Lectures
Week 1: Critical Thinking and Writing
Week 3: Literature Review
Instructions
Progress
Literature Review
A literature review was conducted in steps, starting from the literature matrix, which provides the researcher with a new perspective.
Next, for the research methods and results chapter I focused on reading through all the gathered data and combine information to make a relevant argument. Attached below is the survey results.
The result compilation was then written descriptively as part of the Research Results and the following chapters.
Fig. 1.3 Draft Dissertation (8/6/2025)The visual design of the dissertation was next. In this moment in time, I didn't have access to Illustrator. I was limited in this sense, and I needed to focus on using elements that can be done in only InDesign, but still allowed an idea of unity to be in theme. Luckily, during the mood board phase, I found examples of elements surrounding squares, which allowed room for creativity without too much time astray from InDesign. Below is the mood board.
The decision of warmer colours came from the similar idea of unity, with variations. I wanted to avoid a monochromic colour palette and settled with the red, orange, dark teal, and bright yellow. Unfortunately, it was difficult to apply the illustrative charts with the limited tools. With the mood board completed, I attempted a few designs for the cover.
By this stage I felt uneasy using artwork from others as I wasn't confident regarding copyright laws, mainly due to the need for multiple examples to make the 'squares' work. I decided using past and present works from myself, with my own attempts at creating diverse characters. The biggest issue afterward is making the "in" fit with the rest of the cover. The feedback i received in the following week was to take inspiration from typographers such as David Carson, Paula Scher, and Neville Brody. Their I saw their work and was greatly inspired, but at this point in time I did not believe I can apply the exact same aesthetic, rather the direct feedback from Dr Hayati was more personalised to the work I currently have. I then proceeded to come up with changes to the previous design I was more confident in.
The addition of "boxing in" the "ins", in my opinion, really helped with making a cover that looked whole. I was then indecisive between 1.12 and 1.13, but ended up with 1.12, as it was fully squarish as originally intended. Below is the final visual design.
The final visual design was done around the same time I made edits to the final dissertation, mainly due to the fact that I preferred that the figure labels and text were consistent throughout. My biggest struggle was creating a simple Conceptual Framework because I truthfully believed it could not be any simpler. Instead, I asked my friend to help me. I would take out certain details in the framework and ask her "does this still have the same interpretation?" and until it doesn't, I will take more away. I was left with a much simpler framework.
After a full revision, there was only the journal left. I had the same issue here as I did with creating a simple framework, because I genuinely believe there should not be anything left out. However, I managed to get the core of each section based on my best understanding and rephrased or reordered anything that was necessary. It took quite a while to fully refine, and I'm sure there could be improvements, but I'm rather happy with the result.
Feedbacks and Reflection
This subject has been enjoyable for me, despite the fact I was dreading returning to it. Luckily, there were much less stressors in my life at this point, and I was excited to apply what I've learnt from my minor in Psychology in my writing. I realise that I had a much easier time connecting the thoughts with words that are more easily understandable compared to the first time I had attempted this module. At this time I was also able to communicate with my classmate, Guan, regarding some issues of dates or texts and translation. I was really glad I could help in any way I could. It was also interesting to hear and see the kind of work the other classmates have, especially during the designing phase. I love both the simplicity in some works that required much thought, there were a lot of different approaches that they took to make sure it was in line with the subject they wrote about. Hopefully I could read them one day. On that note, it was also satisfying to actually have time to read through the articles I have previously and currently selected. I realise here that there were even some that I completely misunderstood. Overall, it was a good experience for me. I enjoyed all the processes this time around, although not so much in writing this blog. Haha.
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