reflection

fleetingspace

Unlike what I have been always doing before, this project heavily involves the process of handmaking as well as video documentation, the two main components which I am the weakest at, but I am glad that I was able to step out of my comfort zone and produce something amazing that I have never thought that I ever could.

Initially, to be honest, I had this crazy idea of using the component of glow or neon under the very dark sky for my installation. I even struggled a lot to find a closed site on campus that restricts any external source of sunlight coming in for me to execute this concept. However, sooner I learnt that I need to adapt and rethink how I could still merge what was given and readily available at the site with my interest of colored light phenomena, rather than forcing a certain concept and trying so hard to make it happen.

All in all, it was not an easy task to both understand and nail it at least decently, but the final outcome was absolutely regarding and I am really pleased with it, especially the color effect was so beautiful that I did not need any filter for my images. My only wish of improvement for myself is the ability to photograph and film my installation as captivating and immersive as possible since my final video and photogtaphs were documented in somehow ‘weird’ angles with noises around and somewhat low quality. Also, I wish I could have more time so I could have done more experiments as there might be some other more cooler stuffs that I have not had chances to experiment yet. Besides, since my installation involves the excitement of different colors, I also wish there would be more colors variety in the mirror papers at where I bought those materials from so I could mix and play with different color combinations rather than a pure rainbow order.

transformer

Ironically, while the Fleeting Space project is my favorite to work on so far, the Transformer project, unfortunately, happens to be my least favorite. Not because of the requirements and the expectations are high or the workload in terms of ideas, thinking, drawings are heavy, but because mainly of my overcomplication.

I felt like I tended to overcomplicate by focusing too much on the smallest detail, from wrapping the graphic logo of HRAFF into every single merchansie item to the glowing effect of the nighttime version which took me almost a week to come that far despite it still appearing strange, undesirably. More importantly, I was concerned that if I put less of my designs, this would leave too much spaces blank. After the final review, I learn that it is not always the best if the space is too busy, as negative spaces allow designs to breathe. By putting less, the presentation drawings phase would have been easier with less tangling strips of each models.

During the final presentation review, I was surprised at how some work appeared simple yet communited really effectively. I was at times too ambitious with the intention to create more than 6 rendered presentation drawings, even if I knew the time was very tight and that I was struggling to finish even two on the same day, which in turn, postponed my final touches on other components. With that being said, I regret that I could have done much better had I simplified my work approach, and I wish I could have produced more presentation drawings to have a diversity, perhaps create a storyboard to communcate my work better.

For future improvements, in terms of working methods and time management, I should have focused less on the smallest details and worked in a more simplified way. I feel that I will be even more self-sabotaged and backfired than I was in this project if I continue to overcomplicate everything in future projects.