isabelleshu

Airport Check-In Counter

Paranoid Music Video

Pride & Prejudice Stage Production

The Monkey’s Paw Concept Set Design

Vol. 2: The Ascension CD Album

Multi-Functional Storage Unit

Personal Works

Curriculum Vitae

selected works

In response to the growing tourism rate a new Malé International Airport in the Maldives is underway, designed to accommodate 3.5 million passengers per annum (5 mppa in 2035). Integrated Design Associates (IDA) has been commissioned as Project Architect for the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) and all Ancillary Buildings in the airport. Part of the scope of service includes the design of fixed furniture such as passenger check-in counters, passport control, boarding desk, etc. My role is to work with the project team to design all these furniture systems, of which the check-in counter is the primary generic type that forms the basis for all the other counter systems. Forty counters including conveyor belts must fit in the limited space, restricting counter space to only 1.2 metres in width (excluding conveyor belts).

*All renderings and CAD images courtesy of IDA

MALDIVES AIRPORT CHECK-IN COUNTERResearch +Design (In Progress)

Hong Kong International AirportCHECK-IN COUNTER ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE

To design a space-efficient and people-friendly check-in counter for both the passengers and airport staff that reflects the modern architecture of the Male International Airport.

DESIGN PARAMETERS

• Dimensions limited to 1.2 metres in width• Accomodate all necessary equipment:

- Computer system (monitor and keyboard)- Telephone- Baggage tag printer (BTP)- Boarding pass printer (BPP)- Conveyor system controls- Baggage weighscale display- Stationery

• Sound ergonomics for the operator and passengers

• Adaptable to airline branding• Same aesthetical expressions of the architecture

PROCESS

• Analyse the basic ergonomics of the operator and his/her relationship with the passengers to establish a set of key dimensional parameters

• Analyse an exisiting check-in counter at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and make measurements as a benchmark for comparison

• Carry out limited user research to gauge efficiency, productivity and user-friendliness

• Apply findings to the design to investigate further improvements

• Build full-size models to test space efficiency and positioning of equipment

• Build full-size mock-up • Test mock-up with an operator/airline

representative• Finish design drawings for contract tender

The Ash-Thomas Project, an up-and-coming musical collective, was filiming a music video for their first single, Paranoid. As the Production Designer the project required a fully designed concept to be implemented and constructed.

The song conveys the idea of claustrophobia. The concept was to show the performer’s world closing in as the song progressed, while keeping focus on him. The director also wanted to be able to change the lighting and effects throughout the song.

A challenge that we were faced with was the location that we were shooting in. The stage was not available for us until the day of shooting, which meant that we had to construct the set offstage and transport and put it together before first shot.

After many meetings and discussions, the idea of a tunnel was the most fitting and cost effective approach.

PARANOID MUSIC VIDEOSet Design + Construction

OBJECTIVETo design and build a tunnel that progressively conveys the feeling of claustrophobia through the duration of the track. The structure has to be easy to transport to the stage and quick to assemble/erect. The design must incorporate lighting outlets (for use by the Director of Photography) and interchangeable surfaces for lighting effects.

The concept started from the basic idea of a tunnel. In order to gradually gain the feeling of claustrophobia, my idea was to create a perspective tunnel, where the opening is smaller on one end than the other. The next steps were to figure out the shape and construction.

The idea of a conical tunnel evolved into a prism because of practicality (the shape allows a camera track to be laid), and the idea of a kaleidoscope was born, allowing for different effects to take place.

The final design consists of an aluminium frame with different skins placed along the sides of the tunnels.

The frame was created with aluminium pipes - the ribs were bent at 60 degrees and connected to the detatchable spine using nuts and bolts. The housings for the lights were attached to each rib.

There were two types of skins for the tunnel - a blackout fabric to absorb risidual light and sheets of mylar that were stretched across wooden frames to create a kaleidoscope effect.

To the left are stills from the music video showing the different lighting and effects that were used throughout.

I was asked by the USC School of Theatre to design the set for the stage production of Pride & Prejudice. The play was to show at the school’s Scene Dock Theater - a small black box stage that, depending on the configuration, could fit between 90-110 seats.

The director wanted the set design to resemble the 1995 mini-series production and stay true to the time period.

Before I could start designing, there was a lot of research to be done. Even though there were no scene changes, I wanted to make sure the interior design of the room stayed true to the 19th Century. I also had to take into account the entrances and exits of the characters to ensure easy flow of movement for the actors.

PRIDE & PREJUDICESet Design + Decoration

My initial idea was to design a theatre-in-the-round set, where the stage is in the centre of the space and the audience are seated all around. This would have optimised the number of seating that could be placed.

The concept was to make the audience feel like they were actually seated in the Pride & Prejudice living room. The concept would have involved audience interaction from the moment they enter the theatre - they would have to walk through the “garden” and onto the stage in order to take their seats, and the actors would sometimes have to sit with the audience as though they were extras in the play.

Unfortunately I had difficulty with the sightlines of the layout, and the director preferred a more traditional approach to the stage.

I then researched into Georgian interior design and finishes, coming up with the colours and trimmings.

The most challenging part of designing this set was dealing with sightlines (the shaded area in the floor plan to the right). For every door and window that I put in, there had to be a backing or psyche to prevent the audience being able to see backstage. The doors that led to the garden were particularly difficult - because the theatre was quite small, I had to make sure there was enough space for the actors to get to the dressing room, while conveying the idea of a large open garden. The psyche I designed depicted a large space (plenty of sky and land) that followed the path to the dressing room.

To make the garden scenery more interesting I created a trellis outside, that can be seen through the glass doors.

For my Final project, I decided to design the set for one of my favorite plays, The Monkey’s Paw.

The story is set in the Victorian age and as a challenge for myself, I wanted to stay true to the times. Even though the entire play happens in a single living room, the characters enter and exit through various doors representing different parts of the house. This required a lot of research on my part into Victorian architecture - how a typical Victorian parlour is laid out, and how it would have been dressed. I also had to take into account the actions and movements of the actors, as this also affects the configuration of furniture and props.

The most challenging part of this set design was capturing the feelings and mood of the script. The Monkey’s Paw is an eerie horrific tale, and I have to make the audience feel that at first glance of the set.

THE MONKEY’S PAWSet Design + 1/4” Scale Model

The two reference images to the right and below right captured the feeling of the room that I wanted to convey. The first image shows a typical floor plan of a Victorian house. I liked the different angles used in the bay windows, and incorporated this into my design. Staying true to the time, the parlour (where the play is set) is connected to the main entrance and stairs leading up.

The next image shows a Victorian interior design. I really liked the aged, musty feeling to the photograph - it had an eerie sense about it. The colours I chose were very muted and muddy to portray similar feelings. Because this play is quite disturbing, I purposely wanted the audience to feel uncomfortable. I had heard somewhere that out of all the colours, yellow is the harshest for the human eye, and therefore used it as my main wall colour. The dark red and brown was to represent blood and death.

In terms of decoration, I tried to use all the space (characteristic of the Victorian era) to portray disorder and chaos.

After working with The Ash-Thomas Project on two of their music videos, I was asked to Art Direct their CD album Vol. 2: The Ascension for release in Nigeria.

The album was named The Ascension after the members’ struggles and rise to where they are now. I had very clear guidelines as to what they wanted to show in the artwork of their album:

A piece of text (provided for me) and an image on every spread of the album booklet representing a journey or “ascension”

The band’s name in every image

At least one member in every image

An image of Africa on the back of the album

VOL. 2: THE ASCENSIONAlbum Design + Artwork

My initial idea for the album was simple, with just an interesting image or pattern. The band’s name reminded me of smoke, so I started playing with Photoshop in creating smoke effects. I started creating letters and came up with the band’s insignia that was ultimately used in every page of the booklet.

It was then that the band had their ideas for the parameters of the art direction. I took photographs of each member and created a silohuette to be used in each ‘ascension’ image.

Each depiction on the pages of the booklet was created using Photoshop, layering different images and photographs.

For my Final Design & Technology project, I chose to design a storage unit. The decision initially came from a need to organise my own personal work space, but it quickly turned into something far more purposeful.

The first part of the project involved intensive market research of existing products - what units are already out there, how are they successful and what could be improved upon to make it more appealing, user-friendly, or environmentally sustainable. This study would be the basis for the Design stage.

After researching existing products in the market, I found that the most successful ones were units that either had other functions aside from just storage, or that could be assembled or changed according to the user’s preference. This influenced me to create something that could do both.

*The following are extracts from Unit 2522 and 2523 - “Multi-Functional Storage Unit”, which include Market Research, Ideas, Modelling and Testing, Construction, and Analysis for Manufacturing

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL STORAGE UNITResearch, Design + Construction

OBJECTIVETo design and make a multi-functional storage unit for a compact environment that will include the essential functions of different pieces of furniture built into one to minimise space occupied.

The original idea (right) was to have a unit be placed in different positions depending on the user’s preference. I eventually incorporated the use of a mechanism to vary the functions and aesthetics. Using hinges (below) was not very appealing to me, and makes the unit quite unsafe without a latch. I experimented with sliding panels (overleaf), that unfortunately made the unit too large for a compact environment.

I decided to explore other mechanisms while keeping the basic style of my first idea. I love woodworking, and the idea of using interlocking joints appealed to me. This design (right) consists of two parts can be placed in various positions depending on the function, which include a seat, bedside/coffee table or mini bookshelf. Alternatively the two parts can be individually used as stools. The extra support in the middle strengthens each part, making it safe for the user and prevents distortion.

After making a mock-up of the design, it was evident that I needed to change the joints to prevent its instability (far bottom right). After creating deeper slots the problem was minimised, but was still unbalanced when placed on its side (overleaf, left). Ultimately, to completely solve the problem I had to cut more slots into each part, which made it slightly less clean-looking but effective (final design model, overleaf centre and right).

A sketch from a photograph of a lizardInk pen on paper*148mm x 210mm

A pastiche of Luis Royo’s Women seriesPencil on paper*457mm x 610mm

A sketch of AVP’s alienPencil on paper*148mm x 210mm

A sketch of HR Giger’s alienSoft pastel on paper*457mm x 610mm

The following pieces are works I have completed in my spare time and in hobby classes. I enjoy life and still drawing, and recreating artists’ works that inspire me. My favourite mediums are pencil, soft pastels and charcoal, and I also enjoy sculpting and woodworking.

PERSONAL WORKSDrawings + Sculpture

A study of a facePencil on paper*210mm x 148mm

A study of a facePencil on paper*210mm x 148mm

A study of a faceColoured pencils on paper410mm x 297mm

A study of a faceColoured pencils on paper297mm x 410mm

MASTER CLASS WITH FRANCO ANZELMOBeyond the Figure: Classical Italian Portrait of a Head

I recently completed a Master Class at the Hong Kong Art School with the sculptor Franco Anzelmo. It was a crash-course in creating a bust made from clay. We studied the features of a human face and learned how to recreate them in clay, as well as the process of making a sculpture from building the armature to the different finishing processes available.

I am used to drawing in 2D, but this was my first time building up a face with three dimensions. The experience was enlightening and I still have a lot of room for improvement. Franco invited me to visit his studio in Shenzhen and hopefully I will get a chance to cast my sculpture in bronze.

Study and Research for new Maldives Airport Check-In Counters (In Progress)

Unit 2522 - Market Research, Ideas, Modelling, Testing for a Multi-Functional Storage Unit

Unit 2523 - Construction, Testing, Analysis for Manufacturing a Multi-Functional Storage Unit

Case Study on a School Security System

Case Study on Take-Away Cup Holders

Metals Research Paper Properties of Metal and Manufacturing Processes

studies/research papers

Master Class: Beyond the Figure Hong Kong Art SchoolHong Kong 2012

Mandarin Studies Beijing Language and Culture University Beijing 2011

Theatre (BA Hons) and Film Studies (Minor)University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles 2005 - 2009

A-Levels Art & Design (A); Design & Technology (A); Mathematics (B) Roedean School - Brighton, UK 1999 - 2004

Design Assistant and MarCom Architectural Firm Integrated Design Associates - Feb 2011 - Present

Assistant Stylist Genki Sushi TVCSuch Films Ltd. - Mar 2012

Design Assistant Architectural Firm Delta H Design Inc. - Oct 2009 - Feb 2011

Production Designer “The Forest” Feature Film611 Films - Apr - Jul 2009

Production Designer “Firestarter” Music VideoThe Ash-Thomas Project - Nov 2008

Production Designer “Worked Up” Music VideoBrian Anthony - Aug 2008

Production Designer “Paranoid” Music VideoK.E.X. - Apr 2008

Art Director “The Ascension” Music AlbumThe Ash-Thomas Project - Oct - Dec 2007

Technical Assistant Bovard AuditoriumUSC - Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

Sales & Marketing AssistantPorsche Centre Hong Kong - Oct 2004 - Jan 2005

isabelleshu contact education

work experience

references

awards

additional info

House 69, Fifth StreetHong Lok Yuen, Tai PoN.T., Hong Kong

H: +852 2517 8775M: +852 9444 3407

izzyshu@gmail.com

2011 Best Presentation of the Year (Short Film) at BLCU (Beijing)

2004 National Arkwright Scholarship for Young Designers (UK)

2004 Audi Young Designer of the Year Award - Regional Finalist (UK)

2002 Design & Technology Academic Scholarship for Roedean School (UK)

2003 Young Enterprise (UK)

British NationalityHong Kong Residency CardChina Return-Home Visa

Languages:English (Main) and MandarinBasic Cantonese, French and Spanish

Hanson HsuPrincipal, Delta H Design Inc.W: +1 (310) 581 2331hanson@deltahdesign.comwww.deltahdesign.com

Jochen TombersDirectorIntegrated Design Associates LtdW: +852 2863 0800jochen.tombers@ida-hk.com