Raff Ahmad
Bachelor of Design - Studio 6 (Major Project)
Verum Memoriam
This culminating Major Design Project will realise the research and development undertaken in Design Studio 5 through the translation of research findings and concept development into final design outcomes. The completed project will demonstrate a synthesis of previously learned disciplinary specialisations, theory, research, and contextual studies with reference to more than one studio discipline or area of practice in the finished project.
Your final outcomes will describe your project development – drawings, sketch models and samples – culminating in your final artefacts / high fidelity prototypes. Submissions are also to include well-developed concept and exhibition statements. Your process must undergo a high degree of experimentation and reflection.
The power of narrative is commonly overlooked in a world focused on practical development. Where people are focused on working tirelessly to create more sustainable structures or more efficient modes of communication (etc); the need to create methodologies of relief are easily overlooked as it seems to be lesser in importance due leisurely attachment. However, everyone needs a break and to spend time doing activities with families. Narrative is not only a practicality of ‘big screens’ or virtual worlds but also a powerful ingredient when included in practical plans such as brand identity or spatial experience to name a few.
Verum Memoriam (Latin; True Memory) is an attempt to incorporate narrative in a practical setting by focusing on the elemental impacts of the big screen (eg movies) and virtual worlds (eg open-world video games) to today's audience. Verum Memoriam is the idea of a War Memorial that focuses on today's veterans who are amongst us whilst also honouring the great veterans of times past. It aims to amalgamate society and veterans to alleviate misconceptions surrounding veterans and the military, and help veterans to readapt into civilian life. It functions differently to traditional war memorials as Verum Memoriam is a park for families to make a day out of. The visitors of Verum Memoriam can experience the park by roaming the fields and encountering pillars (virtual worlds aspect) which portray hologram-like 3D renders of Veterans who are realistically animated on screens (big screen aspect).
Acknowledgement of Country
UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
