{"id":23,"date":"2024-10-21T21:26:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T21:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SophieL\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2025-12-28T01:55:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T01:55:51","slug":"reflections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~SophieL\/reflections\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction to Reflections Unit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Reflections unit introduced the question, “Who am I?” Through the process of writing my personal essay in English, I developed insights about my experiences and identities before translating those ideas in Digital Media, through various kinds of image productions, websites, and mandalas. This project allowed me to deepen my technical communication skills by learning more skills with a variety of professional equipment and applications including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, HTML\/CSS\/JavaScript, and WordPress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art Curation for Personal Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this project was to use the photos I took at the SF MOMA and turn them into an art curation for my personal museum. This project also served as a way to answer the question of “Who am I?” as I was able to reflect on what kind of art styles I’m drawn to, and how that reflects my creative decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3 art pieces I would ADD
to my Personal Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n
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2 art pieces I would EXCLUDE
from my Personal Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n
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My choices reveal how much my own approach to art influences what I value in others\u2019 work. I\u2019m consistently drawn to minimalism (pieces that are simplistic), lighter colors, and subtle textures. In my own work, I also lean toward a minimalistic style, and I connect most with art that shows how simplicity can still make a strong impact. That\u2019s why the pieces by Kelly, LeWitt, and Ryman resonated with me, while the works by Lee Ufan and Richter didn\u2019t connect in the same way. Critiquing my own art has made me more aware of my values of balance and intention over complexity. The pieces I chose to include reflect those same values, while the ones I excluded didn\u2019t match the qualities I aim for in my own art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Personal Mandalas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Digital Media, I was challenged to create a Personal Mandala. I learned particular techniques in Illustrator with pressure sensitive brushes, automated transformations such as reflections, repetitions, and clipping masks, to flip the difficult task of creating an intricate mandala to be more fun, easier, relaxing, and an expression of my personal style. My black and white mandala was engraved on Freestyle’s AEON 60W Mira 9 laser machine onto a wooden pizza cutting board. I also created a colored version of my mandala, and produced a video revealing the process of making my mandala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black and White Mandala Artist Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this project was to create a black and white mandala using Adobe Illustrator. I used a pressure-sensitive brush tool with a drawing tablet to design a detailed, symmetrical piece that showcases both my artistic style and growing technical skills. My design was inspired by my love for the Sanrio character brand. These characters have been a part of my life since childhood, and I wanted to reflect that love for cuteness and character design within my mandala. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, using a drawing tablet and pressure-sensitive brushes was challenging, but after experimenting, it became easier. I learned how to control line weight and gained more confidence in using digital tools. I think the best part of my black and white mandala is the detail and overall cohesion of the design. I\u2019m especially happy with how the Sanrio theme blends with the traditional mandala structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you look closely, you\u2019ll notice small \u201ceaster eggs\u201d throughout the mandala. For example, Hello Kitty\u2019s signature bow appears in several places, subtly woven into the repeating patterns. I also included elements of other characters, like Keroppi’s bowtie, hidden in the symmetry. These touches add a layer to the design that fans of Sanrio might recognize, and they help bring a playful, nostalgic energy to the piece while still respecting the balance and harmony of a classic mandala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the images do not display below,
On a Mac, press Command + (plus) then press press Command – (minus)
On a PC, press the Ctrl + (plus) then press the Ctrl – (minus)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Laser Engraved Artist Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this part of the project, I created a laser-engraved version of my original black and white mandala. I was surprised at how well the laser captured all the small details in my design. The final result looked identical to the digital version, which made me feel proud of how clean and precise the original line work was. Seeing my art transformed into a physical object was exciting, and it gave me a new appreciation for how digital designs can translate into real materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I chose to engrave my mandala on a wooden pizza cutting board because I thought it was the most visually appealing option. The texture and tone of the wood added a natural element to the piece, and I felt like the style of my design would look nice on it. The mix of the cute Sanrio-inspired mandala with the rustic wood created an interesting and fun contrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Colored Artist Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this project, I created a colored version of my original black and white mandala. While the black and white piece focused on lines, symmetry, and details, adding color made the design feel more vibrant and alive, transforming the tone of the piece from intricate to playful and expressive. After seeing the printed version, I was really happy with how it turned out. It felt exciting to see the Sanrio characters come to life in full color, and the final result captured the joyful and nostalgic feeling I was aiming for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My main intention with the color scheme was to follow the original Sanrio character palettes. Each color choice stayed true to each character’s identity, while creating a harmonious and cohesive mandala design. Compared to the black and white version, I had to think more carefully about contrast and how color could guide the eye through the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What stands out most to me is the centerpiece where all the characters come together. It feels like the heart of the piece and a strong visual focal point. I\u2019m proud of how the characters and colors blend into the traditional mandala format while still keeping their playful aspect. Overall, the colored mandala reflects both my personal connection to Sanrio and my growth as a digital artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduce Mandala Build Reveal Video<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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