Blog 2 Reflection on how Better Lives themes might change how I work in the future
From Inclusion to Representation, these 2 lectures in Better Lives Unit pulled my focus to the theme of diversity. They discussed it from both a practical, design process that targets real people thus attracting the largest possible number of people; and the media’s power to represent and reshape the reality thus affecting our perception of different cultures. Both aspects link closely with the practice within my degree subject: costume for performance.
I need to prepare myself for working with a diverse crowd of people: performers from different cultural background, with variable body shapes that are suited for manifold performance contexts and ever moving life events. For example, sometimes actresses for stage plays choose to stay on the performance after they get pregnant, then we must make a design decision on whether or how to conceal or adapt her pregnancy in costume; opera singers might find corsets restricting or supportive to their singing lungs, so we can design around that decision… I can see a parallel between the “user-centred” inclusive design that research on the real person and emphasize on how the real person use their designs, and costume design. When we’re designing costumes, we are also designing for characters whose backgrounds we need to research on, and we need to consider the theatrical effects our costumes will bring: does it make sense and corresponds to the story? If so, do the costumes help us understand or tell the story? Furthermore, how will the costumes look in a theatre or film setting (including lights, props)? Realistically, how will the cameraman or live audience see our intended design elements? The discipline of inclusive design helped me consider my costume designs in a holistic way.
As costume design is closely linked to media, including TV, film, or stage, I also need to consider the representations my designs will intend. Media is such a powerful express and reinforce ideologies, that without critical evaluations, audiences are rendered unconscious of how their perceptions of reality is shaped by the media. Why do we associate boldness and scarification with villains? While there might be a specific historical context where scars are linked primarily with a violent and criminal past, is that really a true representation of the reality? What of burn or acid victims that are mocked of and associated with famous film villains such as Freddy Kruger? What of African cultures where scarification is considered beautiful? How do we engage with scarification critically? Scars can mark a stage of growth, like Tyrion Lannister and Kylo Ren, in both cases are logical character developments. It can also be a distinctive and mysterious feature that subverts this stereotypical association and sparks curiosities like Nick Fury in Marvel, whom I initially thought of as evil, and couldn’t wait to find out the story of how he got his eye injured. Joker is a lively villain who is not created ugly or scary for the sake of it. His acid burns and facial scars are complemented by his clown makeup, without which his appearance wouldn’t look complete. While his burns and scars tell us his backstory, we remember him mostly by the strong, stylised visuals of his makeup and costume.
What the Better Lives theme diversity has taught me is that, I need to strategically design for my characters and be mindful of the representations my designs mean, if I want my future career practice to be of value.
11th May 2020 @ 1:10 pm
Joccoaa Theato Blog 4- Peer review:
Zhaoyi’s 2nd blog post themes/ working on diversifying costume and designing for diverse actors:
Zhaoyi’s blog reflecting on how the Better Lives theme of diversity will affect her work is extremely clear with strong examples given on exactly what she could do. She clearly specifies the type of actors that may need her to design for them and why they need her help. She also specifies what makes them diverse and why they should be celebrated. It is warming to see minority groups being uplifted and praised.
Zhaoyi mentions how her work in costume design effects other elements around her, like the media, and considers how she might change her designs depending on how other platforms, not just her own, will view them. She shows that she can step out of her own head and view her own work from another person’s view. An impressive and important trait to have in design occupations. She explains how character designs shape media stereotypes and reveals the importance and delicacy of her design choices. She also makes the connection between the stereotypes made from character designs and the real people with similar traits. She determines that the stereotypes made in film and tv can directly affect those who are living in our real world. She decides to challenge those stereotypes and attempts to change the negative assumptions e.g. for those with scars or burns. She gives them the positive attention they deserve and glorifies the beauty that is the markings on their bodies.
Zhaoyi concludes her work clearly with a small sentence stating her work will be of more value after considering the better lives themes. This shows me that Zhaoyi has understood the theme of diversity and how it is important in her line of work. Despite having a clear focus on one of the themes (diversity), it would have been nice to see a mention of the other two themes. To include “social responsibility” she could shift her approach to her writing to say she feels it her responsibility to create those designs for those types of actors. The lack of mention for “sustainability” concerns me as an environmental activist as I believe that the needs of the planet should be considered by everyone.
Even though Zhaoyi lacks the expression of all of the themes, I have enjoyed reading her work due to her thorough explanations into her line of work and how she will create in the future. Her in depth account made me feel like I got to know her more and understand her thought processes when designing. It has taught me the importance of my work and how it affects other and has reminded me to consider who my work affects not only immediately but indirectly too.