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The Exhibition: El Anatsui Scottish Mission Book Depot Keta
This week, we visit to the Talbot Rice Gallery, where we experienced the extraordinary work of El Anatsui. Walking into the space, I was immediately drawn to a 13-meter-wide tapestry, a masterpiece made from recycled materials. The scale was overwhelming, and the intricate details kept me mesmerized.
One piece particularly caught my attention: layers of orange-red and blue materials overlapping against a stark black background. The contrast between textures created a dynamic collision of shapes, evoking a sense of tension and harmony simultaneously. I was reminded of how seemingly unrelated materials can come together to create something cohesive and impactful.
This visit deeply resonated with me as a designer. It encouraged me to think about the potential of recycled materials in our upcoming project, not just for their sustainability but for their ability to tell stories. The concept of layering and texture inspired ideas for how we might visually represent our band’s identity—using overlapping elements to symbolize unity in diversity.
This visit was a perfect way to start the project. It made me realize how important it is to ground creative work in storytelling, and it set the tone for our collaborative journey.
Directions 1
Based on my research and investigation, I have considered two proposed directions:
In daily life, many people tap on their computer keyboards countless times each day. By using the sound of keyboard typing or the rhythm created while typing as a basis, it is possible to compose a unique beat and music. This can be combined with modern electronic music to express the fast-paced, work-filled nature of contemporary life.
To personalize this concept, I assigned each group member a unique symbol from the keyboard (e.g., @, #, %, $). I researched the meanings and cultural associations of these symbols to match them with each member’s personality and style. For example, “@” represents connectivity, fitting for someone in charge of organizing the group’s ideas. These symbols will also visually influence our band’s logo and graphics, integrating sound, personality, and identity seamlessly.
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Reflection
Directions 2
The second direction involves collecting natural sounds—such as the wind, rain, rustling leaves, buzzing bees, and flowing water—to compose music that captures the essence of nature.
I conducted an experiment to visualize the varying frequencies of rain through drawing. Using neutral ink and a simple sheet of paper, I recorded the sound of rain by creating dots—each one corresponding to a raindrop I heard.
When listening to fast, heavy rainfall, my hand moved rapidly, creating uneven dots with occasional streaks from accidental brush strokes. Conversely, while listening to light, steady rain, my movements became slower and more controlled, resulting in uniform, precise dots. These visualizations capture not only the rhythm but also the emotional quality of each type of rain.
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Reflection
Band Naming
After our gallery visit and initial brainstorming sessions, my team and I delved into defining the identity of our band. We wanted a name that reflected who we are and where we come from. As a group of students from Asia, we decided on ASYA—a name that not only pays homage to our roots but also creatively combines the initials from our names. It’s simple, memorable, and meaningful.
ASYA represents more than just a geographical region; it’s a statement of our shared experiences and diverse backgrounds. The name also feels modern and adaptable, fitting for the visual and auditory identity we want to create.
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Reflection
Exploring Monogram Design and Multilingual Inspiration
During Friday's Monogram class, our instructor introduced us to various examples of modern brand logo monograms, such as Chanel and the New York Yankees, as well as historical references like designs inspired by Dürer’s artwork. These monograms are minimalistic yet stylish, embodying a timeless appeal that transcends trends.
For my personal monogram design sketches, I experimented with both Chinese and English elements. In Chinese, I extracted a character from my name. Given that Chinese characters originate from pictographs, I deconstructed the "氵" radical (representing water) and explored ways to shape it into a form resembling flowing water. This was inspired by the meaning behind my name, which alludes to the vitality and endless energy of a great river. I tested several typefaces, including bold sans-serif styles and script-based designs influenced by Clerical Script (隶书).
Another layer of inspiration came from our group discussions. As our team members speak different languages, I encountered Arabic and Hindi scripts for the first time. Although I couldn't understand them, I found their visual forms strikingly artistic. This experience sparked the idea of incorporating multiple languages into our band’s logo, using typography to reflect our diverse backgrounds while maintaining a unified aesthetic.
Reflecting on this week's work, the integration of cultural and linguistic diversity into our design feels like a fitting foundation for our band’s identity. Moving forward, I plan to further explore this multilingual approach and refine how it connects to the band’s theme and vision.