changsha2015

[changsha2015]

Readjusting!

After a few weeks back in the UK its safe to say i am now back to normal and don't feel drowsy or tired in the middle of the day anymore. it was a bit of shock on how much the time difference had affected me but i still had work to attend and had to soldier through the days. This trip has definitely made me more open minded and think more about how my work needs to adjust to accommodate international styles and rules or even how my work may be viewed by others. I learnt a valuable lesson while in china and that was to take a step back from my work, not to allow myself to be too close to it, and instead to take a step back and view it as if i was looking at it for the first time. And i will take the thoughts and my new inspirations and apply all these new and exciting aspects in to my future work. And all i can say is that i feel very special to have been lucky enough to participate in this exchange programme and hope that i can do it again next year.

Jack Miller

[changsha2015]

A week later....

It's been just over a week since we returned from China, I've recovered from jet lag and finally got back into my usual routine. I've noticed more and more about how different our cultures can be since my return and I think it's had a positive impact on my work ethic. I've been working very hard and long hours finishing projects ready for deadlines and I'm already looking back at previous work and seeing things I could improve or use different techniques to achieve a similar outcome. It's a bit too late to apply my recent learnings to my current projects so close to the deadlines, but I can't wait to start new projects and experiment. I'm so glad to have been a part of this exchange and feel I've benefitted greatly from it. I hope to see everyone again next year :) Tom

[changsha2015]

This exhibition is my first formal exhibition in my life.I’m very glad my work can join this exhibition. I don’t think everyone’s work is vain, this exhibition is perfect. During these time, i learn more about English ,i am very happy that everyone can see the difference in Chinese and English culture in our design. This exhibition can successful held for 工作室的师哥师姐们，and all the people who help exhibition. Egg

[changsha2015]

We spent the weekend, experiencing China in another province, Guilin. It has to be the most scenic place that I’ve seen, and probably one of my best times on this exchange trip. It the scenery was breathtaking, and I could start to see the huge differences between Hunan and Guilin. Thanks to David...

[changsha2015]

Central South Exhibition

After a couple weeks full of hard work, new experiences and a taste of Changsha culture the exchange programme came to an end with a fantastic exhibition.

Very important people belonging to the Central South University appeared at what was an excellent display of both Coventry University student work and Central South University work.

Taking a look at the work in general I can easily spot a difference in styles from English and Chinese. English work tended to have a cleaner finish whereas Chinese work had more expansive ideas.

I moved away from the prompted idea of creating a poster as I have had a lot of experience in this area of design and wanted to try something different. Creating a short video summarising the trip to China from my perspective proved to be a great project which challenged the way I think about moving image. Although this was my first video project I believe film-making is an area I would be interested to go further into some day.

We are all very pleased with the work we produced; this will be used to brighten up our CV’s / design portfolio, increase our understanding of international design and in turn help work better with Chinese designers. Even more so after developing relationships with a selection of the Chinese students, possibly kickstarting future design collaborations?

- Jamie Macaffer

[changsha2015]

Typography Lecture

Alongside all the sight seeing and travelling it seems important to highlight the learning and lecture activities that have taken place.

With any culture our language is important and in Graphic Design our visual language is the key to a successful piece of work. This Thursday we had a lecture from Professor Xiao about the importance of Chinese characters and typography. This was very interesting as it gave us a better insight into how Chinese characters are structured, their legibility and the relationship between the word and their meaning. We were shown various words with altered strokes which turned these characters into pictograms, we were asked if we could work out what they meant. None of us speak or read Mandarin but we were very successful in figuring out what these pictograms meant. This reinforces my earlier point that the importance of our visual language is what makes good working design. Despite the language barrier we could still understand what the characters meant. A very interesting and enjoyable lecture.

Tom

[changsha2015]

Project Exhibition.

So today was the exhibition day where we all exhibited the work that we had undertook over these past 2 weeks. We were set up in the CSU university library which provided us with a lovely space and atmosphere for the opening today.

After having chance to see the CSU work again i was pleased to see that they all created great work and used the feedback they got from us the uk students to really bring the work together. It has been a long and hard process to get all of our work to a level of standard we are all happy with, but as today showed us it was well worth the effort and time we all put in. I think i can say that this experience of working with the Chinese CSU students has helped me understand not only a new culture but to also have a better understanding of my own and how it is understood by others.

I think the one thing i can take away from this project is that just through a few simple design choices i can combine different cultures in to one peace of work and make a stronger more connected and rooted design to help solve what ever problems my brief will highlight in the future.

And in and amongst all this work we were lucky enough to have some free time and enjoy the sights that tai ping street had to offer and the interesting art gallery as well. It seemed weird to see so many western shops when i have been used to seeing all the chinese brands and shops. I even went on the subway for the first time as well and even tho it was busy there was still plenty of space for me to manoeurver and they were so efitiant as well moving quclky and smoothly along the tracks.

This trip has certainly been a life changing experiance for me.

– Jack Miller

[changsha2015]

Sally

Today was our final exhibition, its an honour to have our vice chanceler here to see our work and also some leaders from art and architecture department. Thank you for your support!

I think this is a great chance to hear some comments from other people which is very important for me and my future design. Thank you Prof.Sun for giving me this opportunity! 

[changsha2015]

Show Time

Today was the day of our final exhibition. Which a few senior and important people from CSU came to view, one of them being the vice chancellor. It was really well attended and was a good way to show off our groups hard work to the public and all the dignitaries. 

Alex Bailey

[changsha2015]

One aspect of Chinese Art and Design that interested me was the images of the Chinese door gods. The Bright colours and fine line work help to create a powerful and eye catching image with a beautiful design. The use of wood block printing reminds me of screen printing in England which i enjoy doing at Coventry University. The separation of colours is present in both art forms, except screen printing makes use of a silk screen for the colour separation rather than wood blocks. The use of wood blocks to create an image is something I would like to experiment with in the future and maybe try while on my visit to China.

James

[changsha2015]

Overall, I didn't know what to expect on my visit to Changsha, China has always been an interesting country with a range of different landscapes covering its provinces. From Mountains and deserts, to green fields and rice paddies, it is a truly unique place in the world with beautiful scenic landscapes. The main thing I did expect was a large amount of historical Chinese architecture scattered throughout the cities and rural areas we would visit.

I was surprised by how much green space/park areas there were on campus, it feels like a more relaxing space to retreat to and continue studying than what I'm used to in Coventry. I was also surprised how long the mountains in Guilin went on for, with huge peaks and tree covered mountains across most of the region, it felt unreal, almost like I’d stepped back in time to a prehistoric world.

James

[changsha2015]

The trip to china has felt very structured and organised, which I can see across the whole of Chinese culture, including architecture, performances and teaching. I think this has really helped our trip to China, as I feel like we have made the most of our short time here.

When it comes to Chinese style and architecture, simple things such as walls and bridges has captured the essence of Chinese culture and traditions in a unique style, I hope that China doesn't lose this interesting way of personalising the simple things, as I think it really helps to make China a unique and interesting country. 

Eating in China has felt like a very social event compared to what I'm used to in England. In China I've noticed you have a buffet style meal, with food in the middle which can be rotated and picked at while you eat, whereas in England, we mainly have a meal to ourself. It is something i will be sure to miss when i come back to England, as the social setting of mealtime makes the experience much more fun and helps to break up the busy days. 

China feels like a very proud country, with a rich history and culture that varies between provinces, It feels very similar to mainland Europe, where each province has its own unique history and food. Food can range from being spicy and hot in one province like Hunan to and much more toned down taste, like the food we tasted on our visit to Guilin. 

Without the help from the Changsha students and teachers, I don't think I could have seen china in such an interesting and unique way. The Chinese people have also been very friendly to us and have shown interest in us wherever we go which is completely different to what I'm used to in England.

James

[changsha2015]

A Little Help

Over the last week I have spent a lot of time interacting and becoming friends with the Chinese students heavily involved with our group outings. They have been a fantastic help with simple things that we find very hard like ordering food and haggling for goods! I'd like to take the time to thank all who have been involved, especially Joy, Sally, 'Big Brother', 'Superman' and Elaine. We have had some great conversations about our differences and really begun to understand one another. Hopefully a connection we can all keep long after our trip to China has passed. Jamie Macaffer

[changsha2015]

Weekend in Guilin Guilin was one of most scenic places I've ever laid eyes on. As soon as we entered the province I could start to see the difference to Hunan. As we draw closer to the city of Guilin I was bewildered with the shear scale and number of these strange small mountains were raised above us. We were met by a tour guide by the English name of David, who took us around the sights where we could truly appreciate the local culture and capture some fantastic shots of the scenery that we agreed was like a cross between Jurassic Park and Avatar (big western blockbusters). On the last night of two, we were taken to a famous performance created by the same man who created the famous Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. For me, this performance was a gripping display of singing, dancing and art. Boasting the largest show to use a natural stage - a huge river surrounded by the Guilin mountains. To our amazement, the mountains, although far away were actually lit up to bring the entire landscape to life in the dark. This week we prepare for the exhibition on Friday and draw our projects to a close. Myself and Alex will be busy today carrying out video interviews of Chinese and English students. A lot of work must be done to get everything perfect in representation of our country and Coventry University. Until next time, Jamie Macaffer.

[changsha2015]

After a very long but amazing weekend we all finally returned to changsha, over the weekend we have had an amazing tour of Guilin where we visited local museums and landmarks that made this province truly amazing. I can say the one thing that amazed us all were the mountains, they were so striking and defining to the landscape and truly made the horizon beautiful to look at with it defining the lines and light. 

We were educated about the culture and local customs from all the museum that showed me how amazing and diverse the country is. The communities formed and shaped around the landscape showed me how you could be so cut off yet still thrive as a community. 

We also were lucky enough to see a live chinese opera called impressions where they used the outdoor natural backdrop to emphasise the love story, they also included local people in the play which to me really gave back to the community and allowed them to teach others about the beautiful ways they live their lives and their customs. 

Its been a lot to take in over these last 3 days but its been truly amazing. China is amazing and so diverse from one area to another, I cant wait to see more of this week.

Jack Miller

[changsha2015]

Shuttling in Campus

Actually I should say I do like our great sight of campus, I start to see the other shining side of CSU and Changsha through CU fellow students’ eyes.

In the southern area of China, it would be nice to have a judge that a good city should be near to hills and through rivers. So CSU is located at the foot of Yue’lu Mountain and we have some lakes in campus. Shuttling in campus, we are attracted to the modern buildings like gymnasium which looks like a big nest. 

When I got asked by Olaf, “Can we step on the grass?” I hesitated and told all that we could. Well, this made me remembering and thinking the quality of lawn in England, which was greener and quite better. So it might be a comparison, everything in England looks old and classical but comes the best modernized faculties and equipment inside of buildings. 

CU friends update my impression of UK during these days, I miss England and “soft power” may be my best praise for UK, a great pretty country!!!!

[changsha2015]

Today I experienced a traditional dragon dance and got to attempt doing it myself. While watching I was amazing at how skilled they where at preforming, when I had to do it myself I realised saying they where skilled is an understatement. 

Working in sync with your team to move the dragon parts requires quick thinking, good eye-hand coordination, physical strength and fitness, all traits I'm lacking. 

The Lions where so lifelike and full of energy, with funny little tricks to keep you entertained.

While I wasn't every good I had a blast doing it and I'm so thankful that the students and Professor Sun put this on for us UK students.

- Kieran