Semester 2, Week 10

Creating the Wizard, Writing the Script

Conjuring the Wizard

Materials

  • Mop, Blue Velvet Fabric, and Gold Fabric

I gathered the materials from last week to create the robe, hat, and beard (above). I also bought aluminium wire (right) to create the skeleton of the hat so I could manipulate the shape as I wanted.

0.3mm diameter aluminium wire

Making

I first tested methods to sew the gold fabric on the blue one. The gold fabric was too thin and stretchy, making it to difficult to sew directly. I then attached the gold fabric on canvas fabric using spray adhesive. It didn't make it any easier to sew.

Gold on Blue Fabric
(Too thin and stretchy)

Gold + Canvas Backing
(Still difficult to sew)

I ended up attaching them using the gold + canvas method, plus a small stitch to attach the pieces to the blue fabric.

Gold + Canvas Backing + Stitch

Putting everything together + a gold lining on the bottom.

I tested the skeleton with the wires, but the fabric was just too thin and resulted in a strangely shaped hat. I then had to murder my pillow to get the feathers out instead.

Hat Skeleton

Hat Skeleton on Me

Retrieving fluff for the hat

To be honest, I lost track of documentation the moment I started on the beard and robe, but they all follow a similar testing and making process as the hat. I also got my mom to help me with some of the sewing, and had a discussion about my project with her, which was really nice.

Script / Storyboard

Having created the character, I then had to figure out the story I'm telling. Essentially, the plot revolved around a wizard which, in my opinion, can be interpreted as the people behind new technology, or the new technology itself. Regardless, what I hope to convey is that the people who build technology behind the veil of magic have agency and understand that it is unrealistic and dangerous to speak about AI technology like magic. The wizard (as the instigator of magic) thus goes through an existential crisis while trying to reconcile with this dilemma.

Logo Design

I also worked on some ideas for logo designs, or how the corporation could look. I was mostly inspired by corporate brand identities, while also incorporating a sense of whimsy and fun.