Conceptual
The conceptual project is about unconventional forms of expression, with an emphasis on creative risk taking through the use of poetry, music, art, animations, experimental film and web production, which challenges students to create a personal aesthetic. We learn a variety of technical communication skills while using professional equipment like DSLR Cameras, Tascam Audio Recorders, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Animate, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, Avid Pro Tools, WordPress, and Google Apps.
Ekphrastic Poetry Project
The Poetry project had us create poems in free verse, either as a response to a concept statement or as an Ekphrastic poem, which responds to a work of art in the SF MOMA.
Photo Haiku Project
Our first project in English was to create a haiku. We then had to pair it with a photo that we took in order to give it an extra layer of meaning.
I really enjoyed trying to make my ideas fit into the strict format of a Haiku, even if I didn’t quite succeed in getting the seasonal clue into it. It forced you to think with different language.
We also learned how to use the basics of Premiere in order to turn our poem into a video.
Elements and Principles of Art
Design Conceptual Products
For our biggest project in Design, we had to take a photo that was based on a concept statement. We had to demonstrate the statement indirectly only using inanimate objects.
I am exploring the feeling of disappointment
through the experience of accepting a challenge.
In my photo I chose to use fire burning a sheet of paper floating on water. I chose to leave the ash leftover from previous attempts in the shot in order to emphasize the fact that while the paper will burn brightly, it ultimately will not go anywhere. I chose to take it in low light conditions with a close up shot, in order to be able to make the fire the only source of light, making the scene feel more isolated, which helped to create a feeling of disappointment.
The fire in the photo symbolizes the spark of inspiration that comes with accepting a new challenge. However, in the end there’s a lingering feeling of disappointment, which is shown through the ash floating in the water, revealing where that flame will inevitably end up.
This photo didn’t require too many edits, only a quick crop to hide the plastic container I shot this in. Then a minor curve adjustment masked around the fire, in order to make the flame clearer, and a heavier vignette to continue with that isolated feeling.
Our first project in Design was to take pictures that resembled letters to form our names. This projected helped us look at things with a unique perspective, and helped us understand how to use our DSLRs.
One of our projects was to take pictures which demonstrated the elements of art and to organize them into a single document. This project helped us to learn and understand what thelements of art.
