Walkthrough video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sm1EtJd_JhX002DXHULzxngHH38yfULM/view?usp=sharing
Pictures:
Form: Pop-up book
Research and Progress:
I started with the meaning of my topic and found that it has usually been used as terminology (in biology, microanatomy, zoology, etc.). It usually means small holes and openings on/inside one creature’s body. I was lost in different biology papers at the beginning and had no idea what I could do with the topic. After having an interview with a biology Ph.D., I got a deeper understanding of the fenestra. I realized that fenestra is usually used for balancing the pressure and transporting small parts in and out. I decided to go deep in this direction. The guide should focus more on pressure and balancing.
When searching for the form of the guide, I want to find a form that can reduce the professionalism of the word and make it more interesting. Also, personally, I want to try something non-tech. The Pop-up book is typically used for children and educational functions. Also, it’s mainly used for storytelling or showcasing. I plan to focus on its storytelling part, but I want to tell a story that can interest both the children and the adults.
When thinking about metaphor, I decided to reconstruct the topic and get some key elements to follow in my project. As I mentioned above, the key concepts are pressure and balancing. While the pressure here means hydraulic or air pressure, the word “pressure” can also mean mental pressure. One step further, emotional balance comes out.
Then when I start to work on the guide, to show my content to everyone directly with the lowest age limitations, language limitations, or knowledge reserved, I choose to take a symbolic path. Also, I found out that showing the structure directly is not the best solution since it is hard for the audience who sees the guide for the first time to get “what it is” without a text explanation. Compared to explaining what a fenestra is, I want the audience to understand the story more. As a result, I used the term “the Gate” instead. And small dots to show the “emotions” instead of actual molecules. Also, I did some research on “emotions and colors” and “emotions and shapes” to choose the best visualization for different emotions.
[Update:]
[For friends who would go to the Skin Presentation: Please don’t read the words below before the presentation. Thank you!]
The idea behind the guide: Small openings, holes, or mistakes do not destroy us; it is part of us and sometimes help us get out of bad situations.
While making the guide, Venus de Milo comes to my mind. People have more or less sorrow and pain. It is these sorrows and pains that complete us. Miraculously, sometimes they give us the power to move on. “I’ve already gone through all these things; what else could beat me?” Honestly, these thoughts are far away from my topic: fenestra. However, they were born from all the research I’ve done and all the reconstruction I’ve tried. I was hesitant to continue in this direction, and finally, I decided to go and follow my heart. We are all like fenestra with invisible openings to live our own life.
This is amazing! Excellent implementation of your initial popup idea. I think it was great that you gained perspective on the purpose of fenestra from your interview and that you were able to apply a more ambiguous point of view to it. I think another metaphor you could’ve included is something related to windows, which is another meaning for fenestra, which we talked about during our discussions. For example, making the front of the popup book be window, since we will be looking into your mind/emotions.
I love how the idea of fenestra turned into a pop-up book, it works! I also think it’s interesting how something somewhat disturbing (fenestra, many tiny holes) to me can turn into something I adore (pop-up book with all those pull and push but also holes), the connection stays and everything makes sense. I agreed with Dora about the window metaphor, and I think your pop-up book already have many signs that show the window metaphor is in it already.
Hi yueqing I always think it looks simple, and things without threshold are often the most difficult to do well, but your homework is great! I really like the design of your blinds! But I have an immature little suggestion. Is it better to turn into a smiling face after a crying face at the beginning? Or is there any special reason for you to do so? I think this title is really difficult hahaha, so I’m looking forward to your speech in class!
I love the guide form of a pop-up book, with the real(physical) interaction. I also tried to google the concept of Fenestra, but still confusing until reading your guide which uses great metaphors and lots of decorations to enhance the guide’s performance.
I noticed that you used “emotions and colors” and “emotions and shapes” to try to do the best visualization, but do you think it’s slightly over-eye-catching using so many colors and shapes?
Hi Yueqing,
I like how you translate this super difficult terminology into an idea that we could understand without any background knowledge. I appreciate your metaphor, comparing fenestra with pressures and holes in our life. You used a lot of words and pictures to express emotions, which is very attractive and makes people reflect on ourself. While, for me, I would want to see more explanations or physical presentations of fenestra. As I understand, fenestra is a small pore or hole, but I don’t see anything resembling a small hole in your popup book. I would like to see more physical representation of fenestra and how it connects to your metaphor. Overall, you did a really good job and I love your popup book.