Joccoaa Theato: Blog 4 – Peer review
Zhaoyi’s 2nd blog post themes/ working on diversifying costume and designing for diverse actors: https://1920betterlivessmc.myblog.arts.ac.uk/2020/05/01/blog-2-reflection-on-how-better-lives-themes-might-change-how-i-work-in-the-future/
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.