Week 10 - Synesthesia

SYNESTHESIA

*I do not own any of these images*

What is synesthesia?

It is the production of sense impression relating to one sense it part of the body by stimulation of another sense it part of the body. Or in other words, a minority bunch of people what has synesthesia where their 5 senses; hearing, tasting, seeing, touching and smelling, are all linked together. Thus, they hear, taste, see, touch and smell things interestingly different from others. This condition is not harmful. However, many individuals wonder if this condition is a blessing or a curse. I personally find this condition as a blessing if the person who suffers from synesthesia is an artist himself. Because of his condition, he would see things very differently from other artist who do not suffer from this condition. And I believe that they would produce a more amusing and captivating artworks. 

What if I were to suffer from synesthesia?

If I were to find out that I am the only person to hear colours, taste shapes and smell sounds, in the beginning I would isolate myself from people and even the world as I would be afraid of what would people think of me when I tell them that I think or see things differently than the others. They would think that I am a strange person and change their perception of me. Specifically, fear of being ridicule d for my unusual abilities. Afterwards, I would radiate and drown myself with positive thoughts. I will also embrace this condition by channeling my odd vision and ideas into school work/projects. Such as drawings and sculptures.

FUN FACT: Many synesthetes are successful musicians such as Mary J. Blige, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder and Charli XCX.

After having to find out of this condition, I did a preliminary reasearch, as I wanted to gain a a better understanding of what they are actually suffering from and what do the really hear, taste and smell. I was upset when I found out that many of these synesthetes were made fun of and were labelled as "weirdos". I realise that I am presently living in a society whereby having someone with a special condition means that they are worthless, hopeless and weak. And then again, I realised that I am part of this society and I should make a change and spread awareness. 

A video which had helped me to gain a better understanding of what synesthetes hear, taste and smell.

A short documentary of a bunch of real synesthetes 

Week 9 - Individual Exercise: Force Connection

Randomly choose one object from B and describe it with all of the adjectives A.

A (adjective)

• Passionate
• Sad
• Brave
• Creative
• Greedy
• Hardworking

B (object)

1. Pencil
2. Clock
3. Computer
4. Cup
5. Plug
6. Candle

2.  A clock is an instrument that determines the time. And time is a duration regraded as belonging to the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity. Time is also taken for granted. Individuals do not realise that time is limited. The older we get, the busier we become and the faster time flies. Thus, the more hardworking we become as we try to manage on our time as wisely as possible. Some individuals become too greedy for time as they want to live their lives to the fullest. However, majority of these individuals are greedily living their lives to the fullest wrongfully. And some spend too much time being sad over ridiculous and petty reasons. For example, they use the time for selfish reasons such as trying to impress others for being someone they are not. Instead of doing so, they could have been a genuine person and led a better life. They should be brave to show who they truly are. Every individual should also be passionate with what they are doing. Hence, they will come up with much more creative and constructive ideas.

From this exercise, I would have never have thought that I could link random adjectives with a clock. One of the main reason I was able to complete this exercise was because of the thinking tools that I have learnt; Lateral thinking and Analogical Thinking. I am pleased that I was able to complete this exercise.

Week 8 - Analogical Thinking Pt 2

Week 8 Exercise

Condense all that you have gathered through your learning process in brainstorming and mind mapping into an idea for a found image of your choice. (Inspired by nature or any life form)

Learning Process 

For the past 8 weeks, I have learnt how to break the rules, brainstorm, mind-map, thinking laterally and analogically. These strategies are very useful as it had undeniably helped me to generate greater ideas. I will try apply these knowledge for as long as I can. 

A found image inspired by nature

I found this image on Google. This is actually a table and its stand is inspired by the roots of the trees. I really like the concept behind this and thought of other functional goods that can be created.

Here are 3 items that I have sketched out.

A chair with roots as its stand.

Clothing rack with roots as its hooked.

Roots shelf

Out of 5 sketches, I only picked 3 of them as the other 2 weren't as interesting.

From these past few weeks, I have learnt a lot; ways to reflect, thinking tools etc. I started to reflect and think more frequently than before which had helped me to generate lots of fresh new ideas. For example, when I first saw the image of the table with its stand inspired by the roots of the trees, I started to apply the thinking tools to come up with more fixtures/furnitures that could also be inspired by the roots. Moreover, I had also applied these thinking tools into my school work. These thinking tools had been a great help to me. 

Class Exercise 2: Bee Activity

Imagine this room: The window at the back is open. In front of the window there is a table with a vase, in which a fresh rose stands. A painting of flowers hangs on the opposite wall (at the whiteboard area). A bee flies into the room through the open window, straight to the painting and not the rose. WHY?!

           

Lateral thinking is a creative thinking tool. Lateral thinking involves a process. Lateral thinking tools are meant to supplement existing ideas. For this activity, we were tasked to come up with constructive and creative theories on why the bee flew straight to the painting and not the fresh rose. I then came up with a few theories although most of it are illogical, lateral thinking was implemented into this.