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2023 Lunar Gala: Morii

Lunar Gala, inspired by the Lunar New Year's tradition of wearing new clothes, is the largest annual fashion event led by students in Pittsburgh with 1200+ attendees.
Here are some show day photos!
System
MORII, defined as "the desire to capture a fleeting experience", is something that occurs in a moment of personal significance. The melancholy comes from the fact that we will never be able to preserve these past memories in whole, but throughout our journeys, these internal reflections are also a vibrant acknowledgment of personal growth.

As each designer constructs their own personal interpretation of MORII through fashion, the creative team aims to visually reconstruct and represent these concepts in a system of artifacts with photo driven imagery.
Process Notes
Our team then explored various methods for capturing and altering photographic imagery. We delved into the realm of post-editing, experimenting with techniques that intentionally lose information, creating intriguing visual effects. Additionally, we dabbled in "inaccurate" captures through 3D scans and long exposure warping, adding a touch of unpredictability to our creative process.

Each team member delved into possibilities within the medium that aligned with their specific outcome. The collaborative effort resulted in a diverse range of approaches, each contributing to the overarching concept of "morii" in their own unique way.
What better way to tap into emotions like nostalgia than through your own camera roll?

Our team created a collective Drive folder, where everyone could dump their ambiguously eventful photos. This treasure trove of memories would serve as a valuable library of assets for future explorations. Using the key words we had compiled for each individual line, we decided to piece together a representation of someone else's fleeting memory.
We also delved into visual motifs within the UI of capturing devices for the website and motion components. Shutters, timers, focus control, menu selectors, grid lines...
Reflections
The role of a co-creative director who has never been part of the creative team ever was a juncture that stirred both self-doubt and moments of sheer panic.

This role not only challenged my skills and leadership capabilities, but also taught me the value of embracing the unknown by pushing past my doubts. Working closely with these talented individuals, I realized the essential value of collective making.
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