OBSCURE
Yuna Ma
In a world where the boundaries of knowledge are constantly expanding, the concept of transformation through obscurity
has emerged as a powerful and enigmatic force. Obscurity involves the concealment or alteration of an entity’s original
state or qualities, rendering it obscure. This process is explored through the lens of contemporary art and design,
illustrating how obscurity challenges perceptions, alters meanings, and fosters innovation. The thesis posits that
obscurity, with its ability to obfuscate and redefine, holds transformative power. This power encourages openness,
adaptability, and creative expression, offering profound insights into the nature of transformation and the potential
for personal and collective growth.
This book is designed for my thesis that explores the concept of transformation through obscurity. To fully appreciate
the depth and breadth of this concept, I explore six distinct categories: Obscure, Repurposing, Anomalous, Nonsensical,
Reconstructing, Reassembling.
Each category underscores a different aspect of obscurity’s transformative power, highlighting its role in challenging
perceptions, altering meanings and fostering innovative reinterpretations.
Hello Morning: A Journey Beyond the Known
In aligning with the theme of reconstruction and the transformative power of obscuring, my design response manifests through the creation of Hello Morning: A Journey Beyond the Known. This card game project interrogates the essence of personal identity in today’s world, posing critical inquiries about our understanding of self and the allure of embodying alternate personas within divergent realities.
From a Clip to…
Within the book, a captivating barter story weaves through the entirety of the text, serving as a continuous narrative thread that enriches the main content. This book documents the chronicle of that journey, starting from the singular paper clip. Each chapter unfolds a new exchange, revealing not just a new item to be traded but the concealed story and goodwill it carries. From mundane to mysterious, every object acquired and passed on became a testament to the unseen worth and connections between people.
Foresta AI Typeface: Reimagining the Organic through AI
The frontier between the natural world and technological innovation is often seen as a boundary to be maintained rather than crossed. Foresta shatters this boundary. This unique collection of typefaces draws deep inspiration from the myriad forms, textures, and patterns so lavishly provided by nature. Foresta channels the capabilities of AI to craft surreal, organic landscapes within each letter and symbol, merging the inherently mechanical and logical processes of AI with the chaotic beauty of natural forms. This collection is not just a set of typefaces; it's a radical fusion of art and technology, an exploration of how far we can push the envelope in digital typography.
Structure of the book
