Author: Mang Ling Wong

In Visual Studies, we focused a lot on illustration and experimenting with colours and media.

Through creating drawings that focused on lines, we were able to play with the thickness, sharpness and different strokes. The main subjects of the illustrations were feet, therefore I observed a lot of different shapes from the variety of shoes people wore. Some interesting outcomes were made as we tried continuous line drawing and using our opposite hand; there were many abstract lines and features.

The most interesting task was placing all the customised shoes in the centre of the table and from that artistic pile, we created an illustration with colours and one with only black pens. They are very different as the one without colours seems to be much more conceptual and abstract; the shapes of the object weren’t very obvious but instead blended with each other. This task required lots of observations and focused on using different variations of thickness of lines. The coloured one was much more experimental as we were able to use lots of mediums such as watercolour, acrylic, pens, pencils, ink etc.

I think I handled the task well, considering my speed and ability to quickly create an illustration. However, I think I should be bolder in drawing and experimenting with colour, lines etc. as I think I was too afraid of making mistakes.

In this session, we studied the area of Fashion Journalism; more specifically content creation such as PR&communication ideas etc.

The main idea of Fashion Journalism is to communicate fashion-related information through publishing and reporting on various media platforms such as magazines, newspapers, television. It is a tool to understand current fashion trends, styles, stories by working and interviewing certain individuals like stylists, designers or through photoshoots and events.

I had the opportunity to create a content page by conducting an interview based on the customised shoes. Through this task, I was able to develop editorial skills and relevant techniques such as formatting and producing illustrations. I structured my interview into a Q&A style, which is easier to read and the layout would be more customisable. I believe my main strength was creating graphics and using photoshop where lots of editing skills are applicable. However, I show a lack of consideration to specifically magazine layouts due to inexperience in Fashion Journalism and content creation.

It was interesting to experience the process of a Fashion Journalist from conducting interviews to editing content in editorial style and selecting relevant information/images.

In this session, we explored fashion illustrations and produced sketches revolving around our artist research.

Using the collages that were created based on the chosen artist and their specific artworks, there were interesting shapes and structures that could be extracted to incorporate into our design ideas. My artist includes many body parts and such features into his work, therefore my illustrations were largely comprised of that. Through this task, I was able to experiment with various materials and ways to create fashion drawings; for example: tracing paper, reflections, repetition of specific details etc.

I noticed that my main strength was my sketching skills where I was able to create smooth, fine lines that are three-dimensional which demonstrates consideration towards how the garments would sit around the body. However, my main weakness is the lack of experience in fashion sketching/illustration which results in many time being spent on creating the drawings or that I am not familiar with the process.

In Media 1, we created pictures and quick-moving images (videos, gifs etc.) for the customised shoe that was made based on our selected artist.

My chosen artist is OHNIM (SONG MINO), a Korean singer who developed his passion for art into a career. His aesthetic is largely inspired by how certain emotions cannot be expressed through language. There is interesting and intelligent use of colour; although he uses many high-saturated palettes but his paintings often convey a sense of misery.

I decided to incorporate two pieces of my favourite painting of his in the design of my shoes, each representing one. I also made sure the colours were in contrast, as well as the feelings expressed. During the customisation, I included a range of materials which created lots of dynamic to my work.

This session mainly focused on taking pictures and making moving images that are extendable and can be transformed more towards editorial styled. I noticed that I was able to recognise my surroundings and utilise the props around me to make more interesting photos; I also have many picture ideas in terms of how to place the object etc. I was able to develop editing skills as I had the opportunity to experiment with different software, effects, filters etc. However, I did struggle with creating moving images as I lack experience in this and it was difficult to cut the various clips.