Our first unit of senior year was the reflections unit. This unit has been all about exploring our passions, motivations, values, and beliefs. Through my film class, I learned about my doubts and beliefs that hold me back, through my english class, I reflected on my childhood and the way it has shaped me, and lastly through my digital media class, I learned about my core values and the way I experience art through my own unique perspective.
We all have core values. Here are 7 of mine composed into a video created using Adobe After Effects.
Mandala
I created a custom mandala using adobe illustrator. I incorporated personal elements into the mandala such as my interest in eyes and my love for geometric and psychedelic patterns. I created a black and white version first. That version was used to engrave my mandala into a log. After that, I created a colored version of the mandala as well.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Mandalas adorn my room, from curtains to tapestries, inspiring my own creations. Working with Adobe Illustrator, I discovered features I hadn’t known existed. Initially, using the Wacom pen was challenging, and I struggled to create the strokes I envisioned. Over time, I grew more comfortable with both the pen and Illustrator’s interface. The detail in my mandala surprised me, and I love the result. I can envision printing my designs onto tapestries. This experience has given me a newfound appreciation for the effort behind the mandala decor I’ve always taken for granted. I am both humbled and excited to create more symmetrical pieces in the future.Check out both the black and white as well as colored version:
Here’s a time lapse of the creation of my mandala 🙂
Behind the scenes:
This is what the adobe after effects interface looks like: I screen recorded turning off and then turning on every individual layer I created in illustrator. Then I put that recording into after effects where I cut it, sped it up, added a background behind it, and generally polished it.
I also have a clip of the engraving process if you’re curious!
I valued the creative freedom I was given in this project. This project was all about incorporating personal values and interests into tangible art.
College Personal Essay
In english we had the opportunity to write either a common app essay or a personal essay. I didn’t apply to any schools that take the common app so I wrote a personal essay.
You can read my essay here:
Listen to my essay here if you’d like:
Film Class
This unit was all about personal reflection. The main project I worked on was my reflections video essay. We did work on other exercises such as the rotation videos, 1 period videos, and surround sound.
This is the main project we worked on: our reflections video essays
Here are the rest of the exercises I worked on:
Surround Sound:
1 period movie:
In general, we edit our films using Adobe premier pro. Our screens look something like this when we’re editing.
During this unit I’ve been able to learn new skills such as sound and lighting, team work, and acting. I’ve had a lot of fun. On a more serious note, I’ve also been able to take a step back and examine my values and personality in a unique way. It’s been very interesting to reflect on myself and my values through the film media.