Blink of an eye

Time passes in the blink of an eye. It's 2010 already and I'm 20 this year! I don't wanna age!

NAFA Year 2 Semester 2 is here. I can already imagine what is it gonna be like again. Sleepless nights, dark circles, eye bags, printing, projects, assignments, etc.

Nevertheless, I shall say the same thing - I'll trash these assignments with all I've got! I gotta be better. I'm not satisfied with my results!

Hopefully this semester would be a great one! I hope to know many more people and to really make more close friends in NAFA.

Let's take a look into my time table!

MON

• Design in Context 2: 11am - 12.30am (wk 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 only)

• Typography for Print Communication: 3pm - 6pm

TUE

• Brand & Identity: 12pm - 3pm

WED

• Packaging Design: 9am - 12pm

THU

• Pre-press Production: 1pm - 3pm

• Marketing & Advertising Strategies: 3pm - 5pm

FRI

• Singapore Arts Scene (Dance): 4pm - 6pm

I think that my timetable isn't that bad after all! Quite slack! So that I can have more time to do other stuff, yay.

I don't mind people dropping by to have lunch with me ^_^

Alright Edo, all the best for NAFA Year 2 Semester 2! You can do it! You can climb higher! You can own.

"Hi, can I have a cup of creative juice please?"

NAFA Year 2 Semester 1 - COMPLETE

Mission accomplished.

NAFA Year 2 Semester 1 is officially OVER.

Friday assessment really scared the heck out of me! The lecturers went blabbering critics non-stop for 10minutes. I'm like the only person that got more than 5 minutes for assessment. I only got to explain my project for like.. 2 minutes and the rest were critics.

Of course, I'm glad that they pointed out my mistakes and gave me real constructive criticisms. They said that I am playing on the safe line, not experimental enough but my execution is good. Well, I'm glad to hear that but my heart was pounding so fast when I hear them criticizing!

When the assessment was over, my lecturer in charge asked me to pack my stuff nicely in the bag and she took it along with my $10 translucent A3 bag ):

But of course I am very happy that they took my work in!

So in other words, EVERY INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT was taken in by the lecturers!

I really hope I can get the As that I am hoping for!

Very happy to see myself improving and also, I would like to thank everyone that had gave me constructive criticisms and suggestions! Thank you Yuen, Xavier, Hikaru, Tian Wen, Loga, Fiona, Aaron Low, Gwen, Ck Tan, David Koh.

NAFA Year 2 Semester 1

Integrated Studio Project 2A will officially end on Friday the 13th.

Assessment on Friday 9.30 AM

We'll have to hand it up on the 11th which is a Wednesday!

IT'S HERE. I CAN SMELL IT.

THE RETURN OF THE HOLIDAYS!

Giant Leap.

Like what Armstrong said, one giant leap!

Can now fully dive into the project.

Concept's finalized.

Initiating research and documenting.

Poster, Stamps, Badges, Booklet, Special Invitation Card.

Doing it with style, just like Star Trek - Stylo Milo.

Integrated Studio Project - Year 2

It is here.

ISP 2A. (Integrated Studio Project Year 2 Part A)

Title: CELEBRATION

We have to do:

1. 2 A3 Poster or 1 Hanging Mobile

2. A Booklet (8 pages minimum, can be folded from a poster)

3. Invitation Card + Entrance Ticket (combined)

4. 3 Postcards or something else that you want to suggest.

This time round isn't that easy anymore. It's SUPER CRAZY!

When it was the final assessment, we all felt as if we were already having ISP. But here comes the real deal! The real ISP. I am already feeling the pressure, predicting the days I can't sleep, planning the places I have to go, considering the amount of work and research I have to do.

Yet another crazy topic to work on. Yet another big challenge that I am facing. I have to do better. I want to do better than anyone else. I WANT TO GET BETTER GPA!

I've 2.6 GPA previously and I'm hoping for at least a 3 this time round.

I've been thinking of doing about Apollo 11. The anniversary event of the first man landed on moon!

Ugh, hopefully I would get the result I want - the intended idea that I have in mind would be able to be executed.

I can do it.

Final assignment.

Final assignments are finally here!!!

Yes, they are my final assignments before my major project (which means it's not the last of it yet).

First up, for my Type Hierarchy final assignment:

I have to love, learn, read, befriend, talk, live, eat, walk, draw, move, dream Baskerville.

Don't get me wrong, "Baskerville" is a font/typeface.

I am assigned with this typeface for my Type Poster as my final product.

I can make it into an advertisement to advertise this typeface or even create a so-called anniversary celebration for Baskerville.

I have to learn different styles of grid system, different styles of type hierarchy. I have to research on even on the most insignificant elements of this typeface such as the way it was created and how so that I can put the element onto my poster.

Next up, for my Digital Graphics assignment I have to do up a poster again!!!

I'm not really sure what's going on because my lecturer is on mc. Hopefully I'll get to know what's going soon.

For my Media & Techniques module, I have to design a calendar by hand! I have to create 6 different designs for the calendar.

Yup, this is what I have on hand right now not counting 4 other modules yet.

I will survive. I will crush those assignments with all I've got.

Keep Holding On.

This week was hectic. I didn't really get to rest for awhile ever since Tuesday!

I had tons of assignments and a presentation to rush. Thank God for strength, favor from lecturers and friends.

Today was our group's turn to present, we did our presentation only the day before. AND It's not because we're lazy and did it the last minute but it is because there is just too much assignments due which is why we only started on Wednesday.

Wenjie and I stayed all the way till 1.30am! Can you believe it?!

It's my first time staying in school till that late! This is insane.

I didn't even had a proper dinner every night. But God was good. Even when I fast I didn't feel weakened.

Many said that NAFA was the 'grave' for believers because we are often drowned with assignments and had almost no time for Church. I understand it now. But God can definitely bring us through.

Our presentation today was up to expectation! Our lecturer was really really happy with our presentation.

Almost everyone all said "Good Job!" to both Wenjie and me! WOO!

Yes, Thank you all! Of course, without my group, we couldn't have done it.

And of course, thank God for multiplying our time.

I'm very very happy that the presentation worked out well and I am hoping for another A again.

I have to keep holding on.

I must not give up.

I must not break down.

I must keep going.

I MUST PERSEVERE.

I MUST SURVIVE.

I WILL survive.

MacBook Pro

Finally, after so long! I've finally got my very own laptop and what's more, it's a MacBook Pro!
Since last year I've been asking my Dad about it but he didn't want to. He thinks that it is not needed.

A few weeks ago, I started school finding out that I need to bring a laptop for my class so when I got back home I asked him again.
At the start, he started scolding me and the words that came out were exactly the same as what he told me before.

"No Money!"

Of course, I would definitely give him the respect by not retaliating or do something that would be deemed as being disrespectful.
The next day, amazingly he called me up and told me that there is an offer at Singtel. Which wasn't very ideal but he kept insisting on telling me that it's worth it.

Of course I said why not!

The next day he asked me to go to Bugis to check for offers in Epicentre so I went and told him about it. Just when I thought it was all going to waste when he told me that it's too expensive and he can hardly afford it, he called me up again and told me that he had a friend that sells laptops including MacBook Pro.

We went down on Saturday and he immediately signed the papers and got it for me.
I guess, it's not just because he wanted to but I believe it's because of the prayers I've made and because of the long talk about my situation and his with him that made it happen.

I think my Dad seen it, how much effort I've put into this field of study - my hard work had paid off.

Thank God for answering prayers and giving me what I've been desiring for!
And of course, I would wanna thank my Dad for this MacBook Pro too.

I guess the relationship between us got better after this matter. It's not just because he bought me a laptop so I'm happy with him but it is the thoughts that we shared before he even bought it that brought us closer in a way.

Anyway, this MacBook Pro is really cheap (at least cheaper than any Apple outlets).

$1,988 can be paid by installment with 0% interest
Free 2 GB ram upgrade, so right now, I'm using 4GB DDR3 Ram.
Free keypad protector
Free laptop sleeve.

Most importantly, I have to learn and be used to Mac OS. My lecturer told me that in the industry, everyone is using Mac OS. Every design firms are using Mac OS, very seldom they would use Windows unless there is a particular program that can only be opened with Windows.

Yay~

DM2F

It feels really uncomfortable and awkward to be in a new class.

I'm lucky to have a few people that I know in my new class! At least theres someone to talk to.

Well, it's been hard this week. Everyone isn't talking to each other except Yuen and friends and a few of us.

I sure hope that 2F would really open up to one another. Or maybe, it's just that everyone is waiting for someone to do it? Is everyone really that shy?

Anyway, the modules offered in year 2 are really tough. I'm not being negative or whatnot but it's really challenging.

IT'S NOTHING LIKE YEAR ONE AT ALL.

Creative Imaging.

We have to come up with a advertising poster to advertise anything. A product, a campaign, a tv show and whatnot to create a photography based print Ad.

It's really challenging because it's not just about thinking of what product to shoot but you have to include many other factors such as taglines, copywriting, props, lighting, color combinations, photoshop skills, photography skills.

Digital Graphic Images.

Oh snap. This is a pure Adobe Illustrator class!

We have to create vector graphics and as well as knowing the insights of it. We have to do research on what are vector graphics and raster graphics.

But this is a class that I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to improve my Illustrator knowledge.

Typography - Type Hierarchy.

YES! Typography class! Teaching type hierarchy!!!

I was so happy when I first saw the word Typography in my time table.

I can't wait to learn more about typography I tell you!

In the first lesson, we were asked to hand-design/draw a poster using pen, pencil, marker.

We were given a paragraph of words that must be included in the poster. Given 1 hour to complete was a real challenge because we can't use the computer at all!

After the hour, we were asked to go around to vote 3 design that you like by putting a star at the back of the paper. When we got back to our seats, our lecturer asked who has 5 stars.

Turning my paper around, I was awestruck. I saw many many stars!

My lecturer was like, "WHA?! How many do you have?!".

I had total of 13 stars and mine was one of the 3 best designs in the class :D

Side note: The whole class was told to get a laptop for the class and I don't have one!

Currently, I'm using my Dad's laptop. Hopefully it can support Adobe programs though.

And of course, best of all I hope for a MacBook(pro) from my Dad, considering there is a student offer and a singnet offer.

But of course I would need to chip in all my leftover assets. >_>

Digital Design & Layout.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

I really dislike this class. This is a pure InDesign class! InDesign is something that everyone from my batch dislike. But o well, it is something important that we need to learn and it is very useful in our work in the future.

Good thing is that the lecturer is pretty good.

Yep, thats all for now. It's snow-balling slowly. I mean workload..

NAFA Year 2

Ohhhh... Double Snap.

Holidays are over

The stress is here

Brain juices will be squeezed

Red Bull intoxication

No time to play

No time to enjoy

Time to work harder

Time to work smarter

Time to improve

Time to pray harder

AHHH! Can't believe it! I'm in year 2 already?!

DM2F Graphic Design:

=====================

MON: 5:30 pm ~ 6:30 pm: Singapore Arts Scene: Theatre

TUE: 11am ~ 1pm: Creative Imaging

\\\\ 3pm ~ 6pm: Digital Graphic Images

WED: no class

THUR: 9am ~ 11pm: Design in Context 1 (wk 2, 5, 7, 9, 12)

\\\\\\ 12pm ~ 3pm: Typography - Type Hierarchy

FRI: 12pm ~ 3pm: Digital Design & Layout

\\\\\ 3pm ~ 5pm: Media & Techniques

=====================

But, oh well! The time table isn't that bad :D

Can't wait to see who are my new classmates!

Excited but yet still afraid. D:

Owww!!!

Heres the latest web browser!
GOOGLE CHROME!


Yes! It is the latest Google Chrome web browser!

Its VERY fast!

Chrome is fast, futuristic, cool, simple and stable, VERY STABLE I mean.

If you want to search in the search engine, you don't even have to logon to Google.com to search! Just simply type in your keywords into the address bar.

Downloading speed is monsterous!

Chrome's most interesting feature is the Inconigto Mode.

It allows you to surf the web without history or any cookies downloaded.

Who knows what would anyone do with this mode? Hmm. ｢(ﾟﾍﾟ)

Anyway, heres a little update!

I've been doing amazingly well in whatever concept with Michael Jackson is being used!

My Oral comm's Hobbies/Passion presentation and my Graphic Design presentation!

I discussed about Moonwalk for Oral comm's and the whole class including the teacher said I did very well!

For my graphic design class, I have to do on a personality and I can't show an obvious picture of that person or object.

So here is what I did..

Everybody guessed it pretty quick like in 1~2 seconds. At first I thought "..oh no, this is bad! I'm dead x_x "

Surprisingly, the teacher liked it very much and says that it would be better to remove the crown and the head. I removed the crown which represents King of Pop on the spot and everyone in the class laughed and cheered. I really wondered why they laughed (・－・)？

So I'll explain.

This is the Smooth Criminal's Anti-Gravity/45º Lean.

It was shown in the MV itself.

And I felt that this is one of the most popular move on earth that he created!

Other than moonwalk, I guess The Lean (thats how I call it) is Michael's best move that was originally created by him. Don't let me get to the Moonwalk, its too much!

The two cracks/cuts represents the 1993 and the 2003 lawsuit cases which caused a great impact in his life and career. Ended up people mocking at him and you know the rest.

I'm very statisfied but not statisfied if you understand what I mean.

I'll be doing 3 different versions.

The Smooth Criminal Lean (redo)

The Thriller Jacket

The Billie Jean clothes

All only showing the clothes!

Oh ya.

Heres a picture for you to ponder..

YMCA! or YWCA? Maybe its real or is it typo?

Packed!

Packed Packed Packed!
My week is almost packed everyday!

I really really need strength from God.
Everyday is like a challenge to me, mountains of homework just come like that.
But luckily this week is better, not as pathetic as last week.

Thank God that this week is better! I've doing things right. So far so good!
I'm very encouraged by my Oral Communication classmates saying that I did well for my presentation! But I feel that in everything I do still can be improved. Sometimes I feel that I should have the urge of being the perfectionist and doing things with fullest potential.

Relationship with my classmates are getting better and better!
I'm really happy to meet them in NAFA and hopefully more open doors would be opened in them.

I can't wait for CG and SVC this week. Looking forward to them to get myself refreshed and rejuvenated!

Stay Delighted!

Stretch, Stretch, Stretch!!!

This week..
Caused me to stretch out, give out, strain out, drain out most of my energy, time, money, braincells, sleep, (insert word here).

I have to do 3D pop up abstract in a week and I did it in 2 complete days! Yes! what a good news to hear! BUT.
I came to realize that my work is not up to standard at all.

My lecturer John, said that my work is too plain, not really complete.
I was thinking, "what?! I've filled up almost the whole paper with drawings! what do you mean not complete?!".

After the class, most of my classmates all went outside the library to finish up our work.
At first I did not quite feel like touching up my work at all since I got 64/100 which is only a C grade. So I was busy thinking and brainstorming what can I make for my final Pop Up which have to be able to relate/link/connect to my abstract concept.

I was like "..wha".
Totally felt as if I've done something so wrong that I wanted to give up.
Maybe it was because I don't have enough sleep!

Luckily my classmates were there to cheer each one of us up. We supported each other by all kinds of jokes we could think of and even my Classmate Tian Wen started the "Battle-Sheep" joke. (was supposed to be battleship)

Ugh, tired, stressed, burning braincells~ ＼（－－）／

Finally, after an hour or so..
I've colored most of the parts BLACK and I submitted it.
I guess what John meant by complete means the whole background is being covered and it is not WHITE.

I really feel like throwing my work away! (*・_・)ノ⌒*

But luckily I tried my best to touch it up and resubmitted it and I got 72/100!
I felt kinda relaxed a little. Phew! ε-(´・｀)

And now, I'm gonna like.. make a 3D pop up TOILET BOWL!
And it is due next week.

Every morning I've been waking up super early and every night I've been sleeping late.
Phew! Thank God today's cellgroup was great and really really helped me a lot.

*sleep*..(´～`)