Journal 1

A couple weeks ago, I was in Critique A with Jim. It was a great experience looking at other people's work from different concentrations. Although, I felt a little awkward since I have never critiqued paintings or photos before. I was quite nervous when it was my turn. Like me, not many people in the class knew about graphic design.

When Jim asked what I'm thinking about for thesis, I was panicked. I didn't really have a solid idea but I gave my messy pitch. Out of all the past projects I've done in graphic design, I think the most gratifying and engaging projects were making booklets. For my topic, I wanted to use some sort of personal experience since all we use in graphic design is given information/data. I want to share my mother's family history, discussing the female role in China from my grandmother's generation to my mother's. The group & Jim agreed I should give it a shot and collect as much information and research for now.

From what I know off-hand, my mother's family immigrated to Canada to escape the war and find a better living. When they were in China, they owned property, had a farm, and had six children. Unfortunately, it seems my grandparents didn't keep much of a journal before they past away. It would also be hard to interview my mother's side of the family since they are in Canada and some are on vacation. So for now I think I'll have to go for a general scope of the issue.

There is much controversy in long and historical cultures when it comes to living in traditional or modern values, especially when it comes down to the woman's role. For centuries, Chinese women have been the inferior person in relation to family, spouse, and social standing. They had duties to fulfill for their family and gender. Parents of the bride chose the groom and when she would marry, she will marry into the husband's family losing ties to her old one. She also had the duty to bear a son to inherit the family wealth and continue the lineage. However, the modern thinking does not force women into subjection and belittlement. Women can now choose who to have a relationship with, have a career, and wait to have children. But such drastic changes also cause troubling effects. There have been reports of population concerns as more women are thinking more about an independent lifestyle and career, it is harder for men to settle down and have a family.

Here are some resources I have looked into so far:
"Chinese Family" - Ebrey
"Life Cycle" - Mann
"The Joy Luck Club" - Amy Tan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-07/31/content_6454831.htm
http://kaixin.com.au/women-in-china/2011/1/1/marriage-in-china-ancient-modern.html
http://shanghaiist.com/2010/01/11/the_modern_chinese_woman_financiall.php
http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/global/wcon.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax3dRAEgosY

As for the design of the book, I've been thinking of presenting text on translucent paper that is on top of an image. Possibly do a booklet series of simple images that show the difference of modern and traditional Chinese women -- maybe like a children's book. Maybe I don't need to print on paper at all! (well--that is a bit too drastic)

I'm still trying to figure out my angle and approach to this topic. I think this is an important issue to share, not just because I connect to it, but I think it effects a majority of people that aren't the same ethnicity as well.