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[cinnamonthingies]

Reflective Statement

To be honest, I wasn’t sure of what to expect in this course. However, I can assure you that i gained a lot. It’s quite ironic as I expect none yet received so much. Friends, skills, knowledge, and understanding. Those are just a glimpse of what I obtained throughout these 12 weeks.

Although I learned most of the materials that are covered in the lecture back in my foundation studies in Indonesia, I was really glad that I was re-introduced to the art movements in a fresh perspective! There are lots of information that are new to me that impressed me like early-print, conceptualism and Swiss-style. However, my all time favourite will always be Memphis, forever and always. To add, I enjoyed my time during the MABF as I learned more about artists books. I was also made realised of important questions that I should be asking regarding to design such as why do we design and what’s next for design.

Additionally, I further develop various skills such as presenting my work to others, learning by doing, prototyping, and zine-making. I am very new to zine-making and I have to say, I really enjoy both the hands-on and the digital process!

All in all, I had heaps of fun and excitement in this course. I would totally explore more about zine making which might relate to publication. Furthermore, I would definitely experiment more of collages as I am terribly weak at that.

I would like to thank Andy and Karen for a great semester! I hope to see you again someday!!

Last but never least...   I just can’t help but admire Karen throughout the course. It’s really amazing to see such an amazing and multi-talented lecturer that know her ways around technology... You are definitely #goals!

I’m trying so hard to sum everything into 200 words... I just can’t.. I tried my best...

[cinnamonthingies]

Ask Me Anything Project -Final

After a long day... I finally finished my zine!!!

BUT! Stupid me forgot to take pictures of the zine. (WHY MUST I DO THIS TO MY SELF?)

 A little secret: The pictures of the physical zine were taken right after I submitted the zine into the slot. I rushed back to level 5 and knocked on the door to inform staff(s) inside that I haven’t taken a picture of my assignment. Fortunately, a kind lady assisted me and I just couldn’t help it but rush to take the pictures (yeah, ONLY TWO pictures.... sigh).

With this minimal visual elements, I hopefully can talk a bit about my zine. To make up for the lack of visual representation of the real deal, I included the digital version of my zine. Keep in mind though, the digital version of the zine is not exactly like the physical version.

As I have mentioned in my previous post, my creative is a water colourist. Therefore, in order for me to be able to capture a sense of her world in the art and design realm, I decided to have my zine looking like a water colour pad. Or at least, similar to one.

To make it feel like you are really holding on to a watercolour pad, I used a 200gsm watercolour paper. I was about to go with 300gsm but I figured that the printed images will be blotchy and weird, and it would take forever for me to stitch them up together. Furthermore, a hard board was placed as the back cover just like all watercolour pads. 

I was planning to glue the edges together just like all watercolour pads. However, it would be easy for the pages to fall out. Hence, I stitched the papers together! Nevertheless, it is still possible to rip the pages out one by one.

Moreover, to ease readers in reading the text, I differentiate my line and my creative’s by using different colours and typographical emphasise in which I used italics and my creative used regular.

A bit of confession... I trimmed the zine slightly smaller than it is supposed to be... Although it didn’t affect the texts and images much, there are bits of problems with the negative spaces.... This happened because I was not mindful about the measurements...

If I can go back in time and tell my self a quick advice, that will be “DOCUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT!!!”. I have to say... documentation is really not my thing, I really need to work better on it.

[cinnamonthingies]

Ask Me Anything Project - Progress

During the making process of the final version of my zine... Stupid me completely forgot to document the rest of the making process.. (WHY KEZYA!?? WHYYYY) ( ಥ ʖ̫ ಥ)

In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of my bent needle (a result of hours of torture and abuse) and cut outs of the hard boards of my watercolour pads... I wasn’t willing to pay more money to buy myself a hard board for the back of zine... So i decided to make do of things that I have. I do need to sacrifice my beautiful watercolour pads.. but it’s all good!  ლ(ಥ益ಥლ) *crying internally*

[cinnamonthingies]

Ask Me Anything Project-Progress

So I tried printing on tracing paper. I am aware that it is not gonna be possible using an inkjet paper. So, I surfed the web (my best friend) to find a solution. I found some sources in the internet that showed me how to print on tracing paper using inkjet printer. The secret is to mount the tracing paper on a piece of paper and just print as normal. 

I was really excited and happy to know that several people succeed in doing so and I believe that I’m gonna be the next one that succeed. After following the procedure step by step carefully, I finally place the paper on the bypass tray. 

At first, I was worried of the possibility that the printer will reject the paper, However, the paper slid in successfully and I was excited. After taking it out from the printer, I couldn’t hide my disappointment…. It was so badly printed, so I wasn’t confident in trying to print it out the second time. (¯―¯٥)

Below are the video(s) that demonstrate how to print on tracing paper:

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmdQedXu2R0

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zdGIAZK9Vc

[cinnamonthingies]

Ask Me Anything Project -Progress 

To be able to visualise the final version of my zine, I tried prototyping using spare and unused paper that are scattered on my table. Well, not all are unused papers though, some of them are the result of test printings that I did to check on the image quality and result. So to speak, some of the paper are the same kind of papers that I’m gonna use for the final version. In the meantime, I’m just gonna try and experiment with different kinds of papers such as tracing paper.

I tried trimming the edges first and I tried gluing the sides using glue, then double sided paper. I also tried stitching them together using a thin thread. It was nice knowing that puncturing a needle across a stack of 200gsm paper is not easy :’) That way, I can prepare my self for the real deal in the near future.

[cinnamonthingies]

Ask Me Anything Project - Progress

A messy and confusing sketches of my zine (plan). It was a part serious sketch and a part just-sketch-so-you-can-feel-a-bit-productive sketch and scribble. At this point, I wasn’t sure on which one to go so I just wrote anything that I could think of and I’m gonna try them one by one!!!

[cinnamonthingies]

Woaahhh! It’s really interactive!! Such a fun and interesting zine!!! Great job Hun!

# ASK ME ANYTHING ! - Final Zine gifs

[cinnamonthingies]

Ask Me Anything Project - Progress

Printing fails

RICOH printers seem to hate me… they wouldn’t let me print in peace. My money and paper are wasted :’)  

For certain reasons, they won’t let me print using a 300 & 200 gsm paper using the bypass tray even when I specified the paper on the settings. RICOH printers kept on declining my print job and “forced” me to cancel the print job. I did but the printer took my money anyway… 

But anyways, it was a good thing that I tried to test printing on different types of paper. I now know what is possible and what is not possible to print using RICOH printers. Moreover, I am now skilled at removing “misfed” paper. (´ . .̫ . `)(A bit of ranting, I set the print document to A4 but RICOH insisted that I set the document setup to A5. WHICH I DIDN’T.) *flips table*  (╯•̀д•́）╯︵ ┻━┻

I’m done with RICOH printers… it was nice knowing you.

No, just kidding. I’m stuck with you for another 2 and a half years.

RIP PaperCut Balance and watercolour papers, you will be missed 

｡ﾟ(ﾟ´﹏｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

[cinnamonthingies]

Here is the gif version of our zine (^O^;)

Last making workshop! - Week 11

This week, using the InDesign templates found on canvas, Kezya and I teamed up in order to make our own zine!

We used a collected of images from Kezya’s computer including some of her AMAZING artworks and random things I chose (sorry Kezya haha) like a shoe and a whisk. We then printed this off as an A3 sheet, folded it and cut the sides to turn it into a zine! 

This workshop especially helped me to learn how to format the the layout of my zine on InDesign and the correct way to print/fold/cut it. This will certainly prove in handy in the future!

[cinnamonthingies]

A De Stijl inspired cake!! YUMMMM

End of working day! 🍰☕️ The café’s most popular item is a dessert inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian, featuring geometric blocks of white velvet cake, colored red, blue and yellow, stacked together and glued with chocolate.

[cinnamonthingies]

Communication Design Studies Tut 11

I was really relieved and happy to know that Andy prepared the digital  zine templates for us! (*´ڡ`●) During the past weeks, I was assuring myself that I can figure out how to construct the templates of the zines myself and that Google will always be my best friend…. Well not anymore! ٩(๑•̀ㅂ•́๑)۶(It still is, but.. yeah..)… Andy and Karen showed us some quick tips and tricks in Indesign that will be useful in the zine making process. I also learned several new features such as character and paragraph styles and I learned how to do them directly by doing it on my own personal laptop. 

Using pictures that I found in my laptop, me and Yasmin teamed up and made our own zine. It was a bunch of random pictures of flowers, some arts I made, and a random picture of a shoe and a whisk (thanks Yasmin). 

After I finshed placing everything on Indesign, Karen kindly printed this out for me in an A3 paper. Then, I discovered that the pages are not in order. After trying it out by myself, I discovered that the printer should be set to “flip on short edge” to work everything out nicely. As you can see from the pictures above, the zine is printed on an A4 paper cause its cheaper compared to printing on A3 paper :’)

[cinnamonthingies]

Glad to know that you achieved your goal! It’s a simple yet sweet and valuable goal :))))

Online Reflective Journal

I didn’t know what to expect with this course; I didn’t even know its aim. Can we say I had achieved my goal when in fact I didn’t know what it was, except meeting people? Yes, I reached my goals, I met a lot of people, and I made a new circle of friends through the workshops.

I can finally say that I know what Bauhaus, postmodernism and modernism are. I think I can say that I learned things like the Memphis group and the Swiss style (never heard before). I learned to do a zine and collages, things that I had never tried before. I’m always bad at planning my life and writing things that make sense (especially on social networks while I’m in rehab).

I discovered the artist’s books, and other stuff written on our checklist that I can not pronounce (Incunabula & Gesamtkunstwerk)

The story of Tony Quan, Aka tempted One moved me, and it is just amazing. I think this graffiti artist and his friends inspired me the most. The search for letters around the campus was interesting, forcing us to pay attention to what was around us, to have a fresh look at the world around us.

I would like to learn how to code Javascript and Php with Karen. Ah!  Someone is telling me it’s not the right degree to do that, my bad!

Merci Andy et Karen pour ces semaines de stress intense. Ciao bye et à bientôt pour de nouvelles aventures. :) 

[cinnamonthingies]

Bits of research: Human and Machine Interaction

Looking through, there are lots of things that are going on in this world. Even, we could say that its too much. I could say that its just overwhelming. Imagine the amount of information, images, videos and posts that are going around the internet. It’s just endless. Sometimes, I feel like there is nothing new in this world anymore; everything is taken.

So, in the midst of everything... What’s next for design? 

And... Why do we design?

Let’s take a look at the Eyewriter:

Members of Free Art and Technology (FAT), OpenFrameworks, the Graffiti Research Lab, and The Ebeling Group communities have teamed-up with a legendary LA graffiti writer, publisher and activist, named TEMPTONE. Tempt1 was diagnosed with ALS in 2003, a disease which has left him almost completely physically paralyzed… except for his eyes. This international team is working together to create a low-cost, open source eye-tracking system that will allow ALS patients to draw using just their eyes. The long-term goal is to create a professional/social network of software developers, hardware hackers, urban projection artists and ALS patients from around the world who are using local materials and open source research to creatively connect and make eye art.  (Eyewriter, n.d)

That is just so cool. 

Here are some amazing pics of Tempt1′s grafittis created using the Eywriter:

So... Why do we design? This is exactly why. We need to advance, be better and be mindful of issues that are encircling the world. Think of a solution that is effective in the design perspective. Design is supposed to be for the goodness and benefit of men. It should be a powerful tool that enhances men in a positive light.

So... What’s next for design? More human and machine interaction/relationships. Once again, all these interactions should serve a good purpose for men. 

OH!

There should totally be more sick and cool tech and software that you can use for free.. especially for students. 

We, design students...  are kinda in a dire need...

We.. uh..  we’re kinda broke. 

References

http://www.eyewriter.org/

Pic source: http://learnlinky.com/2018/01/introduction-human-computer-interaction/

[cinnamonthingies]

Bits of research: United Colours of Benetton

Oliviero Toscani is the man behind all these different and bold advertising images. Instead of using their advertisement space and opportunity for commercial purposes, United Colours of Benetton utilises those moments to speak about real life issues and events. 

It is kind of outrageous to know that some called him racist when all he did was raise awareness and expose the ugly truth about people of colour and their devastating circumstances. He did not shy away from topics related to race, sexuality, inequality, death and many more. Instead, he talked about them all through advertisements. In fact, he took a part in raising awareness about sexually transmitted disease which was kind of an uncomfortable (and sort of taboo) topic during those years.

Toscani made me realise the (great) power of advertisements. It may seem trivial and small, but it actually plays a big role. To add, he taught me that as a designer, it’s crucial and significant to actually communicate something that people HAS to know rather than what they WANT to know. 

All in all, these images remain provocative to many. 

People call it controversial. However, Toscani simply stated that it’s reality.

Reference

http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/benettons-best-advertising-campaigns

All images credits to United Colours of Benetton

[cinnamonthingies]

Communication Design Studies Tut 10

Here are a couple of prototypes made by the others that really inspires me. These are really creative and nice! I like how they really submerge themselves in their creatives’ world and translated it in their own way as a zine and a clothing. These further motivated me to do my best and think of more creative solutions and possibilities to convey the world of my artist through my zine!!!

Credits to Kristina and Rose

[cinnamonthingies]

Communication Design Studies Tut 10

After showing us a video related to prototype making, we are gonna make our very own prototype. Although I still have no idea what to actually make, i just grabbed some paper and cardboard and started making something out of them. What to make?  A kind of zine. Yeap, I’m gonna make a zine. What should it look like? No idea. I will just let my hands do the work.

After cutting the papers and cardboard, my mind popped out bits of idea here and there. Since my creative that I’m interviewing is a water colourist, I have this sudden idea to make a zine that looks like a watercolour pad. And so... I created an ugly model of possibly the final version(s) of my zine. 

I was about to finalise my idea on the zine... but after looking through at these two alternatives, I realised that it wouldn’t be effective to make a zine that looks like those two versions. Making these prototype further helped me in constructing and developing my ideas! 

From this activity, I learned that it is always a good idea to actually do and think using our hands first. In other words, doing something manually and physically to visualise our ideas instead of jumping straight to a computer software as doing so can confuse me even more. After visualising everything by working on it hands on, I can then easily move to my laptop.

[cinnamonthingies]

Communication Design Studies Tut 10 : Mock up vs Prototype

Before we begin class, Andy gave us a head start about mock up and prototype.

Now, what is the difference between a mock up and a prototype?

Prototype is more of an experimentation and a rough test of something that is usually used with various scraps of materials that you can find near and around you. Meanwhile, mock up is a sort of imitation of the real thing. It serves as a supporting visual element for clients and printers to let them understand more of what you want/plan your thing to look like.

Andy said that the uglier the prototype is... the BETTER.