Blog Post 4 – Peer Review

For the peer review, I have chosen to discuss Minji Kawck’s third blog in which she reflects on the ’3D Mask Making about politics’ course. The reasons why I have chosen to review her blog are because I have always been interested about this course. 

Her final mask design was approached from South Korea’s COVID-19. I love her idea of the attempt at this circumstance and I think this topic is very compatible with the topic of Social Responsibility. Currently, each country has a variety of news, and it is very interesting to choose Korea among them.

According to the content, she seems to have made a lot of efforts, including planning and making various attempts, to produce better outcome. She seems to have tried to approach the subject in many ways and aspects. And the results seem to have been made in a very attractive way to match her efforts.

At the middle and end of her reflection, she writes that she doesn’t have had enough resources and instruction. In my case, I agree with her very much because I felt that there was a lack of information and practice that the class delivered by the lack of face-to-face classes.

However, I was really fascinated by her work, and I would want to tell her that she should be proud of what she made. 

To conclude, I think while reading someone else’s reflection, I was also able to reflect differently on my own works and the next steps that I can take in future projects. It was great to meet people from other courses and share ideas. I think Minji Kawck’’s reflection was both honest and thoughtful. It’s just so sad that the current situation was poor at creating her work with more information. Nevertheless, she produced fantastic results.

The blog post that I would like to respond to is the project outcome and your personal development by Yanyu Pan. She started off with talking about the drawing exercise we did after each workshop and some of the difficulties she met which includes how some scrap materials like newspapers are thinner and weaker so it is more difficult to work and draw on it comparing it to regular sketch paper. She have said that newspaper was too thin to watercolor, so some colors are not as bright and saturated which lead to the realization of how precious papers are and therefore should not be wasted. I agree with her realization as I also first start off practicing with newspaper and ink. For myself after the first attempt I then start to add acrylic layer base to newspaper as being taught in the workshop and which adds strength to the paper, and I draw with paint and pastels instead of watercolors. I really like the drawing exercise that you did and I would love to see more of it and I really like how you use paper and which adds dimension and colors to the face illustration. I then also like the illustration of the day in the green dress especially the shapes and line of the piece that there is a very clear and strong silhouette.

As for the final illustration, I really like the topic you choose,Alexander McQueen’s 2010SS show, which is related to the ocean and ecosystem. It is correlated to the sustainability theme that we are consistently discussing and awaring. I personally like the use of the watercolor and the wash being used in the illustration as there is translucency and are very clean. In my opinion I would love to see brighter and more colors in the illustration as I can see more colors in the actual dress and I think in the future if you were to draw this again it would be nice to use more colors. Also I think you can the contrast stronger as it will can probably better catches people’s eyes. And just personally I would also love to see more details of the hand and the face as it will seem more finished and completed and I also wish I could see more of the drawings and illustrations on the topic.

I strongly agree with the conclusion of your personal development as I also feel like it is extremely important for people who are working in the fashion industry to not only made self-aware of these themes when creating and designing but also to stand and speak about it in public. Artist, designers, and most importantly a member of the society, it is our responsibility to make our society and planet a better place.

I was immediately attracted to Raquel’s concept design and its backstory as soon as I saw it. I have only concentrated on one theme throughout this Better Lives unit and that is sustainability. She mentioned that there would be an anxiety feeling floating in the air if the topic sustainability were to be mentioned. I could not help but wonder why because I did not have the same sentiment as her.

It is really interesting to see another person’s opinion on the same topic. Her point of view was a real eyeopener for me because I would have never linked mental health with the 3 themes given. It showed me a different way to comprehend the 3 themes.

In her description for the character, she mentioned about a vaccine creation that allows people to be aware of their own mental health condition by having obvious coloured pigmentations displayed on the facial features. I think it is a hyper realistic idea that could actually be invented (someday). Many of us tend to prioritise our physical wellbeing over mental health issues just because the latter is not something we can all ‘see’. Having this vaccine could raise more awareness for mental wellbeing and also create a society where people with mental health issues could be assisted promptly.

I like how she used the word ‘fragility’ to describe the makeup look to seem as though it could be scratched off easily and that represents self harm which is usually a method to show distress. She gave us an example of her character with blue and purple pigmentations on the nose and cheeks area. I think the placement of the makeup really brings out her character’s design because the nose and cheeks areas are the most prominent parts of the face. It draws you in and makes you wonder why. It saddens me when she mentioned that the pigmentations can only be seen by the character and invisible to others. This is stated to match with our actual life’s oblivious society. Just like I have mentioned in the second paragraph, people are likely to dismiss one’s mental health issue or take no notice of them because mental illnesses are often not presented physically.

Reading Raquel’s sentiments has not only given me an opportunity to think differently about the themes, it has also taught me a valuable lesson which is to reach out to those in need. Her character design’s backstory drew me in and made me want to educate myself on the controversial side effects our industries have caused, be it knowingly or unknowingly. She has ingeniously taken all 3 themes into account and created a character that could be realised as a mental health awareness campaign.

As Better Lives is coming to an end its time to reflect on my developing creative attributes, by exploring and discussing my own posts and reviewing my peers work.

I have chosen to peer review Ellie Shemmells 2^nd blog post ‘Reflections on how the Better Lives themes might change how you work in the future.’ I chose Ellie’s post as she is studying a similar course to me (Hair and Makeup Field). Ellie wrote about initially finding it quite difficult to identity the themes within her work, she explained how the better lives unit helped her to identify them easily which is a great positive outcome for her and the unit. I completely agree with Ellie as I struggled at the start of the unit too in identifying the themes within my work however through the lectures and sessions helped me hugely to identify and understand the themes of which have now become a second nature of mine to think about.

Ellie talks a lot about how she wants to make sure her work is diverse and inclusive as possible and making sure she is respectful about different cultures/religions through her work, which is excellent. I think that Ellie could have research more into ways she would avoid any negative effects through her work and examples of who/what. For example, reflecting on the cultural appropriation of corn rows within the black community, which have been seen worn by many white celebrities as a ‘fashion trend’ and expand more on this. Comparing my blog post I wish I had spoken more about respecting and researching different cultures/religions as I believe it is very important to have knowledge of in terms of my work.

She talks greatly about sustainability and wanting to make sure she tries to use products that are sustainably friendly in the future. She mentions ‘bigger brands’ and them wanting to be more transparent, I think to have fully reflected on the sustainable theme she could have mentioned some brands that are beginning to be transparent such as Illamasqua , Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier etc. and what they are doing to be sustainable. Comparing to my blog I talked a lot about consumable products that causes a lot of waste for the makeup industry and I think I could have touched more on makeup products as Ellie did.

Social responsibility is such an umbrella term for so many things. Ellis touched upon social responsibility in terms of diversity and taking responsibility as a makeup artist. To have fully reflected maybe looking at brands/companies that are socially responsible for products (cruelty-free, eco-friendly etc) and how she would have understood they are and why they are. For example, cruelty free companies such as NYX who display their cruelty free logo on products and have a whole webpage addressing, they are cruelty free.

Overall, I think Ellie produced a very good blog post with the fundamentals of the themes in her work however I do believe she could have even more reflect by researching and finding examples like I did in my blogs.

Link to Ellie’s Blog: https://1920betterlivessmc.myblog.arts.ac.uk/2020/04/28/blogpost-2/

I have chosen to peer review the third blog post of MINJI KIM. Reading her review on her personal outcomes and development through “Fashion Illustration: View from the Catwalk”, it became apparent to Better lives topic she did a lot of research. And throughout the research, she can choose one brand called Tommy Hilfiger.

I am really excited about seeing how she approached the themes and brand in her own way. For example, she found the Tommy Hilfiger brand has features that correspond to the subject of Sustainable and Social Responsibility. And Tommy Hilfiger was moved to ease the burden of persons with disabilities and present the design. Also, she found the designer successfully created a collection of disability-friendly clothing for children in 2016 and is now back in line for clothing for adults. This looks like she is interested in her course and as she had taken what she had learned through the practice of Fashion illustration and Better Lives.
Even though, I really impressed by her final project. Because she focused on the two topics in Better lives when she was drawing illustrations “Sustainability” and “Social Responsibility”. That means she though a lot of ways to express her work as an illustration. Then, she has tried many things to draw with natural materials or recycled materials, and she has learned and studied more about disability. I think, using natural materials or recycled materials is so creative. There’s nothing to comment on negatively.
Her writing skill is also so good. And she looked like a try so much, since when she was painting, she received a lot of help from videos posted by Sue Drey.

I think overall, I really enjoyed reflecting and reading Minji’s positive development because of her own interpretation of the theme “Sustainability” and “Social Responsibility” and therefore how she related to that. If there’s a chance to see her final work I really want to see that. Anyway, Good job Minji!

I have chosen to peer review the third blog of Frankie Bogg. Reading her review on her personal outcomes and development through Portrait Photography, it became apparent to me that she reflected her learning and adapted her own practise, keeping the current unforeseen circumstances in mind. As well as enhancing her technical skills;  Bogg, F. 2020 “… such as lighting and making the most out of your camera”, it seems the majority of her personal development throughout this unit, was how she approaches her own creativity when at home.

I really enjoyed seeing how she approached the themes in her own way, as it was different to how I had perhaps. For example, she referred to her social responsibility currently, to be keeping in contact with loved ones and being responsible for keeping the heroes of the NHS ‘safe and protected’. I found this interesting as she had taken what she had learned through the practise of Photography and Better Lives, and showed understanding what it represents and means to her as a wider issue. 

I have also expressed the difficulty in being creative and finding inspiration through this tough time being at home; so it was interesting to read how Frankie had found ways of experimenting and being creative with the camera. The playfulness of the third image, for me, really contrasts with the mood and candid angles of the first two. The lighting is a lot moodier and subdued in the “Self” and “Present” Portraits, yet the bright light and in the “Absent Portrait”, combined with the glasses and the fact it was taken through a FaceTime call with a friend, contrasts this. For me, I took this as a representation of perhaps the moods we have all perhaps experienced though this awful time. I thought this was really commendable how Frankie has managed to show ‘distance’, emotion and ‘inner conflict’ between friends, family, and also strangers who we are all keeping in our thoughts and prayers.

I think overall, I really enjoyed reflecting and reading Frankie’s positive development because of her own interpretation of the theme Social Responsibility, and therefore how I related to that. Bravo!

I have read a lot of blogs written by peers form different disciplines these days. Everyone shared their unique ideas and experiences on the themes of the Better Lives unit, inspiring me so much. I decided to peer review on the first blog post from Kun Wang and the reason why I chose her blog is that she reflected Kate Fletcher`s lecture which was talking about nature that I was interested in. I think the content of her blog fully reflected the connection between nature and two themes of social responsibility and sustainability.

In the first paragraph, she mentioned a test of testing to identify the plants and animals in London given by Kate Fletcher, giving her deep thoughts. I quite understand her feeling because I also got vivid impression of this test when I attended this lecture. I could hardly recognize any animals but be familiar with almost all the names of the brands, going through the same situation as she did. Kun Wang then discussed her thoughts that triggered by the test from two aspects. She pointed out a passage said by professor: ‘human always think that they are the center of everything, but in fact, on the contrary, nature is the center of everything.’ Everything is dependent on nature, including humans as well as their lives. she also questioned human behaviors of destroying nature and overconsuming natural resources such as deforestation, water pollution and air pollution. Those issues are exactly be of concern to human beings, relating to the theme of sustainability. In addition, she communicated some ideas of recognizing humankind`s position in nature, combining what professor said. It is another important part of her blog, reflecting the theme of social responsibility. As she said, in fashion industry, we can use fashion and other things to join the world, however, we must do with conscious of social responsibility. Before taking any action, consider the feasibility and whether it will cause damage or loss to nature and society.

Overall, I think Kun Wang has well reflected two themes of the Better Lives unit with her own insights about nature. Besides, it is wise of her to strongly express her ideas by using a great deal of rhetorical questions.

I read Elanka Jiang’s post blog2: Diversity during the pandemic and it really resonate with me. The reason I chose her blog post was I was thinking the same problems that she mentioned as an Asian living in London.

She first talks about her root and ethnicity, and how she is feeling about it. Then she shares her experience and what she saw in social media which is all racism toward Asian and how she felt about it. Then she tries to find what she can do as a media student, especially as a future fashion illustrator.

After reading her post, in my view, I felt sad about this insane racism happening towards all Asian living abroad and only Asians are taking care of this problem. I know that other people also know that racism is bad and those who are racist are wrong. However, they are not putting much attention on the racism happening due to this virus and sometimes they also do some racism by mistake not knowing that they actually did.

I strongly agree with her view that there are many posts saying degrading misinformation on social media and want to compliment on her sight that she had thought of these problems. I never thought about this problem before, but after reading her article, now I also think that this could be a big problem that should not be underestimated. People can easily believe in those misinformed posts without any doubt and it can provoke and enhance some racism problems, especially on the young generation who are closed to social media. This made me think that as a one of media student, what can I do to solve these problems.

Finally, looking at her last paragraph, she mentioned about how she will work in the future as a fashion illustrator. I could see how much she is taking care of this diversity problem and passionate about her creative work. I also could see that she is proud and confident about what she is doing now. Some of her plans inspired me what I can do in future as a fashion photographer. I can say that this is a good reflection writing written about diversity problem happening in this pandemic situation. It was really good that she wrote the things that are related to nowadays, so I could more easily resonate with her writing. However, it would be better if she had written about other two subjects, sustainability and social responsibility, but I think it can also be a good choice to focus on one subject more deeply rather than barely skimming the surface of all three subjects.