one I would pick if I had the chance to collaborate with another department. This is because dance is one of the most powerful kinds of visual storytelling since it can express art through the special tool of the "body."

I would like to collaborate with the dance department on a project which integrates virtual reality with dance and design. For instance, I would create costumes, props, virtual stages, and backgrounds in addition to designing avatars who dance in the metaverse.

Following that, I would capture the real-life movements of dance students so that the metaverse avatars could either move in unusual ways or exactly copy those movements.   By doing this, we can display the partnership as an online performance or digital exhibition, offering visitors a chance to see the incredible combination of dance and design in one place. (Please refer to the video above)

 In my view, the significance of design as a tool for communicating essential messages is more significant than the significance of design in itself. This is why I have decided to create a hospital's interior for my final project.(Please refer to the photos above and captions) People might want to stay away from hospitals since they are frequently seen as unfriendly and uncomfortable places. Therefore, in order to have a positive effect on patients and their caregivers, I would want to design the interior of the hospital by changing the colours and illustration themes based on the age of the patients and the type of hospital.

My ultimate goal is to become a creative director in the music entertainment field by applying design based on music. There are several key skills required for a director. First, the abilities learned in most sessions of 'Critical Thinking' are essential. Specifically, the ability to objectively evaluate various ideas, choose the most effective ones, and identify trends requires a 'Growth Mindset' and 'critical thinking skills'. Additionally, the ability to present visual elements and strategies for both artists and consumers, along with the ability to use 'Facts & Reliable Sources' is necessary. Lastly, 'Collaborative Skills' are crucial for effectively communicating and collaborating with diverse people." I believe the skills I learned in CTS are important for thinking creatively and strategically in the career I want.

(337words)

Lee, Benny. “[어린이 병원 디자인]  노는 것이 곧 치유하는 것 EKH Children Hospital/IF.” de:KUBE, 12 Nov. 2023, https://de-kube.tistory.com/12

Klempner, Dylan. ”Hospital Art Helps People Heal, but the Artworks Need Care Too", https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-hospital-art-helps-people-heal-artworks-care. Accessed 26 July 2019.

Ho, Ka-Lok. What makes a great Creative Director? 21 May 2019, www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-makes-great-creative-director-ka-lok-ho.

[anniehaeun]

CTS Week 03 - Emotional Intelligence

What is Emotional Intelligence? According to Mental Health America, emotional intelligence is the ability to manage both our own emotions and understand the emotions of people around us.(MHS) There are five key elements: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.

Among the five elements, my strongest trait is self-awareness. I really enjoy exploring myself and want to continue discovering more about myself in life. Because of this, I am good at identifying what I lack and what I need. By making journaling a habit, I try to use my time effectively, and instead of keeping thoughts and tasks in my head, I write them down. This helps me recognize and organize them, which in turn allows me to motivate myself more effectively.

On the other hand, an area I need to improve is self-awareness. I believe that understanding myself is something I will continue to work on in the future. While I can clearly distinguish between what I like and dislike, I find it difficult to make decisions when faced with more serious matters, such as future-related issues, which makes me feel like I don’t fully know myself. Therefore, I want to identify my strengths through various courses and improve upon them. (230 Words)

What is emotional intelligence and how does it apply to the workplace? (n.d.). Mental Health America. https://mhanational.org/what-emotional-intelligence-and-how-does-it-apply-workplace

[anniehaeun]

CTA Week 02 - Collaborative Skills

Journalist Brianna Hansen (2022) stated, "Collaboration is essential for teams to excel in problem-solving and decision-making. It brings together unique perspectives, builds trust among collaborators, and fosters real-time communication." As a colleague, my strengths were my passion for producing excellent work and my ability to listen to others. Since I often took on the role of encouraging everyone to participate and ensuring no one felt excluded, I feel confident in my communication and collaboration skills.

In our collaborative activity, our team decided to create a monument, and there were many different opinions when selecting an influential figure. Through this process, I realized that it’s easier for me to share my ideas when I’m with close friends, but I find it challenging with people I’m less familiar with. Since I am someone who responds and participates, I was able to influence the decision to create a monument for my preferred figure, Vincent van Gogh.

The image above is a monument I redesigned. If I were given time and money, I would create a small-sized monument made of plaster, featuring famous paintings by Van Gogh. It would be designed to be a memorable piece that could serve as a souvenir for people.

(255 words)

Hansen, B. (2023, August 17). 9 Reasons Why Collaboration is Important to Get Right. https://www.mural.co/blog/why-collaboration-is-important

[anniehaeun]

CTA Week 05 - Growth Mindset

The most eventful moment of this class was finding things that resembled logos around the school. Afterward, we returned to the studio to organize the logos we found and started sketching redesigns. There was a rule that we had to draw with our non-dominant hand.

At first, I was surprised, but this unique rule made the class very interesting. Sketching with my left hand took more time, but the unexpected lines and feelings that came out were quite unique. If I had used my dominant hand, the result would have been more refined and detailed, but by not doing so, I was able to create a design with a more original and fresh feel.

Vincent van Gogh once said, “I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.” I believe this quote expresses the essence of a growth mindset. Rather than viewing abilities as fixed, a growth mindset encourages trying new approaches and putting in effort to improve. I experienced this mindset through our redesign activity, as I challenged myself to try something different and learn from the process. I think this quote really shows what a growth mindset is about. Instead of seeing abilities as unchangeable, a growth mindset is about trying new things and working hard to get better. I felt this mindset during our redesign activity, as I pushed myself to try something new and learn from it.

I chose to further develop the MRT logo from my sketches. Since other logos were already unique, I wanted to make the plain MRT logo more creative. I especially liked three redesigns: transforming MRT into a character, combining the letters with its meaning, and adding a house shape inside the "R" to create a warm feeling. This process was a valuable experience, adding creative elements to a simple logo and expanding the possibilities of design. ( see figure caption )

(262 words) https://chroniclebooks.tumblr.com/post/138314933274/i-am-always-doing-what-i-cannot-do-yet-in-order