Combination of Foods

From the given items, our group began spreading our the ideas, with the combination of different flavors and textures, such as mushroom soup twisties, and bell pepper salted eggs. We came up with the most outrages combinations, just to see how we many we could make, and ultimately, we narrowed it down to two particular ones that not only fused two completely contrasting flavors but textures as well.

Chilli ice-cream seemed quite a fun idea to play around with, not to mention the exciting combination of Spicy hot and sweet cold elements. Nora created the name Chilli Gelato, an appealing product name for it. The second idea was Bacon wrapped fries, another mouth watering , unconventional fusion of foods that are both fried and salty but varied in texture and taste. The idea was very creative, and could target many tastes of various customers. Afhika designed and named the product Bacon Fries.

From this exercise, we learned to combine things that dissimilar and yet when combined can produce a great outcome. It was not only fun but a chance to experiment and tug at our imaginations, to see how much we could apply to appeal to the public.

My group Members-:Nora Afhika Gwendoline

Forced Connections

At first, grasping the concept of joining two un-related things to form a new idea seems quite difficult; until you realize that it is possible to identify in almost everything around you. If everything is broken down, ultimately you will find that there is indeed a way to create something unique out of existing things. For example,

http://benheine.deviantart.com/art/Pencil-Vs-Camera-57-266785740
This artist has used the concept of reality vs. something that he has created to be in this image. The drawing therefore becomes a part of the setting to create a new idea, and yet we are aware that it is completely exclusive from the real image.


http://saartj1e.deviantart.com/art/Keyball-142567521
This creator has redefined the concept of the keyboard, modifying it to suit his purposes. A completely unique and revolutionary idea, made from existing tech.



https://twitter.com/DoltYourselfs/status/510608814014353409

It could be as simple as this tennis ball trick, something that we would never have thought of if we perceive it as simply as what it is meant to be.


https://twitter.com/DoltYourselfs/status/505172996261023745/photo/1

This idea is simple, and yet so brilliant. Who wouldn't love to watch films in their own little theater. It is just a matter of combining ideas to create something so clearly amazing.


https://twitter.com/DoltYourselfs/status/503110994420580352/photo/1

Again, a simple object being used with another object, transforms into a work of brilliance.


In conclusion, this made me think about all the possibilities there are, how to combine ideas and think outside the box, to join concepts to come up with new creations. It helped me understand how creators minds work, how patterns and ideas spring up from the most unexpected places and to look for inspiration that surrounds me all the time.

The Emotions Of A Mouse

Our objective was to chose one object and draw the given emotions using the mouse in a representative, descriptive way. I chose the mouse as i felt i could play around with the concept more and because it had so many gadgets to express with.

The first one was sad, easiest of the lot. Passionate, i chose to draw a gaming mouse, because that is my passion as well. Creative speaks for itself, and artist mouse, holding a palate and a paintbrush at the end of its wire. My favorite was the brave mouse, so i could design it as a viking warrior. Then the greedy mouse, eating up the cd, and lastly, hardworking , which was the nerd mouse, studying hard. All of them were so interesting to create and so much fun to visualize. The concept of combining two ideas that are usually exclusive from one another is simply fascinating and has inspired me so much.

Coca-Cola -Dare to Breathe Fresh Air

Our first Objective was to narrow down the choices of how to present the product, so we decided who to target, the age group, the target prices etc.

Along the way we picked up on many various suggestions and linked them to two ideas; one to target the young teens and the other perhaps older,The one for teens was based off a Novel/book and we were concerned if anyone who had not read the book or seen the film would get the reference, therefore ended up choosing the second choice. This one was of a female in army cargo, and a gas mask, aimed to appeal to perhaps gamers, and young adults and so on. Also, we took into consideration that the steampunk, post apocalyptic theme is now making a huge impact in the film and game industry, ranging from things like Walking dead, which all represent some form of virus or disease.Hence, our representation of an add for a world, maybe in need of clean air.

The logo,"Dare to breathe Fresh air,'' is a simple yet appealing concept, almost daring and challenging the viewer to try this product. By using a poetic device of opening the sentence with a shocking word such as "Dare" we hope to grasp the audience attention at once.

I think it was a challenging task to combine our knowledge together and create something that would suit the requirements, because we all head various ideas. However, despite the little things we made errors on and could have improved, i think the concept came out the way we had planned.

Group Members-: http://greatest-treasurees.blogspot.sg/  http://ninesevenkid.tumblr.com/  http://thejournalofnora.blogspot.sg/

Self image

Our objective was to draw an image of what we want ourselves to be,what represents us and i remembered a drawing i had done awhile ago, one which i created after a long period of not drawing.

As someone who is obsessed with fantasy i find myself drawn towards the warrior like characters, specially those like Xena who's strength is obvious. Weapons have also held a fascination for me, specially the Sia's, because even though they are defensive weapons, it requires great strength and one on one encounters to wield them.The flaming red hair and tan skin is also symbolic in terms of personal preference;i have always loved red color, and tan because i am from Sri lanka, and running around on the beach with my friends, always yearning for a tan is something that is so nostalgic.

The built physique is what i am hoping to achieve. It represents a personal struggle and a goal i am to reach.

The green eyes is once again symbolic on a personal level, and means something very special to me.

Her expression and posture all speak of defense, a preparatory stance for the unexpected and sheer strength, someone you would not dare to go up against.

All in all, it may be my inner gamer and fantasy lover that has created this medieval warrior, as a collection of all that fascinates me, but it most certainly possesses pieces of me one way or another.

Ways To Make NAFA more attractive

1) Present the students work in a more attractive, appealing and prominent manner,with interactive methods to allow the public to leave feedback and suggestions for the artists.

2)Large display screens, to exhibit the works


3) Classrooms with glass ceilings for inspiration and lighting purposes


4)Bus Stop Exclusively for NAFA staff and students


5)Optical illusion paintings to attract viewers


6)High ceiling in the Lobby for an impacting first impression


7) Rooftop greenhouse


8) A field or garden for sports and trees


9)Murals from past students to be displayed


10)Interactive boards for by passer by's to draw.

Marshmallow Challenge

The objective was to make a base using only the materials given to us, including the 20 sticks of pasta, and build a stand to hold the marshmallow on top. Who ever built the tallest stand would win.
Our group began by breaking down the basics; the base, building up on the foundation with an equally strong support, and then placing the sweet on to in a manner which its weight would not topple or cause the tower to lean. Like in a house, the most important part would be the foundation, and so we began sketching out ideas, choosing what would be the strongest and yet would use less pasta sticks, as our resources were limited. Two people began taping the pasta together while the one held the structure and the other added more. By the last five minutes we began to feel the pressure as it seemed like there was not enough time to finish it. However, with the combined efforts of all the group members, not only did we complete the tower with the marshmallow on top, but we won the challenge as most of the other toppled under the weight or were unbalanced.
Careful planning, team coordination and time management were a few of the lessons we learned, and most prominently, it was the fact that our group is the most silent and yet communicated in our own way to achieve success.

Unconventional Artists related to my field-Yummei

     YUMMEI     

An artists i happened to stumble across many many times on Deviantart , and then began seeing in Digital art magazines, which feature her amazing work as reference to some of the most inspiring, talented digital artists today. Her work is absolutely mind blowing, her unorthodox ideas and brilliant compositions, together with  unusual yet unbelievable use of neon colors, together, make one unconventional artists who i aspire to be like.

I my-self, hope to enter the gaming industry one day, having grown up on video games ranging from Dota, to King Of Fighters and Pokemon. I aspire to become a character designer, and while i incline more towards sci-fi or medieval fantasy,Yummei's art has been a huge impact on my work in terms of straight forward unique individuality.Her most prominent and recognized work is that of the Fisheye-placebo, an anarchist character who is an expression and representation of the artists own beliefs.     The implications behind her works are so clear and skillfully clever, her concepts both visually stimulating and fascinating beyond words. She has also made several other informative pieces, that have been a massive success on Websites such as deviantart, for example;

the message is shocking and impacting on such a level that the viewer is captivated by the concept. Her work ranges from fan art to pieces like this one, and it is clear that her manner of expression is unparalleled to any other.This is what i hope to achieve, a position in the art and gaming world that separates me from everyone else, a unique style and inspiring concepts that change the perception of the those who view the work.

Yummei exhibits characteristics of one who dares to achieve her goals no matter how much time or effort it may consume, and no matter what criticism she will receive .She is now working on a line of headsets that she originally designed as an concept, 

The headset not only produces the neon lights, but the cat ears act as speakers that can be activated to play whatever music you are listening to,out loud. She has revolutionized the art world with her ideas, and is such an inspiration to hundreds of artists world wide, including myself. Her determination, dedication and perseverance  is remarkable and i hope to some day be able to achieve at least a part of her success.

Her website-: http://yuumei.deviantart.com/

Pareidolia

PAREIDOLIA  

,

Finding faces or familiar shapes in our surroundings, a commonly experienced occurrence, most commonly when we look at the clouds. As a small kid, i recall finding popcorn the most fascinating things to eat, mainly due to the many shapes and characters i could identify within the food.

Admittedly, it is not as easy to find the faces when i was actually looking for them ,especially when looking for them within our campus. Perhaps it was because i was more familiar and comfortable in finding faces in organic matter than the artificial structures. Some faces were instantaneously recognizable, while other took a flash of inspiration and careful examination; for example

 the plug point, upside down, looked like an amazed emoticon expression, upside down, and the bolts, if looked at tilting your head to the right, resemble eyes and the long handle, the mouth, expressing bemusement. While it seems as though they were easily identifiable, i passed them numerous times, and only discovered them upon desperation to find the ten faces.

This particular face , is seen once again, upside down, with the two window like squares being the eyes.

 These were some of the more amusing faces, ones that just required no effort on my part to spot out.

I think this exercise was very entertaining and fascinating at the same time. It helped me to understand and be more aware of my surroundings, to be able to analyze and identify patterns even when they aren't visible upon first glance. While it was easier in some cases than others, soon i began to realized that the faces and shapes were everywhere, and it was merely how our mind would perceive and identify them.

Unconventional Artists

                                            INSPIRING UNCONVENTIONAL ARTISTS

                                                      
                                                                     TIM BURTON

                                    California born Artists,Film director,producer and poet, Tim Burton is one of the most inspirational artists who has been responsible for some of the most iconic films to be produced as of recent times, including his fantastic rendition of Alice in Wonderland. During his childhood, Burton spent a great deal of time creating short,stop-motion animations that would be the first step towards his successful  career. What captures my interest is his unusual approach towards classics, his Gothic adaptations so enriched with the signature style that each and every one of his characters possess. His conceptions are absolutely stunning, the depth to such simplistic forms visible only if perceived with an open mind

So enriched with dark fantasy and unorthodox forms, his work has been consistently visually stimulating, which has led to many hits such as Edward scissorhands, Beetle Juice, Batman and some of my personal favorites, Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow, most of which are starred or voiced by prominent names such as his most popular choices, his wife Helena Bonham Carter and his close friend Johnny Depp.


                  Burton spent some time working for Disney, working on productions such as Fox And the Hound, but found his individuality being suppressed by the style required by the company. His pursuit of dark creations led to him being fired, as Disney considered his work too dark for the entertainment of children; and yet it did not prevent him from producing some of the greatest animations the world has seen.For his determination to break the barriers of Fantasy and re-introducing stop motion animation in such a beautifully unconventional manner, Burton is worthy of recognition.


Website to some of his creations.Use arrows to navigate the character through his gallery
http://timburton.com/

As a child i possessed a keen interest in imitation, as i would attempt to replicate the art works of people around me, and Burton's characters had a phenomenal influence on my own work. I  was captivated by his use of dramatic color, infusions of surreal concepts and those that would so subtly draw the attention of small children. It takes an artist of vast talent to be able to produce works that not only impact the viewer at a certain age, but to be able to continue to effect the individual as they themselves grow and mature. Burton's determination to pursue his own style, despite the critics of those around him, has also taught me to chase after my individuality with enthusiasm, to be unmoved by those who attempt to change what may seem unorthodox methods, and continue to explore the world of design.
                                                     

                                                          Gunther Von Hagens

                                           Anatomist Gunther Von Hagens has breached the barriers of creativity, choosing to test the perception of human to its most extreme. Human remains have always been treated with a sense of Taboo, as religious beliefs consider that it is what is left after the soul has departed. Yet, Hagens's fascination of the human anatomy led him to further explore this, resulting in what is now known as Plastination, a method of preserving the dead body after dissection.

His explorations led to many lawsuits, most of which were won by him, and many controversies. Many considered this a desecration of human remains in the most unfathomable manner, and the concept of dissecting and rearranging the human body in the name of art was intolerable. To him, it was a way of expressing his fascination with the anatomy of living organism, sharing the wonders of the human body in a visually stimulating manner that would draw the attention of the world. He succeeded, going on to to create some of the most intense, completely unique and utterly shocking pieces.He also discovered a method of slicing the bodies into strips so finely thin that it is almost translucent. The inner organs also remained in tact and in position, creating a varied view of the human structure. While his work remains taboo'd and frowned upon by many, Gunther Von Hagens remains as one of the most unconventional artist the world has seen

                                     
I cannot imply that this artist has influenced my work, rather, he has fascinated me to an unparalleled level He has completely broken the Laws, not only in terms of ethical values but in terms of elements used, subjects breached and explored. The amount of dedication required to face the public after such extreme breach of morals, is something no other artist would dare to do. While i admire his guts and ability to stand by his own beliefs, i do not think i would be able to endure such criticism and hatred towards my work.


                                                   

                                                              Jackson Pollock 

                                           A name famous for selling some of the most expensive and sought after paintings in the world, abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock revolutionized the techniques of painting. His use of ordinary household items such as cans and buckets,to produce such stunning masterpieces is sheer brilliance, the lackadaisical act of splattering paint on a canvas may seem rather unimpressive to some, but upon closer inspection it is clear that beneath the layers is a spontaneous rhythm of structured designs, flowing with predetermined patterns.
                                                                  There is a harmony of elements, balance of colors that bring all the pieces of the picture together. His works were mostly based on large wall sized canvases, which made them even more appealing. Pollock's work symbolizes the true significance of line and texture in the world of art, and going past the ordinary methods of expressing energy.A recluse and constant alcoholic, his work reflects the story behing the painter, shattering the barriers between the artists,painting and the viewer, something most painters failed to achieve.

                His work may seem unimpressive to those who cannot see past the blast of lines; the depth and clear cut, unrestrained power house of energy that they exhibit misunderstood. The free drip of paint upon the canvas represents something much bigger than the picture itself, and will connect to people in various manners.
Personally i feel energized and fascinated by Pollock's work, not only due to the un-predictable  lines but the flow and rhythm of the picture, the movement so beautifully communicated by his technique. That is what captures my interest, his subtle ability to break the barrier between the viewer and the picture by connection to them on a personal level in various ways.
 Jackson Pollock has been,and will remain one of the most iconic unconventional painters of all time.

                                       

Brainstorming

BRAINSTORMING

First step was to agree on 3 topics.Each person had their own preference, but we managed to narrow it down to the following three;

How to Squeeze a Lemon

How to Kill A Roach

How To Build A Snowman

Next was the structure. We began jotting down 25 ideas each on a piece of paper, from which our initial starting points developed. Each one of us had ideas that originated from completely varied objects, and yet there were times when our ideas would be the same. It was very interesting seeing how my group mates perceived the topic, thus influencing my own ideas. At some points, it was clear that our ideas would be almost identical, save the object or action used. 

 Having done brainstorming for my A-level art projects, it was not a difficult task to begin the mapping out.What i found most  fascinating and enthralling is working together with my group mates to develop these ideas into new ideas. It was an unfamiliar sensation, as i was unaccustomed to working with others to develop ideas. All in all, it was a brilliant experience, as i was inspired by each team mates individuality, and i learned to stimulate fresh ideas with their help. In addition, brainstorming for such a simple action, that requires such evident solutions,proved to be somewhat of a trial. It was not opposition of ideas, but the progress of our initial work,that proved to be a challenge.

In conclusion, i took away much from this experience, this varied perception of brainstorming. All projects must originate from a common idea, and it was absolutely delightful to merge several ideas into a common starting point. I also learned what it was like to run out of ideas, meet a dead end that completely frustrated and amused me at the same time. Bonding and sharing with my group also helped me to communicate better, understand them and share their overall mood through out the challenges we faced as a team.In addition, propagating ideas, visualizing concepts, attempting to find pristine, alternative methods to those that the rest of the class had used, was quite a challenge as well. It allowed me to remove the shackles of my mind, releasing it into thinking beyond the conventional means of doing things. Collectively, this project has given me, not only an interesting experience, but a lot  to ponder about in regard to other day to day matters that could be similarly explored.  

My Team Mates Blogs

Nora-: http://thejournalofnora.blogspot.sg/

                                            Afiqah -:http://ninesevenkid.tumblr.com/post/92772695701/the-journey

          Gwendolyn-:http://greatest-treasurees.blogspot.sg/

    ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF BRAINSTORMING

One particular idea that comes to mind is the concept of singular brainstorming, where the individual originates several ideas from one base inspiration.It allows the thinker to broaden their options, and weigh each option in relation to their strengths and weaknesses.It may be used in reverse, narrowing down one's options from a vast range of ideas, down to a single common idea that suits and addresses all the individuals needs.This is also known as mind mapping.

Then Of course, the group brainstorming, where you collectively suggest ideas, thus providing the team with an even broader perspective,and numerous ideas and suggestions. This is effective in relation to a wider range of options, and will give each individual participant an individual impact, according to his or her preference.

Other ways may include varying your interpretation into a state of surrealism, or vice versa depending on the situation, so as to approach the matter in a completely revolutionary manner. It is also possible to gather the input of people completely uninvolved with your project, an impatrial participant who will provide you with fresh ideas, even if they may not be from the same field of interest.This will not only provide the thinker with alternatives, but completely idionsyncratic ideas and unconventional solutions.

           

Journey

                           Having recently moved to a new environment,having to adjust to a new life style and culture, my journey led me to many places in pursuit of a location that would inspire familiar sensations i could empathize with.My first exploration led me to the Chinese Gardens,where my mind was dazzled by the coruscating kaleidoscope of breath taking colors and the rich culture

. However, i failed to secure the particular emotions i was seeking.My Next journey led me to the beach,where is spent and hour listening to the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the shore, the busy buzz of people swarming around in the Saturday night excitement.Inspiration failed to hit me

                  After many more such trips, i found myself drawn toward one location that has become my sanctuary whenever i need a breath of fresh air. It is but a simple place, one which is frequently used by many people on a daily basis, and yet unrecognized for the marvel it is.

This walkover bridge caters to the five senses in subtle yet significant manners. While the use for the bridge is predominantly used to reach the other side of the road, i found that at 3 A.M in the morning, it transforms into a location of perfect peace and tranquility. What is most pre-eminent at first is the beautiful contrast of colors, the warm, bright glow of the lamp against the cool,striking blue of the store lights. Visually, this location provides a palate of colors that takes your breadth away, as they illuminate the empty streets with their flamboyance. 

The balance and harmony of elements that are so visually stimulating,seems almost intentional. Like an alignment of fireflies,the lights ignite a classic sense of peace,not to mention the artistically casted shadows,that remind us that it is nightfall,adding a mysterious gothic touch.The atmosphere is absolutely spectacular, especially when the streets are vacant of people, and the elevation of the bridge makes one feel as though they stood on heavens pedestal upon this sight.The absence  of people and ,as time passed,cars, resulted in a state of silence so beautiful, it resembled music in its own way. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, accompanied by my breathing was a symphony unparalleled to any other.

 The floor of the walkway is paved with a grainy cement that provides an excellent place to sit and relax, because while it may seem rather uncomfortable, the texture is quite steady and even.

In contrast, the cold steel of the railing is quite chilling, similar to cold water.The steps uneven rise and fall adds an odd perception that reflects the mood of the beholder. Sitting under the lamp light provides warmth and comfort, surrounding you in a cocoon of heat against natures chill, yet another phenomenal trait of this location.

Sitting under the lamp light provides warmth and comfort, surrounding you in a cocoon of heat against natures chill, yet another phenomenal trait of this location.It resembles a medieval torch, a beacon of guidance that leads the people who cross this bridge safely across to their destination

As for smell, the only prominent smell that is noteworthy is that of the wet leaves and earth,the aromatic aftermath of a heavy storm. It rises from the ground like a delicious taunt, luring and seducing me into inhaling its scent deeply into my soul. It dominates every other smell,preventing distractions so as to keep my focus steady on its appealing waft, painting scenes and images of rain,personifying it into state of reality.The synesthesia caused by the connection of smell to visual stimuli that causes gooseflesh to rise from my skin in response is a very comforting sensation.

All in all, the location may seem rather ordinary, so unnoticed my many as it merges,incognito, with the setting in day time, has become a sanctuary of peace and relaxation for me as night takes its rightful place in the sky upon sunset.The juxtaposition of elements that work so well together,harmonizing in a beautiful combination of comforts, makes this place wonderful to take a journey through for an hour, as it appeals to your senses in a way that no other location can.