FINAL OUTCOME

The inward expression and various shapes reflects me as a fresher this past week. The re-used flyers and brochures were deliberately shaped into paper planes, cranes and hints of nature. In a way it reflects the journey I had gone through, the freedom I had been given and the sudden feeling of stepping into foreign lands. I had thought that the looming shadow seem to bring forth the idea of something vague and undetermined is yet to come. 

Personally, I am not entirely satisfied with the final outcome...I feel that there is something that is lacking. Perhaps this approach is rather abstract and obscure. I could have explored more on the shapes and materials, to accentuate the concept even more. As for the photograph, I may have darkened the room and used a spotlight to give a little more dramatic punch. 

Furthermore I think that planning big should not have stopped me from developing further. Though the fault in my plan may have been practicality. Instead of creating complex things, I should have thought more about how I could visually communicate my ideas through images. 

TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT 

Material Testing

I had thought of using cardboard and create a medium size box. The initial idea was to fill a box with various colored papers and illustrations to represent an 'overwhelmed' mind. That was when I realized my idea might be impractical. I tested the structure by adding smaller pieces of cardboard and paper, though it didn't seem to come together. 

Experimenting with paper

Along the way, I had a moment of contemplation. I felt that the first design didn't communicate the concept of overwhelmingness as powerfully as I initially thought. Thus I decided to work around my materials (paper folding/engineering) and play around with shapes instead. 

Sample design

I decided to simplify the design and concentrated more on emphasizing the underlying message. Instead of using completely new materials, I had deliberately re-used the my initial illustrations and flyers from the Freshers week.

Photograph testing (lighting/framing)

This was roughly how my mask would look like. I experimented around with the lighting and posture as I thought that the final photograph would help accentuate the message I am trying to convey about myself. I was aiming for a rather morose or dramatic atmosphere. 

INITIAL IDEAS 

Sketches

In response to the brief, I thought of creating a mask that reflects what I was feeling as a freshman: overwhelmed, having complex thoughts and somewhat lost. I started the whole process by drawing simple sketches, in hopes to develop something more from one of those illustrations.