Imaginary Body Illustration 2 / Nov. 2020

“If it’s not human, I wish I were a cat. I could live a leisurely and carefree life. The appearance of the cat is also very beautiful, with the big eyes and small face. Every time I see a snow mountain, it will evoke the mood of peace, happiness in my heart. It is just like the visual expression of some kind of inner yearning. I also like sunflower very much, it represents the sunshine, freshness and optimism. The clouds are very beautiful as well. They are light and bright, with different colors and shapes in the sun. When I was a child, I liked horses very much. I liked the illusion of free running.

I hope I can overcome my fear of water and swim freely in it, so maybe I can have a fish tail. If my fingers are vines that can be stretched freely, I can stay where I am and get what I want at any time, avoiding unnecessary tedious labor. If I can, I want an angel like big wings, which can wrap my whole person, so I will feel very safe.

I like my hair the best. It’s thick and dark. I have a silver bracelet that I’ve worn for many years, and it seems to be part of my body. I must sleep holding a stuffed toy, regardless of the specific image (elephant, cartoon donkey). I hope I am: kind, interesting, sunny, lovely, easy to get along with, sweet and cool, independent.”

Body Image Research / Aug.- Sept. 2020

Analysis and comparison of the existing body image measurement methods

Introduction:

Body image refers to the individual’s cognition and evaluation of his body. It is the earliest part of individual self-consciousness and an important basic part of self-identity. It involves the individual’s view and evaluation of his appearance, physique and physical fitness. It is multi-dimensional and multi-level, and shows different characteristics with the growth of individual age. At the same time, body image is influenced by social culture and the evaluation of important others.

In psychology, medicine, philosophy, feminism and other disciplines, there are different theoretical analysis of body image, and explore the important elements that affect people’s body image. At present, important theories include social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954), social culture theory (Thompson, 1999), objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), symbolic interaction theory (Mead, 1934). There are many measuring tools and methods about how to test people’s body image. These related theories and methods, as well as extended related concepts, provide insights for my next step of design, and helped me to generate my own “body image measurement tool” and possible design directions in the next step.

How I turned these theories into design inspirations:

Loli’s Day : Visual Concepts / July-Aug. 2020

Loli’s Day: As a critique of the cuteness-oriented “Loli style” aesthetics, the core issue of this project is how to use visual techniques to achieve it? In the process of concept generation, I try to redefine what is feminine cuteness with women as the main body, so as to reshape the connotation of the festival and show its resistance. Young, disempowered and flawless female appearance (lollipop) as the standard of cuteness can be broken by sharp, uncomfortable, imperfect visual elements (thorns).

Process Drafts:

Final Concept: The Lollipop with Thorns/ The Uncomfortable Licking

The Brochure Design

Loli’s Day: Background Research / July. 2020

In the summer design practice, I chose to design the visual system for the virtual Festival “Loli’s day”, in order to challenge and question the aesthetics of “cuteness” of women in Contemporary Chinese social culture.

When I first chose “loli subculture” as the topic of this design project, I did some background research to help me understand the design object and establish the design purpose.