CharinaR-BCT

Just did a couple quick mockups and took a photo of our XD doc as it is right now

<a href='https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/computer'>Computer psd created by rawpixel.com - www.freepik.com</a>

<a href='https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/mockup'>Mockup psd created by relineo - www.freepik.com</a>

Creative Workflows Assessment 1 Project 2: Reflective Statement

(From the whiteboard concept on May 4)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KeE3dtCr3GNVRkiZQUoatUiyw3PtLyELejmv_GvSXgs/edit?usp=sharing

(To the flow chart development May 7)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fKwau8i5-5kNH4fupV4GC5qwYQk2GQWy/view?usp=sharing and https://miro.com/welcomeonboard/fSXclDPjQ3aOWm1P1zmwLBManQf8dxN4QekIgzbQG2UxEaZJdREvmf2PpldpFA09

(To the final version on June 12)

And here is also the link to a document showing all of the team members’ work contributions(link)

Being able to see the growth of the workflows is interesting because being able to work and do it with Aurora for our CTEC705 paper, it’s important for 2 reasons: submission, and general production record. Aurora and I can both agree that the final Gantt chart although it was difficult to make, it’s been really helpful for us and Nat as we look through and complete what’s necessary for Studio hand in. We originally wanted to use “TeamGantt” to do our Gantt chart but we found it too limited and difficult to do. So I suggested we use Excel instead as I had more experience and knowledge using that, and ultimately it was more easy to use overall and made the process a lot faster.

References

Here’s a picture dump of my process! I won’t show the rejects, but these were the top liked logos for PitchedIn.

(Picture above) Top: For the top image, I was inspired with the speech bubble since it will be a website for project pitching and conversation - it also looks like the “I” is talking to the “N”. Bottom: The bottom was inspired by the word “Pitch” or “Pitching”, which I relate back to baseball, hence the baseball-esque look. I went for a more wavy and abstract look because I wanted uniqueness and softness, like waves of change - especially since with this website, it will hopefully change the stereotypical non inter-collaborative aspect of university (at least for DCT Students). It may sound like I made it up, but that was what I was going for at the time.) 

(Picture above) Our shortened nickname for PitchedIn, “PIN” became more evident with these developed logo where I attempted to combine the two most voted concepts together. This looked more straight forward, but the team liked it so I kept going with it.

(Picture above) This is what I started off with - I intentionally made the design/letters wavier to bring back the soft aesthetic of the concept wave/baseball design. 

(Picture Above) As seen here, I added in the chosen website colours, and changed the full stop to a speech bubble to reference the other top-voted concept. I should’ve added the speech bubble in my development, but I added it in the final design with my team’s approval. They appreciated that my designs didn’t look like stereotypical logos where it would be just a vector lineart image or a one letter. And yes, there were two final designs: one with the white circle and without. The team liked the one without.

(above) This LinkedIn video above helped me a lot. I really enjoy graphic design, and love to learn new things about it. I loved the simplicity and straight forwardness and the facts(!!!) from this course. I tried to incoporate what I learned into my logo design as much as I could, while also bringing in my style.

Ok but for real though.

This is going to be a long one. (Lecturers, I’m sorry, I do this too much).

It ranges from before Level 4 Lockdown to this week(ish). Click to read more below!

So, big news. A global pandemic happened.

I’m not kidding! I haven’t blogged in an insanely long time mainly because things got crazy. Something to start off with is that working with BrightSide (previously Wiser) is no longer a possibility at least for this semester. As seen with the image below.

Understandably, the pandemic was/is(?) completely unprecedented – one of the most used words as of this year – and because of this everyone has had to alter their priorities and lifestyles (especially with lockdown). Although this message from BrightSide was disappointing because our Studio group was on the right track with working with them, it wasn’t unexpected because of how things had already been.

As a group, we tried our best to keep moving forward. During lockdown, even before semester restarted online, I’ve been having video calls with my group members Aurora and Nat to see how they were going in lockdown and ask about their opinions about our current scenario with BrightSide. In particular, I enjoy the reciprocation of resilience in this group; it’s healthy and makes us strong – because instead of wallowing in disappointment, we’ve already begun to brainstorm how to move forward and what new paths we may take to adapt and still challenge ourselves.

For the first day of online Studio, our group were still in a bit stuck as to what to do upon not working with BrightSide. Our project was completely focussed on working with BrightSide and their ‘no tech’ rule, so our main ideas were about creating a physical environment for our space. But since that can’t happen anymore, it would be interesting if we could somehow explore the idea of digital community spaces/environments. We spoke with Sangeeta who suggested that we find the “fuel for our project” – our core. Take away BrightSide and the physical space, we wanted to create a closer student community Sangeeta pointed out that at the very least, we already are in contact with our target audience. It’s just a matter of “how can we do with this?”

Well, we started with looking for possible references.

Distant Touch (Screengrabs seen above) is website created by Germán Greiner that allows you to go in an interactive musical room. Clicking around the screen makes different tones play and you can also hear the other person’s sounds and movements – the most exciting thing is when you and the other person click on the same spot as spark fly! It’s beautiful! It’s novel, and fun, although as a group, we would want something more purposeful than an interactive musical black-screen web page.

We also looked at r/place (seen above) which was an interesting reddit thread; the epitome of chaos ensuing from freedom of creativity. (Video of this actually in action is here: https://youtu.be/0QO0yZldC2M). It was very entertaining to see how the interactivity of the pixelated thread allowed for this chaotic visual to be created. Our Studio group want to create something digital, but we are lacking in programming skills. So this is an issue in the back of our minds. BUT!! From reflecting on these as well experiences last year, I was able to think of a new idea which I shared with the group.

If we wanted to create a closer community, which was distinctly separated because of the pandemic, the first and easiest place to start – rather than the whole university – would be the DCT community. Last year, Vaani created the “Test For A Treat” event where students were able to showcase their raw and unfinished projects in an open space on WG Level 3 to get as many random students and bystanders to give feedback and experience their projects at their different stages. Being creative students, we are normally used to being in a physical space and giving each other critiques, pitches, etc face-to-face with other fellow students and lecturers. Because of Lockdown, we’re not in our respective areas, our hubs/project spaces – we can’t walk around asking how people are going, if they can have a look at our prototype or processes, etc. and so what if we made it digital? What if we brought the space back digitally? Upon discussion, Nat and Aurora seem to like this idea, but I wanted to start with a different activity about this idea. I wanted us to think of the possible negatives first. As seen below: the main one being the ability to code the website that we want! We have since then named the idea “PitchedIn”.

Then we did what we thought were the positives of this project. (See below)

I believed that by doing this activity (which is something I have not done before with previous groups) we were able to get a sense of what issues we could run into and then the possible solutions for these problems. In this way, I think that we will be more aware of our limitations and issues but work on them to prevent these issues from disabling us from completing the project to the best of our abilities.

Nathaniel has been trying to gather academic references for our project (See here: https://natpeabct.tumblr.com/post/617972301602930688/rugby-pyjama-movie-night) while Aurora and I have been trying to suss out our Creative Workflows for this project. (See below)

We’ve also gotten the Statement of Intent, etc. done for PitchedIn too (As seen below)

Also just to put it out there we won’t be using ClickUp as what we’ve been using this far: We are now using Miro.I pushed for this because I believe that this is such an amazing website that allows for us to dump everything we need, everything that is necessary and it’s all in one place. It’s essentially like the T-Walls in studio – man. I wonder how it will feel once we’re back in our space. I feel like third year, our last year at studio was sort of robbed from us because of the pandemic – studio was more of a home than my own home because of BCT. Huh…but anyway, Miro is below!

I’m getting tired with typing now, so I will link Nat’s reflection on what we did this week, here: https://natpeabct.tumblr.com/post/617978030133067776/x-rated-cheese! Sorry Nat, I’ll pay you back promise, hehe. But from here on out, the group knows what our tasks are going to be that we need to have done by next Wednesday before our SCRUM meeting. Keep an eye out in this space to see how we go with online studio!

References

Greiner, G. (2020). RASK - Distant touch. Retrieved from https://live.driangle.org/distant-touch.html?fbclid=IwAR2yx_sbT8cGRmxjdlBS2piQky356eVnqMqD_05D5Qx5oDq_qa_3JPIly1c

Greiner, G. (2020). distant touch screen-grabs [Screenshot of Website]. Retrieved from https://live.driangle.org/distant-touch.html?fbclid=IwAR2yx_sbT8cGRmxjdlBS2piQky356eVnqMqD_05D5Qx5oDq_qa_3JPIly1c

2kliksphilip. (2017). /r/place screen-grab [Screenshot of YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QO0yZldC2M&feature=youtu.be

Peacock, N. (2020, May 6). Ella Fitzgerald. Retrieved from https://natpeabct.tumblr.com/post/617353673778069504/ella-fitzgerald

Racasag, C., & Agustin, A. (2020, May 7). PitchedIn general creative workflow [Flowchart and Timetable].

Racasag, C., Agustin, A., & Peacock, N. (2020, May 4). Positives and Negatives of PitchedIn [Blackboard Screen-grab].

Racasag, C., Agustin, A., & Peacock, N. (2020, May 13). PitchedIn Miro Board [Miro Screen-grab].

Sem 1 2020

Aurora (Year 3): https://lightsbct.tumblr.com/

To think that so much has happened within the two weeks of uni. This is crazy.

Prompted from Wednesday’s class activity, a team canvas was created by Nat and me where we summarised a few aspects about our project that we both agreed on: eg. the purpose and common goals. What I found interesting with this is that we couldn’t completely answer all of the blocks - and yet we were completely fine with this. Even Sangheeta said it’s fine, as we can fill it in as we go and edit where necessary. I’ve observed that this is quite different from how I worked last year, as last year I was so focused on being a part of a group that knew exactly what it was going to do and focus on - and that I was more of a follower than anything.

Examples of already-created projects and initiatives are what Nat and I are currently gathering for mood boards of Non-digital and digital examples. 

In comparison to last year, what I have realised is that my way of thinking during the creation process has changed: I have begun to analyse things and be “project-focused” rather than be “outcome-focused” which is interesting. I think Charles’ and Ben’s “Kill the Baby” system has stuck on me: where even though I’ve got an idea I’m trying hard to make sure Nat and I avoid tunnel vision so that our mindset and ideas remain broad - especially since we are only in the beginning stage of the project. I think that maybe my past experiences are coming in to play with my change in project perspective too. Nice to reflect on my personal growth. Huh. That’s new (lol).

The above video is about “Stronger than Stigma”, a nonprofit that Gabrielle Magid created upon seeing an issue while at university: judgement or not knowing where to go caused fellow students to deal with mental health issues in silence. 

“Back then, just talking about the subject of mental health was brave. Then it became trendy. But we needed more than talk. We needed to connect. We needed action and advocacy.” (Stronger Than Stigma, n.d.)

In essence, Stronger than Stigma created a pop-up living room to make a space where mental health could be openly talked about as a home away from home, for Millenials by Millenials. Various activities within the space were interactive and were usually about a different aspect of mental health and encouraged conversations to occur organically or not, as they were prompted.

 In my opinion, I think Stronger than Stigma space’s various activities connected with one of my original ideas for the Wiser quiet space where different activities meant more choices and interactivity within the room. I feel like it’s good to identify the fact that people are willingly going to this space and interact, they aren’t forced to be open or to come in.

 What I like is that Gabrielle initiated this for those within her community to be open and to talk more about mental health which is normally a taboo topic in the past - but what I don’t like is that she keeps saying “by Millenials for Millenials”. Although true, I feel like it’s excluding all of the other generations. Yeah, I agree different generations have different perspectives about the mental health stigma but what about those within the other generations that aren’t Millenials but also want to talk and vent? What then? Who do they go to?

I realise that yes, our project is not about mental health specifically, but it is more or less about stress and de-stressing and opening up about the little things in life to take time out of your day to vent or encourage others who have vented in an indirect manner. - And stress is a huge factor in an individual’s mental health too.

The Audiotorium was my favourite part out of the whole experience though. I thought that this idea was interesting: Where everything seems so loud and overwhelming, a bunch of voices colliding with one another that it would give a person headaches - but when you listen to one speaker, you are genuinely listening and blocking out the other noise. For me, this is symbolic, as though during an extremely busy and tiring day, your mind and the minds of others around you are buzzing with stressful thoughts, from mediocre to serious like “did I close the door?” “Have I handed the right assessment in?” “Were there any meetings I needed to attend today?” and it can be extremely overwhelming and easy to be solely focused in your own world, not paying attention to anyone or anything else. But that when you take a moment to listen in to someone else’s story and get to know them, relatability through experience occurs and for once you not only listen to another person’s thoughts and experience rather than your own, you also get a sense of camaraderie.

I want to further research other ways of interactivity and starting conversations in a non-digital kind of way as well as going into deeper analysis of different initiatives, etc. and pinpoint what we like and don’t like.

On a side note, I got Nat and me to jot down our skills and goals for this sem so that we could both have an idea and see where we connect and contrast. Nat is very mature and reliable, which I am sincerely grateful for, as being in a group of two, being hardworking and understanding is great - for lack of a better word.

References:

River City Live. (2019, May 30). Mental Health Art Installation in Downtown Jacksonville | River City Live [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsA7AL5gVt

(Documentation will be linked here - mine will be written in a doc)

Main documentation:

https://bit.ly/2PHXjoi

Art feedback documentation:

https://bit.ly/2C3qw5a

Kimi Slides:

https://bit.ly/328KV33

Kimi - Progress Slides:

https://bit.ly/2NvZkRS

https://bit.ly/2pmIm0i

Assessment 2 - “Art Top / Tablet Stand”

I originally wanted to do a perfume bottle but I wasn’t sure how to even get started, so I decided to make a drawer/organiser because if i do decide to get it printed, it would be functional and I thought it would be fun to make. 

When making the first drawer I realised a bit too late that I had created everything under one main component with a mix of bodies and components inside, so it was unprofessional, bothersome, and just a bit messy. I had to hastily create a new model for submission on the day it’s due. I didn’t use any pictures; this all came from imagination.

Below are images of the new model that has been submitted: the process while I was making the drawers. I’m happy with what I submitted but I realised too late after thta I didn’t create any rigid bodies. But I can at least learn from this experience and do better next time.

So it’s been a while, but there have been quite a few ideas on what could be made.

Essentially, a compromised idea has been created from the ideas

(insert image and reference victoria here)

and the compromised idea is an AI using movement from people to interact with whatever is on the screen, and it is affected by movement captured on camera. 

We were looking at having a fantasy or high fantasy theme and were having a look at doing something similar or inspired by an interactive digital dnd, and the group were going through a whole tangent continuously. There were various issues with what the group wanted out of it such as if we wanted to work towards one of the screens or not, etc. and because of that, it’s been draining already even though it hasn’t been that long. Because of the fact that I wanted something visually interesting and something with a story, data moshing was suggested.

Datamoshing: http://datamoshing.com/ 

The reason why I found this interesting is because it reminded me a lot about the video that i was fond about that I made with a group last year that allowed for a story to be told through our lyrics and although this isn’t what my current group wants, I just thought that my previous project (the video below) could be a possible inspiration.

The group found that our compromised idea was not focussed enough and was still wishy-washy, so it’s still a bit off in terms of group work and interests, yet regardless we settled with these roles during the previous week:

James: Programming (AI)

Charina: Admin + Finalised art (music and UX)

Nate: Modelling (Texturing)

Victoria: Concept art + Final (Texturing)

References

Datamoshing. (n.d.). Datamoshing website. Retrieved from http://datamoshing.com/

Joe, V. (2019). week 3 notes [photograph]. Retrieved from drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx-CdeuaRS23N0tlWk5WYV9xWlU5VlBScm4wSE10bFY0R2VV/view

Shuttershock Tutorials. (2018). [Screenshot]. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj2vpXamqfkAhUZT30KHecIBqgQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DbqMAm_wYUm0&psig=AOvVaw2dQxdGc0CuC2eBL-Twz88u&ust=1567138148880283

ON Tuesday, after going around to find and see the Auckland Live and WZ screens, it was up to us to essentially read the provocations and gather more information, draft a concept and choose a team.

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183514923048/ctec607-begins

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183515206008/continued

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183516178643/group

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183516352448/immersion

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183517349123/phygital-huh

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183518275648/concept-pre-presentation

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183694119698/concept-post-presentation-prototype-1

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/183694266753/prototype-2

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/184501027013/whats-new-summary

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/184432010558/my-room-concept-layoutcolouratmosphere-dump

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/184501617373/rooms-top-orthographic-views

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/184502263003/puzzle-reference-dump

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185630472088/update-experience-storyboard-and-logos

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185631068138/logos-liquor-king-and-more

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185631318568/some-art-progress

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185632532468/massive-update-dump

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185632947918/finally

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185633230528/may27-sounds-notes-and-interrogation

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185633258663/brief-unity-experience

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185633282348/posters

https://charinar-bct.tumblr.com/post/185633301523/open-day