Design Studio I

*I did not own the copyright of this photo, it's for references

(city that build with lego pieces, the power of idea)

Design Studio I

This module held 5 credit hours. This is one of the core subject in my Semester 1 of Bachelor in Science (Hons) Architecture. Design studio is about how to elaborate our idea and creativity. This module is mainly about how to make our design functional and meaningful instead of we wanted it to be in certain way which have no meaning or function at all.

Project 1 : Self-Expression Through Object 

Introduction:

This ice-breaking design project is an introduction to elements and principles of visual art through designing a mask. A mask is an object normally worn on the face for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. In contrast with its main usage to covering and hiding, here I am required to use that for revealing.

Objective:

The objectives of this assignment are as follows:

1. To explore the elements and principles of art

2. To explore applying aforementioned principles to communicate subjective ideas through objects

3. To introduce the basic methods of generating ideas and abstracting conceptual narratives for

design

Learning Outcomes:

1. Draw students’ attention to subjective matters which play a major role in architecture

2. Produce objects to communicate ideas

3. To explore one form of generating design concept/idea

4. Construct a representational piece of art based on the initial ideas that have been abstracted and

redefined through the process of translation and interpretation

Task:

• 1 final model of your ‘mask’ at 1:1 scale (the mask is to be worn during presentation)
• A2 board; consist of drawings, diagrams and write up (50 words)
• Verbal presentation

Reflection:

In this project, I had thought alot about who am I and what am I going to be or more precise if what made me become myself today? My tutor Mr James suggested me about using my strongest negative personality that posses me which I don't tell others literally but from my act. Well, I had different kinds of personalities in my life and in every stage of my life, it changes. I compile all those personality and I came out an idea with layered mask. This project is very fun and I dug deeply into my heart and talk to myself. It's not only communication with others but also myself.

Project 2 : Life Capsule

Introduction:

This will be done through designing a confined space which we call ‘Life Capsule’ for a 24-hour use. This limited space will challenge you to thoroughly examine and consider anthropometry and ergonomics -body dimensions, body movements, human behaviours and user needs. We will then progress on to understand how the human body relates to space, and further developing an understanding of scale and proportion in the relationship between the body and space. 

Through designing a limited space you will explore more about the role of function and objective parameters in the design process. 3-dimentional thinking, looking from different angles, applying different types of drawings (like sections, rather than mere plans) and creative models are essential to develop the design of the confined space.

Objective:

 The objectives of this assignment are as follows: 

1. To further the student’s concern about elementary user needs 

2. To introduce and create an awareness of scale and proportion of the human body 

3. To introduce the role of human behavior in shaping the space 

4. To explore how human anthropometry and ergonomics relating to space 

Learning Outcomes:

1. To explore objective parameters of design process through solving real-life architectural problems 

2. Be able to distinguish and discern the role of scale and proportion in the relationship between the 

human body and a designed space or enclosure 

3. Understanding of human factors to the design of space (its size, shape, and how appropriate it is 

for the task) to improve comfort, safety, and productivity 

4. To explore the relation of form and function 

Task:

• Presentation Panel A2 Boards (1 or 2) 

• Model 1:10 (Refer to your lecture for type e.g. section, detail model) 

• Verbal Presentation 5 minutes 

top view of K-Ring 360°

side view of K-Ring 360°

presentation board

Reflection:

In this project, I had learn alot about communication of human body and space. This project is a fun and my friend Low Jia Cheng and I decided to put on a challenge on ourselves by not wasting a single centimeter cube of the space. We start our capsule with a square box that exceed 12 meter cube and start to brainstorming. 

We came out an idea with the inspiration of recycle bin which we spotted in the Taylor's Lakeside Campus when we walked back from Starbucks buying coffee. The idea is about recycling which mean by cutting down the space we doesn't need and built a space we need! The idea was brilliant and challenging enough. So we start off with extreme mathematics calculation that keep us with the boundaries of 12 meter cube. At the end of the project, we successfully designed a space having volume of 11.12 meter cube. 

Well, other than the capsule, we also put on challenge by using scale 1:10 of the drawing and follow everything exactly to the brief including the size of fonts to fit into our board! I know we doesn't have to follow the first brief given but we just wanted to challenge ourselves with that. So we came out with the board and showing the function of space by using the concept of multiple shadow that cast from the original body to show the movement and how human body interact with the space. We spend around one week to fit everything into the board. Although the board didn't satisfy me and my friend, we still felt proud of ourselves! 

Project 3A

Before we kick off designing our final project, we are assigned to study the space of the building selected by ourselves. My friend Stanley Low Jia Cheng, Sean Chua and I decided to choose the Boh Tea House located in Cameron Highland. 

Reflection:

In this part of project, I had learned alot about the element of space and how they apply onto the design. The space is well considered as it does not cause any financial waste when every part of the it's design is functional. 

Project 3B

Then, we are assigned to create an abstract model by using the element of the space related back in Project 3A. We were inspired by Boh Tea House and the Beijing international Airport and ended up a design with the spirit or oriental dragon meaning to say, a space for eastern especially Chinese.

Reflection:

In this part of project, we managed to explore the relationship of space, function and design of a building. My group mates and I made a gigantic balcony deck which provided space for morning activities of nearby folks. We even get praised by our tutor Mr. James after we put in so many effort designing the space. In this project, communication skill is quite important as my group mates is very creative person causing us clashing idea with the design and we made alot of discussion to eliminate necessary part.

Project 3C (Final)

Introduction:

Project 3 you will be required to consider all those aspects (subjective and objective parameters) at the same time in designing a space. Going through this exercise you will get the real essence of how architectural design will start from a notion and develop through a process affected by multiple forces.

Objective:

1. To understand and apply basic design principles and terminologies
2. Develop design skills through analysis and ‘reading’ existing buildings
3. To further the student’s ability to create and develop a conceptual narrative
4. To be able to consider objective and subjective parameters in the design process to create a space
which is practical yet poetic
5. To be able to select and make different study models (sketch, concept, diagram, section and
development models) 

Learning Outcomes:

1. Design a space that embodies and expresses an idea or conceptual narrative
2. Be able to identify, articulate and apply basic design principles in spatial organization and
relationships
3. Be able to create, articulate and illustrate the poetics of spatial quality
4. Be able to produce and choose wisely among variety type of models with the aim of generating and
developing design as well as better presentation of idea
5. Advance communication skills through sketching internal expression of space, diagrams and
variety type of models 

Task:

• Presentation Panel A2 Boards (2 or 3)

• Model 1:50

• Verbal Presentation 5 minutes 

My tutor Mr. James Lim and I

Sectional Model 1

Sectional Model 2

Board 1

Board 2

Board 3

Reflection:



I have to admit that this is the my favorite project among so many projects in all of the module in Semester 1. I was kinda afraid to design something after what I experienced in my foundation last year but my tutor, Mr. James had gave me alot of confidence. 'Don't worry, just go ahead with whatever design you wan, I believe in your design and I will definitely defend your grade if your invigilator doesn't like your design because I know you are talented enough!' said by Mr. James. His words gave me supreme motivation to finish this project with all my sweat and blood. I was so happy with the end product which even my invigilator is praising me with my design. Thank you Mr. James! I learned alot in this project which I think it's not only for this project but also a life lesson. The lesson I learned the most in this project is being confidence with my design!

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Design Communication

Design Communication from Kelvin Ng

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Building Material

Building Material

Building Material is study of material from all aspect including characteristic, function, form, texture and etc. This module held 3 credit hours of my semester 1.

Project 1: Space Out- the material cube

In this very first project of the assignment, we are assigned to explore two type of material, timber and paper. Then we have to make a cube with 12 inch x 12 inch x 12 inch carrying specific space with by using the characteristic of the material.

Reflection:

In this project, I would proudly to say that my friend and I are the only few students that stands out the characteristic of the material which we explore the characteristic of the material first instead of start designing the cube. I used the bouncy characteristic for paper while solid, straight and pointy for timber.

Project 2: Materiality of Space - An Experiential Exploration

In this project, there are two part. Part A is group work which we have to choose a interesting building with interesting material which we can explore more than 15 types of material. 

Part A

Board 1

Board 2

Board 3

Board 4 (Mood Board)

Reflection:

In this part of project, we find that material they used to construct the Pod Pavilion is very few and exposed but then when we look closely analyzing and exploring, we found that we can group them into several types! The outcome is unexpected as we didn't expect we can find that much of materials from this building. This project had taught me that every building, every structure and even every material they choose, there must be a reason behind either commercial, financial, weather or etc.

Part B

Part B is individual part which is also choosing a colonial era shophouse from downtown Kuala Lumpur to study the relationship of material and space.

Reflection:


Shophouses are a very hot and love by many in Malaysia which is one of the biggest trend in South East Asia. Well, every time I do research related to shophouses, it gives me more and more surprise. I did research with shophouse tracking back when I was in foundation year last year. From this project, it taught me lesson about preserving the heritage and how our ancestor get full use of those material back in time when technology wasn't that good as today. I am so proud of our ancestor!

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Effective Public Communication

Effective Public Communication

   Effective Public Communication only hold 2 credit hours for my second semester in FNBE. This module is to teach student how to communicate their idea with the public effectively and easy to understand.

Project 1 : Photo Blog

 This is a project was assignment to form a group with 4 members. We need to create a photo blog featuring a specific place to investigate their culture and traditions. The photo should focus on the portray life of the site such as People, Food, Activities and Architecture.

The site we chosen is China Town of Kuala Terengganu, my hometown.

blog link :

http://fnbe0413epcmon1.blogspot.com/

Reflection:

   This is my favorite project among many project since I love to travel a a lot. I was raised up in Kuala Terengganu, I'd been visiting China Town in Kuala Terengganu more than a thousand times already yet it is still a uncovered mystery for me to investigate. This project was not easy as I though as I had to communicate with the local tourist guide to bring me around for further explanation. China Town in Kuala Terengganu is a big different compared with the others which is located in Penang or Melaka. Although the China Town only covered 1km long with an only street but the story and culture hidden behind this town is marvelous. I was really surprise that 70% of the detail and history that explain the tourist guide I had never heard before, once again I open my eye for my hometown with different angle. I love my hometown more than ever after this project.

Project 2: Oral Presentation

Reflection:

   In this project, I had traveled to Penang which is 400km away from my university to collect the data for this project. I love to travel as I love this project. My group had went far away from the hotel we stay compare with other that only goes around the hotel for the interview. We went to interview Restaurant Bali Hai, a big successful restaurant in Gurney Drive. This project is a little tough as we had problem with transportation in Penang we manage to go the the Gurney Drive with expensive taxi fee. This is an new experience for me as we have to communicate with the manage for the interview and we did asked few restaurant but they refuse to accept our interview but luckily we got reply from Bali Hai restaurant and Bubba Gump.

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Social Psychology

Social Psychology

     Social Psychology is a module for FNBE semester 2 that hold 3 credit hours. This module is the scientific studies of what people's though, behavior in group and etc.

Journal Entries

Journal Entries 1


Reflection:

   In those journal, i had jotted down my most interested part of the module. Through out this journal, i learned how to communicate with my idea, how to share my personal experience with my pals. Anyway, I learned a lot through out the lecture gave by Miss Chia, she is an interesting, funny and open minded lecturer.Otherwise, I also learned about how people act and think in group which they think and act differently when they are alone. I love write journal somehow and it's interesting cause this is a precious experience for me.

Research Assignment

Presentation Slide



Reflection:

    Overall for this project is great, I never did any psychological research in my entire life and this is my first time doing it. I felt excited when I first receiver the project brief as I think I'm going to be really 'wild' on the questionnaires asking questions that awkward and sometimes harsh a little. Well, at first my group was a little busy with other assignment and we had some problem with communication but we fix it a month before the dateline. All thanks to Kimberly which have supreme leadership skill that unite my group member and I together. We went through this problem with a little rush because it is clash with my Business's Charity Drive. Although it is tiring but everything is worth it!
peace out ! :D

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Business

Business

     Business is a module that hold 3 credit hours in my FNBE semester 2. This module is an introduction to the field of business about how to promote their product effectively.

Project 1 : Ethics

Introduction:

This assignment is designed with that objective in mind, as it gives students the opportunity to learn these important issues and, in turn, educate others to take part in solving them.

Objectives:

• Understand the social and ethical responsibility of a business.
• Describe the factors (specifically environmental and societal) affecting the business operations.

Reflection:

     In this assignment, I realize that in the same time we doing business supporting family's economy we also made pollution. We must aware on what we did, maybe if we can't avoid pollution yet we still can reduce it to the minimum so that it's won't harm the environment. Pollution topic is all over the internet especially Lynas the rare earth factory. Yes, we need rare earth everyday in our life but it doesn't mean that we can produce rare earth without controlling the pollution. Lynas is a very irresponsible business organization that didn't give much attention to the pollution issue. It is impossible to move Lynas from Malaysia now but atleast the government should restrict their filtering system and toxic  discharge system.

Project 2 : Charity Drive

Introduction:

To address this shortcoming, this project will provide students with an opportunity to run a mock business venture and thereby gain the relevant practical experiences. In addition, it will also fulfil another learning objective i.e. to comprehend the social responsibilities of a business and how to discharge them effectively. For this last purpose, students will donate 100% of their profits from the project to the charitable organization of their choice.

Objectives:

• To encourage students to think creatively and strategically in the course of starting and running a business.
• Understand the roles of human resources management, marketing, operations and finance in business.
• Understand the social and ethical responsibilities of a business.

Report:

Introduction

Setting Up



Promotion & Pakaging


Reflection:

     At the beginning of this project, I was expecting everything to run smoothly but it never goes where we wanted to be. In this project, I learn a lot about Tsu Ji organization when I proceed to the organization for donation. Well, this is not the first time i run this kinda event but this is my first time doing business for charity propose. However, my group had encountered few issue such as pos office delayed the delivery and etc but I felt glad that we still work together as a team until the end of the project. Although this event was clashed with other module's dateline and very tiring but I think everything is worth it.

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