Design Principle Compilation

I chose Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy among the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals because advancements in technology offer solutions to many challenges we face today. For example, we can purify air and water sources to tackle environmental pollution. Efficiency can be improved by using machines in assembly lines instead of manual labour. Genetic improvements can address food and medical issues, enhancing production and correcting genetic disorders. Technological progress makes solutions to these problems increasingly feasible. Although these issues can be solved with tech advancement, the problem of affordable and clean energy won't vanish as energy can't be created out of thin air.

I chose Goal 7 because energy is a consumable commodity, and according to the law of conservation of mass, creating energy out of nothing is unrealistic. With a background in science and a keen interest in technological advancements, I've observed that progress often requires extensive research, experimentation, and consumption of resources like raw materials, money, time, and energy.

On ordinary days， driving necessitates refuelling, with fuel costs have significantly risen. Some Singaporeans even go to Malaysia for cheaper fuel. Additionally, households rely on electricity, with bills escalating alongside appliance usage. Consequently, a major portion of people's expenditures is attributed to energy consumption. Petroleum, being non-renewable, diminishes with use. Despite cleaner energy alternatives like wind, hydro, solar, and nuclear power, consumption rises with human progress. This results in escalating prices due to depleting energy resources. For example, installing solar panels requires both financial investment and space, rendering it inaccessible to the financially challenged. Moreover, nuclear energy remains out of reach for the average person.

My choice of Goal 7, affordable and clean energy, is driven by my belief that energy and technology should be prioritized as primary development objectives. It should be accessible to everyone and not harm the environment. Clean energy shouldn't be restricted to military or wealthy nations; otherwise, emerging technologies could be exploited by the privileged, disadvantaging the lower class. Earth's energy resources are finite, so we must explore beyond our planet. Although we're not even a Type I civilization according to the Kardashev Scale, technological advancements may enable projects like the Dyson Sphere in the future.

Although I lack tech expertise, I can use my design skills to create visuals promoting the significance of affordable and clean energy. It's as vital as tech advancements and ingrained in our lives. Yet, its integration into daily routines often leads to indifference. Thus, visual reminders are crucial to capturing attention and fostering appreciation.

Description About UNSDG 7： Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Resources are not personal assets and should be accessible and utilized by everyone under reasonable and fair conditions. Of course, the prerequisite for all of this is clean energy to prevent damage to the environment for survival.

Target By 2030:

Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
Expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

Artwork about UNSDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy：

Fig14.1 “The Four Elements” by Eliza Nobles in 2021， Week 2（13.2.2024）

Title of artwork： "The Four Elements"

Artist Name: Eliza Nobles

Year: 2021

Size: 10x10-foot

Medium: Mural

The reason for choosing this artwork：

At first glance, the painting depicts Earth with four humanoid figures representing prevalent clean energy sources: solar, wave, wind, and geothermal. These correspond to the artwork's name, "The Four Elements," symbolizing water, fire, earth, and air. Together, they support the planet, set against a black background with white lines representing the power grid.

Beyond its surface, the painting serves as a warning and reflection. The uniform size of the figures signifies not only the equal importance of clean energy sources but also the inseparable relationship between Earth's development and energy. Collective efforts to protect the environment and conserve energy are crucial for fostering a prosperous planet.

Neglecting clean energy and the Earth's well-being may lead to a bleak future akin to the background. The white lines intertwining people, energy, and Earth reinforce their interconnectedness, highlighting their inseparability.

137 Words

Fig14.2 “The Four Elements” in a different view， Week 2 （13.2.2024）

The Design Principles used in “The Four Elements" by Eliza Nobles:

1. Contrast

-The blue and white Earth in the picture contrasts strongly with the black background, making it easily eye-catching.

2. Gestalt Theory

- Law of Similarity: The silhouette of a person in the image.

- Law of Continuation: The white lines in the background represent the power grid.

- Law of Closure: The white power grid in the background is partially obscured by the silhouette of a person, which creates an optical illusion where the eyes and brain fill in the missing parts.

- Law of Symmetry & Order: The silhouette of a person in the image.

3. Balance

- The four silhouettes of the person in the image make it look balanced.

4. Emphasis

-The hands of the silhouette are placed on the Earth, emphasizing the connection between clean energy and the planet.

5. Repetition

- The silhouette of a person is repeated four times.

6. Movement

-The white power grid consists of lines, creating a sense of movement.

7. Harmony and Unity

-All elements in the image depict clean energy, achieving overall harmony.

8. Scale and Proportion

-The Earth and the silhouette of the person are of similar size and proportion, maintaining a sense of harmony without disrupting the overall balance.

Task 2: Visual Analysis

26.2.2024 - 11.3.2024 (Week 4 - Week 5)

Observation:

This is a square painting, so no matter how the subtitles rotate, it will still be a vertical painting. In the center of the painting is a circular Earth, surrounded by four humanoid figures. These four humanoid figures are filled with different clean energy sources: wave energy in the top left corner, solar panels in the top right corner, geothermal energy in the bottom left corner, and wind energy in the bottom right corner. These clean energy sources filling the humanoid figures each occupy half of the sky.

The background is black, with white lines representing the power grid and some scattered white dots. As for the visual elements, you can see blue, green, white, orange, chocolate, and black colors composing this painting. Overall, simple elements are used to create a painting that perfectly integrates clean energy, humanity, and the Earth's environment.

Analysis:

This painting demonstrates symmetrically balanced humanoid figures, almost identical in repetition. The hands of the humanoid figures all touch the Earth, emphasizing the connection between the Earth and clean energy. The clean energy sources filling the humanoid figures, each occupying half of the sky, also contribute to a sense of balance. This approach avoids overcrowding the humanoid figures, ensuring their structural integrity remains intact.

The irregular white lines against the black background convey movement, and being partially obscured by the humanoid figures also adheres to gestalt theory, prompting viewers to mentally fill in missing lines. The overall composition maintains proportion and depicts unity in describing the connection between people, clean energy, and the Earth.

Contrasting colours draw attention to the Earth, humanoid figures, and hands, which act as arrows pointing towards the Earth, creating a sense of hierarchy as the gaze travels outward from the Earth only to be reminded of the interconnectedness symbolized by the white power grid, ultimately bringing the focus back to the Earth.

Interpretation:

This painting, created by Eliza Nobles in 2021, is currently exhibited at FDR Park in the United States. Philadelphia, where the park is located, was the first city to be recognized for its efforts related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) since 2015, and it continues to make progress in this regard. Nobles designed this artwork to draw attention to the transition to clean energy, emphasizing affordability and the urgency of sustainability, as well as the balance that can be achieved in pursuing these goals.

Furthermore, in the artist's description, the black background and white power grid dually showcase space and the energy grid, highlighting the need for both more renewable resources and more infrastructure, in my view, without attention to clean energy and the Earth, our future appears bleak, with everything fading into darkness as if it never existed. The white power grid, like a rope, represents brightness and redemption, connecting humanity, the Earth, and clean energy. It reminds people that with attention and unity, we can progress together towards a brighter future, creating a better world for all.

Task 3: Design

10.3.2024 - 24.3.2024 （Week 6 - Week 7）

Fig 1.1 Lew Guo Ying_ Endless Covetousness_ Task 3

Title of Artwork: Endless Covetousness

Designer's Name: Lew Guo Ying

Year: 2024

Medium: Digital Poster

Endless Covetousness Animation

Final Compilation of Blog

Reflection

1. What have I learnt in this module?

In this module, I will learn how to observe a painting, from the overall perspective to the details. Many artworks convey meanings that differ from what appears on the surface; just like some seemingly joyful things actually serve to satirize the social reality behind them. Therefore, we need to learn how to observe paintings to understand what the author truly intends to express.

2. What did I enjoy the most?

In this module, I thoroughly enjoy observing artworks and gradually incorporating design principles into my own creations. Step by step, I enrich the images and imbue them with meaning. Especially during my creative process, I sometimes realize that they can be pieced together to form words, making the imagery appear not merely simple, but imbued with deeper significance.

3. What did I not enjoy the most?

In this module, there isn't really anything that I did not enjoy the most, if I have to say, it's just that the time for this semester is too short, and each assignment's deadline feels rushed and hurried. For the design aspect of the third task, I initially wanted to create a 3D artwork, but due to technical constraints and time limitations, I simply couldn't afford to start learning from scratch. Therefore, this idea had to be abandoned.

4. What have I learnt about myself through this module?

In this module, I learned that I tend to procrastinate and my artistic skills are really lacking. Not being able to draw makes it difficult for me to translate the images in my mind onto paper. While the images in my mind are beautiful, I simply can't replicate them. If given the chance to start over, I would definitely work hard to learn diligently, regardless of the area. I believe that the more skills one can master, the better.

5. What has changed and what has not in my learning journey?

In this module, I feel that I've learned drawing techniques and become more proficient in using Procreate. I've also become more adept at Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects. Because I created an animation for this final task using After Effects, I feel like my mastery has increased. However, what hasn't changed is my drawing skills—they remain average. My time management skills are still the same as well.

6. What could be improved in this module?

There isn't much to improve upon in this module, but if I were to mention something, it would be that the first week was too rushed, and having to watch a large number of video lectures on design principles from the beginning made it quite challenging.

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