Ethan Yang
Int Sem 2
Darcy Rothbard
10 May 2017
Bridge 5
“Time flies” I believe these two words presumably are the ones which being said by students most frequently in the end of every single semester. I personally still cannot believe the first year is going to be ended this immediately, and it feels so surreal to me. Even though it was a year ago, I still can remember I entered the very first class with anxiety, but excitement at the same time. In the very beginning, I honestly did not like the first year classes at all. Due to the foundation year, I have to take the classes that as same as other majors students, which is really annoying to me, since I am a design and management student, and not assume myself a really good painter. Therefore, I was really frustrated and disappointed at first; Nonetheless, I felt getting better and better afterwards, and became more skilful on not only painting such as sketching, coloring, and so forth, but also computer technique, like Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere and other softwares. Apart from the art and technical parts, I also hugely improved my writing, which I suppose the thing that I was originally good at, as well. First year of Parsons has really comprehensively changed me a lot.
To recall, I still clearly remember the Integrative Studio 1’s professor asked us to search background information about the place that we were assigned, and used Google map and Google image to support realizing the location. The more interesting part is that we were required to take three selfies and photoshoped on the images that we searched, and he also asked us to make a souvenir that we think can represent the place. All of us had absolutely no idea what is the point of doing this. In the next week, the professor asked us to go to the site in person and take ten selfies. In addition, we also needed to buy a little souvenir from there. When I went there in person, I suddenly realized the purpose of doing this, there were so many differences between the real trip and the virtual trip, they are two exactly varied experience. Nevertheless, the most memorable part must be the seminar class. The professor asked us to write a paper for each journey, and each of us would read a part of both journeys. After reading, she questioned other students which one is real and which one is fake, and surprisingly, a lot of people got wrong. It was so much fun, and all of us really enjoyed. After the combination of Studio 1 and Seminar 1, I really learned a lot and used different perspective to view what is “fake” and what is “real”, which I suppose not many people understand the true meanings. Even if these two vocabularies sound really simple, however, there are so many different ways of explanations, and arguments. I genuinely love these two classes
In addition to the Studio 1 and Seminar 1, the Time class was also pretty unforgettable as well. Before taking the course, I had no idea how will this class work, and wonder how will the instructor teach us the concept by incorporate art. However, when I took the first class, I changed my mind directly. We did abundant different and special assignment, such as Time map, to show the sequence, contrasting a realistic photo from before 1930 with a contemporary realistic photo, to demonstrate the differences between the two eras, shooting three different kinds of photos: frozen moment, long exposure, continuation, as a series to instruct us how to use cameras properly to take varied sorts of motion, the list going on and on. Furthermore, we also learned how to present a place or a thing by filming, recording taking photos, or even combine more than one way. The professor taught us how to express “time” this quite abstract thing by using diverse means. However, one of the most noteworthy methods must be creating a graphic novel. I chose Blind Men and An Elephant as my story. In the very beginning, I honestly had no clue what frames, composition, transitions and duration are, and thought writing a comic book is not a very difficult task. However, I was totally wrong. The professor later gave us two chapters from a book, which specifically teaches how to write a comic book, and told us to a bookstore and find a novel to search for the same kinds of method that the book has mentioned. I suddenly found out there plentiful mystery behind a comic book. After I read it and went to a bookstore, I instantly got the idea and getting better and better on drawing graphic novel, and I knew some key elements to attract readers, and let them understand and enjoy in the comic better. I truly think I have learned a lot from doing these assignments, and know “time” this concept more deeply.
After one year, what I was afraid of did not happen; in contrast, I feel quite fortunate to taking these courses, they undoubtedly lead me to a better person from many perspective. I was a kind of person that know my dream, what am I going to do in the future, and yet afraid to do so. Nonetheless, I am now a better person, who is willing to try by using different methods and not afraid to do so. At Parsons, I feel like I know myself better, what my strengths are, what my disadvantages are, and how to improve them or fix them. Moreover, I also find the place that can utilize my passion, my skills and having people sharing the same fashion obsession. In the first year, I can really explore myself, which I could not and had not chance to do before, and I enjoy the pressure that the school gives me. I feel really blessed and thankful, and I think I love myself much more than before.
