W1 | Initial Thoughts

I was inspired by a compilation of things that I came across during my semester break, and these sparked high interest for me. I've always really admired the cyberpunk culture but I never really watch cult movies/shows or gain more knowledge on it other than just looking through design work by other artists/designers. I happen to come across NETFLIX's new release of Ghost in the Shell (GITS): Stand Alone Complex, instantly I was hooked and the binge watching saga on all of their series and movies continues. Speaking of GITS, I also followed a pixel art artist because of the it, when I was finding references on Instagram and this pixel artists happened to be the video artist for the official GITS soundtrack teaser music video, I was very inspired by her achievement and perhaps I can take on pixel art too! I harbored a strong interest in this subculture and it became my intended theme for my Final Year Project.

Inspirations don't only stop here! I was fortunate enough to be able to showcase my work alongside my team members through a projection mapping competition in a light festival named Lampu 2019 (translation: Light 2019) and won Second place. I really enjoyed the production process but I felt that I didn't apply full use of the projection mapping principles during this project and I wish to showcase more of it through this FYP. Having the skill sets for 3D modelling, animating and a bit of coding knowledge, although I admit I'm not exceptionally good at it, I do intend to venture in this field as my career interests. That includes, motion graphics, projection mapping, branding, advertising, and maybe even designing installations.

With that being said, my project will most likely be a projection mapping, motion graphics and gamification combination.

// IDEA 1

My first idea is based on a video that I came acrossed awhile back and it was regarding to Facebook and other media platform having content moderators from third world countries where they delete harassment /abuse /child-pornography from the net and the companies are not responsible of their staffs’ mental health after being through all these explicit content that leads to mental issues (PTSD) and even suicidal attempts which are all kept silenced.

The key is to spread awareness of this occurrence to the public eye in hopes of people consider their mental health before applying into these working environments.

With no confirmation of the execution/story line yet and with cyberpunk subculture as an inspiration, Tachikoma; an artificial intelligent robot from GITS is introduced to tackle/delete these explicit content from the net. Audiences are looking through the views of the robot as a metaphor of them being in these content moderators eyes. The reason I intend to use this robot as a supporting character is because it is an AI that has the ability to dive into the net in the GITS universe, I think it will be a great homage to existing GITS community and it plays a solid backstory.

// IDEA 2

According to personal experience, I struggle to change a flat Tyre and is afraid to change it if I was driving alone, especially beside a highway. Statistically, lady drivers are more vulnerable when they face this problem and the project is to educate. Also, a major problem that it is not a requirement to learn how to change a flat Tyre when we go test for our driving license in Malaysia.

The intention is to teach new drivers how to change a flat Tyre through a projection mapping installation on what to do when faced with a flat Tyre.

// FEEDBACK

• Idea 1 has potential for development but more research needs to be done.

• Idea does not have to be highlighting Tachikomas but it can be a supporting character to tell the story.

• Idea 2 will be harder to achieve the tangible feeling of changing a Tyre since the outcome of this project will need the audience to be able to learn something as an end result.

// TO DO

• Research more on projection mapping (interactive/non-interactive)

• Research more on chosen topic (mental health & content moderators)

• Prepare synopsis of story

• Create Trello Board for task management

• Think of a pool of different ideas/ execution method (at least 5 by Monday 15/6/2020)

// Questions to ask myself

• Where can I see this installation being held/placed?

• Is the story an extension of an existing story? an original story? Response to a story? Recreation of a story?

• Is the working process and goals achievable?