Designing is hard Pt.2  I don't like meetings. I don't like graphic design - Indonesian Student Association

Lessoned learned: is that designing isn't a simple task of creating something look appealing. There are so many elements that needed to be considered, especially when dealing with external partners/companies. 

Final design. It was an intimidating experience (knowing that
this is partially under the watch of the Indonesian Embassy) 

• This was the final template I came up with. I thought that minimalism and shapes would work well instead of bold lines as it would lose the attention towards the text. The typography was also an issue I had when I was designing for the posters. It was difficult in terms of using a readable as well as appealing typeface. 

Still need to design 9 more. Would probably stay up till early
in the morning to do this + I still have coursework. 

• I realized that it was crucial to get all the information needed and fixed before creating the posters. It was quite pointless and time consuming to design layout as I thought that it was more efficient to design around the information. 

• Though I felt that after the second mega briefing, I had learnt a lot. In terms of working with other people, time management, designing for others and event organising. 

• It felt really different as I am accustomed to working by myself and directing myself most of the time. It felt strange being directed by someone else.

Inspiration of the week - Lee Kyu Tae

Really love the balance and simplicity. It's enough!

I really like the off centred composition and the contrast.
I like how his illustrations are easy to 'read' as it isn't too
overwhelmingly bright or dark or crowded.

• He has very quiet illustrations. His works are like a whisper (?). Subtle and delicate shapes, mark-making, no definitive line work. He also captures atmospheres really well. 

• Though what I actually like about his illustrations is that they are observational drawings and are based on real-life moments. I wouldn't exactly say that these are purely figurative drawings, it's his use of reducing details, information. It works well with the quietude.

Same. 

• I find the simplicity and use of space fascinating. I really enjoy looking at clear, simple illustrations. I feel that despite the lack of information (subject matter/content), you can somehow still find narrative or an idea within his illustrations. 

• As I feel that I have mainly been working towards shapes and simplicity, I still find it difficult selecting the right information to visually communicate through the illustration. (especially with minimal/simplistic/shape-driven illustrations)

• I quite like how you can just enjoy his illustrations and despite not understanding the context, there is this emotional connection/feeling of nostalgia. As he tend to illustrate daily life, subtle moments, the environment and society, something we associate with everyday.

Reminds me of the highway home from high school.
The subtle afternoon light.

http://kokooma.tumblr.com/

Designing is hard. I wanted to cry. - Indonesian Student Association

I signed up for one of the biggest annual conference held by the Indonesian Student Society (PPI) and the Indonesian Embassy. I was quite hesitant in joining as I was told the design team will have a lot of work to do, though I didn't mind as it would be a good experience.

I thought wrong. In all honesty, I do not like graphic designing. Though I suppose the briefs set from my coursework made me enjoy solving design problems and I enjoy working with a team as annoying as it gets. 

Rough certificate designs

Still need approval from the sponsorship team
and the event leader.

Thoughts  

• I've made several posters for Instagram, merchandise and now I have to make certificates, in which I never had done before. Though the ultimate challenge was following the theme (triangles) and the colour scheme. At the same time, designing a template that is easy on the reader's eyes.

5th Strategic Contribution for Indonesia 2017
University of Leeds

• It was quite difficult to design something that is packed with information as well as making it aesthetically pleasing. What I also learnt is that people had different 'taste' and it was quite frustrating that at times there would be last minute changes, and I had to redesign everything. Communication was crucial when working with a big event.

• What was quite a hassle was dealing with the other divisions, such as sponsorship and the documenters, as we had to collaborate. It was difficult as there would be times where the information was not enough, vague instructions or a sponsor hasn't confirmed. Though we will have a mega briefing in two days and hope things would be clarified. 

EXHIBITION - Castlefield Gallery (...in Dark Times)

Audio link:  https://soundcloud.com/user-740950446/thoughts-on-the-castlefield-gallery-exhibition

A Taste of Home (2017)
Lindsey Mendick - ceramic, plywood, spectrum opal glass

The Poem in the Field (2017)
Charlie Doget Thomas - wood, paint, screws, cast rubber,
digital photographic print, book cloth, ribbon

Pulling at the Heartstrings (2017)
Lindsey and Jenny Mendick - Fabric, polystyrene, plaster, ceramic
steel

Zadie Xa

http://www.zadiexa.com/

• I further looked into her practice and I thought that it was very insightful. Her purpose and meaning is quite interesting as it reflects greatly on her background. Her practice focuses on both Western and Asian culture (she being Asian and was born in Canada)

• She looks into the clash between cultures and social identity. She uses a lot of Asian symbolisms such as Ying and Yang, lucky numbers, monolid eyes etc. These being a very 'common' element westerners precieve of Eastern Asians (personalised semiotics). It is interesting how she turns them into more exaggerated motifs to communicate Western perception of Asian identity and 'create new' Asian identity.

Saturdays Live: Linguisic Legaxies and Lunar Exploration.
13 August 2016. Photos by: Manuela Barczewski
Link to video: http://www.zadiexa.com/LLLE

I really like how she displayed her work. Instead of simply hanging her
clothes and textile work, she turns them into performances. It is an
interesting approach and a very effective one in terms of conveying
culture and performance art.

Basic Instructions B4 Leaving, preformed December 17th 2016 at Cafe OTO. Photo by: Benito Mayor Vallejo

Homecoming (YungYellow Princess)
182 cm x 144 cm
Oil and digital print on canvas, 2015

• I don't particularly vibe with her surreal, eccentric and pop aesthetics. Though it interests me how her cultural background and modern society informs her practice. 

• It made me think about how I personally feel afraid of falling into the influence of trend, consumerist culture, modern society and the Internet (in particular). I feel that it is something I can't seem to escape as I technically grew up in an environment where we are constantly bombarded with information.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY from PPI LEEDS

When I said that I wouldn't use Illustrator again, I take that back.
It is helpful in terms of wanting to create a certain clean, graphic aesthetics.

They ended up using this design :)

Thoughts

• I am quite satisfied with the outcome despite the limited time given. It wasn't time consuming, though the designing and planning part was what took me a while before making the actual piece. 

• Be it coursework or requested work, I personally think that making roughs is really helpful. Knowing the short period of time, I actually just jumped straight into Illustrator. I was stuck halfway. Then I stopped and made roughs first before working on the final piece.

• And despite the hardship and workload, I feel that working for the Indonesian Student Society is beneficial, as I not only get to experience working collaboratively but also develop new skills as well as realizing my strengths and weaknesses (in this case graphic design. Not too good at it)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY from the Leeds Indonesian Student Association

I was given a really vague brief (I don't even consider it a brief!). I was just assigned to design a post for Instagram for International Women's Day and I was expected to finish it by afternoon (was assigned around 2 pm). Amazing.

Really quick roughs. 

As in REALLY quick roughs. (how annoying)

• I honestly thought that the first several designs were quite generic and literal. Though when I was assigned this task, I was quite excited as I could finally create something that somewhat resonates with my practice and interests (instead of those really business-orientated graphic design layouts)

Design 1

Design 2

• I showed the two designs to the head of the division. I didn't get a response until later, though I personally didn't really like the design. So I made another design, with less literal/representational imagery.

• I feel like the first design doesn't really capture the mood. I wanted a more powerful and assertive atmosphere (women empowerment!).

Semi-done with the second design. The MA students thought
that there were too many hands. I do think so to, now that
I look at it. It's a bit crowded.

• I honestly thought it was a tricky design in terms of visually communicating the idea of women of different ethnicities. I suppose it was also quite a sensitive subject. 

• When I was designing I was slightly worried if I would offend/discriminate or leave out anything. Though perhaps it was just my paranoid self of putting my work out there for the Indonesian society and just people to see. 

• I suppose that I was concerned about what people would think...I should stop thinking that way.