CTS B | Week 12 Compulsory Question 2
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Introduction: Reflection is Key
To grow, one must garner the time and space of patience, reaching within their conscience for clearer paths forward. For prisoners in Indiana Womenâs Prison, an âadministrative segregation unitâ is made for inmates to reflect on their crimes and negative thoughts. For philosopher David K. Lewis, his was nested within long hour train rides, guiding Lewis to deep contemplation. For myself, in CTS B, I believe that creatives must go through the same act of reflection to reach growth, encompassing both realms of thinking and imagination in order to create visual sustenance (Csikszentmihalyi 123). This essay shall present my complete statement, whilst relating to design works and summarizing my learnings from the module.
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Restating my artist vision statement
When processing feedback from my classmates, I understand such disclosure requires reflections on creative visions, as well as balancing clarity and creativity. Consequently, between my initial vision statement, combining necessary âsecond-eyeâ feedback from my peers, my official proposition includes a thorough evaluation of my journey.
I recognize that my strengths lie in illustration, storytelling, and conceptual thinking, aided by an open-minded approach. In five years, I aim to learn from my habit of adding more, to become a well-rounded designer capable of executing projects for visual identity, to consistently adapt to trends and gather knowledge, to initiate a home-based freelance illustration studio and expanding my reputation internationally via social media. Furthermore, I intend to harness efficient writing skills to support promotional copywriting. To achieve this, I plan to study motion graphics through After Effects and Figma, and actively participate in design competitions and internships to diversify my portfolio.
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A Love for Graphic Novels
Aligned with my pursuits in the field of illustration, many graphic novels, such as Richard McGuireâs âHereâ have fancied my tastes. Yet none have quite succeeded in astounding me as much as Michael DeForgeâs âLeaving Richardâs Valleyâ novel, entailing the adventures of banished animals of Richardâs valley â a secluded community â where they venture to the city and encounter the realities of a harsh world, a story about adapting to change and figuring out oneself, whilst DeForge brings to light the struggles we face using a light-hearted art style. Through engaging dialogues, eye-catching black and white visuals, and prolificity in his drawings, I felt transported into his world of tiny creatures, as if I were a part of the gang, a tiny blob navigating the peaks and troughs of life. In many ways, the animalâs assimilation to a world very different from their own resembles my willingness to being open-minded and adaptable to trends. DeForgeâs message, that self-discovery requires hardship, openness, discomfort, and exploration, parallels my commitment to refining my graphic storytelling practice, and pursuing an socially-engaging creative career.
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Summarizing a Year of CTS B
In conclusion, from learning creative practice, discovering traditions and societal lineages in ties with graphic design, to immersing ourselves inside the walls of galleries and crafting artistic vision statements, I have learned, to examine the world beyond art and design through critical lens, moreover, to reengage my creative practice with everyday themes and experiences. Â
Total word count: 495 words
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Works/Links cited and referenced:
'Administrative Segregation Unit' reference video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkxi2oQQ8Sw&t=2428s
David K. Lewis's fascination with trains reference: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2001/10/16/philosophy-professor-david-lewis-dies
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Harper Perennial. 1996.




















