The Creative Issue Vol. 5 (Aug/Sep 2021)

THE

CREATIVE ISSUE

Vol 5 (Aug - Sept 2021)
Design and Creative Industries

Editors’ Note

Hello and welcome back Starter Pack to get you prepared
to The Creative Issue! We are and settled in university.
beyond excited to be publishing
our first edition as the second However, due to the
batch of DCI Spectrum students. second wave of the COVID-19
In the previous issues, various pandemic keeping most of us
creative topics and interesting within the walls of our bubbles,
themes have been covered. At our creative process is not the
The Creative Issue, we hope to same. With that in mind, you
inspire and give insight on the can find some catered artbook
creative world to fellow creators recommendations to avoid any
and prospective readers. It is a artblocks and stay inspired.
zine dedicated to those who are You can also find out (and
inspired to pursue their passions maybe relate) what it is like
within the creative field; and we to undergo final year studies
will continue to do so with issue online during these trying times.
#5 as well as the forthcoming
editions. We would like to thank
you for supporting The Creative
As our opening words, Issue thus far and we hope you
we would like to share about will continue to support us. Let us
our major – Design and Creative continue sharing more with the
Industries – at Universiti Brunei creative community in the months
Darussalam because it has to come. Stay safe, stay at home
been an interesting journey for and see you in the next issue!
us! Within these pages, you
will discover answers to your Editors-in-Chief,
curiosities about What is DCI
Like. For our future and current Fatin A. & Ezah I.
juniors, let us guide you through

CONTENT 01
05
Infinite & Beyond! 09
What’s DCI Like? 10
Word Search: Design and Creative Industries
Artbook Recommendations 13
Bracing through Online Classes during 15
Quarantine
Where is Dr Lopes and Sir Osman?

Contributors

WRITERS Adilah Mahadi | Batrisyia Sofery | Fatin Ahmad | Iman
Sham| Nisa Hashim ILLUSTRATORS Adilah Mahadi | Batrisyia Sofery
| Fatin Ahmad | Ezah Ibrahim | Iman Sham | Nisa Hashim | Syazwani

Wasli EDITOR Ezah Ibrahim

Illustrated by Batrisyia Sofery
Cover by Ezah Ibrahim



Infinite & Beyond!

“Infinite & Beyond!”

Written by Fatin Ahmad
Illustrated by Syazwani Wasli

Coming to you soon, Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s Design and Creative
Industries would like to present you the second Spectrum exhibition! This year, we
introduce to you, Spectrum:2I0nf2in2i:teIN! FINITE!

Assembling 54 unique artists, they will be expressing their individuality and
their aspiration through creativity. Endless in space, magnitude and size; Infinite
symbolises something that is impossible to measure nor calculate. This year’s
Spectrum hopes to portray this as one’s creativity and potential is unmeasurable and
through this exhibition, the creatives wish to radiate the charm of self-actualisation to
inspire and feel the sense of being unstoppable together.

Even while working apart at our own homes, we are delighted to be preparing
this upcoming Spectrum exhibition. We have all been working hard to welcome
everyone back for a safe and enjoyable experience. Stay tuned!~

02

Infinite & Beyond!
03

Infinite & Beyond!
04

DESIGN & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES What’s DCI Like?

What’s DCI Like?

Written by Nisa Hashim & Iman Sham
Illustrated by Iman Sham

Being asked what our major is about has become predictable for us in
university. The major is not really something that people would understand in the
first go; so sit back aass tthhiiss aarrttiiccllee iiss ffoorr aalll tthhee ccuurrioiouussppeeoopplelefrfroommuuss--SSppeecctrturumm:
2In0fi2n2it:eIN- tFhIeNIcTuErr-etnhtesecnuriorersntosfeDneiosrigs nofaDndesCigrneaatnivde CInrdeuastitvrieesIn(dDuCstIr).ies (DCI).

To start, as the name suggests, we learn art and design but it does not limit to
just that. Our art courses range from basic drawing to animation and videography.
However, what is special about our major is that it can be considered as a ‘combined
major’ due to how we also need to take some modules from other faculties - the
School of Business, Faculty of Integrated Technology and Faculty of Science. Such
modules include programming, computer aided engineering, entrepreneurship,
and more. Juggling all these modules can be overwhelming but you would get the
hang of it eventually like we did. Does that make us jacks-of-all-trades? Mayhaps
but maybe we can have our guests who we interviewed answer that for us. ~

Female, First Year Student

Female, Second Year Student

Male, Final Year Student

Female, Final Year Student

05

What’s DCI Like?

What were your expectations coming into What is something valuable you have learnt
DCI? through DCI?

I thought that DCI can help me Art has a different meaning for
refine my freelancing skills. everyone so people may interpret
the meaning differently from the
To be able to learn and artists’ themselves or others.
experience the creative fields that
I wish to pursue. Personally after joining this major,
I was able to learn how to be the
What was the first semester in DCI like best version of myself through
for you? What did you have to get used to firm dedications on doing and
quickly? pursuing the creative field that
I want to be successful at. The
I had to make myself familiar with value of self-management and
using various softwares for my teamwork is also one of the
modules like Adobe Photoshop, important thing this major has
Autodesk CAD, JAVA, and others. taught me as we in fact need
to work together in order to
Deadlines for the modules’ make something meaningful.
projects and assignments are Friendships and respect is also
often around the same week the key value that I learned
so I had get used to the heavy throughout the entire journey not
workload. just towards your lecturers but
also to everyone around you.
Were there moments in the semester that
you felt overwhelmed and out of your Lastly, do you have any piece of advice for
comfort zone? How did you overcome these those planning to take the major or to those
moments? who are currently studying in DCI?

There were a lot of moments I felt Don’t stop designing, creating
overwhelmed and felt insecure. or developing ideas. Continue
There were moments I thought to improve your skills and never
I had made the wrong choices. doubt yourselves. Remember
During my semester, everyone that your artwork may not be for
around me were so talented and everyone but there is an audience
so knowledgeable that I felt I was for it. Never compare yourself to
below them. The way I overcame others and always be grateful
it was with a lot of crying, trying and ‘rendah diri’.
to be more confident in myself
and try not to go to the dark side No matter how challenging
of my thoughts. this course is going to be in the
future, don’t ever think of giving
I do not have much knowledge up because in the end, all the
about DCI as a major and it was challenges and effort spent on
overwhelming for me to catch it are really worth it. If you ever
up with the others. However, I feel like there’s no way to turn
eventually managed to overcome around, remember that you
it with the help of the lecturers are not alone and that you can
and my fellow classmates. always seek help from your
lecturers and colleagues. Last but
not least, don’t forget to enjoy,
live in the moment while it lasts!

06

DESIGN & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES What’s DCI Like?: Starter Pack

BASIC UNIVERSITY NECESSITIES

1 Personalised learning materials.
It’s good to determine and utilise whatever material helps you
the best. Canvas is overall essential.

2 Writer’s brain.
There will be a good deal of academic reports and essay
writing in this design course. So get your writer’s brain
prepared!

THE CREATIVE’S NECESSITIES

3 Youtube!
There will only be a few practical tutorials offered that will help
you refine your knowledge on your creative software knowledge.
There’s no friend like YouTube.

4 PC and access to creative software.
Softwares keep your design skills up to new standards so do get
those in your computers. If possible, get FREE or software with
student-friendly prices.

5 Art supplies.
Other than having a sink, the studio is zero. So ensure that you
have paints, paintbrushes, inks or any of your favourite mediums.

6 Business/Entrepreneur’s brain.
It is important to get some money on your mind in this course
where entrepreneurship is a compulsory module.

Of course there are many ways you can prepare yourselves for the
rollercoaster that is the University Life (and its deadlines). But do not feel
too overwhelmed. What matters most is to manage your time well, stay
informed and stay organised. ~

07

What’s DCI Like?: DCI Starter Pack
08

Word Search

Did you know?

It is important for designers to understand the elements and principles of Art. It is a fundamental
items for art appreciation and it can be found in every art forms that are produced. Discover
and learn the elements and principles of Art by playing the word search below. Goodluck
and have fun!

09

Artbook Recommendations

Artbook
Recommendations

Written by Adilah Mahadi, Fatin Ahmad & Nisa Hashim
Illustrated by Nisa Hashim

With the help of art books, whether it is about classic works, painting
techniques, or even behind-the-scenes, creatives can better understand their
profession and learn more on how to better improve their artistic skills. Although
contemporary digital platforms continue to influence the art world and the way
artists collect information, books still occupy a unique and valuable place in
building and honing one’s creative fundamentals. ~

10

Artbook Recommendations

Creative Illustration Understanding Graphic Artists Guild
by Andrew Loomis Comics: Handbook: Pricing &

THE INVISIBLE ART Ethics Guidelines

The late Loomis Never in all our lives This is a beyond
worked in a lot of painting would we imagine reading handy guide for graphic
advertisements in the 1930s, such gear-grinding books artists, illustrators, animators
so chances are, you’re about comics... in a comic and the like who are dabbling
probably more familiar with book! McCloud’s insight in freelance. It’s a thick
his works than his name! and philosophy as a comic book that covers everything
Creative Illustration is a book artist is intriguing you’re unlikely to learn in a
hefty book to go through and accompanied by his classroom like dealing with
with thorough and lengthy personality and humour adds clients, copyrights, contracts,
commentary which isn’t an unbelievable amount of agents, bankruptcy and other
perfect for someone just charm yet still informative. scary legal matters that are a
learning how to draw but It’s not really a how-to-draw headache to deal with! The
perfect for someone with the comics kinda book but more guide is very USA-based but
basics, looking to improve about dissecting the science who is to say that you’re only
their work or someone who of comics and how it will limited to working in Brunei?
needs a refresher after an change in the future.
art slump. His works can be
called ‘dated’ today but his
techniques are more than still
relevant today!

11

Artbook Recommendations

ImagineFX Anatomy for 3D The Art of Loish: A
Sketchbook Artists: The Essential Look Behind The

Guide for CG Scene

Professional

An artbook that This is a handbook A great artbook by the
compiles 62 of the artist’s intended for intermediate and remarkable artist Loish who
sketches and illustrations. advanced three-dimensional is known for her colourful
The featured artists display (3D) creatives that contains and expressive artworks
fantastic sketches which are detailed informations about with a dash of magical
inspiring and a pleasure sculpting 3D human figures. realism. The book shares
to look at. Each artist has However, while this guide is her process and evolution
their own style and medium. an incredibly insightful and as an artist from a young
Highly recommended for detailed anatomy resource age, to a student and finally
artists looking into character written that were created as a professional illustrator.
design, concept art or just specifically for 3D artists, It features her works from
anyone who is looking for it is also applicable for finished paintings, sketches,
those interested in learning storyboards, colour studies
inspiration. thorough anatomy studies and drawings from her early
with the help of step-by-step years. An inspiring and
useful read for those who are
tutorial breakdowns. just starting out and looking
to journey within the field of

digital illustrator or artist.

12

Bracing through Online Classes during Quarantine

Bracing through Online
Classes during Quarantine

Written by Batrisyia Sofery
Illustrated by Ezah Ibrahim

Completely Digitalising Blended and ththeestustduednetnwt itwhiathddaitdiodnitaiolnleaalrnleinagrnhinagd
Learning lteoabrenirnegadjhuastded tfoor abecomrepaledtjeulsytevidrtuafolrwaay
coof mlepalrenteinlyg.viIrntuUalBwDa’sy coaf slea, rtnhiengin.sItnituUtBioDn’s
In the midst of the second wave of cparosem, intehnet uinssatigtuetioton’osls pproromvindendt ounslaingee.
the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei, school tHoowlsevperor,vdidueedtooanlsinheif.t tHoodwisetvaenrc,edlueearntoinag
institutions are encouraged to implement swhitihft ttohedisutadndceen leraisreninogf lwocitahl thCeOsVuIDdd-1en9
blended learning. Blended learning has rciaseseso,f bloencadledCOofVILDea-1rn9incgasMesa,nabglenmdeendt
been present for years in which it combines oSyf stLeemasrn(iLnMg SM) sauncahgeams eCnat nSvyasstehmass m(LMadSe)
in-person interactions between the teacher sthuechtraasnsCitiaonnvatso hoanslinmeadleatrhneingtrasnlsigithiotlny
teoasoinerl.ineAlethaorunginhg, sdligehsptliyteeatshier. hAeltlhpouLgMhS,
dperospviidteesth, eshtuedlpenLtMs Sapnrdovteidaecsh,esrtsudaelniktes asntidll
tsetraucghgelres wailtikheasdtiallpsttirnuggtgoleownliitnhealdeaprntiinngg.to
online learning.

The Struggles of Online Learning

Following the announcement of a
semi-lockdown, students and teachers are
instructed to work from home which proved
to be quite a challenge for people to adjust
themselves. As most if not all members
of the family are working from home,
individuals may struggle in finding a quiet
private place in their house that is devoid
of constant distractions from others thus
making it difficult to stay attentive while
working.

13

Bracing through Online Classes during Quarantine

In addition, with more people
relying on online methods for study and
work, the internet connection can be
quite poor which reduces the efficiency of
teachers in providing information to their
students. Due to poor connection, teachers
may also find it difficult to judge the
atmosphere of the class as feedback may
not be as instantaneous when compared
to an in-person class. With regards to
the assessment of several courses and
modules, exams especially have mostly
been converted into coursework thus
teachers may struggle to find suitable
additional assignments that avoid
overloading their students with work.

Verily, With Every Hardship Comes
Ease

With the current abundance of
cases, it is understandable for individuals
to feel downcast and unmotivated.
Nonetheless, with every downside, there is
always an upside. Even throughout these
difficult circumstances, one should find
the courage to search for opportunities in
every hurdle. As students acknowledge the
effort their teachers put into providing and
adjusting their way of teaching to suit the
situation, it is only right for one to discipline
themselves and not let their hard work go
to waste. With the implementation of a
chat or discussion section on the LMS used
for blended learning, students, perhaps
even those who are usually shy and
introverted, should feel more empowered
to share their ideas with the whole class as
they might be more comfortable in writing
than vocalising their thoughts.

However, it is also essential to take
care of oneself and avoid overworking to
the point of burnout. Remember to have
a breather away from the screen and do
stretches in between classes. It would be
wise to have hobbies and interact with
other people outside of school, even if
the interaction happens through a virtual
medium. So, make sure to take breaks,
breathe in the fresh air and stay safe! ~

14

Once again, monkeys have
invaded the Faculty of Arts
and Social Sciences building
while students and lecturers
are making their way to
their morning classes. Can
you spot Dr. Lopes and Sir
Osman within this chaos?

Illustrated by Fatin Ahmad,
Iman Sham & Syazwani Wasli

15

16 We encourage everyone to stay at home at this time.