I started this project on
8/29
In the first studio class, we were asked to create an Avatar using any media. I realized that this kind of project is my weakness since I work a lot more efficiently with a given theme.
I looked down at my feet and felt that I found a great theme to start with——Band-aids. Band-aids are not just a patch made of different materials. It has meanings, it aims to protect and heal. The color of it was designed to blend into our skin. The holes on it was made to let our skin breath.
9/2
Initial Ideas
I was going to do a sculpture.
9/10
After some random and messy brainstorming, I find it hard to relate the theme to myself. But I did try to explore the usage of band-aids.
Please click on the link to see the video: Video
9/11
During the in-class critique, my instructor suggested me to focus on the situations or incident that do not need band-aids. That way through the project, I can show some overprotectiveness. I am not an overprotective person, but I was very inspired by this idea. It’s going to be fun playing with textures. However, the only thing that’s bothering me is that this project might not be able to make people relate much since lots of it would be personal.
9/13
My current ideas due to personal experiences:
1. Band-aid for putting on Mascara and eyeliner.
2.Band-aid for shopping.
3. Band-aid for gym.
4. Band-aid for watching netflix.
5. Band-aid for talking to a stranger.
6. Band-aid for posting a selfie.
7. Band-aid for painting nails.
8. Band-aid for using sewing machine.
9. Band-aid for taking off on a plane.
10. Band-aid for winter nights.
11. Band-aid for going to prom.
12. Band-aid for eating sushi.
What I need to buy:
A container for the bandaids
9/17
Plans:
$ I plan on doing research on each one of the thought then choose and eliminate.
$ I’ll also take photos of the corresponding situation
Research and thoughts:
- Before I learned how to do makeup, especially eye makeup, it’s very easy for me to mess up. I remember the frustration of seeing black spots on my eyelids when they aren’t supposed to be. The pattern of the smudge from the mascara and the shape of liner that I could never get right left me a “traumatic” impression.
- Shopping and band-aids are so close to each other, like sisters. For me, shopping is not just a unplanned incident, it’s an event when I plan to go by every shop I wanted to go for a period of time. So even if I wear the most comfortable sneakers to shop, I’ll need 1 or 2 band-aids every time. And by the end of the day, the band-aids will most likely look wrinkled.
- I love gym. I’ve been going to gym for 3 years. I focus mainly on weight training and I love seeing my body transform from skinny to fit. However, despite all the gloves and towels I brought for protection, heavy weights could be intimidating. I constantly hear people push themselves to their absolute limits and “Bang!”, drop their barbells.
- ELIMINATED
- ELIMINATED
- A selfie records my uplifted mood at the moment. Posting it is not a crime but gets bashed sometimes. I hope everyone would understand that a selfie is just a selfie. It’s nothing to be ashamed about.
- I love painting my own nails. Nail polishes are not the best for my nails, but I like how it instantly gives my nails a fresh look. I have steady hands now because I’ve done this for hundreds of times. Before I got better at it, it was frustrating what a mess I make every time.
- ELIMINATED
- As a traveller, I’ve experienced all kinds of emotions before the plane takes off. Sad, excited, anxious, exhausted, happy, so so…..
- ELIMINATED
- Prom was so many girls’ dreams since they were little. I was never excited about prom and therefore I never even went to my junior or senior prom. All the sequins and embellishments look very tacky to me. But what if I actually put on one of those prom dresses and went to prom? That’ll be interesting.
- Sushi is one of my favorite cuisines. I love the idea of eating a small piece at a time. But except the tiny cucumber rolls, other sushi rolls are just too big to not create a mess for people who wear lipsticks. I usually create a mess.
After taking photos, I plan to transfer the elements of those photos to band-aids. Eventually I’ll buy frames to put photos and band-aids together.
9/18
On this beautiful Sunday, I invited my roommate and friend Valerie to be my model and tried to create all the situations above. I did her makeup and told her about my visions of the shoot.
- Eye Mess
2. Shopping
3. Gym
4. Selfie
5. Painting Nails
6. Before A Flight
7. Prom
8. Eating Sushi
Location: Dorm
Photographer: Lily (Except for the 4 frames of herself)
Model: Valerie
Make-up: Lily
9/19
The in-class critic did not go very well for me. There’s some confusions in the photos. After hearing suggestions, I realized that the photos are really too much for the project. Marisa and I discussed and decided to turn at the point and make this project focus more on the varieties of the textures of band-aids.
So, my new plan is to go to the garment district on Wednesday and hopefully get a lot of swatches of different fabrics or even things from the nature.
9/22
I asked for a lot of swatches at mood, even leather ones that they never give swatches to people. These are the ones I think that would represent my idea of band-aids.
Below are the ones I think the most interesting
And for adhesive purposes, I also bought this glue
9/23
This is my process of making “fancy” band-aids that fits all situation
9/24
Finished all the band-aids! 
I think my band-aids are full of personalities and different cultures. I tossed out the pastel pink lace one since it looks less strong than other more exciting band-aids.
Here’s the final lay-out
