Friday, 23 February 2007

Lets Love



I want to make a giant teddy bear because I think it'll look really nice. People can be so mean nowadays so the teddy bear will represent that we should all love one another.

Karina - 'Observation' idea


I have posted one more idea before, but I don't think I fully developed it at this stage. So I also had another idea, I was on the bus the other day and I looked from the window and noticed people on the street in a rush hour, and I found it very interesting to just observe people from the side, see what they wearing, if they in a hurry or just walking slowly and who they with. And I tried to guess who these people are what they like. I found it very fascinating. So maybe this can be the core of my project idea.

Tara Hughes

Having received some positive feedback on my initial theme of Schadenfreude (the pleasure derived from the misfortune of another), I've thought about more intelligable yet practical outcomes;

1. Whilst I think mundane, everyday experiences of Schadenfreude are interesting on an observational level, I'm thinking more about the current climate whereby the media actively encourage us to feel the tabooed emotion - especially the downfall of celebs and those high in power or authority. I've thought of producing an outcome that highlights this media influence and social comment in a non-preachy, heavy way. Therefore, an alternative method of re-telling a glossy, over-hyped celeb scandal would be to present it in monochrome within a zoetrope - this also comments on the shift from what was considered innocent, traditional, family entertainment to how we get our kicks today.

Not to infringe on other students' 'all things enormous' idea, the zoetrope itself would have most effect and a heightened relation to the viewer if it were to human scale. One piece would be constructed with many graphic strips of the embarrassing misfortunes (mentioned in my first blog) available to slot in.

Considering the scale of the piece and the fact that it would be positioned in various locations in the city (particularly squares, as almost circus/freakshow events) they would invite the 'Ultimate opportunity for schadenfreude' as the public would be in control of their movement. Without their participation, the scandals/misfortunes would not unfold and so again it plays with the idea of temptation.
Perhaps the whole motive could be to take the stigma out of an emotion we all feel but deny to exist. Making the experience so public could take it from being a guilty pleasure, to one of accepted celebration.

2. The opposite of a celebrated pleasure would be in considering Schadenfreude as a guilty pleasure. Therefore, perhaps the above idea would work on the complete opposite scale of being a miniature zoetrope which could be a portable device to sneekingly lift one's spirits, boost an ego, or gain a malicious kick or laugh?
Almost like a designed toy (but in a light-hearted tone) packaging would also be considered.

3. In thinking of possible photographic outcomes, and considering that one reason for Schadenfreude is jealousy, I thought of a more commercial or fashion angle, in that often we might feel the emotion because we want something another has. A possible outcome to this notion could be a photoshoot for an edgy, attitude ridden
clothing brand where for example beautiful models in 'to die-for' clothes are seen getting such comeuppances as being drenched by a taxi passing through a puddle.
The aim would be to highlight the competetive aspect of living in a city where we like to see the downfall of those we feel are doing better than ourselves.

4. Finally, thinking back to the analogy of Schadenfreude as a guilty pleasure, I thought of isolating this term and finding out exactly what people in London are ashamed to admit to loving or owning. As a nosey person I'm always intrigued to know what people have hidden under their beds, in their bottom drawers and hide away when they are expecting visitors.
The idea would be to advertise for a 'Guilty Pleasures amnesty' where the public would hand in all their embarrassing and cringe-worthy objects, clothes, ornaments and nerdy collections. With a strong interest in photography, I would aim to photograph the objects hoping to catch them in their 'best light'and find some glimmer of attractiveness or purpose.

David Roberts FMP Idea

I have a really strong fascination with the idea of being a 'Renaissance Man'. I wrote my dissertation on the subject of whether Digital technology could bring back the Renaissance Ideal in which people were expected to become well-rounded individuals and were expected to have a skills base in Art, Music, literature, science & maths and many more areas of expertise. I would like to somehow build a project through somehow actually becoming a well-rounded individual in the short time of the project. Maybe a diary of having to learn a new subject a day and then taking a 'Renaissance Man' test at the end. Maybe Frank could set the subjects and the test.

I know the idea of doing something new every day is very similiar to Melissa's idea so I'd really appreciate any better suggestions. thanks.

Afro Hair- Kanika Adele A.

Afro hair can Be very hard to maintain and a lot of time and money is spent getting new hairstyles or buying products to upkeep a style.

I am especially interested in how much effort and the trials and tribulations of having afro hair andthe cost and time spent.

The wheather also plays a major part concerning afro hair and many women try and avoid getting caught in bad wheather conditions in order to keep their hair in tact!

this project will be different to my response to the water brief as i will fully indulge myself!

Alex Woodcock FMP

The indie rock band haunts have a very strong almost theatrical approach to their visual representation, and as such is an integral part of tha bands package. I will be doing a live brief designing all the visuals for the forthcoming campaign. This will include the first single artwork, which is set as a limited edition run of 500 vinyl, with high production values and a good budget. Also I will be designing the merchandise which will be sold on their uk tour in support of this release. On top of this I will be looking to design the next following single art work, aswell as photoshoots, e-cards websites and perhaps even video. All aspects of this campaign must all tie in together and work cohesively as one theme. All items are set for a full uk release in shops.

Mary Bogatcheva

The Death of the Cigarette.
With July the 1st coming up, putting an end on smoking in public places, there is a risk of a commercial and social damage that may be done by the ban. I wonder if a project could stem from this, the fact that 'social smoking' will no longer exist, how hard smokers will find not being able to enjoy one with a beverage and general pros & cons.

2nd idea: Not sure about this one as it may involve celebrities and nothing can really beat Michelle's project.
I've always liked the idea of d-list celebrities, how vain or potentially interesting they can seem. I have thought of contacting celebrity agents and generate a live project from them based on someone as silly as Jack Tweedy (Jade Goody's boyfriend). Not sure what the outcome may be at this stage yet.

Samantha Dunsmore FMP

My proposal to create a brochure to market a property is a live project. It is working through Averys Property Consultants, with the property developer/interior designer of a house that is located in Belgravia. The house will be fully completed within the next 3-4 weeks.

I feel photography is my strength and that this would be a great opportunity to have a great piece of work in my portfolio that combines photography with my graphic design skills.

The specification of the house is extensive and the client extremely meticulous so it won’t be plain sailing but challenging enough to create a body of work that is fitting as a final project.

Cristina Pais - More type...

I want to follow the theme for my thesis about brands and personalities. My conclusion was that we don't buy products but brands -those that make us feel identified with as they were given personalities-. The most successful ones have a strong corporate identity and this is given in part by the choices the designer make to fit the brand with a personality and catch the audience that they are after.

Then graphics, and typefaces, have personalities. Think of the logo for Molton Brown, Tiscali or Miss Selfridge -the fonts they use are not interchangeable because they would get a completely different identity and therefore it would be confusing to try to fit that with the whole idea of the company. It would be like the "antitype".

That's my point.

Based on that (i hope not too confusing) I will design possibly 10 different typefaces with completely different personalities that i could interchange later on in different designs/layouts/publicity posters?? to show my point.

Sorry, im not sure about the outcome yet.

Hungchi

I have been thinking about evolutional changes, how things look similar but they are slightly different to each other as they are in different generations. We keep seeing things which have been done in the past, but when we see it again in different generation, it represent in a way that will suddenly make it seem unfamiliar. It is possible when you take into account the fact that today everything that springs from the imagination can be experienced as virtual reality through computer technology.

Instead of moving forward with technology, I want to take this opportunity to take a step back and explore ways of communications between now and the past! Do we actually get the historical information by discovering fossil, looking at Ancient Egyptian wall painting, and finding even more terracotta army? Those are the evidences of our history. Everything is too digitalizing in this generation, we rarely have any physical objects representing us. Therefore I possibly am producing some kind of fossil representing objects, things, or faces in this generation…
I know this is not a history project but would be great if I can get some feedback from anyone!


F.P.idea - Karina

My other idea for F.P. is about Past Life. It's actually very interesting, check this link http://www.thebigview.com/pastlife/
The idea came up to me before when I wanted to find out if I had any extra skills and backgrounds. It is just a small idea but I might be able to develop it into a project.

Gashapon Icons - Joanna Zhou


Summary:
  • Introduce ‘gashapon machines’ into UK vocabulary and culture.
  • Highlight the increasing influence of Japanese culture in western countries and the novelty or alienation it entails.
  • Outline the functionality of gashapon machines (collectable item sets for children and adults).
  • Explore the notion of collecting objects in order to create a sense of purpose and belonging.
  • Design and make sets of gashapon which reinforce personal identity within cultural (or graphic?) contexts.


My FMP is based upon the gashapon machine. These Japanese vending machines have suddenly emerged in many European cities within the past few years, creating a highly visible icon of global culture. In Japan, gashapon machines enjoy a cult status because they dispense collectable sets of toys or novelty items which are extremely popular with all age groups (not just children). My aim is to explore the human obsession for collecting things and how this creates a sense of purpose and identity.

The location, content and functionality of a gashapon machine make these urges particularly acute, thus I plan to place several in the degree show to tempt visitors into collecting a slice (or more) of Chelsea! The exact contents are yet to be decided though I'm leaning towards themes of culture and/or graphics. In Japan, gashapon machines always contain things relevant to their environment (machines in a red-light district will actually dispense vibrators and thongs), so it seems appropriate, albeit slightly obvious, to link one in a degree show with design.