During the conceptual unit, we were introduced to some of the technology and programs we use at Freestyle, such as DSLR cameras, Adobe Photoshop and Avid Pro Tools, implementing them in the Conceptual Project, to answer the question “How can I use unconventional forms to express myself?”
I valued working from a concept statement, with the structure of “I am exploring the feeling of [emotion] through the experience of [action], in order to create a product which put the concept first.
Poem
In English, we wrote a free verse poem based on a concept statement as well as an ekphrastic poem based on a piece of art from our field trip to the SFMoMA. Then, in Digital Media, we recorded and edited an audio version in Pro Tools, adding sound effects and music. We also made an image version in Photoshop. In mine, I took the original artwork the poem is responding to and used selections and the move tool to break it up and move it around my words. Included here is my favorite of the two poems, my ekphrastic in response to the oil painting Cityscape Madrid by Gerhard Richter (1968). Producing the poetry in different formats and mediums (like images and audio) was valuable to me in that it provides several different ways for poetry to be enjoyed, and heightens the experience of reading it.
Photo Haiku
In English we drew words out of two hats in order to randomly generate a concept statement. Mine is “I am exploring the feeling of sympathy through the experience of the search for companionship.” From this concept statement, we wrote a haiku and selected a photo to display it with. In Digital Media, we turned the photo and the haiku into a video in Premiere Pro.
I valued the Haiku Video production because I got to learn more about haikus beyond the syllable structure. I also valued learning how to edit video in Adobe Premiere Pro, because I’ve always had a hard time editing video in the past.
Elements and Principles of Art
In Digital Media, we made a presentation showcasing different art pieces that demonstrate the elements of art (line, shape, space, value, form, texture, and color) and the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity.
Design
During the Conceptual Unit in Design, we learned how to use many tools in Adobe Photoshop in order to edit photos, and we also learned how to use our DSLR cameras. Our major assignment was to a photo to demonstrate a concept statement like the one from English.
