M.a.p.

13 May 2011

M.a.p.
Experimental Geography Atlas, Final Year Project
B5 (17.6cm × 25cm), 102 pages
Paper & Transparencies
May 2011
ADM Show 2011


Final Year Project
“M.a.p. = Memories and places” is my degree thesis and Final Year Project (FYP) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design & Media (ADM). The final product of my project is an experimental geography atlas. "M.a.p." was showcased at "ADM Show 2011" in May 2011.

Abstract
The title “M.a.p.” is an acronym for “Memories and places”. M.a.p. is a study on maps, mapping and memories of places in Singapore; with information interpreted from maps, pictures and words. M.a.p. is inspired from my love for maps, exploration of local places and geographic metaphors.

The purpose of the project is to preserve memory and history of places. M.a.p. constructs common memories based on my personal memories and experiences. This experimental geography atlas identifies changes in Singapore landscape, identifies memorable places, documents journey and explores the relationship of me with these places. Furthermore, M.a.p. also projects an imagination of familiar places in the future.

In this experimental geography atlas, information, memories and imagination are visually represented using maps, pictures and words. Cartography is the main visualization technique, compliment by photography and essays. Contents of the atlas are organized according to a parallel zoom and time concept.

Zoom Concept
The “Zoom Concept” is based on my childhood concept that my view equals the size of my world; meaning the size of the world is only as large as what I see only, anything beyond my sight is presumed non-existing.

Therefore it starts with ‘Me’ as the basis entity. This is also because topics are chosen based on my personal memories. The true first entity is ‘Home’ (#05-71), followed by ‘Block’ (Block 433) and ‘Precinct’ (Tampines Street 42/43). Slowly it zooms out into ‘Neighbourhood’ (Tampines Neighbourhood 4), ‘Town’ (Tampines), ‘Region’ (East) and finally ‘Nation’ (Singapore). This zoom symbolizes that my area of activity expanded simultaneously with my age.

Time Concept
The second concept is the “Time Concept”. ‘Past’ encompasses history and memories; while ‘Present’ refers to reality and everyday life. ‘Future’ involves prediction and imagination.

Concept of bookbinding and folding method
B5 (17.6cm x 25cm) is chosen as the size of the book for portability. However a B5-page is too small to publish a detailed map within a single page. If the map is printed across a spread, information in the middle might be obstructed by bookbinding methods. Therefore for portability and readability, I formulate a spread to have 'four B5-pages'.

When closed, the atlas would look like a normal B5-size book. After the cover is flip open (to the right), the content page will always be at the right. This enables quick reference from any part of the book, but it can be fold behind the last page for portability. The full page (35.2cm x 25cm) is revealed when the book is flipped to the left. Another flip will reveal the full spread, which consists of four B5 pages (70.4cm x 25cm).


cover of the experimental geography atlas "M.a.p."


After the cover is flip open (to the right), the content page will always be at the right.


"M.a.p." page 1-2: Introduction


More information and selected highlights of "M.a.p." is available at my design portfolio Boundless Petrol.

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