{"id":301,"date":"2024-10-22T16:39:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T16:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/?page_id=301"},"modified":"2024-10-31T16:43:41","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T16:43:41","slug":"reflections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/reflections\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Reflections Unit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Reflections unit for Seniors at Freestyle Academy invites students to explore &#8220;Who am I?&#8221; through personal writing and multimedia projects. Students craft two key essays\u2014a &#8220;This I Believe&#8221; essay and a college personal statement\u2014while learning to write authentically for different audiences. In digital media, they design black-and-white and colored mandalas in Adobe Illustrator, animate them using After Effects, and build a personal website to showcase their work. In design, they create black-and-white photo\/text diptychs, explore HDR photography, and integrate their lyrical writing from English class. This unit blends self-reflection with creative technical skills, helping students express their identities visually and in writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Core Values Video was a video I created that showcased 7 of my core values. I made this video in Adobe After Effects and used different text animations to convey different moods about each core value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"24 25 p5 Core Values SamayS\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eSpikz_2vBs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mandala<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"24 25 p5 Mandala SamayS\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fFcbF46mltc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BW MANDALA:<\/strong> <strong>My, meticulously crafted in Adobe Illustrator, bridges the primordial and the contemporary. Drawing inspiration from ancient cave engravings, I explore the enduring power of symbols that transcend time. By experimenting with various brush sizes and digital techniques, I\u2019ve created a tapestry of shapes and symbols, each representing different facets of the human experience. This blend of traditional ideas with modern tools reflects my goal to connect our distant past with our digital present.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As an artist, my journey has been embracing the intersection of history and innovation. Initially hesitant to adopt digital tools, I\u2019ve come to view them as extensions of traditional methods rather than replacements. This\u00a0mandala\u00a0represents my personal breakthrough in merging these worlds, deepening my appreciation for early human artistry while challenging me to consider art\u2019s role in connecting generations and cultures. Through this work, I invite viewers to reflect on our shared symbolic language and the continuity of human creativity, celebrating our place in the grand tapestry of artistic expression.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>COLORED MANDALA: In this colorized rendition of my&nbsp;mandala, I&#8217;ve breathed new life into the ancient symbols through a bold and vivid palette. Utilizing Adobe Illustrator&#8217;s live paint feature, I meticulously sectioned the intricate design and infused it with the most brilliant hues at my disposal. The spectrum ranges from radiant yellows to deep, mysterious blues, creating a visual journey that&#8217;s both captivating and energetic. This approach reflects my artistic philosophy of honoring historical forms while reimagining them through a contemporary lens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As I applied each color, I reflected<\/strong> on the power of vibrancy in modern art. My decision to forgo a specific color scheme was intentional, mirroring life&#8217;s often chaotic yet beautiful nature. This process challenged me to trust my intuition and embrace spontaneity, pushing me out of my comfort zone as an artist. The result is a unique piece that pays homage to ancient cave art and<strong> celebrates the endless possibilities of digital creation. Through this work, I invite viewers to experience the timeless nature of symbols reborn in a kaleidoscope of modern hues.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mandala project is a dynamic fusion of ancient symbolism and modern digital techniques created in Adobe Illustrator. Drawing inspiration from cave engravings, the black-and-white version uses various brush sizes to craft symbols representing facets of the human experience, blending traditional artistry with contemporary digital tools to connect the past and present. In the colorized rendition, the mandala is brought to life through a vibrant palette, with each section filled using Illustrator&#8217;s live paint feature. By embracing spontaneity and bold colors, the artist reimagines historical forms while celebrating the endless possibilities of digital creation, inviting viewers to reflect on the timeless power of symbols in a modern context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">College Personal Essay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Writing my Common App personal essay was an opportunity to reflect on my identity and experiences in a way that would convey my true self to college admissions. The process required me to dig deep, think about my values, and craft a narrative that answers the core question: &#8220;Who am I?&#8221; Through careful reflection and revisions, I feel that I successfully captured the essence of who I am, balancing my personal journey with moments that have shaped me. The essay became not just a requirement but a meaningful exercise in self-discovery and expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Personal-Essay_mixdown_01-1.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay-Personal-Essay.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Shanmugham_Samay-Personal Essay.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-a7799bc1-b35e-4787-8ecd-e6e8bd1cbc2f\" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay-Personal-Essay.pdf\">Shanmugham_Samay-Personal Essay<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay-Personal-Essay.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-a7799bc1-b35e-4787-8ecd-e6e8bd1cbc2f\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay_PSA_Moodboard.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Shanmugham_Samay_PSA_Moodboard.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-e9c4c042-316e-455d-9ebb-b52aa613b80e\" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay_PSA_Moodboard.pdf\">Shanmugham_Samay_PSA_Moodboard<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay_PSA_Moodboard.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-e9c4c042-316e-455d-9ebb-b52aa613b80e\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay_PSA-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Shanmugham_Samay_PSA.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-98ae22bf-37ce-4371-b2f2-d46eaf2595c8\" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay_PSA-1.pdf\">Shanmugham_Samay_PSA<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shanmugham_Samay_PSA-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-98ae22bf-37ce-4371-b2f2-d46eaf2595c8\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In my Public Service Announcement (PSA), I illustrate the problem of climate change. There are several important elements included in the\u00a0PSA. First, the hourglass in the background symbolizes a ticking time bomb, representing the limited time we have to save our climate from disastrous consequences. Second, the figure with a tree for a head signifies our potential for growth and sustainability. Lastly, the Earth, depicted with only one continent visible, illustrates what will happen to our planet if we continue to disregard climate change and allow sea levels to rise. In terms of color choices, I aimed to use a palette that accurately represents different parts of the world. I used red to symbolize coral, blue for water, and green\/turquoise to represent lush vegetation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I created this\u00a0PSA\u00a0using Adobe Illustrator. I traced various objects to accurately depict accurate representations of them and then filled them with colors from my chosen color scheme. I used techniques like contrast to emphasize certain poster elements, such as the figure with the tree head. One challenge I faced was determining which objects could effectively represent the concept of time. Initially, I considered adding a clock to the figure but ultimately decided against it. After conducting further research, I concluded that using an hourglass would be more fitting.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the Reflections unit, I gained a deeper understanding of myself and the power of personal expression. Crafting essays like \u201cThis I Believe,\u201d and my college personal statement challenged me to look closely at my experiences and values while learning to communicate authentically. Exploring digital media and design taught me to express those insights visually, whether through creating mandalas that reflect my core values or experimenting with HDR photography and animation. Overall, I came away with refined technical skills and a clearer sense of my identity, giving me confidence in sharing my story with others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is the Reflections Unit? The Reflections unit for Seniors at Freestyle Academy invites students to explore &#8220;Who am I?&#8221; through personal<\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a class=\"myButt \" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/reflections\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-301","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=301"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":329,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301\/revisions\/329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SamayS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}